Is this dress ok for a ball?

[MsMalcontent]

I've been invited to a ball through work. There are going to be a lot of people that are there for the ball rather than through work and they're going to be all gowned up. I don't think that's appropriate for me, I feel I am going to be there in a different capacity if that makes sense, so a full on frou-frou wouldn't be appropriate. I have this dress, do you think it would be ok? It's more cocktail than ball, should I at least go for something full length? The other work rep I am going with isn't planning on dressing up at all!

Are you actually working at the ball (networking doesn't count), or is it just that your invitation has come about through a professional not personal connection? Because if the latter, that shouldn't affect your clothing choice at all (i.e. Dress right up), and if the former, have you not been given an indication of the dress code for doing that work? (Hosting, waiting tables, etc may require specific clothing. Acting as assistant to someone or many someones there is more likely to mean still dress up, but be able to walk around and carry things (like a tablet) if needed). Really I can't see many circumstances in which different guests at the same event would have totally different dress codes...

No, I'm not working there but am there representing my job. So, it's a ball which my manager (the other rep I mentioned) is sponsoring
(ie paying for it!). She's not dressing up so I don't know where that leaves me! It's an event for young people to enjoy themselves and it's their night. I'm 25 years older than their target audience, hence my confusion over what it acceptable!

If it matters - we're there to show face as the sponsor, will be there for the meal and then probably leave early. The night isn't for us, it's for them to have fun.

In that case, I would definitely dress up fully (unless you really don't want to...) - I don't see what the benefit is of marking yourselves off as ' not part of it'. If you think about it, the general convention for teachers at proms or corporate hosts for balls is never to just show up in jeans (it sounds like your role here is falling somewhere between these two...).

I'd ask what she is wearing and possibly match it style wise but I would have probably looked at something full length

Thanks for your suggestions. I better get shopping...