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Original poster

Is this dress okay for a posh dinner dance?

80 replies

pipicalzaslargas · 19/05/2017 18:22

I have been invited at short notice at a posh dinner dance at a private school next Friday. Dress code is black tie. Do you think this dress is okay? www.whistles.com/women/sale/dresses/olivia-lace-dress-24251.html?dwvar_olivia-lace-dress-24251_color=Multicolour#start=1

I am short so it fits just below my knees. It does look very nice on me, I just don't know if it's appropriate as I haven't been to one of these functions for years!

OP posts:
libertydoddle · 19/05/2017 21:30

I've seen the dress and it's gorgeous. Definitely not wedges though...

Pixie2015 · 19/05/2017 21:36

Love the dress - don't wear wedges

Liiinoo · 19/05/2017 21:38

I think it is perfect. I'm not sure about wedges though, I think heels look smarter.

NashvilleQueen · 19/05/2017 21:39

Are you thinking bare legs?
I think it would need a bit of work on the rest of the look to make it suitable for black tie.
Definitely no to wedges.

Original poster
pipicalzaslargas · 19/05/2017 21:50

something like this?
www.neimanmarcus.com/en-gb/Aquazzura-Holli-Suede-Lace-Up-85mm-Sandal/prod192670140/p.prod

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Original poster
pipicalzaslargas · 19/05/2017 21:51

Barely there tights Nashville

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Lucked · 19/05/2017 22:14

If you know other women who are going and they are wearing cocktail length it will be fine.

Not a fan of the shoes, but they are not my style. I do think they are more night out on the town rather than dinner dance

hopsalong · 19/05/2017 22:32

It's a terrific dress but I can't imagine how it would look at knee length (am tall myself and not model slim, so am always anxious about things being too short). I agree that it's on the casual side for black tie in terms of fabric / colour, and definitely too casual if above knee.

The easiest solution to me seems to be a knee length black dress -- because of job I go to a lot of black-tie things and have a very boring rotation of such dresses. A colourful floor length gown shouts white tie to me and would be overdoing it.

On balance it wouldn't be my choice -- but I am not a very confident dresser, and am sure you will rock it if you feel good in it! And will be very wearable in day.

NashvilleQueen · 19/05/2017 22:40

I would never wear tights with those shoes. Bare legs or closed shoes.

BigBairyHollocks · 19/05/2017 22:49

Sorry no,it's far too casual and the shoes are also too casual,and in no circumstance should those shoes be worn with tights.i think you should consider something else.i was at a cocktail dinner dance last night and people were much dressier than that.

Patsy99 · 19/05/2017 22:52

I saw that dress in the shop, it's really lovely.

I'd say it's cocktail rather than black tie.

thethoughtfox · 19/05/2017 22:58

Not formal enough

MiniAlphaBravo · 19/05/2017 22:58

I used to go to those events lots and that dress is fine as long as paired with a nice clutch and properly done hair and a nice pair of heels. Agree that wedges are a definite no and so are tights unless you wear a closed in shoe eg nude Kate middleton type. No one wore long dresses at the school events I went to except for the leavers ball when everyone did!

WhisperingLoudly · 19/05/2017 23:02

You think the dress is too casual

Enidblyton1 · 19/05/2017 23:05

That dress will be absolutely fine for black tie as long as you have the right accessories. I'd look again for shoes - those ones you suggested look a bit too casual and chunky. Wear some nice jewellery and a clutch bag. Enjoy!

irregularegular · 19/05/2017 23:05

I think you need to ask someone who has been to similar events at the school really. But I'd be surprised if it wasn't formal enough. It would be enough for all the black tie dinners I've go to (mostly Oxford colleges, some village charity dos, work balls in London years ago). People rarely wear long at those events.

I'd wear proper dressy black high heels though.

Crumbs1 · 19/05/2017 23:11

The dress is lovely and fine for any black tie. Nothing more 'wrong' than being overdressed.

Crumbs1 · 19/05/2017 23:13

Oh sorry just seen the type of event. It is fine and lovely but our children's school balls were always long for mothers and daughters. Agree ask other mothers or housemistress as different schools will,have different traditions and norms.

Wondermoomin · 19/05/2017 23:23

TBH I would go for a different dress. I don't think Whistles stylists would have styled it for photos like that if it was suitable for black tie. I think it would be fine for a wedding but not a black tie evening do.

The shoes are not suitable for black tie, at least certainly not paired with the dress. Definitely not wedges but I think that's been established now.

I would err on the side of formal rather than too casual, but I don't think it necessarily has to mean long.

BackforGood · 19/05/2017 23:28

Agree with most. Whilst it is a nice dress, it does not say 'black tie' to me.
However, if you already know that nobody else is wearing a long dress (which is the starting point for a 'black tie dinner') then it seems you already have much more of an idea about this specific 'do' than is generally thought to be the etiquette.

tigerdriverII · 19/05/2017 23:29

It's perfect, a lovely dress. If you followed some of the "advice" on here you'd look like a 50s housewife at the Company dance ShockGrin

Great hair and make up, clutch, nude tights and black pointy flats : would look gorgeous.

tigerdriverII · 19/05/2017 23:31

And FWIW I go to quite a lot of black tie events and long is definitely not de rigeur: cocktail frock is perfect.

Original poster
pipicalzaslargas · 20/05/2017 06:16

tiger thank you, and thankyou everyone else. I am taking all opinions on board. I think opinions about the dress are split in the middle here. Shoes wise though, it's obvious I am clueless. I will absolutely not wear flats though as I am only 5.2". Any specific recommendations, preferably from Clarks as I don't have much else around where I am?

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Original poster
pipicalzaslargas · 20/05/2017 06:22

Oh and just to clarify about the tights. They are barely there, only 6 denier so you can't even tell I'm wearing them. They're like my own bare legs but better. And they are open toe so they do not show through any sandals. Not one bit. DH had no idea I was wearing tights and asked 'won't you be cold'. I didn't tell him Wink. Toe nails will be dark red, same as hands I guess...

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Original poster
pipicalzaslargas · 20/05/2017 06:29

Would these shoes be okay?
www.clarks.co.uk/c/Kendra-Gaby/p/26122798

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