Invitation says Evening Dress - help!

[bearhug]

I've been invited to a corporate event in a nice venue. The invitation ( sent by post, nice card etc) says Evening Dress. Does this mean I'm going to have to get a floor length thing? Or will any nice party dress do?

I'm not really into maxi dresses sequins and flounces and dont know where to start!

Would expect to be wearing floor length but it doesn't need to be awash in sequins. TK Maxx have been good at this sort of thing without costing a fortune if you're not likely to wear it again. Or try an evening dress hire shop.

Evening dress implies long, it may be worth looking at tkmaxx for instance this is under £40 and could be dressed up with sparkly jewellery and statement heels www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/women/clothing/black-metal-trim-dress/p/30088408

Is it black tie for men? If so then women can be either long or short, and it's best to ask someone who has been in one of these events before whether people really do wear long to them (what sort of event - long is more likely for a trad ball, cocktail lengths for dinners/receptions)

Corporate events are rarely full length imo, and I'd also stick with the 'no tits or pits' rule. If its a charity fundraiser ball, then the norm is full length dress

Agree, full length is an unusual requirement these days. I usually do wear it (because I don’t like my legs and I wear flat shoes) but I’d say more than half the women are in knee length (or shorter)

I've gone to these things in a tux style jacket and trousers. If you feel people will be judgey and don't want to deal with that, then that's one thing, but actually I haven't had issues. I don't wear dresses or skirts full stop.

Cocktail dress with good jewellery and heels should be fine, I’d have thought.

You can get away with midi length if cleavage and upper arms are covered imo

Thanks all. Would it be weird if I asked the hosts what they are expecting from their guests?

Wouldn’t have thought so although if it’s a corporate do then can’t you ask a colleague who has been before ?

I don’t think evening dress means full length. Even black tie is not interpreted as meaning full length nowadays