To be this clueless about “Black Tie” dress code? Help needed!!

[EmptyHouse0822]

I’ve been invited to some big fancy awards night, it’s work related and the dress code is “Black Tie”.

I don’t know anyone else who is going and for various reasons I don’t want to tell any of my colleagues I have been nominated. There would be accusations of “showing off” as being the main one.

I have never been to a Black Tie event and the awards ceremony is a really big deal and somewhere extremely swanky so I don’t want to get it wrong.

Anyhow, I understand what “Black Tie” means for the men…..but what about women?

Do we have to wear black too? And do the dresses have to be floor length?

Im looking for dresses online and there are some really beautiful ones, but I don’t want to be either under dressed or over dressed.

Im not usually one for wearing black as I like a bit of colour, but if that’s a big no-no then I will have to suck it up.

And what about handbags and shoes - do they have to be completely black?

The event is in less than two weeks and I really need to sort this.

Help!

TK Maxx îs worth a visit for black-tie dresses

If you want to be a bit more edgy then wear formal trousers with a fancy top, or a women's dinner suit.

www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/best-ladies-evening-suits

I’m quite liking these…

I especially like the first one but I can’t get away with not wearing a bra ☹️

@EmptyHouse0822

Example of something similar to the Phase 8 much cheaper.

www.freemans.com/products/kaleidoscope-embroidered-shift-dress/_/A-19X817_14

Phase 8 or coast are good. You want to avoid looking like an escaped bridesmaid or anything too raunchy better suited a nightclub.

I went to a black tie work event a few weeks ago.

Most people were in cocktail dresses. Not many were in floor length. Some smart jumpsuits too. Definitely doesn’t need to be black. The dresses you’ve been sharing are all ok.

The JJ house one is more akin to white tie. I wouldn’t wear it.

@MsTSwift escaped bridesmaid 😂

You also don't want to look as though you'll go up in flames if someone comes near you with a cigarette.

I know you want to look "edgy" but I'm not sure if there's a way of doing that skillfully without being at risk of being "over/under dressed" or "getting it wrong". I'd decide if you don't care what anyone thinks and make a statement, or if you'd be mortified if you got it wrong and play fairly safe. Either way, it doesn't need a massive amount of over thinking, there's heaps of choice in the shops at the mo due to the time of year.

Unless the black tie event is a glitzy TV award ceremony the navy blue floor length clingy sequinned/lace number may still look a little prom dress for a regular work black tie function. If there were a midi version that would be safer.

General consensus seems to be that midi-lengthy and cocktail dress style is the way to go….

This would be nice for a work event with heels and is green! adkn.co.uk/products/freya-emerald-green-sweetheart-midi-dress?variant=32170826989633&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2020-08-31&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gclid=CjwKCAjwm8WZBhBUEiwA178UnEK_JvRDMhD4HjdEwzKhyECRX1QC8tsIIEpyTP3Nq3pikkwHn1e-XhoCNdcQAvD_BwE

Here is a midi sequinned one, if you like sequins, OP.

www.marksandspencer.com/sequin-halter-neck-midi-column-dress/p/clp22549695

Sosandar are usually good quality and well-made.

I just want something with a bit of an edge.

Bit confused, OP. The sites and frocks you’re linking are the opposite of edgy.

Edgy would be back leather shorts and a flouncy lace blouse. Or a cobwebby slip dress in mohair.

And your post at 11.am suggests you’re not being entirely serious in this quest …

This is cool too, Zara number green one shoulder on eBay for £49 - plenty left over to dress it up with nice drop earrings, clutch etc. I think one shoulder is a great way of being a little bit sexy but still work appropriate www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234682082768?var=534395477363&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338365712&toolid=20006&customid=EB66963478&

I wouldn't be getting my hair put up professionally. At most I'd have a professional blowdry. I possibly might bother with putting on nail polish. Try to have a dress with a back unless you're prepared to have the bra that works with that style.

Plain colours look more expensive in general. Try to get material that doesn't look super flimsy/garishly shiney. Don't think of jumpsuits or the female version of a dinner jacket - unless you are size 8 and of supermodel proportions - as, in the nicest possible way, it doesn't sound like you're a very confident dresser and they take a bit of carrying off and jumpsuits aren't really formal enough. All things considered best to aim for a dress with a back and a modest neckline rather than one shouldered things so you're not twitching at it all night.

You will need to wear a slightly more glamorous shoe with an evening dress - nothing chunky.

There are usually lots of formal dresses in consignment shops because people tend not to wear these out before they get sick of them. You might find your money goes further there.

I saw something similar to that earlier but thought that slits might not be appropriate?

@Sd352 Oh god, you have reminded me how dull and conservative law firms are. Now I'm in house I can be far more flamboyant 😅

(Flamboyant today means chinos, pink loafers and a Nice Smart Jumper but I couldn't have got away with that in a law firm).

I loved the jump suit you posted, it's lovely.

I wish this was a little longer as the colour and the embroidery are beautiful.

What sector/level of awards? I local chamber of commerce or industry wide etc etc

I also love this one….

Don't think of jumpsuits or the female version of a dinner jacket - unless you are size 8 and of supermodel proportions - as, in the nicest possible way, it doesn't sound like you're a very confident dresser and they take a bit of carrying off and jumpsuits aren't really formal enough

Nonsense, I've seen size 16+ women carry off formal suits and jumpsuits really well, in fact they are often much more flattering and stunning than dresses - especially those that are cut for a size 8 and sized up.

I'm a standard size 14 and 5'7 and 47 years old and feel very confident in a men's or women's dinner suit. I get the impression the OP is younger and slimmer and could definitely pull it off.

The green ones would be absolutely fine, OP.

I get the impression the OP is younger and slimmer and could definitely pull it off.

I’m 38, 5ft 7 and generally wear a size 12.

Bottom half of my body I could fit into a ten, but when buying dresses I tend to have to buy big bigger sizes as my chest won’t fit into a size 10.

I’m tempted to order them both and try them….

You're fairly tall and size 12 so those green dresses should be great, OP.