Summer Ball Panic - what to wear?

[Maeb]

We've been invited to a Summer Ball next month and I'm dreading it as I don't know what to wear.

The ball is going to be rather posh and I'm not, plus I'm skint so can't afford a new dress and I don't want to look stupid or feel uncomfortable.

The only nice dress I have is a rather glamorous BCBG cocktail dress which is silver sequinned and finishes just above the knee and is not so low cut on me. It is beautiful but I've put on a few pounds since I last wore it and I look a bit booby (well booby for me @ 32b/c!) but I'm so worried that I'm going to look like a WAG when all the Felicity and Tamaras are going to look really sophisticated!

I'm a size 8/10 and 5ft3.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Besides pretending to be ill!

Oh, that's really pretty!!

But, (and I hope I'm wrong on this) a ball requires full length though really, rather than cocktail. Is there anyone you could borrow something from?

Could you try on Ebay for prom dresses? You might find something suitable as the young'uns like to go a bit OTT I believe! You should go for something ankle-length at least and not too clingy.

That silver dress is lovely so you obviously have good taste. I wouldn't worry about trying to copy the posh bints, just be yourself and enjoy. And remember nothing sets off a ball gown more than to be accessorised by a handsome stranger's DJ ...

I think that you need something full length for a ball TBH.

DH is in the Forces and we always have to have full length for balls. I have got a few of my dresses from www.sexyher.co.uk for the money they are very well made and look lovely on.

I agree that it probably calls for a full length dress. How about something that isn't too full on glamour but could be really dressed up with accessories. Perhaps something like this?

www.isabellaoliver.com/womens-clothing/uk/600/365-sale/dresses/DR499.html

this is gorgeous too and although not on sale you could see if the MN discount works:

www.isabellaoliver.com/DR519.html

If you end up wanting to buy one, TK Maxx have quite a few long, ball gowny type dresses

I absolutely love the style of this www.tkmaxx.com/dresses/black-ruffle-detail-maxi-dress/invt/53026932 it would look amazing with a nice updo and statement earrings - but I dont think black is so suitable!

www.coast-stores.com/LORNA-MAXI/Sale-Dresses/coast/fcp-product/2224755720

Right, invite states Black Tie, and my formal etiquette schooling (ahem google) tells me that includes cocktail dresses.

HexGirl - That dress is lovely, but long dresses like that drown me.

UML- that TKMaxx dress is lovely... I'm having a look at both websites and the other suggested ones now...

But your dress is the most beautiful of all the ones on this thread, allowed by the dress code and you can't afford a new one. Why not just buy some spanx, toupee tit tape and wear it?

I agree -- your dress is gorgeous. As an army brat i'm used to the formality of their things and always feel that a ball should be long - however I've been to 2 quite swanky balls recently and really anything goes - actually at both of the balls I've been too, that dress would have been a classy winner over pretty much everything else there - including the handful of russians in full on barbie outfits and tiaras!

Your dress is gorgeous, definitely go with that.

DD was at a ball the other week and she said that there was a mix of long and short as well. Hope you have a good time.

Just found out, sequins are a goer. But maybe not the cleavage!

I wish I was tall enough to wear a tuxedo and look like Cate Blanchett...sadly I think I would look like Jimmy Krankie :(

Ah, right. So you will be needing something then?

Might this do?, or this? Both would be a good bit longer on you of course. Nether is anything like as lovely as yours though.

Oh wait a mo - now, laugh at me if you will, but have you tried yours on back to front? Very, very occasionally it can work with that style of dress - especially in smaller sizes. Looks like the zip is on the side, right?

First,do you feel good in this dress? Are you confident wearing it? If yes,go with it.

It's a gorgeous dress.

You could fill the V in by just sewing a bit of silvery/matching colour,like a fake cami (but still very low). Dance shops or Primarni and chop a V out.

I'm going to a ball tomorrow night and went to one at end of May.women wore both long and short. I love your dress....wish I could borrow for tomorrow (no boobs whatsoever!!)

LOVE the dress you have already! I go to an anual ball and there's always a mix of long and short. I always wear short because soon I'll be too old to pull it off. I love the Coast dress link above, but if you think you can feel comfortable in what you have, I reckon you should go for it.

Can you talk to the people that invited you and ask if they feel this ball requires a full length? Don't pull a sickie, I bet you'll love it after a few glasses of bubbly!

Well said Jezabelle!

If you want to tack in a modesty panel like someone suggested, pewter sequined fabric would look great. Failing that maybe black sequined?

Why not cut a piece of the chiffon off the end of the sash, re hem it and use that to make a modesty panel? If you made it slightly ruched like the sash then I think it would look like it was meant to be that way.

Noooooooooooooooo!

Vogue had recently a story about the death of the ball gown.
So yes, you can do cocktail length at a ball gown event.
Wear your dress and buy some tit tape ;)

OP, I adore your dress. You will definitely be fine in that a ball as it's just so glitzy and gorgeous. Alas I could never wear it as my boobage would make it look pornographic.

Go and be fabulous.

IME of Summer Balls, I would say that dress will be fine. Make sure you use a bit of titty tape, if you are concerned about escaping bosoms.

FWIW I always wear short / knee length, because there is more chance of wearing the dress at a later date.

Also, the people with long dresses sometimes come across as trying too hard.