OP,

Ah, the Gridiron Dinner. Well, just because others do not know the proper dress code does not mean you should not dress in style. I always believe that it's better to be overdressed than underdressed. I would much rather be the most elegant lady in the room than the most casual one. I also don't like just blending in, so I always go all the way: full ball gown, white opera gloves, nice jewellery, etc.

Sure, some women will wear cocktail dresses, because they are clearly utterly clueless, but you also have people that wear shorts and tube tops to a funeral. Let's strive to raise the standard!

I've been to the Gridiron dinner. A dressy evening gown with a wrap is fine - no one worries about the strict white tie rules the PPs have discussed. And, yes, I've seen women wear cocktail dresses too.

OP, I like your Nordstrom dress.

Be sure your phone is charged so you can get lots of pics with celebs - people aren't shy about asking them to pose for pictures. Have a blast!

Anonymous wrote:So, now that we have discussed the dress code and the options, I am curious...
Where are you going? There is only a handful of white tie events in the D.C. area, and the next one I can think of is the Committee for Western Civilization Ball at the Organization of American States.
Oh, and the Gridiron Dinner is coming up, too.

OP here - it's the Gridiron Dinner. And if you look at pictures/video from the last couple years, it's clear that many of the women don't adhere to a strict dress code. Not saying it's right or wrong, just my observation. I even saw someone walking in with a knee length dress. Even I know better than that!!