having holiday party. formal with wine, non-denominational.any ideas for

[Sarah (the bear!)]

invitation wording w/ dresscode info? it will be at a local wine bar possibly with apps. served. women will be in all black cocktail attire and men will be in suits but i dont want to sound bossy. I DO want to sound festive. sites appreciated.

[Sarahz]

just put on the invites: requested black dress and black tie attire.

[chefgrille]

I'm not too creative, but turn it into a rhyme. That's festive. Nobody will get offended at that, and probably get a good giggle out of it.

[oikos]

When I was social director of my "fraternity", I had to explain this all the time to the women attending. We weren't very formal; it was either "Heels and hose and Sunday clothes" or "cocktail dresses". It seemed to work. Your invitation might say something like, "Suggested attire, cocktail dresses, business suits."