How dressy is "black tie optional"?

[Chicago526]

My boss wants me to go with her to a holiday party hosted by a trade organization we belong to. Okay, fine with me! Free steak and booze is always a good thing, plus there's a huge prize raffle.

Anyway, the invite say's "black tie optional". Now I know that means I have to dress up, but I'm not sure how much. I just bought a new dress for my company's holiday dinner, but it's a very formal dress. It could be "too much" for the trade dinner. I've never been to any of this organization's functions before so I've got nothing to go on.

So, what would you wear? A long formal gown or something less dressy?

 

[DawnCt1]

Black tie optional means "you may wear a tux if you have one", so I would consider what would be a appropriate if I were attending a party with men in tuxes as well as dress suits. I tend to wear long gowns/dresses at Christmas parties.

 

[Beth76]

Me personally? I would wear a cocktail dress. I don't like gowns.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I agree with Beth, I would do cocktail dress - I'm curious, just where is this Black Tie Optional Holiday Party for work. That too may depend on how I dress

 

[Bob Slydell]

A standard, conservative, black dress is probably your safest choice, especially if you don't know the group that's going to be there.

 

[Chicago526]

Would you believe I don't have a cocktail dress? Events I go to are either buisness casual or extremly formal, and for weddings I'm either in them or they've been in the summer so I wear a summer dress. I just bought a new formal dress, and would rather not have to buy another dress if I can avoid it.

The party for my work is at a hotel. We alternate, one year it's a luchoen durring a work day (so business casual) and the following year it's a formal big-to-do at a hotel and we can bring a guest. This is the formal year. The trade show thing is also at a hotel (differant one, though!). My boss is not attending my company's Christmas party since she'll be out of town, and none of my other co-workers will be at the trade show one, so I can wear the same dress to both parties if need be, no one will see me in it twice!

 

[stinkerbelle]

very dressy cocktail dress (think chiffon/floaty...not a knit) with some sparkly jewelry

 

[goodeats]

Black-Tie Optional is about as formal as it gets, so I'd just rewear your formal gown you have for your company party.

 

[froglady]

I "solved" this problem many years ago. I have several dressy tops...anything from plain silk to beaded and sequined. I also have a long straight skirt, a ballroom skirt, satin pants, short "chiffon" skirt, and short crepe skirt. I mix and match depending on the event.

 

[LoveWDW]

If you don't want to wear the same dress, a dressy black dress with some fancy accessories would work. Black tie would mean as dressy as it gets, but optional means something simpler would work.

 

[JennInTN]

At a couple of the more recent Black Tie optional events I've attended, a handful of the classiest business women I know have worn very nice suits.

macys.com has some nice prices on their "holiday dressings" tab. More along the lines of cocktail dresses.

Have fun and be comfortable (which will be more fun).

 

[DisneyArk]

Black-Tie Optional is about as formal as it gets, so I'd just rewear your formal gown you have for your company party.

I agree. My guess is that you will see just about everything at this party. At parties like this, I usually see some women in formal gowns, some women in dressy pant suits and then everything in between.

 

[golfgal]

I agree with the anything between a fancy suit, cocktail dress and a formal dress would work.

I thought "White Tie" was the most formal ranking-everyone in tuxes, long gowns.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I "solved" this problem many years ago. I have several dressy tops...anything from plain silk to beaded and sequined. I also have a long straight skirt, a ballroom skirt, satin pants, short "chiffon" skirt, and short crepe skirt. I mix and match depending on the event.

I did the same thing too; isn't it just awesome having something to wear, no matter what.....problem is no one asks us to go to fancy places anymore...all dressed up and no where to go

 

[ducklite]

very dressy cocktail dress (think chiffon/floaty...not a knit) with some sparkly jewelry

That's probably the way I would go. I'd also ask the boss what she is wearing and take my cue from her.

Anne

 

[Chicago526]

That's probably the way I would go. I'd also ask the boss what she is wearing and take my cue from her.

Anne

I just did, actually! She's wearing a fancy pants-suit or a cocktail dress, she hasn't decided. I did show her a picture of my dress and she loves it! Said I should have no problem wearing to to both parties.

I just hope I'm not the only person (or one of a handful of people) in a formal dress. Being over-dressed is almost as bad as being under-dressed!