Black tie on a budget?

[workadurka]

Got a black tie do coming up, pretty rare for me and I have nothing I'd count as black tie garb so probably need to buy something.

Don't want to spend anything much though as I'll probably never wear it again....

Any ideas how I can look black tie fabulous for little money? Have had fruitless search in charity shop and cheap high street shops.

There is website called sexy her..sounds tack and a lot of the dresses are but I found a nice black strapless one on there for £40 a few years ago. Might be worth a browse?

Have a look on Ebay? What sort of thing are you after - size, style, etc?

T.K. Max usually have this stuff at good prices.

Can you ask your friends, see if they have something you can borrow? Most of those dresses are fairly classic anyway, and they see very little wear.

Ask around to see if you can borrow something off a friend?

TK Maxx or another look at charity shops in a different town. I have a gorgeous long dress from a charity shop. It really is luck of the draw with charity shops, and it helps if you can use a needle and thread to make alterations.

TK Maxx dresses here

Thanks for all the ideas.

I can't bear to do strapless at the moment, or even strappy tbh, ideally something sleeveless, cap or 3/4 sleeve and ideally full length although my legs are OK.

Most of my friends aren't my size, at least the ones I'd feel happy asking to nick clothes off. The few that are have completely different body shapes and colouring so their stuff generally looks awful on me.

Black looks awful on me so I guess I'm looking for colours too...

Could I wear something like this? (just need to find a version at 10th of the price...)

www.net-a-porter.com/gb/en/product/503110

Not a size 12 otherwise something like that Phase Eight dress Was looks good.

Will have a look in my local TK Maxx as well, that's a good shout world

www.collectif.co.uk/plain-ingrid-fishtail-dress-p-vaw142401-c-purple.html this? Only size 8 or 18 left but it's gorgeous!

The. Phase 8 dress is now available in a 14 or 18.

What size are you worka?

I'm a 10 - can sometimes squeeze into an 8 but I think not in the Collectif dress unfortunately as sounds like it comes up small. It's lovely though.

How about something like this? At the moment you can get 20% off and delivery is £1.99.

Sorry, meant to post the red one (also in cream).

Otherwise, I do think ebay is your friend.

This is quite something.

Grey - needs good accessories

Good summery colour

Pretty blue

Pretty if your colourings are right

In short - get thee to TK Maxx!

Thanks, that ebay one looks quite spectacular! And TK Maxx later ;)

Do let you us know how you get on worka.