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Original poster

Black tie Xmas dinner ... HELP!

20 replies

WallaceWindsock · 26/10/2013 01:13

DPs work are doing a black tie dinner for Xmas.

Not only have I not been to a black tie event before, but I don't know where to start looking for a dress.

We don't have huge amounts of money to spend on this at all, so something in a sale is necessary.

I have recently lost 2 stone 7lbs (baby weight) and want to really wow DP and show off my new slimness however I'm quite petite and a lot of dresses seem miles too long?

So basically I'm looking for something fairly long and very stunning, in a dark colour (preferably dark blue or black). It needs to be size 8 pos 6 depending on the shop and cater for shorter persons.

Please help me find something, I have no image in my head to guide me on what I should be looking for. I don't want to look out of place, and I want it feel confident. Such a nightmare!

OP posts:
LeoandBoosmum · 26/10/2013 03:42

What's huge amounts of money? Can you give us an idea of your budget? Also, your exact height and your colouring (hair, skin, eye colour)... That would help me look for suggestions anyway :)

Chottie · 26/10/2013 03:50

Congratulations on losing all that weight :) We need more details about you. Do you have shoes and a bag that you will be using already? If so, can you give more detail?

Original poster
WallaceWindsock · 26/10/2013 09:15

No shoes or bag unfortunately. Pregnancy foot spread has sent me up a shoe size so nothing I have fits!

Height and colouring - approx 5ft 6, dark longish hair, blue eyes. I tend to wear a lot of dark colours as they seem to suit my colouring well. I've always looked a bit pale and ill in pale shades and greens and yellows.

Thanks on the weight loss congrats, by some miracle it's the only side effect I get in the depo jab and is the complete opposite to the weight gain side effect a lot of people have experienced! It all just came off in 7 months. Just have to work at keeping it off, no mid morning chocolate cake habit Grin

OP posts:
3littlefrogs · 26/10/2013 09:21

I would suggest finding a dress agency and hiring something.

I have 4 evening dresses in my wardrobe that I will never wear again. (Three don't fit any more). We tend to go to the same events/same people year on year, so don't really want to keep wearing the same dress. I once turned up at an annual dinner in the same dress I had worn previously, the first 2 people I met noticed Blush.

You would probably be able to get a whole outfit for a reasonable price.

Original poster
WallaceWindsock · 26/10/2013 09:52

Oh forgot to mention budget. Well if it was something I could wear again then something in the sale down to £60 is what I'd happily spend. I'd obviously not complain at anything less than that but think that may not be entirely realistic Grin

Anything above that and I'd be docking DPs Xmas present budget!

OP posts:
Original poster
WallaceWindsock · 26/10/2013 09:58

That's just dress obv, I intend to go through friends shoes and bags before forking out more. Am hopeful I can borrow something.

How much are dress hires usually? DP will be changing firm in a years time so could get a couple of wears out of it. Can't believe someone noticed though, did they actually say that they'd recognised it? I'm Shock at the rudeness!

OP posts:
3littlefrogs · 26/10/2013 10:03

Yes they did. Sad

It was at a time when I really couldn't afford to buy something new. It spoiled the evening for me.

MrsCampbellBlack · 26/10/2013 10:14

Do you want full length or more cocktail wear?

Original poster
WallaceWindsock · 26/10/2013 11:19

I'm not sure, can I get away with something not full length? I don't want to look too swamped which often happens with long stuff, but wasn't sure if black tie meant it HAD to be full length? If it doesn't then that'd be good! I usually got for couple of inches below the knee for dresses as this tends to make me look less short (somehow!). Is that an acceptable length? Really am clueless. I can do weddings and parties etc but never had to even think about formal dinners like this before.

That's awful Three, that they commented like that. What horrid unpleasant people they must be. Really feel for you.

OP posts:
MrsCampbellBlack · 26/10/2013 11:31

I'd get your DH to ask some questions at work but I'd suspect most women would be in 'cocktail dresses' so not full length.

And at 5ft 6 you are not short at all.

I'd look on asos for that budget - not sure you'll find much in the sales at this time of year. Reiss also worth a look but probably too much money.

eurochick · 26/10/2013 11:31

Some ideas:

www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-Sequin-Grecian-Maxi-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2918634&cid=8799&Rf981=3680&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=36&sort=-1&clr=Navy

Dammit. Asos keeps crashing on me, but there is lots of choice on there if you take a look, and quite a few things within your budget.

Personally, I would go full length for a black tie do. Do you have any friends you might be able to borrow something from? I'd be happy to lend most of my black tie stuff to friends as it gets so little wear.

travailtotravel · 26/10/2013 19:19

Can you search out Ebay too, if you're looking for bargains?

OldRoan · 26/10/2013 19:35

I agree for a work black tie event I'd be expecting long cocktail rather than floor length.

How about lacey?

There is also this, but I suspect in real life you would look a little bit like a mermaid-escort. Very small chance it would be stunning on, though.

PAsSweetOrangeLurve · 26/10/2013 20:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hermioneweasley · 26/10/2013 20:40

Have you checked eBay ?

LeoandBoosmum · 27/10/2013 06:09

What do you think of this? Heavily reduced, still have size 6, would look a little longer on you as the model is 5ft9 (the model is wearing an 8, to give you an idea of whether the 6 would fit. Free delivery and returns, I believe. 10% off till 28th Oct although that might be on full priced stuff, not sure...

www.asos.com/Opulence-England/Opulence-England-One-Shoulder-Sequin-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2464917&SearchQuery=christmas%20dress&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=36&sort=-1&clr=Black

Could look great with silver heels and a bright clutch? Or vice versa :)

LeoandBoosmum · 27/10/2013 06:28

Slightly over budget at £75 (size 8 available right now) but classy... Maybe you would get the extra 10 percent off bringing it down to about £67.50?
www.asos.com/Aryn-K/Aryn-K-Draped-Silk-Dress-with-Wrap-Front/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3022142&cid=15945&Rf-300=1924,1880&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=36&sort=-1&clr=Navy

I think it would flatter your colouring and it would be easy to match up with black or silver?

Here's the asos page I got it from in case you want to have a look over them all. :)

LeoandBoosmum · 27/10/2013 06:29

Another example...there are loads :)

www.asos.com/Aryn-K/Aryn-K-Strapless-Tulip-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3019281&cid=15945&Rf-300=1924,1880&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=36&sort=-1&clr=Navy

LeoandBoosmum · 27/10/2013 06:35

Sorry, there are 58 pages!
Go to asos.com, click on 'women', then 'outlet 70% off', then on your left there is a column...click on 'dresses (brands)', now tick sizes 6 and 8 and all dresses should come up in those sizes. You'll have to sift through all to see the dressy ones, I think.
BTW, that cobalt blue one I first linked you to is 100% silk and you do get the extra 10% off with 10XTRA if you order before the 28th Oct...
Let us know how you get on :)

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