Dress for black tie event - help as no good with clothes!

[purplepandas]

Hi

I have to go to a black tie event. I have no idea what to wear. I have v limited time to shop as the usual job, kids etc. I am also totally hopeless in knowing what looks good on me and so unhappy with how I look atm.

For info, I am a more of a wallflower than the centre for attention and things that cling to hips would be awful for me (biggest issue). Things that are empire line are better. Size 16 currently and feeling not great which makes looking awful (biggest I have ever been and I don't look for good). I know size is relative and others look fab but I don't! . Any ideas? I would be v grateful as I am fashion hopeless.

Thank you

You could order a fee dresses from a website, e.g. asos to try at home and send back the ones you don't like. For something a bit higher quality, you could try Coast.

How smart is it? As in, is it cocktail dresses or long dresses?

What is your budget? Is there part of you that you like to show off? What colours work best on you?

Do you already have shoes, bag etc?

Black tie is floor length gowns for women.

Black tie is floor length gowns for women

Strictly speaking, yes. But it's becoming more and more common for women to wear cocktail dresses to black tie events. Personally if I don't know what others will be wearing I like to be over rather than under dressed, but if I knew that everyone else at the event would be wearing cocktail dresses, in the OP's shoes I would want to fit in rather than be the technically correctly attired one

Tell us a bit more - your colouring and height. Sleeves or no sleeves? maxi or cocktail dress? Budget?

What do you think of this ? It's empire line and not expensive if you're unlikely to wear it often. It's pretty but not attention seeking.

Thanks! I am 5ft6. Not hugely pale and have mid brown hair. I don't mind sleeves or not but would typically feel happily in longer (maxi I guess). Absolutely no idea what anyone else is wearing. It's a work awards thing and not sure who else has been nominated aside from males so far (they will have been but a huge employer so I just don't know who they are and no names released).

Mina, I actually really like that so thank you. No shoes or bag. I never do this stuff.

Absolutely love this but cannot justify this money for one dress.

Also like this although love the teal way more.

Colours wise, I realise I did not answer about that. Really bright colours are not really me (e.g. bright red, yellow). Black washes me out as would pale colours. I tend to favour, navy, teal, burgundy, darkish green, purple, dark grey etc.

Not sure this will work but realised I do have one dress already. Not sure black tie though.

Chi Chi London is a good brand to try. They have a mid season sale on at the moment. They have similar looking dresses to the ones you have linked to. Can’t remember if they offer free returns.

In my recent experience black tie work dinners tend not to mean full length for ladies. The black Monsoon dress would be great though doesn't have to be black if it washes you out.

Jigsaw sale

I agree that at work black tie events women are pretty likely to wear cocktail dresses. However, if you're more comfortable wearing a long one, you'll definitely look good. I like all the suggestions so far.

If you'd like a budget version and like green and blue then I've found 2 dresses for £33.50 each. They'll take you in at the waist but will cover everything else up if you're not feeling too confident about your figure. I'd wear them with metallic shoes and a sparkly clutch to glam up the outfit.

www.asos.com/asos/asos-pleated-maxi-dress-with-flutter-sleeve/prd/9070901?clr=cobaltblue&SearchQuery=&cid=8799&gridcolumn=2&gridrow=5&gridsize=3&pge=2&pgesize=72&totalstyles=276

www.asos.com/asos/asos-long-sleeve-ruffle-wrap-maxi-tea-dress/prd/8800837?clr=green&SearchQuery=&cid=8799&gridcolumn=1&gridrow=8&gridsize=3&pge=2&pgesize=72&totalstyles=276

Thank you so much all. Some great choices and I will investigate further. Have never really gone down the Asos or Jigsaw route so would not have thought of those. Really appreciate your help.

Have a look at Reiss too. They have some lovely shorter dresses.

I just wore this to a black tie event. Several women were in shorter dresses like this. It’s very flattering on wide hips, which I have! I wore it with silver heels and clutch
m.johnlewis.com/hobbs-ashling-dress/p3397194?s_kwcid=1dx39700027643015427&tmad=c&tmcampid=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzIfol-H42QIV6JztCh0U1gwrEAAYASAAEgLsBfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I'm same size height etc as you op and recently bought phase eight faber maxi dress for a black tie

Will try and link now

Have you considered a multiway dress? I wore one recently that I got from Etsy for about £50 and it came with a bandeau top for underneath. It was maxi but silky jersey material so hangs nicely. And you can tie it however you like which is a bonus if you want to wear it again so it looks like you have several!

Because as the name suggest i love 50s styling: Vivienne if Holloway.

If anyone else has any good suggestions I would be grateful as still stuck. Went into town today and tried on some of the ones linked above but nothing great. The Hobbs one was nice but prob a bit much for me (the woman was also v rude!). Boohoo is tempting but I am not sure about the gold back. It's a great price though. I am prob 14/16 .

Not looked at a multiway but will google, thanks kat.