What does one wear to a ball?

[YourHandInMyHand]

Am going to a charity ball in about four months. That should give me time to lose the Christmas weight and find something nice to wear. As I'm usually found at home in jeans and slippers hugging a cup of tea I'm wondering what the hell I am meant to wear!?

A Ball Gown of course. Watch some Disney movies for ideas.

Alternatively, a trip to Monsoon during the January sales may help.

Hmm not sure a Disney-esque ball gown will work.

Monsoon a good idea though, never go in but we do have one.

Full length in any case, reasonably dignified, formal, well groomed. this, for example, is fab.

Will have a rummage if you like. What's your size, shape, height, colouring and budget?

rent or borrow something... girlmeetsdress.co.uk or similar

Are the men expected to wear black tie? Full length gown if so, at least to any I have been to.
Coast normally do some lovely ones, and you'll be able to shop the sales.

Yeah, hire wise wish want wear have a good reputation. Thing is it can cost as much to rent as to buy, needs careful weighing IMHO.

I worry about Monsoon in case someone has same dress. I am unlikely to be the younger, thinner one of the two...

I like tk maxx and Frasers for that sort of thing. Wait until sales for something fab?

yy about Monsoon. Phase8 and Coast are risky too I always feel.

I wear a cocktail dress rather than a ballgown.

Wore this to a recent one.

Wow, that's very nice indeed! Mango are often great for this sort of thing.

Were you the only one in cocktail? Might it be a regional thing?

The majority were in full length, but there were a handful in shorter length. I just hate long dresses on myself.

It is black tie yes.

I am 5ft6 curvy 14/16 with big boobs, 36F.

I am going to try and find pictures of previous years ball to get an idea of what people were wearing.

Thanks for shop suggestions, will do some window shopping online. :-)