Black Tie Optional question

[Bill Spencer Jr]

I'm attending a wedding in South Florida in April. The event is black tie optional.

My friend told me a jacket is not required, since it's going to be warm and humid. My question is, would a pale pink shirt be too informal? I picked up a nice one at JCrew, along with dark gray pants, and a gray striped tie. I can always wear a white shirt instead, but wasn't sure if it was absolutely necessary.

Thanks.

 

[Prince]

If its black tie optional, go with the white shirt and dark pants. Oh, and a solid color tie.

 

[John Von Wuggz]

If its black tie optional, go with the white shirt and dark pants. Oh, and a solid color tie.

+1

 

[gegarrenton]

Well, I regretfully say that it's become a majority that don't even really know what black tie is, up from just a not insignificant amount in this country. Including most people who put black tie on their invites as well. I'm not assigning that to your friend just out of hand, but the fact he's saying a jacket is even optional would make me think it's likely. The issue with putting black tie optional on an invite when it really isn't, is it kind of makes it difficult for guests to know what the expectations are (as evidenced by this thread). The original intent of black tie (or white tie for that matter) was not to "dress up", but was actually to have norms so no one felt over or under dressed at an event with everyone on equal footing and comfortable. The black tie optional came into effect since not everyone has a black tie rig anymore.

Anyways, not my wedding and he's totally cool to do whatever is gonna bring him and his bride the most happiness. Hope it's smashing fun!

In answer to your questions, no, I'd go white shirt, navy/midnight blue tie.

 

[Bill Spencer Jr]

Thanks for the responses, guys.

I'm going to go with the white shirt to be safe.

This is similar to the tie I'll be wearing. I think it goes nicely with the pants. My looks will do the loudest talking...or so I tell myself

 

[Doc4]

I'm attending a wedding in South Florida in April. The event is black tie optional.

My friend told me a jacket is not required, since it's going to be warm and humid.

Is this friend the same one who set the "black tie optional" dress code?

Is he nuts?

The thought of showing up for a wedding where maybe guys are wearing tuxedoes and maybe they're wandering around without even suit jackets on is kind of silly. I suspect that he's thrown that phrase out there not really knowing what it means.

I'd give him a call and ask what he'd like you to wear.

 

[gegarrenton]

Is this friend the same one who set the "black tie optional" dress code?

Is he nuts?

Google "Black Tie Optional" and see the results. 90% wedding forums, 100% of which don't know what it means. It's good for several minutes of laughter.

 

[franz]

Give the guy a call and ask him what he's hoping/expecting folks to wear.

Sometimes wishy-washy guidance is worse than no guidance at all!

 

[jpakstis]

Yeah, like Doc4 and gegarrenton, I don't know if they knew what "black tie optional" meant when they included that. When I clicked on the post, I thought it was going to be about whether one could wear a suit to a black tie optional event. But it sounds alot less formal than that. And like everyone, if you just reach out and ask it shouldn't be a problem. It would be embarrasing to show up in just a dress shirt where everyone is much more formally dressed (and vice versa).

 

[Doc4]