Black tie party - will this dress do?

[Gizboss1]

Hi ladies,
My friend is turning 50 and has hired a lovely hotel for a party at the end of Jan. The invitation says 'Black tie and posh frocks' so I have ordered my DH a tux from M&S and am now trying to sort myself out. I have this dress www.oasis-stores.com/fcp-product/3170138718
which I got in the sale before Xmas and it is nice and quite classy I think, but is it posh enough for this kind of event or do I need something long? I don't get invited to things like this very often and have no clue!

I could probably afford to spend about £60 if the general opinion is that it's not dressy enough. I am 39, dark brown hair, a curvy size 10 (big boobs) and 5'8.

If you think it's ok, any idea on shoes? I have some black court high heels, very plain but quite comfortable but would maybe want to get something nicer, although I have to be careful, I have a dodgy back so can't do crazy high or unstable shoes as we will definitely be dancing!

Appreciate your thoughts....

Wow!

That dress is amazing

How about these?

sleeveless Coast

purple lace

strapless satin

I love that Ghost dress but even though I have a bit of money to spend think I wouldn't get much wear out of it - I think I'd only wear it to the party and then it wouldn't work for my birthday stuff. I wish I was rich and could just buy two!

I like the strapless satin one but it's not in my size. House of Fraser have a lot on sale - do you like this?

www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Eliza+J+Cap+sleeve+beaded+neckline+sheath+dress/198018179,default,pd.html

Do you think if I were to go to a HOF shop they would have a good selection or is it better to order online and then return if necessary?

That is a beautiful, classy dress, OP. A pair of large stud pearl earrings would compliment it beautifully.

ASOS have some nice maxi dresses
missguided also have some nice ones.
COAST also have lovely dresses

I think if you can get to a HoF easily enough it's worth going in to have a look. If you don't see anything you can always have an online order ready to go when you get home!

I like the black dress you've linked.

I like your dress in OP and also the house of frazer black/beaded neck line dress - you could have both !!

I've no dresses to add but I agree. The dress you posted in your OP is an 'It will do'. I wouldn't do a 'This will do' for this event especially with an enviable figure!

Do something that will wow people! :)

I like this

The picture doesn't do it justice IMO.

Do not underestimate the Ghost sale

Cap sleeves
Emerald
Blue
Indigo

another ghost sale one

And if you've got £200 you could get another one for your restaurant do too!

I'm definitely shopping for something now, it's just making my mind up is the thing....

Slug - I love those Ghost dresses - am very tempted to get the first one you linked as it seems to have all of the sizes in stock. Any idea on sizing though? They have S, M - which would size 10 be - a curvy size 10, I have a FF chest?

Still searching for cocktail dresses as an alternative or possibly an as well as if could get both within budget. Look how far I've strayed from my original post!

I'm an 18 with GG chest and I get into their XL. I even got married in a Ghost dress (while 7 months pregnant)

Another ghost one & a bargain too!

I'm going against the flow here, but I don't like the long ones. Unless you know that lots of people will be wearing long gowns, I think you'd potentially feel uncomfortable. I suspect that 'posh frocks' for most people these days means LBDs or cocktail dresses.

The one you posted with the sparkly neck is lovely, and would be good for a 'posh party' and for a restaurant.

I've you're curvy and busty though, and want to splash out a bit, it might be worth looking at Vivienne Westwood. She designs for curves!

Love this

And this

Gorgeous

Gorgeous and a bargain

Beautiful colour if you don't mind flashing a bit of leg

If not I've

I LOVE that third VW dress! I only wish I had an occasion and the budget to get that myself!

I really like the fourth one too (the black). FWIW I agree re long dresses.

Can I highly recommend lady V London dresses, really well made and returns are a doddle.
Especially good for bigger busts.

Sorry, I don't get the VW dresses at all-really dull in my humble (and uneducated) opinion.

I tend to avoid short dresses because I hate my leg, plus I'm only 5ft 0 so few are actually short

My legs are my best bit, so I like to flash them when I can (draped in 60 denier!). :)

I have never heard Dame Viv described as dull before. She'd be horrified!

Thanks for those Remus - I am tempted by the VW dresses - I like the third on and the leg flasher (!) and I think that you may be right about the shorter length. Probably would get more wear out of it.

Any other amazing cocktail dress recommendations? Going to go for a spin around the shops tomorrow and then make up my mind.

Which shops can you get to?

Yes, stroppy sandals are a must! [wink I dot think gold diamanté sandals are dated at all, as long as they don't look cheap.
But long dresses ARE dated.
I'd get a cocktail dress that you can also wear in Barcelona. How lovely!

Oly I have an image of a pair of sandals having a tantrum now :)

I'm in London so was thinking HOF on Oxford St first, if I can get in early - need to bribe my 5 year old with something to do after as want DH to come with me.... then if necessary Covent Garden.

Love Stroppy sandals!