As the answer to an ambiguous dress code, white tie is the ultimate step up from black tie, and a step people can rarely make even if they understand what it is. Calling for dress-code clarification seems the first logical step in such a situation. Without that step I'd vote against white tie, particularly if black tie is specified.
On the other hand, conditions that might support it are:
- The nature of the host, function, and guests allowing for the ultra-formality
- That type of event traditionally called for white tie
I don't mind pushing the envelope a little if it works within those bounds. If they are formal enough to send out a real invitation and specify black tie, that would push me away from white tie, but again, it isn't necessarily out of the question if within the conditions above.
On the other hand, conditions that might support it are:
- The nature of the host, function, and guests allowing for the ultra-formality
- That type of event traditionally called for white tie
I don't mind pushing the envelope a little if it works within those bounds. If they are formal enough to send out a real invitation and specify black tie, that would push me away from white tie, but again, it isn't necessarily out of the question if within the conditions above.
