To resent being told what to wear to a party.

[Rollergirl1]

I realise that all themed parties have an element of this. But we are going to a party soon where it specifically says on the invite "long" evening dress for the ladies. I don't own any long dresses, largely because I am a short arse and I don't really do them justice (also I have great legs and if I'm wearing a dress I generally like to reveal some of them!) I have plenty of perfectly adequate dresses that would do the job in terms of being glamorous and sexy and WOW. But no, it has to be a long dress. This means that I'm going to have to go out and buy a dress specifically for this event that I know I will never wear again.

I can understand that the hosts want to set the tone for the evening. The tone is glitz and glamour. I can pull that off without wearing a long dress and begrudge being told the length of my hem.

Grrrr.

I'm lousy at following dress directions. If I were you I'd wear something that suits your build. Far better to look lovely rather than follow dress instructions to the letter.

Is it a forces do?

YANBU to resent it, I wouldn't like it. But you maybe would feel better getting one? It doesn't have to be floor skimming. I got a couple off ebay that look nice enough and weren't expensive. You can probably get the hem done cheap enough?

Or is there anyone you can borrow one off? Charity shops sometimes get nice ones in.

Have you got a cocktail length (just below the knee, I think) dress?

Oh long dresses are hard when you are short. :(
Poor you.

what about one with a long split to show off your legs, lots of formal dresses on ebay cheap as people wear them only once.

is it a ball? Why not rent one?

IMO you might feel a bit daft in a short dress at a ball. YABNU to be a bit pissed off but i think i'd suck it up

Get one of them ones wot is short at the front and long at the back.

What about long chiffon with short skirt underneath?

Is it a ball or just your mates throwing a party? 'Cause the answer to that dictates whether I'd ignore the instruction or not.

It's not a formal event like a ball. It is a family members party, at their house, that they have made in to a formal "red carpet" event. And apparently all the other ladies are wearing one.

As I say I have plenty of dresses that I have worn to weddings and other events that differ in lengths. Just none that are floor-skimming.

So 'black tie' (long evening dresses) rather than 'lounge suits' (cocktail dresses).

Hmm, some events have that dress code but, given it's a house party I'd say wear what you like and you'll probably be more glamorous than most of them anyway.

Natasha: The dress code is "Glitz and glamour". I can do that without wearing a long dress.

A house party?

They are taking the piss.

I wouldn't buy a long dress for it, and just wear a short one. If questioned just say you couldn't find one to fit as your a midget, like me

ENorma: Yep, I think that's what is riling me about it all. Don't get me wrong, they are pulling out all the stops in terms of entertainment and stuff. But it is still essentially their house.

Anything below the knee counts as long in my book. It's a house party, wear what you like. Is she going to turn you away at the door and make you change?

Wear what you like and if anyone says anything, deny all knowledge and say you didn't read the invite properly or "forgot" about the instructions. They're hardly likely to send you home are they?

if you're not happy, don't go. simples....... :-)

Borninnotts: Can't do that, tis a very close family member.

I spoke to the female host today and questioned the need for a long dress and her words were "it's on the invite and everyone else is wearing one, but wear what you want".

Is just a pain, I really want to go to the party but just find all this ill-placed "formal high society" shit just a royal pain in the ass...

I would just wear the most formal looking of the dresses you already have, it's not like they will chuck you out without an ankle length dress.

Wear the most glamorous dress you have and sod the "dress code". If you're questioned say it's very difficult to find long dresses to fit you and you weren't prepared to buy one and get it altered specially for one event.

I was once invited to a bbq at someone's house and was told the dress code was smart-causal. Now WHO has a dress code for a bbq???? And wtf is smart-casual anyway, surely that's an oxymoron?

I'd go for a scout round charity shops. There are lots of nice long dresses about at this time of year. I quite like dressing up "posh" one in a while.