DEAR ABBY: My mother and I are arguing over what is proper attire for an evening wedding in December. My nephew is being married, and the wedding will be held at 5 p.m. I want to wear a dressy black suit with a couple of strands of pearls, but my mother is furious with me! She feels it would be inappropriate to go to a wedding dressed "like I'm attending a funeral."
I have tried to explain that these days black is always acceptable regardless of the occasion, as long as the dress is in good taste. However, my mother says she will never believe that until she sees it in print. Can you help? -- FASHION SAVVY IN TEXAS
DEAR FASHION SAVVY: I'll try, but your mother is obviously a member of the "old school."
In recent decades, the old rules have relaxed to the point that black is now acceptable at weddings. In fact, some sophisticated brides opt for "black-and-white" weddings in which all attendants are requested to wear black.
Your dressy black suit for an evening wedding in December seems conservative, proper and tasteful to me.