Black Tie Preferred, Black Tie Optional or Black Tie Invited

If the invitation states, Black Tie Preferred, Black Tie Optional or Black Tie Invited, a traditional tuxedo is the preferred choice of attire for the gentleman.  If he decides not to wear a tuxedo, he may wear a dark suit, white dress shirt and conservative tie, which is the next step down from Black Tie Preferred.  Anything less formal than this would be unacceptable at this event! 

The lady accompanying a gentleman who is wearing a suit instead of a tuxedo may wear either a short evening gown or a dinner suit.  A dinner suit is a suit that is made of a finer material than a business-suit and may have embellishments on it such as fancy buttons. 

This red satin suit by Sophie Sitbon is a dinner suit and would be appropriate for a lady to wear to a Black Tie Preferred event, if the gentleman who accompanies her chooses to wear a suit instead of a tuxedo.

This black velvet jacket and black satin skirt could also be worn to a formal affair if the gentleman the lady is going to the event with chooses to wear a dark suit instead of a tuxedo.

A long, very formal gown, such as the one above, would be inappropriate for the lady to wear if the gentleman, who is accompanying her, is wearing only a business-suit to the event.  (It’s OK, however, to model such a gown when your husband is wearing only a suit!)

Dress Code

Introduction
White Tie
Black Tie
Black Tie Preferred, Black Tie Optional or Black Tie Invited
Formal
Informal
Casual
Business Casual
Country Club Casual
Dressy Casual
Traveling Attire for Business
Traveling Attire for Personal Travel
Ladies Who Lunch Attire
Wedding Attire
Shower Attire
Christening Attire
Dinner Attire During the Week
Dinner Attire for Saturday Evening
Attire for Baseball Games, Football Games, Rock Concerts, Etc.