Black tie for women roundup

Forbes says a little black dress, rhinestone chandelier earrings, and false eyelashes. Strangely specific, no?
Shes Daily says a black strapless dress.
This City Data forum says a cocktail-length black dress and subtle jewelry.
Ask Metafilter says a floor-length or cocktail-length dress.
Black Tie Guide offers some helpful hints:

• Debrett's  (UK) says "any level of dress, ranging from a little lycra number to just sub-white-tie levels of splendour."
• Emily Post's Etiquette says a "formal evening dress or short, dressy cocktail dress" but not separates
• Letitia Baldrige says "floor-length, short, or three-quarter-length evening gown; evening sandals or pumps; and an evening bag of silk, satin, peau de soie, velvet, or brocade material; jewelry – same as for cocktail party [sparkly earrings and bracelet or simple button earrings and a very simple gold or silver necklace], only slightly more of it; and a fur, if you have one."

The consensus seems to be that you should look dressed-up and elegant but there is a wide range of acceptable formal wear that can be considered "black tie" for women.