black dress sandals women GC Shoes Verona Sandal | Women's | | Size 6 from weekend brunches to summer evenings out. Shoe Land Madeline-Womens Open Toe

Also plain black loafers would work well, perhaps in cordovan or a grain

That said, black tie optional dress codes give you more freedom than the invite that drops the optional bit

For business casual or semi-formal events, a brown belt matching your shoes will look perfect while wearing brown shoes with black pants

Safe to say its totally swept us off our feet

(Hint: Follow the CST rule.) Because, unfortunately, simply piling on all the black items in your wardrobe does run the risk of turning you into an amorphous blob rather than a sleek head-to-toe look

Do you usually lean toward romantic, feminine pieces with soft details