It s actually simpler than it sounds.
Black tie optional wedding women s attire.
If they end up going tuxedo less though they should wear a formal dark suit and tie instead.
Evaluating the dress code.
Women can go the long evening gown route but a dressy suit or shorter cocktail dress is fine too.
Both men and women have multiple options for black tie optional outfits.
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.
Women have a little more wiggle room when it comes to interpreting black tie optional wear for a wedding or other formal event.
As such it requires a sophisticated level of dressing.
A black tie optional dress code calls for formal attire.
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.
While cocktail dresses can be an appropriate option for black tie long dresses tend to be a more elevated choice.
For a black tie optional wedding men can wear a tuxedo but it s not a requirement.
Apart from white tie attire black tie is the most formal of all dress codes.
Floor length gowns are always permissible and the most formal outfit.