Two Qs; 1) What does "Black Tie" mean these days? 2) What shall I wear?

[UterusUterusGhali]

I've been invited to a Black-Tie do. This can mean cocktail dresses now, right? I think I am too dumpy for floor-length.

Secondly, any suggestions? It must have sleeves, be a V neck, and about £100.

I am 5'5'', long brown hair, hourglass figure, size 14 on top, 16 on bottom.

I've been to two black tie do's this year. The first one there were many women in long dresses, short cocktail type dresses and also some wearing trousers and also one or two wearing the type of thing i'd probably wear on a night out at the pub.

The second one specified black tie but also said ladies must wear dresses. There wasn't one lady in trousers there. I wore a long black maxi dress with a bit of sequin detail under the bust.

Incidentally I popped into Debenhams today and they had a massive sale on tons of cocktail type dresses.

Do the sleeves need to be full length?

I have seen some hideously dressed women at black tie dos.

Which is why I stick to a dark colour....less people notice if you look shocking.

If you are ever considering a tattoo, please consider what it will look like if you have to wear a cocktail dress in 15 years time.

I wouldn't bother with floor length unless it was a mega do, although I do love a maxi dress.

a bit too £££?

You could wear this over a dress with short sleeves

Black tie has always included the shorter lengths (it's only white tie when full length is obligatory). The length you choose depends on the nature and time of the event, and how much leg you want on show.

Do you really need/want sleeves, or is it because the event involves dinner?

Cocktail dress should be fine. I'd wear knee-length, could probably go a bit shorter if you have good legs. I'd worry about feeling over-dressed in a full floor-length gown, depends how posh it is though. You might get away with trousers/top, but I'd feel a bit self-conscious and under-dressed if all the other women were in dresses.

Coast have some nice dresses for hourglass shapes. I love the Jocasta style, though it doesn't really have sleeves unfortunately.

I'd dip my sleeves in my soup with that middle one, Lynette. Sleeves could be 3/4 length-I'd prefer them tbh. I have broad shoulders too, so voluminous sleeves make me look a bit "tranny".

Can we do shrugs? Are they ok? Not the height of naffness?

I LOVE this but is it too casual? It would also do for a christmas wedding next year.

Edith, I need sleeves because a) I have horrid flabby bingo wings. b)Kerotis Pilaris (sp?) c) An ill-thought-through home-made tattoo. (Lyn's not wrong about the tattoo thing.)

Hmmm , I went to a black tie in a (very glamorous) cocktail dress and I was the only one in a short dress.

There's this, but it might not be glam enough, or perhaps this?

Here

Here

Also love the VWA- have it in black and it's great.

Thanks for the Debs tip, kblu. I've just been online and seen this little number.

I likey very much, but again, is it a bit casual? I'd wear it with some big fuck-off earings.

What's the budget - this is long, and £££ but should be versatile.

I love that the MP dress tethers linked to is below the knee.

The lace P8 one is nice too, although I'd be worried the lace would get caught in my fuck-off earings.

If it helps, I'd probably wear black v high Kurt Geiger + Scholl sandals (comfy) or gold high heeled gladiators on my feet. There are few heels I can walk in.

About £100, Edith.
I'm not sure that dress would be versitile for me! I've reached thirtysomething without being to a black tie event.

Here?

Thanks for your help, all. I keep returning to the Viv W & Mary P numbers. The Phase 8 lacey job is nice too, but I'm not lacey person.
Would red be ok? I hear what you're saying, Lynette, about not being noticed in black, but surely the point is to be noticed?

Is the VW too short?
Would jersey be an acceptable fabric?
Will anyone care?