Black Tie Ball -help please.

[MustTidyUpMustTidyUp]

So.... What does it actually mean?
DH. - does he need a dinner suit? Is a normal dark suit ok with a dress shirt and bow tie?
Me - i have this or this but it's nicer than looks here are either suitable or am I way off the mark?
I prefer the navy on fwiw.
I have more questions but will get to them...
TIA

[dazzlingdeborahrose]

If its black tie then I would hire a dinner suit if hubby doesn't have one. I really like the second dress.

[scaevola]

It would normally be DJ for men, but dark suit has always been acceptable if you can't get one. I'd try to avoid that though, unless you really can't manage it. Don't put bow tie and dress shirt with an ordinary suit though.

I prefer the first dress you linked.

[sassytheFIRST]

M&d do a basics dj suit for around £60 plus dress shirt for about £20. Dh has one. It won't win any style awards but has already paid for itself as has been worn 3 times and would have been as much to hire the gear x3.

[rootypig]

I would say black tie for women means a long dress - knee length is technically cocktail. But it depends where you're going, how closely those rules will be observed...... same for the DJ for men.

[MrsLettuce]

yy, usually full length rather than cocktail. But, TBH even where cocktail is acceptable full length is better IMO. More polished.

Of the two I prefer the navy by a mile.

[MustTidyUpMustTidyUp]

Thanks sassy was just discussing that with DH - it might be worth buying one but I'm not sure we'll ever need it again. Sounds like he will have to hire or buy though. skaevola that will look crap then? So if he wears a normal suit what should he put with it?
I wondered whether I need something full length but its next weekend! Can't afford to buy new and out of time fr eBay purchase - unless anyone can convince me?
5ft2, 12 (ish) 32G boobs. Big middle unfortunately. Good legs hence short dresses in wardrobe.

[MustTidyUpMustTidyUp]

Btw it's a fundraiser ball. Says black tie but no other info.
mrslettuce I prefer the navy too. Never actually worn either though.

[MrsLettuce]

Do you feel that you could 'style out' in cocktail length if most other women were in full length? If you can then just go for it.

[MrsLettuce]

bargain. With some good accessorising it'd work.

[MustTidyUpMustTidyUp]

It's a lovely dress mrsL but it'd be shite on me. Need some structure around the middle.
Hell yes I could style out a short length !

[MrsLettuce]

Problem solved then

HAve you got shoes and stuff?

[loopydoo]

Army wife here so lots of 'do's'.
Yes - DJ really means ankle length dress, otherwise it would say cocktail.

you can get away with to the knee but if it's a very formal do, a floor length looks lovely and better suited to the occasion.

[loopydoo]

this site has loads

[loopydoo]

classic, beautiful and a bargain

[scaevola]

Full length is only obligatory with white tie.

I miss ballerina length! None in the shops for some time.

Short is fine, but it does need to be very dressy.

[loopydoo]

my final suggestion

[MrsLettuce]

(there are quite a few about ATM scaevola)

[MustTidyUpMustTidyUp]

loopy I have only just started wearing dresses (weight loss) and am not confident to buy a style I'm not sure is right. And it's next sat. The blue one comes below the knee as I'm a sHort arse so does that count?
MrsL I have some silver next high shoes butterfly ish but I think they look a bit cheap. Have some lovely black high Mary Janes which are also bearable on my poor feet. Is navy and black ok these days? Have a black shrug too .

[MustTidyUpMustTidyUp]

loopy the phase 8 one is lovely but I'm sure I'd look like a cuboid.

[MustTidyUpMustTidyUp]

And I'd look pregnant in the Oasis one.
Am grateful for the suggestion ps even though it doesn't seem so

[MustTidyUpMustTidyUp]

Is ballerina length calf length? If yes that's good. that's what mine are.

[MustTidyUpMustTidyUp]

I NEED A BAG

[scaevola]

Are they reappearing? Oh good! I had a couple of events last year (went long for one, and glorious 50s just below the knee for the other) but would have preferred sweeping ballerina (low-calf) length. Sadly, no events on the horizon at the moment, so unlikely to be shopping for one in the near future.

Ballerina is the 'safe' length. How short you can go depends on the type of event. If it is on the traditional side and a big do, then head for longer.

[MustTidyUpMustTidyUp]

I don't think it'll be too traditional - it's a fundraising ball.

[DottyboutDots]

A fundraising ball's "black tie" would cover an army's cocktail dress. Personally, i hate strapless gowns and they're not as comfortable to dance in. There are some lovely dresses out at the moment as i'm not sure that either of your choices in the OP are the best of what's out there.