Is this dress considered ‘black tie’ enough?

[redtieorno]

I’m attending my first black tie party next weekend and have, in true ‘me’ style; left the dress to the last minute.

I am really struggling to find anything I like / that feels suitable in stores, everything’s shifted to Christmas and short sequin dresses…

This is the only one I came across that was full length and I kind of liked. I am extremely self conscious after having lost a lot of weight and having lots of loose skin around my stomach, and I hate my arms so having them covered is an absolute MUST for me!

would you say this is suitable for a black tie event, or is it too casual?

I haven’t got shoes on in this photo, and would wear some nice statement jewellery etc.

Thank you!

You have a perfectly nice figure but that dress is not flattering in my eyes. My first thought as someone else said was an Egyptian mummy wrapped up!
For black tie I would either wear a short cocktail dress in a plain dark colour or a longer simple evening gown.

The colour suits you perfectly! The dress itself absolutely swamps you as there is just way too much fabric. You have a lovely shape, congrats on the weight loss! I don’t like my arms either, so I’m always trying to cover them up.

Do you like this one?

clubllondon.com/products/kianne-red-draped-short-sleeve-maxi-dress-cl134665004?variant=41478667042858&currency=GBP&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google%2Bshopping&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1709634417&gbraid=0AAAAADCHewI-vrp2ZGhVGeN4Ju0MA6Lqn&gclid=CjwKCAiAz_DIBhBJEiwAVH2XwIgl_wPUrPd9AMQPJTUasQVSPCqdJG0dtXEu75sqhO0tMENvjusFtRoCYv8QAvD_BwE

You look absolutely stunning OP.

Well done on the weight loss, but that dress looks too big on you? I don’t know if it’s just too big size wise or just got a lot of material and you look trussed up. The colour really suits you though.

It's a no from me - All that material reminds me of the days I carried my daughter in a sling. It can be tricky to see your body is now when you are so used to trying to hide - Show off that gorgeous figure!

It’s a gorgeous colour and you’ve got a gorgeous figure but I agree you need something slinkier and less gathered! You’re stunning - show off that new shape!

I think if you lower the shoulders and cross it over your bust it will look STUNNING!

Gorgeous, have a great time.

It’s lovely! I’d go for big earrings with it but no necklace

He's right.

I love red, I love drapery and a more unusual dress, but yes, there's too much fabric going on here.

If this were an function where you're going to spend a lot of time outside, then this much fabric makes sense as you'll need to be covered up so you're not cold, but otherwise, it doesn't so much.

I really like it though and the style. It doesn't look cheap and I'd personally wear it.

@Ineffable23 I'd take up her suggestion and just have a look at a few butterfly sleeved ones too. So beautiful and elegant.

You have a good shape and nice colouring

you 100% can do better than this dress

There is way too much material on the dress

Something like this covers arms and flows without being restrictive.
https://www.johnlewis.com/maya-deluxe-velvet-angel-sleeve-maxi-dress/p112715139?s_share=jlappdroid

Green is also nice on blondes and festive price isnt bad either...

Are you sure you need long? Lots of black tie events are cocktail dresses rather than evening dresses for women.

The colour is great on you but the dress isn't very flattering I'm afraid. It looks a bit you are are trying to do Christmas present as a fancy dress, you just need a gift tag.

You have a fantastic figure, I'm sure you can find something nicer.

Yes I was going to say this - hoik the shoulders down a bit so you have some skin showing. Theres a lot of fabric otherwise!

Dubai? ....no point asking which shop this dress is in then 😅

@smallglassbottle , that was my thought too. Great colour though.

Thank you all. Funnily enough the fitting room assistant also tried to pull the shoulders down a little and suggested it might look better that way - but the dress itself (under the shoulder ruching) is a v-neck and there is no give in it, at all. 😣

It's definitely black-tie appropriate, but I agree with PPs that you could definitely find something that shows your amazing figure off more than this. Long sleeves are great and look really elegant for evening wear, but you can definitely find something with a long or half-sleeve that has a lower neckline or shows a bit of shoulder.

Well done on your weight loss - you do look great!

I’m not sure if you’re wanting suggestions but would this work for you:

https://www.ever-pretty.co.uk/products/sparkle-long-sleeve-formal-evening-dress-with-a-line-silhouette-ee01961?variant=45942351397051&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=17494377339&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17494377339&gbraid=0AAAAAC1MV3epCmtlNs476U-_800VzqhiW&gclid=CjwKCAiAz_DIBhBJEiwAVH2XwHmEZEflp5DQM-CKFYJDvKe0ZAwH1b1xfn3Fa3eQafYlPon4YeibmxoCmKMQAvD_BwE

It comes in lots of colours and covers arms. I don’t think the red dress flatters you.
You look like you’re trying to cover yourself up, which is a shame when you’ve done so well to lose weight and have a lovely figure. Time to show it a little more perhaps?

Beautiful dress, entirety suitable, and you fabulous!

I wear black tie a lot (that's another option, by the way - go in men's clothes as the outfit is flattering for most women) and I'd say that's absolutely fine and there's no need to pile on jewellery, wear uncomfortable shoes or expose more flesh unless you want to.

In fact, can you tell us where you found the dress? I'd quite like one!

You have a great figure but I agree it makes you look like an Egyptian mummy wrapped in red bandages. Sorry!

Too much ruching I think? It looks like too much material.

A full coverage dress can be really glam but this isn't one of them.

@MsGrumpytrousers if it's not this one, then it's very similar:

https://www.quizclothing.co.uk/en-GB/red-red-draped-maxi-dress-p-288978

Love the colour but you can find a nicer dress. Something more flowy. Well done on weight loss!

I was just about to post exactly the same.

I'm sorry, but it looks like red bandages and hot and uncomfortable.