That will be fun! Dressy casual indicates a more polished look but not the formality of a little black cocktail dress. No jeans, sweats, tee shirts, etc.

I have a cute pair of black slacks in my closet and a slinky white sweater that I wear belted. I might wear my orange pumps for a little dash of color. Or not.

Here's my take - wear black or white or black and white. And keep it dressy-casual, which means almost anything other than jeans. Skirts, dressy tops, sweaters, dressier pants, almost-cocktail but not too much bling. But you'll probably see a variety.

I always default to a dress/blazer, skirt suit, bottom/sweater or pants/blazer for this kind of stuff. You can take that formula and apply fabrics that match the occasion and Season.

Casual Cocktail + summer = (knit dress + linen blazer).

Business Casual + Winter = (wool slacks + cashmere blazer).

Casual + Any Season = (jeans + blazer).

Super Casual = jeans or shorts

It just works easier and doesn't leave me with a bunch of clothing I won't wear often. I have a five foot wide closet and have chosen to own fewer nicer pieces. It has served me well.

I also have a dressy cocktail dress and a knit/lace dress (by Pucci via 90%off at the Rack) that can accessorize up or down and a couple dressy tops that can fit into the formulas above if needed. Or I sport a nice tshirt to dress them down, etc.

I believe Tim Gunn (my secret TV boyfriend) would approve.

I would even consider jeans for something that specified "black and white dressy casual" but would stick to white jeans or a dark- wash black (not faded!) and pair them with heels or wedges and a dressier top. The right pair of jeans that aren't faded or worn can go beyond "casual."

Thanks for your input. This gathering is in about three weeks and I live in northern mountains, so late fall. We are having a warm fall, so it shouldn't be really cold. Maybe nice black slacks or newer black jeans with a sort of 'holiday' sweater or top of some sort and nice earrings??

Nice pants or dressy black jeans -- cute shoes or even dressy shortie boots; a pretty sweater or perhaps a pretty-shell-and-cardigan-sweater combo and some great earrings and a bracelet .....

No holiday sweaters, please, jstell! Nice black trousers, a black knit top or white blouse, a gorgeous scarf and/or appropriate jewelry.

I haven't heard of a black and white party in ages, I hope they're not making a comeback. In my experience it's the favorite vehicle of a controlling hostess who wants to make sure her party pictures are coordinated!

What jellytoast said. I would wear black jeans or black skirt, dressy top, sparkly jewelry and dressy shoes or boots if I wore a skirt.

By a holiday sweater, I meant a black sweater with maybe some beading around the neckline and cuffs, maybe. Or a black tank with a cardigan with some beading on it. No Santa sweater...........

I triple dog dare you to wear a Santa sweater. If it is a case of a controlling hostess dictating to others for the sake of pictures, it would be fun to see her expression when you show up in a black or white Santa thing.

I was in a new to me outlet store the other day and they had a white sweater with a sequin outline of Rudolf the red nosed reindeer. It might have been J Jill? Who knew I'd be able to recommend it to someone within days of wondering where does someone wear something like that.

I find the picture thing hard to believe, it sounds more like a creative host! (and the b&w attire only reminds me of The Thomas Crown Affair movie).

A black and white party actually means you have to wear black and white? I've never been invited to anything like that. Not sure I would want to attend anything that tells me what colors to wear.

It really does mean that debrak, and I've even been to a wedding that was black and white, the purpose of which was to have stylish reception photos.....you would not believe how controlling some people are when staging their events. Black and white parties used to be a pretty staple theme. (I always thought good cocktails was the only "theme" necessary:-)

Jstell, the holiday top you describe sounds beautiful! I should have known better!

Remember it's Dressy CASUAL, not Dressy Dressy. Sparkles and beading could tend to fall into dressy-dressy territory, depending on what it's paired with. You say it is a "private gathering" ... knowing exactly what it is might help. I don't like being over dressed for an event any more than I like being under dressed!

This 'party' is being hosted by a gentleman. Not sit down, but catered with wine, etc. No special event, just a local gathering. I don't know why the black and white. I think I will talk to the host and see exactly what he has in mind. We just received the invite today. Thanks for all your thoughts. At least I have learned something about dressy casual. I think I prefer a casual BBQ under the stars with cool summer breezes...........

Same maxim from another thread---somebody has to be the best dressed person at the party and it may as well be you ðÂÂÂ

Reminds me of the story of Tessie Oelrichs of Rosecliff Mansion in Newport. She wanted to have a white ball...all the flowers, food, everything in white. She wanted her guests to wear white including powdering their hair. And she realized the water was not white, so she contacted the head of the Navy in Newport and asked him to float his fleet with their white sails in the water for her ball. He told her to go pound sand. So instead she hired workers to build and float fake sailboats out in the water for her ball. Amazing.

I remember too that the chandeliers had bowls in them which would get filled with perfume so the heat from the lights would cause the fragrance to waft gently down to the guests. If you can imagine at that time, her annual budget for the perfume alone was $65,000!

But Rosecliff is a beautiful building, nonetheless...with its sweetheart staircase...

I got a Facebook invitation to a black and white 50th birthday party. As I'm not good friends with the guest of honor I didn't go. I did check out the pics on Facebook after the event. I think that the black and white theme was so that the birthday girl would really stand out in the crowd - she was wearing red.

Yes, that! ^

terriks, that sounds like it would have looked fantastic... all staged for the photo shoot! :)

Back to the original question of what is dressy casual?

It's country club dressing.

In my opinion, this means women don't need to wear dresses or heels. Men don't need a suit; jacket optional.

It means no jeans and tennis shoes. Unless you ARE Jerry Seinfeld or actually a hipster artist.

It means that dressy jeans might be OK, but only if everything else is dressing them up. Blazer and fine leather shoes for men, blazer or nice top and sweater and jewelry for women. And dressy jeans = no rivets, high contrast finishes, or tears.

Essentially for men, khakis and a sweater with shirt underneath, and nice leather shoes would be the basis of design. For women black pants, sweater, jewelry, and shoes but they don't need to be heels.

Thanks Julie. Yes, I have decided to wear slim black jeans, a slim black sweater tunic, booties, nice earrings and a bracelet. Thanks everyone else for your help. I appreciate it very much.

Your choices seem perfect for that evening !!!