These black tie events strike me as insular, classist, frat parties for the rich and elderly, I can understand why her husband wouldn't want to go. It might not be about the clothes. If it's for her job, she's the one who should be doing it, would Prudie expect her to help out with the guys on call duties, if he had any? If it's because she wants to go to this, maybe they should find activities they both enjoy? These problems will happen if people are into way different things. You either have to live with it, or move on.

If you can't go to a formal event to support your wife, don't be surprised if she finds somebody else to go. Also, all these labels and attributes you give to a black-tie party are just that - labels and attributes you have given it.

CelebrateLife, these are just labels true. They're my 'opinion'. This was indicated by noting that this is how these things 'strike me'. If you don't agree, feel free to say so directly, but for the couple in question, the husband clearly isn't too fond of these things either, even if only because he doesn't like to get dressed up. I think he's entitled to his opinion/perspective/point of view as much as his wife is entitled to hers.

It is also true that she might find someone else to go with. Perhaps she should marry this other person, they might be more compatible in terms of what they like to do.

I find it interesting that in this situation a wife is trying to force a husband to do something he doesn't want to and Prudie makes it out that he's the jerk.

Yes he is for the simple fact he values his own comfort for a few hours over supporting his wife.

Marriage is a partnership and calls for compromise and mutual respect and support.

He doesn't have to /like/ it but he does have /do/ it because it is important to his wife and her career.