black tie what exactly does it mean?

[Magicglassesfairy]

Invitation says black tie. It's for a university graduation dinner (not ball) for honorary graduates (I am not one!).
I have a long dress - quite simple - plain royal blue (from East) - with a really nice necklace - and could get little cardi thing to match. But can't find shoes that are smart enough - maybe it's 'cos dress isn't right? I like the dress, think it suits me etc.
I also have a sequiny black shift dress (but maybe that's cocktail code?)
Or do I just need a Boring Black Dress.
Help please

Traditionally black tie for gents means a black (not white) bow-tie with a non-winged collar shirt...though many do wear a winged collar with black bow-ties nowadays.

For women it generally means long evening gown, again traditionally shoulders should be covered but this has skewed in recent years. Your royal blue dress sounds lovely, as evening gowns should be elegant yet simple.

....Listen to me, I sound like Gok Wan!

Wot he just said.

thanks that's helpful.
does it matter if dress is jersey (which you can only tell by feeling it)?

Yeah should be fine.

Have a nice time!

I went to a black tie ball last week, all the men were in dinner jacket and bow-tie but the women were in a whole variety of dresses, long, short, plain, fancy, colourful, black. Everyone looked lovely and dressed up but I think these days anything goes really! ( I wore long black strapless).

Your blue dress sounds just fine! A wrap (or bolero) would be much better than a cardigan though.

Shoe wise, stroppy/sparkly sandals would be great. Silver or pewter take your fancy? Oh, and no matching shoes and bag

procrastination
thanks - it was a shrug/ bolero i had seen. yes to sparkly sandals. and will remember not to match the bag.