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!

I think they all look a bit tacky to be honest. I’ve been to several black tie events over the years, I preferred to keep it classy and simple but add a bit of sparkly jewellery to ramp up the glamour. Velvet was always my favourite fabric so would normally wear something in that.

Plenty of ideas if you bothered to Google this.

Black tie for women is formal wear, full length dresses/gowns

I’ve been Googling for over a week hence why I’m now asking for people’s opinions. Which is the whole point of MN isn’t it?!

You can wear any colour! You can generally wear short or long but generally I would avoid very short, knee length is fine though. I have full length myself, from high street eg Quiz, online is a good bet too, plenty of options (I have one from SilkFred and one from Ever-Pretty). Trousers with a blouse is also ok if you really aren't a dress person - just make sure it's "black tie equivalent" in style so perhaps a silk blouse not jersey.

@Ebananascroogey

I have that exact dress. Highly recommend!

I have a lovely evening dress from bravissimo. Their chest sizes are all different so allows for a good fit

I go to lots if industry Black tie events and generally find that if people are wearing floor lengths dresses then tend to be plain and understated (not necessarily black though) and if wearing sequins or patterns calf length - long and sequinned or frilly is very bridesmaid style.
I love the Silkfred dress a pp linked too, very much what I'd expect to see at this sort of event.

@SummerSazz

Unfortunately they stopped selling clothes. My favourite evening dress is from them

Not the two short Zara dresses, and the longer one could almost make it as black tie.

The long sleeved green or covered shoulder long burgundy are the best of those put up in my opinion.

I am 50 though, and although I have attended a lot of black tie dinners, I've not been to an awards night. I am aware that dress codes are not what they used to be and people don't always dress for the occasion.

@EmptyHouse0822

Clearly not, the first result on Google is "Simply put, “black tie” for women best translates as “long”, and in an evening-appropriate fabric, such as velvet, chiffon, silk or lace. "

So I'd be concerned about your digital skills if you've been googling for a week and not known what black tie is for women.

Here are the rules according to an authority (Debretts):

Dress knee-length or longer, or trousers (palazzo style)
No cleavage on show
Dress not too tight
Jewellery not too bling
No tiaras (!)

If it's a week tomorrow, I'll see you there 😂

I literally just had this issue, and only now did I click buy!

I used Goddiva.com

Tricky - for a regular black tie dinner or ball then it's probably easier, but for work related awards then I would avoid too much flesh on display (no thigh high slits, halter necks etc) and I'd probably avoid to many ruffles and sequins. Floaty is fine but wear a slip underneath to avoid any bright lights or flash photography exposing more than you want.

I like the dark greens - but biased as its my favourite colour!!

Now I'm getting tons of formalwear ads in the sidebar. This is amazing though, I love it and am so tempted.

www.coastfashion.com/wide-leg-tuxe-wrap-jumpsuit/ACC02562.html?color=105

I just tried to order one of the dark green ones from JJ but it said that delivery wouldn’t be until between the 2-5th of October, and the event is on the 5th.

That’s definitely pushing it too fine just in case I don’t like it and have to look for another. I’m gutted ☹️

Next is worth a go - I got something for around £60 for a last minute awards do last November. Handy as I could pick it up the next day.

The brand I bought looks to be glamour.

www.next.co.uk/style/ls315331/l14379
What about something like this?

That’s really nice..I just don’t know if I like full length dresses 😬

I will go and have a look at Next again as the first ones I looked at on there were just the black ones so I shall go and look at some colour options.

Why are you being an arse?

And no, black tie is definitely not long gowns. Gowns are overdressed. Black tie includes cocktail dresses. So clearly your own googling skills need improvement.

That’s lovely

To me, black tie is typically a cocktail or ling dress typically in a dark colour (black,navy, plumb, deep green etc).

Elegant rather than sexy, timeless rather than trendy.

Cocktail dresses or mixed tend to be the norm during the week with just a blowdry.
Most dresses being longer at the weekend and more effort with and make up then too.

Also as someone else pointed out, be careful with your underwear as the flash photography can make things more visible than you may want!

I’m considerably older than you and would fully expect to see women in exactly those types of frock for a black tie event! And others in leather or distressed garb. (Much prefer a tuxedo myself, though.) Obviously quality of fabric and cut would depend on how much things cost - but really it would be grooming that made the difference.

Kristen Stewart at the Oscars in Chanel is my ideal black tie look …

Would certainly cause a stir at a law awards!

Obviously you know your industry Op. If in doubt err on side of caution.

Hi Op

These dresses are from www.sexyher.co.uk and are all under £100.

I bought both dds prom dresses from here & the quality for the money is brilliant.

@EmptyHouse0822 - In relation to the first batch of photos you posted, the first one is probably the closest of the 4 that would go for "black tie", the others would be more cocktail wear.
Something like this would be black tie - Dress 1 - but something like this would be more cocktail wear - Dress 2.
Both are lovely dresses but one is more formal than the other.

I would go with something that is to the floor with a split to the knee maybe. Something like this would tick a lot of boxes in my mind as to what black tie wear for women is - Dress 3.