I've got to find a dress by Friday - Help!

[Earlybird]

I need help. A new friend has invited me to her 40th birthday party on Friday night (last minute after an old friend cancelled). It's Black tie, dinner/dancing at a posh London hotel. I've told her I'll come, if I can find a dress. No idea what is appropriate for such an occasion - what to wear to this sort of evening??

So, here's the specifics. I'm 5'5", pear shaped, size 14 (on a good day), with average size norks (in other words, can't dazzle 'em with cleavage! ). Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

That sounds very formal. I think black tie means long but I may be wrong.
Do you have a budget?
Could you hire if need be?

\link{http://collection.hobbs.co.uk/Main/index.cfm?page=1008\yummy dresses at hobbs as posted by beety t'other day}

I tried on that green spotty one (but in red) and it is gorgeous.

But I don't think they're dressy enough for black tie.

\link{http://www.marksandspencer.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=2651&Product_Id=1987113\don't nkow what sort of thing you like but this could look nice?}

what's your budget, would the \link{http://store.monsoon.co.uk/catalog/Welcome\Lalanthe} one be any good?

I don't know very much at all about these occasions but I would think a medium to long length dress would be appropriate, and fairly formal.

What about Monsoon?

From another website:
Black Tie means formal. Men wear tuxedos, women wear cocktail, long dresses or dressy evening separates.
At least it's not:
White Tie means ultra-formal. Men wear full dress, with white tie, vest, shirt. Women wear long gowns.

Oh, Earlybird, I am glad you've decided to go (saw your thread, then when I had time to post I couldn't find it again to be encouraging).

Doesn't need to be long. Elegant dark kneelength shift shape with (non-flashy, ie toning colour) sequin or bugle-beading embroidery always looks lovely at those sorts of things (and the slight weight of the embroidery makes it hang flatteringly). With very fabulous shoes, naturally.

Anyway, if you have time, do the personal shopper thing - Liberty if you can!

Hi all - sorry to ask a question and then completely disapear, but my laptop (that is my new and should be trouble-free laptop), has completely died. Tech support has advised a trip to an authorised service centre, and the service centre is advising I could be without a computer for up to 6 weeks! So, I am currently sat in an internet cafe. But back to the dress news.....

I called a pal who really knows how to glam it up when the occasion arises, and she offered to loan me a dress. It's a gorgeous designer dress (black, cut on the bias with spaghetti straps), but doesn't fit flawlessly (those blasted hips of mine!). However, I think I can manage a bit of clever camouflage with a velvet jacket with nipped in waist. In a little while, I'm off to another friend (who makes wonderful jewelry) to see if I can find something that will provide a wonderful and interesting accent piece (and completely distract from the hip zone).

It's great to have on-line support from you lot, and practical support from real life pals. Will let you know how it goes!

could you get some keep-it-all-in-knickers? I use them for my tummy sometimes but might they help on your hips?
Have a great time, by the way.

cupcakes - yes, even with "keep it all in" knickers, the dress still bunches a bit. I think it really needs alterations to fit flawlessly, but as it's not my dress and time is so short, will just make do.

By the way, my jewelry friend stayed up last night adapting one of her creations for me, and now I've got a stunning sparkly amethyst necklace with drop pendant to complete the look. Matching dangly earrings too.

And the hostess has just emailed to say that she's sat me next to two "fascinating gentlemen".....gulp!! I feel excited and a bit panicky. Makes me realise just how long it has been since I've acted like a woman instead of being defined as strictly a mum!

Oh god. I'd be more worried about my witty banter!! (but that's just me).
At least if you're sitting down no-one will see your hips . The jewellery sounds beautiful.
Have a wonderful time.

cupcakes - evidently a band will be playing, so hopefully they will drown out any witty banter missteps. But, oh god, does that mean I might have to dance?? Maybe everyone will be so merry on champagne that it won't matter, but it does sound as if there will be many opportunities to completely humiliate myself!

Just don't be the first one to dance, no matter how much champagne you've had.

Hey Earlybird hope you had a lovely time....

Hi everyone - well, the evening was fun. The dress and necklace looked lovely. There was definitely a moment of controlled panic as I walked alone into a room of unknown people (and they all knew each other), but everyone was very nice. Food was good, wine was nice, band was great - I even danced a bit....though I made my way to the dance floor solo, as every man there was with someone. So, there was not a chance of a budding romance, but as the evening was a pal's birthday, that wasn't the point.

Thanks for encouraging me to give it a go....