Does 'Black tie' always mean a long dress?

[LaVolcan]

Just that. Or would I get away with mid-calf?

I always wear cocktail dresses for Black tie; I thought that it was white tie where full length was always required.

Yes, I think a mid-calf cocktail dress would be perfectly acceptable.

A good rule of thumb someone told me a long time ago is that if there's dancing then go long, otherwise it's not full length. In reality, though, there's usually a mixture of both at all black tie events, and I think mid-calf is a safe option.

Thanks - this is helpful. I am not tall, so a standard mid calf dress would be longish on me anyway.

DHs work do's tend to more long than mid calf some years and slightly the other way when there were a lot of younger staff.

As far as I can see as long as it's defiantly and 'evening dress' and your not trying to get away with something you'd wear on holiday or to a wedding, it doesn't matter.

I always wear long dresses, but that's because I like the feel of them and because you can get away with comfortable kitten heeled sandals.

I went to a black tie event in December. I'd say there were maybe a handful of women in calf length dresses, the rest had long dresses on.

My experience is generally the other way around - mostly cocktail or midcalf and just a few people in long.

Suppose it depends on the do. If it is a proper "ball" you might see more long. If it is more of a posh party probably more short.

It's only white tie that means dresses have to be full length.

For black tie, it's more about the nature of the event.

Yeah the one I went to was a ball... The Princes Trust... champagne reception, sit down meal, charity auction and then dancing 'till the early hours.

I guess if it was canapes, drinks and dancing, like a work Christmas do or something, then maybe more women would have wore cocktail dresses.

As Scaevola says it's probably more about the nature of the event.

It's a posh birthday party...but I suspect what I get will depend on what's in the shops.