For a black tie optional wedding men can wear a tuxedo but it s not a requirement.
Black tie optional wedding women s attire.
Both men and women have multiple options for black tie optional outfits.
It s actually simpler than it sounds.
As far as women are concerned there s not much of a difference between black tie attire and black tie optional attire although mae says it s more acceptable to wear a dress that shows the ankles.
If you lack a full length gown a special occasion cocktail dress one adorned with sequins and worn with formal shoes for instance would work as well.
Women can go the long evening gown route but a dressy suit or shorter cocktail dress is fine too.
For women the code typically calls for a floor length dress or gown.
While attire may be slightly more casual than a black tie affair some overlap in appropriate dress exists when comparing black tie and black tie optional events.
Black tie optional wedding attire for women most black tie optional weddings take place after 6 p m so anything you d wear for a daytime function probably wouldn t make the cut here.
A black tie optional dress code calls for formal attire.
Floor length gowns are always permissible and the most formal outfit.
Apart from white tie attire black tie is the most formal of all dress codes.
While cocktail dresses can be an appropriate option for black tie long dresses tend to be a more elevated choice.
Women have a little more wiggle room when it comes to interpreting black tie optional wear for a wedding or other formal event.