Could I wear this to a black tie dinner?

[Myneaux]

Ive been invited to a black tie dinner with work and Im feeling stressed about what to wear.

Im comfortable with semi formal but I dont really know what is expected...I suspect that I could get away without wearing a full length ball gown but still need to be conservatively dressed.

I have a small budget (up to about £80) and would like something I could wear again. I found this dress in Warehouse today and it was only £20...it fits perfectly and is my kind of style. I am normally a bit quirky and know for wearing colour and unusual jewellery.

Its jacquard fabric and has a slight sheen to it....i thought maybe with heels, nude tights/bare legs and red lippy I could just about get away with it. Be honest is it too casual?

All the other formal dresses feel too frumpy (Im 40), bare too much flesh, are black (Im too pale) and expensive

for reference Im 5.4 with blonde hair, size 10.

www.warehouse.co.uk/gb/sale/dresses/wild-garden-dress/029484.html?dwvar_029484_color=99&position=84&cgid=sale-dresses#sz=60&gclid=CjwKCAjw6szOBRAFEiwAwzixBZkNYhv4eum42x6Wte4pp1n4y-tp3kB8v9Q4VoJ7RkBcdZ8lVu3h7BoClPAQAvD_BwE&start=84&categoryID=sale-dresses

I really haven't got a clue .

Also love the full skirt look but fear it would look better on a taller person...and finding one dress is hard enough. Trying to find a skirt and top would send me over the edge!

Something a bit different?
m.asos.com/chi-chi-london/chi-chi-london-lace-asymmetric-off-the-shoulder-dress-with-frill-details/prd/7505117?affid=14179&channelref=product%20search&mk=abc&currencyid=1&ppcadref=761030380|39786682283|pla-297322656430&_cclid=v3_1795f08f-0fa6-5260-9f09-f1c27e4a6b92&gclid=CjwKCAjw6szOBRAFEiwAwzixBZUAsBeOL_nLqlpv8sC0cqWDuyP3ESHSvU2iLLd6yZC3jZOaPHepOxoCCZ4QAvD_BwE

Lovely but I'm never sure about those hemlines!

Going to have to stop looking now and crack on with the Sainsbury's order or my family will starve !

You need a dress more than they need food hahaha

ASOS have good returns. Buy a load then send it back once you tried it on

I think the problem with the ones you're finding is the silhouette- those skater-style and fit and flare dresses are too little girly and won't give you the sophistication you need for formal wear.

www.houseoffraser.co.uk/women/phase-eight-britt-dress/d731531.pd#245936604 or www.houseoffraser.co.uk/women/phase-eight-addison-stripe-dress/d721978.pd#244026799 or www.houseoffraser.co.uk/women/hotsquash-lace-sleeved-dress-in-clever-fabric/d723113.pd#258258748 ?

I had to get a black tie dress a few weeks ago and I went to the John Lewis site and searched for black tie desses then sorted them by lowest price. Try it. There are lots of good reductions.

There are always fish fingers .

I'm totally not sophisticated at all which really is the problem. I love clothes and fashion but find the glamourous formal look really dull tbh. I don't like to look like everyone else and a lot of the formal dresses just don't represent my personality. However I just can't do the whole pencil, fitted style. I'm slim but no waist no boobs and big tummy so they tend to be tight across the stomach and gape at the top.

I think the chi chi ones are best option so far.

This one is fit and flare but not too girly or black
m.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-arden-prom-dress-cobalt/p2463238

I am going to buck the trend here and say I think that with the right hair/shoes/accessories that could be perfect for a black tie dinner. Everything else would have to be very formal (so black heels, dark sheer tights, updo, full make up) and then that dress would be perfect. Anything nude would make the look too casual but with the right styling, age and body shape you could wear that dress to the Oscars. sobs quietly because I will never have that body shape or age again

www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-deidra-embroidered-dress-petrol/p3177324

What about this one there is one size 10 left!
I'm determined to try and he,p you find something you like.
You couldn't wear this with big boobs and it will skim your tummy nicely and material will detract.
Also a nice wrap or s smart shrug and Statement bracelet will work. Hair up or down.

Lovely colour and good price

I like that one definitely (though if I was being picky I would want it shorter..which I think we have probably established that I am!).

Think navy is the way forward and the good thing about that dress is that I could use the black accessories that I already have.

Going to see if I can leg it to zara and John Lewis on my lunch break just in case they have it in stock or otherwise I will just order it.

Only problem might be that I'm often an 8 in the 'older' shops (like m&s, joules,next etc) due to lack of boobage

Thank you again!

Right....just got back from a soaking in town!

Nothing in our Zara or in John Lewis (but can try online later)

I did find this in House of Fraser. I tried it on in the black but have since found navy online.

It ticks the quirky box (a bit), doesn't feel exposed or too tight but Im unsure of the waist and length (never sure about midi's and the waist is high).

Ive obviously been way off the mark before so I will sit back and be prepared to be shot down in flames.

www.houseoffraser.co.uk/women/lace-and-beads-sleeveless-embellished-maxi-dress/d795437.pd#268519609

This last dress is lovely, the length works. When you tried it on did you like how it fitted? As you are not exactly tall that length should suit you very well

That one is lovely.

I think that's very pretty. It is a little different and I think would fit a size 10 petite woman very well.

Lovely!

Lovely dress

Yay! Maybe I finally got it right!

I did like it and the detail/beading is very pretty when close up.

I don't normally wear midi (it's not maxi even though it describes itself as being this) so I wasn't sure but I think this might help me look a little bit more sophisticated than I normally do.

Might go back and get it now 😊

That is perfect

That's the one

That dress so lovely!! Perfect

The last dress is really pretty, I think it would look great!

Yup. That would look lovely.