<p>I’m going to a “black-tie optional” wedding in Florida next month. I’ve got a simple LBD I wore to a black-tie optional wedding 2 years ago, but that wedding was in New Jersey in the fall. Would the LBD be appropriate for a summer wedding in Florida?</p>
<p>I’m not a fashionista, don’t like shopping, and need something packable since we’ll be flying (the LBD is packable).</p>
<p>If the LBD is OK, how would I accessorize it? Obviously, I wouldn’t need a sweater or shawl. What else might make the total outfit more summer/Florida appropriate?</p>
<p>BTW, DH will be wearing a dark suit (men have it so easy sometimes!).</p>
<p>I would think an LBD would be perfectly fine for an event labeled “black tie optional”. The room will be full of men in dark suits, so it’s not like you would be the only one wearing a dark color. </p>
<p>Accessorize with some big jewelry or a colorful bag and shoes if you don’t want to be too plain. Bring a shawl or wrap of some sort, especially if the dress is a bit bare. You never know ahead of time if the room will be cooled to the temperature of a meat locker.</p>
<p>I would go with simple and elegant if it is a black tie optional event. I wouldn’t wear big, colorful accessories (bag included). I would wear pearl or diamond (ziconia would work) earrings/necklace, and a small evening bag. Long black dress (I assume that’s what LBD stands for) would be appropriate, even it is a knit dress.</p>
<p>I assume that LBD is little black dress? I’d go with some evening/dressy sandals if you have them to make the whole thing a little more summery. They could be black or nude or a bright color.</p>
<p>Oldfort, LBD is pretty consistently used as an acronym for “little black dress” and, to the OP, I think that would be lovely! I like the above suggestion of pearls, it really gives the dress a classic touch. Should be perfect and just understated enough for a wedding.</p>
<p>As a side note, I would just make sure the wedding is inside. A black dress in Florida summer (no matter how little) would be HOT! And nobody wants to sweat their way through the ceremony.</p>
<p>A LBD (yes, that’s little black dress) is just fine IMO. Personally, I would not go long if H is wearing a suit. My friends who live in FL dress more or less the same way for affairs as we northerners do. I highly doubt the affair is outdoors in the summer, but if so, I agree black would be hot. </p>
<p>I’d do a dressy high heeled sandal or peeptoe, could be a metallic or patent, perhaps a dressy fabric shoe, could have tasteful beading or rhinestone accents. You could do a color - with black just wouldn’t go too light or pastel - or a dressy nude or neutral. </p>
<p>Jewelry, depends on the dress. With focus on necklace, not so much emphasis on earrings. Statement earrings or a busy neckline and you may not opt for a necklace at all. I agree that a lightweight shawl is a good idea. You might need it for the ceremony, too. A clutch or evening bag and you are all set.</p>
<p>Ok, especially if it is a little black dress, I would go with simple, classic accessories, and I think it would be perfectly appropriate for a black tie optional event, even if it is in Florida.</p>
<p>Is everyone on this board in general agreement that is okay to wear black as a wedding guest? I am 57. I wear only black and/or white except when I attend a wedding. I have a gray silk dress in my closet just for weddings. My last great aunt just passed away. Is there anyone else left alive who objects if I wear black to weddings? This is a serious question.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions, and especially for endorsing my LBD (yes, it’s a little black dress). </p>
<p>Thankfully, the wedding ceremony and reception are both indoors. I’m not sure I’d attend a July wedding in FL that wasn’t indoors.</p>
<p>Based on all your suggestions, I think I’d have the suggested jewelry (diamond earrings, pearls or gold necklace), but I may be looking for a different pair of shoes. I have a pair of black patents pumps that I’ve worn with the LBD, but not in the summer.</p>
<p>OK - so how about wearing white to a wedding? I know IN THEORY it’s OK these days, but in practice? The dress I have in mind is white with black trim blocking on the sides and around the neck & sleeves.</p>
<p>Did some research on this recently and learned that white is now considered okay as long as it looks nothing like a wedding dress. So no lace, not long, etc.</p>
<p>Miss Manners still objects to white, black, or red at a wedding, but even she says throw a colorful shawl on with the LBD and all is good.</p>
<p>I usually agree with her, but I suppose I lean in the other direction here. Modern etiquette says both black and white are fine, white as long as it’s not bridal looking. But knowing how many object to white, I would not wear primarily white or cream unless I knew for a fact the bride and the family was on board with it.</p>
<p>Emily–everyone? not nearly at the weddings I’ve attended.</p>
<p>–last wedding I attended (my D’s), maybe 2 or 3 women in black dresses. I think they’re fine, but by no means does everyone, even in the NE, wear black.</p>
<p>The reason I was doing my research was that my D picked out a dress for a wedding that was black on top and white on the bottom. We decided that it was probably fine since it wasn’t just one of the other and we were right.</p>
<p>I think an LBD for a wedding is absolutely appropriate. If you want to lighten it up, I’d say go with a patent leather nude peep-toe heel and a clutch in a nude or shell type of color.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t go all-white for a wedding, but white with trim, or a shell-colored type of dress? Entirely appropriate IMO. It’s not like anyone’s going to mistake a guest for the bride.</p>