To wear this to a posh do?

[HeadChog]

DH and I are invited to a black tie event. It's a military dinner (but we are both civilians) and there will be a senior member of the Royal Family there.

Dress code is uniforms for the officers, and black tie for civilian men. Civilian women are to wear long evening attire, or black tie equivalent.

This is the best dress I own. Will it do? I wasn't worried about it until I found out there would be royalty there, and now I'm worried it's not dressy enough. Help!

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/julissa-ruffle-wrap-midi-dress-22180560010.html?istCompanyId=c38fe7a0-ffd0-4925-94b3-cff8df449484&istFeedId=5a41320b-c741-4d1e-b90d-1091450d147c&istItemId=ltxqwmaqm&istBid=t&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=19651720071&cq_net=x&cq_plt=gp&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=19651720071&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpc-oBhCGARIsAH6ote9wQNHB-PhClO0MLFh9QfIQanyhkuj6GWO8f3BNE72O9LJlUOOGrhYaAoXBEALw_wcB

The dress is lovely! I'm not sure I get black tie vibes from it though? Normally for black tie I think floor length, fancy, sort of show stopping? But that's probably only one end of the spectrum!

What's your plan for accessories? Do you have any options to perhaps buy / rent a dress?

No, I’m pretty sure it has to be floor length.

It’s a nice dress but it’s not black tie.

I'm an officer's wife and have attended many a function - the dress is lovely but you need something floor length and a little dressier, especially for the event you have described.

I have been to many army dinners (husband now retired from a senior rank). The ballerina length will be fine. Old school would insist on floor length, but thankfully there’s fewer Old School around and dress codes (for women) at army dinners are now more relaxed. Apart from bare shoulders - generally not ok at a formal dinner. You will be sitting for much of the evening, so don’t worry about the length. I hope you have a wonderful evening.

I would say it's not black tie.

It's not really black tie but dressed up with accessories and a wrap it will be ok.

Senior royal, you said? Don’t sweat it 😉

That is not black tie, what size are you and what colours do you like, I'm sure we can recommend some dresses.

I’ve been to a few of these and you probably want something closer to this:

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/2853648199-black-velvet-evening-gown

You should be looking at more ‘prom for grown ups’ than ‘wedding guest’. The purple dress is beautiful, but it’s not black tie.

I personally wouldn't opt for purple either, not with Royalty attending but that's just me.

I don't think it's appropriate for the event you describe but there are plenty of hire websites around nowadays which mean you didn't have to buy something you're unlikely to wear again.

Black tie means cocktail length. It's white tie that's floor length. (It's a nice dress, OP, it would be fine.)

It's a beautiful dress, but I think floor length is needed. Shoulders covered too. Vinted is fab if you're on a budget

I would say that is not black tie
Often nowadays black tie is relaxed to cocktail dresses for women

I think that meets black tie, but I'd be dressing it up not down - I have a velvet evening bag, and and a good collection of evening jewellery - otherwise I'd probably be looking for something a little more formal.

Floor length only would be white tie, so while you may prefer a full length dress, you wouldn't be breaching the dress code at all with that one.

All on Phase 8.

The rules explained! I think your dress would be just fine

https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/fashion/black-tie-dress-code-men-women-rules-black-white-tie-events-decoded-a4018121.html

I hope you have a great evening op.

Lovely dress but I would wear something dressier and my preference would be floor length.

tbh honest with the right accessories, this will be fine. just a nice statement piece - depending on your hairstyle - bold ear rings or necklace. a nice wrap, maybe pinned with a brooch if not wearing a necklace and gorgeous purse. depending on your skin tone, match the accessories and you are good to go.

but If you want to go all out rent dress + jewellery

It's a lovely dress @HeadChog but unless you're short I'd say not long enough. Do you know anyone else who's going who'll share what they're wearing?

If it was black I think you'd get away with it but the style, plus shorter length and colour - it's not dressy enough for black tie.

I went to a military event a few years ago and the women were all wearing full length.

However, in my own industry, black tie for women no longer seems to mean evening gown/grow up prom dress, but something vaguely glamorous.

I think that the dress you suggested is not quite right for military stuff.