Black Tie Attire?

Peanut0812

I'm going to a wedding in Tribeca this spring.  It's black tie and I'm not sure what will pass.  Do I need to wear a long dress or will a short, but formal dress?  I know that they aren't expecting all the men to wear actual tuxes, formal suits are just fine.  I'm from the midwest and know what will fly here but have never been to the east coast.  Thanks!

kttest

For black tie I would think a long gown, black tie optional could be more of a cocktail dress, however if tuxedos aren't required, then a dressy cocktail dress would probably be OK.

slbriz34

If they aren't expecting the men to really wear suits, then the affair isn't black tie at all, but rather black tie optional.  So as for the ladies, you would probably be okay to wear a shorter dress, as long as it fits the formal definition/look.  GL and have fun.

dnagal

If the men don't have to wear tuxes, you definitely don't need to wear a long gown.  Even at a black tie wedding, a formal knee-length dress is fine.  (although the sticklers may side-eye you while wearing their less-than flattering long black gowns)

suseehuman

Lucky for us the formal look for Spring is short dresses.  Watch the "red Carpet" segments at the awards shows - all the men are in Formalwear but many of the women are wearing cocktail dresses.    If your look is dressy enough you do not have to wear a gown.     

alisonz

you definitely don't need to wear a long dress. cockatil or tea-length is fine.

kmarc2010

Cocktail dress is fine - you can never go wrong with a knee-lenght black dress!

splint00

If it is truly Black Tie then you should wear a long dress. Black Tie optional go with a cocktail dress. I attended a wedding out west recently and I'm so used to going to weddings here that I stood out like crazy in my long fitted dress. I mean, women were wearing skirts and leather jackets and some pants. Truly bizarre. Anyway, if tuxes are not required you should be fine with either long or a great cocktail dress. But it's strange that they would say Black Tie and not have tuxes. It's confusing, good luck!