Black Tie means a bow tie not a black coloured tie

[Jock Scot]

bikeolounger.
I do wish people would understand what "a black tie event" is and then we would not have to have this discussion. Whether we get an opportunity to go to one of these events, or we choose, or not, to go is entirely another matter . Whether we like it or not there are conventions, I am not talking laws here, that we have to/should follow in life, some are important, some are not. That choice is for all of us to make. However, if we choose to follow a particular course then it really is down to us to follow those conventions with good grace. If you cannot, for your own good reasons, then go and find something that you are more at ease with. Its that simple.Surely a simple black tie is not worth all this "inverted snobbery" of yours. You have made a choice and I, for one, certainly respect that.