[bookgal]

Hi,

I have friends who are getting married July 9. Both the ceremony & the reception are being held at a country club on Long Island. The ceremony is at 6 & the reception is at 7. The attire is listed as black tie optional. I have already purchased 2 dresses, but have received differing opinions on what would be more appropriate to wear. The first dress is a black & white short sleeve & has a swirl pattern throughout the entire dress. It falls to just above the knee. The second dress is completely black with slight ruffles in the front middle of the dress. It ties around the neck & has a slightly low cut back. It falls to the knee. By description alone, which do you think would be more appropriate? Also, what type of shoes & stockings would be best? Thank you very much in advance!

This post has been edited by TWQadmin: 20 June 2025 - 11:20 AM

[Etiquette Now]

Dear Dressing for Black Tie,

The optional part of this dress code is so confusing. It really shouldn't be included on a wedding invitation. Venting here.

I really couldn't tell you based on description. But, I can tell you that most likely a cocktail dress, which is the little black dress or its equivalent, is best. The material should be high quality and is probably the most important component of the choice of attire.

So, choose the dress that is most like the 'little black dress' and wear that one.

Best wishes,

[bookgal]

Thank you for your reply. Since you have posted your response I was able to locate a couple of pictures of the dresses in question which I have attached. Hopefully this will help you further. Please let me know what you think. Thank you very much!

This post has been edited by TWQadmin: 20 June 2025 - 01:53 PM

[Wedding Queen and MOG]

no .docs are permitted as attachments, sorry. Please save as a .gif, .jpg or some other photo file and try again.

[bookgal]

Sorry about that. Here are the attachments in a correct file.

Attached File(s)

•  _5138839.jpg (23.59K)
  Number of downloads: 3
•  226531_fpx.jpg (11.49K)
  Number of downloads: 4

[Etiquette Now]

Looking at these, I feel that the brown may best if it isn't too revealing and in quality material.

[bookgal]

Thanks for the help in the dress decision. I have decided to go with the halter type dress.Now I have a question as to what to wear with it. sorry that I didn't mention it before, but the color of the dress is black, not brown. I couldn't find a picture of it in the correct color. Anyway, regarding shoes, what would be the most appropriate? I am very fair skinned & can't go without wearing stockings. I'd like to wear sandals or open toes of some sort, but is that possible if I wear stockings? Should I go with a sling back with a closed toe instead? Also, would it be okay to wear a shawl of some sort with the dress & if so should it be black or another color? Thank you in advance!

[Etiquette Now]

A shawl or other type of cover-up is very appropriate.

Nylons with open toe or open heel shoes is considered a faux pas. It isn't done. So, it may be best to either wear closed shoes or use a sunless tanner.

Best wishes,