Quote Originally Posted by Spartan Tartan View Post
It seems that "Black and White tie (optional)" would mean black tie...oh, and if you have white tie and want to wear it, that's fine too.

In the Navy (and other services as well) we have a "uniform of the day" set by the Commander or regional Admiral--however, it is alway acceptable to wear a "nicer" or more formal uniform. Just not a less formal uniform.
I interpret this the same way. It sounds like it's black tie as a minimum, but you can go a step past it if you choose.

I really miss prescribed uniforms. No guesswork. But they used to drop this same ambiguous language in our Squadron Christmas Party invites, which were always in civilian clothes. When we got there dress would range from a sweater and dockers to suits and everything in between.

Someday, just maybe, there will be standard language on invitations so there's no head-scratchin'.