Black tie do - where on earth do I get a 'ball' dress?!

[itwillbegrandsure]

Please help! I don't remember the last time I was at a black tie event. It's a charity event held in a local-ish club and I'm looking for a full length dress with some sort of sleeve (not sleeveless). I'm petite too which doesn't help matters!

Have tried Asos. Anywhere else?

not sure how old you are but have you looked on forever unique? just been watching real housewives of cheshire

chichi and little mistress also worth look.

Debenhams? They usually have some decent evening dresses

John Lewis have loads. House of Fraser too. If you don't want to spend much you can always check eBay/op shops/to max. People often buy these things and use them once or twice before selling or donating. Just make sure you don't leave it too late so that you have time to get it altered.

I had a black tie event earlier this year. I had this dress for £20 from Amazon, and spent the same amount on good supportive shapewear underneath (am a 16).

I got SO many people asking where it was from. I felt so happy I'd spent such a low amount on it! Okay, the lining isn't satin but it didn't crease and was very very flattering.

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B01LKOG4WW/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1505936928&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=evening+dress+miusol&dpPl=1&dpID=41O3WGedKyL&ref=plSrch&tag=mumsnetforum-21

Very for online stuff but expensive.
Coast is good too
Monsoon.
If youre not trying to go fancy and looking for cheap then the big online places can do some nice maxi dresses, like boohoo

Tk maxx always has ball gown type dresses, try there. Look online and see if they've got anything you fancy.

Phase Eight always seem to have some in the sale.

virgos lounge have some beautiful dresses depending on budget and style you like.

Thank you ladies! Some good suggestions there! I had completely forgotten about Very and Debenhams. Fingers crossed I'll find something (leaving it til the last minute as usual)!

You can hire dresses at chic-by-choice.com/

I was considering it for the last party I went to!

Debenhams and Quiz.

I recently went to a ball. And very few women were wearing full length dresses tbh and they were mainly old ladies.
Debenhsms, John lewis both do them. Charity shops. Evening wear hire shops. Phase eight. Coast.

You can Google Prom dresses too as they are ballgowns in effect. Top Shop usually have some gorgeous ones at very good prices but maybe not this time of year.

EBAY! people wear them once then get too fat, they sit in a wardrobe for a few years then end up on ebay!
I have got 3 or 4 formal dresses on ebay, ranging from £2 to £15. (and one was a brand new with labels coast dress). Also got a monsoon dress that was £150 in the shop for £40, worn once :)

coast and warehouse are quite good for knee-length dresses

I second 2014newme: of all the black tie functions I have been to, very few women were wearing ball gowns. In fact some ladies wear trouser-suits and stuff like that, I really couldn't do that - but a lovely dress will be fine, honestly...

Unless of course your function is very much posher than all the dos I get to go to. But I would only buy a ball-gown style dress for white tie not that we get invited to that class of bash

Oh, having doubts now. Was really looking forward to wearing a long dress, not too formal or posh but long nonetheless. I am not a fan of showing my legs.

Mid-late 30s to give you an idea of age.

So would I look a bit stupid going long then?

Black tie but not super posh black tie!

Roman Origonals and TK Maxx are also good for jformal dresses. I love a long frock

Long is nice for a change if you don't get to dress up very often. I would look in Phase 8 or find out if there is a dress hire place near you. And don't do for black, it's so dull and unless you are very young and glamorous it can look matronly and aging.

Have a nice time.

Wear long! I have been to a few black tie dos and lots of people wore long. Young and old(er).

Black Tie - long dress is optional. So wear hat you feel comfortable in. Long is fine. House of Fraser always has a good selection of long dresses.

I wear 50s style cocktail dresses. I'm short so they're mid shin on me and very flattering. I usually get them from Amazon and have had loads of lovely comments about them.

I love a good long gown when you have an opportunity - why not make the most of it if you love wearing something floor-length.

Am off to an awards ceremony in a few weeks - similar dress code - and I will be going full length (with a vintage 19 40s slinky gown). But am sure there will also be lots of women in shorter cocktail dresses too looking wonderful.

To be fair if I wear a long flour length dress I look like I'm playing dress up in a grown up's frock

I love long dresses too - go for it!

TK Maxx are worth a look