Black Tie means a bow tie not a black coloured tie

[Panache]

And you misread my intent. The apparent judgemental voice was to make a point--that too many who wear formal attire who look down their noses at those of us who cannot justify the expenses involved in wearing the stuff. In general, I simply find that because I don't "fit in" for such formal occasions, I just don't go.

I think the point of the original post was that if one wishes to attend a formal event then it behooves that person to dress appropriately.

If they don't know how to the onus is on them to do their homework and find out.

I have a full formal kilted rig,

I have cause to wear it a couple of times per year.

I don't look down at someone who doesn't own a formal outfit.

However if I am at a black tie affair and see someone not appropriately dressed I wonder

Do they not know what "black tie" means?

Do they feel that they aren't bound by social conventions?

Did they not care enough to wear an appropriate outfit?

If you go to a formal event once every decade and hire an outfit to do so that is perfectly fine.

If you choose not to attend a formal event because you don't have or don't want to dress formally that is perfectly fine.

If you go to an event that specifies a type of dress and don't wear that type of attire that is not very respectful to the hosts.

Just my two cents

Cheers

Jamie