HELP!!! What does 'black tie' mean exactly? Dp has to go to a posh do next week and hasn't got a clue, nor have I actually!!!!

[kittywits]

Does it mean actually wear a black tie or any tie?
Does it mean a formal suit? Does it mean any suit?
You see we haven't been to anything like this before.
I am not going 'cos I'm bf a 4 month old.
Anyway I haven't got a clue about 'gowns' so I'm relieved a bit on that front.
Any ideas would be so gratefully received.
Dp is worried about makiung a plonker out of himself
Ta

it means a Tux; in theory - a bow-tie/ black trousers/cummerbund for the men and ideally a formal gown for the laydeees
x

cheers malory, does he need a cummerbund (sp?)

definitely black DJ (not dark or black suit, must be dinner jacket with proper matching trousers, you can hire them lots of places) with black bow tie, white shirt with winged collar if at all poss for him.
For you I'd say long or short nice dress, or whatever you can manage while b/f, you get a bit more leeway.

cummerbund naff yes
use braces if he needs to keep his trousers up

hmm
DH lurves his cummerbund
but it is an ancestral silk one that was his grandfather's
waistcoats are naff

Moss Bros will do the whole shebang for £49 including suit, shirt, tie and cummerbund (don't use the hankie though)

you have to have a certian finesse to pull off a cummerbund, and a slim waist...DH looks lovely in it but he dosen't like it - says he feels like a waiter

Also to add, if your DH can manage a 'proper' bowtie rather than an elastic one, it looks V cool at the end of the night undone and draped round his neck, and shows up everyone who has a 'fake' one .
Often if you buy one they come with a card with instructions, so he can practice loads beforehand, or you can help him tie it.

or he can put a real bow tie in his pocket and do a quick switch from fake to undone real one towards the end of the evening

Cor, how come all of you know so much about this? Do you all go to lots of 'pops' events .
All the advice is just great btw, really helpful, thanks

'pops'?
no
just the odd ball and a lot of concerts

Not a winged collar though - an ordinary collar is fine. A plain white shirt will do, although the ones with tucks down the front are lovely. DEFINITELY no frills! No cummerbund - or a black one if he must. Black shoes and socks. And not a 'vampire' - a real bow tie isn't hard to do with a bit of practice. Plain black silk, and not a butterfly/box of chocolates type bow. Oh, and the whole outfir is called a dinner jacket or black tie, never a dinner suit. Isn't it all a ridiculous rigmarole!!!!!!!

meant 'posh' not pops

cummerbunds, waistcoats and wing collars are just fashion.
Send him in a frilly bosom shirt a la 1970s

Seriously, check out your local oxfam/2nd hand shop for dinner suits if you dont fancy the moss bros look.

if you have never seen your loved one in a penguin suit, prepare to swoon btw - they all look fantastic in it.

Your outfit is more complicated, as "black tie" can mean anything from cocktail dress to ball gown. What sort of evening is it, and can you ask someone else what they will be wearing?