Black tie dinner

[PinkCloudDweller]

Hi, I'm going to a black tie dinner in a couple of months and I'm not sure what to wear. I've got a rather beautiful Phase Eight prom dress that is quite nice, but I'm not sure if I should be wearing something more formal?

If you can think of any other dresses, that'd be great. I'm 5'6", size 12 and suit HOC winter colours. This is a work-related event so I don't want to wear anything short or revealing. Thanks!

Prom dress sounds quite formal to me & if you think it's beautiful & you feel great in it, then definitely wear that! In my experience at black tie events, anything goes for the ladies as long as it looks classy/glam...

I'm a jewel winter as well OP - what colour is it? Can you post a pic?

It's actually not one of my colours - I bought it before the colour analysis. But it's a beautiful dress, I'll take a picture of it.

This is the dress - quite stiff material with underskirt, so it does look quite smart.

It's a beautiful dress but why not find a similar style in one of your 'wow' colours?

The colour is not the best against my skin, but I'm planning to wear if (if I do wear this dress) with a black shawl. Not sure if you'd call it a shawl, actually - it looks like a long length of black, sateen material. This.

Yes, you are completely right. I guess I was trying to avoid having to buy a new dress specifically for this event, as I'm unlikely to wear it much again.

I would wear the dress that you have & buy yourself something fab with the money you would have spent. I think evening wear is such a waste of money

So - this is suitable for the black tie dress code, then?

I personally don't think its black tie suitable. It's not formal enough..i'd rather over dress than under dress.

For a dinner, remember you will be mostly seated so your top half needs to look polished and formal. The prom dress has a very informal print and the main style feature is the skirt, which will be lost at a dinner table. It is also very summery in vibe so when is the event. You risk looking as though you're wearing just a nice casual summery top.

Hi both - thanks. I hadn't looked at it that way. I guess you are right. The event is in late April but yes, I know what you mean about the neckline.

It looks a very pretty dress but I don't think I would wear it to a black tie function. I don't think it's formal enough.
I would go for a full length dress or a cocktail dress, maybe a jewel coloured silk. If you wanted flexibility for future wears, you could have a full length skirt from somewhere like Coast and a boned bodice type top.
Hope this helps

Yes. I agree! Thanks for helping me with this. Actually, I do have a black bodice somewhere, but I worry the completely bare shoulders look will be a bit too revealing. I have small breasts, so I wouldn't look too much on display, but it might be too much bare skin. Hm. I'll think about it.

I think your dress is too informal. After years of being uncomfortably underdressed at Black Tie events, I bought www.phase-eight.com/pws/ProductDetails.ice?UniqueProductKey=202908838&redirect=true&gclid=CKz-38TDjNICFYg-Gwod8mEA6g this]] yesterday and love it! Black tie Dominic about 3 weeks.

That dress looks fab! Thanks, i might have to order it.