![\"Black](\"https:\/\/weddingdates-wp-ie.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/2013\/09\/7538238238_3cb5fc3bea_b.jpg\" "\\"Black")
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It shows up one early morning in your post box. Beautiful, think paper with letterpress print and your name proudly designed on the envelope\u2026. The wedding invitation!<\/p>\n
You quickly read through the details of the invite and find the three words that every guest dreads: \u201cblack tie optional\u201d delicately displayed at the end of the invite. Oh no! What does that even mean? Full length gowns and a tux? Standard suit and tie with below the knee dresses?<\/p>\n
So, what is a guest to do with this aloof request? Here is a crash course in the deciphering what black tie optional really means:<\/p>\n
If a couple have stated that it is optional then you can only assume that\u2019s what it actually means right? If you\u2019re worried that you will be the only guy or girl in a run of the mill suit or dress that isn\u2019t floor length, don\u2019t be. If you\u2019re really very worried about how you will match up to the other guests, why not give them a friendly call and ask what they\u2019re planning.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re heading to a wedding as couple, you don\u2019t need to match up colours, just be sure you don\u2019t clash. More importantly, make sure you\u2019re at the same dress code level. If you\u2019re going all out full-length gown, make sure your partner isn\u2019t wearing something too casual.<\/p>\n
If you have no idea what is too casual, then just go full on formal. You may feel silly not knowing whether you\u2019ve gone too far, but it\u2019s always better to dress up in a situation than to dress down. These days, there are so many options between renting formal clothing and shopping in vintage shops that your budget for attire doesn\u2019t need to be huge. For men, think of buying a tux as an investment. A well kept suit can take you through a lot of formal occasions! And at the least, you will look a movie star in the wedding photos!<\/p>\n