Help i have a black tie event to attend

[Badumdumdum]

And i have never been to one before and I always always dress wrong on formal occasions.
I have this lindy bop dress that i wore with heels and a waisted belt to a masquerade ball earlier this year. Would ut work?
www.lindybop.co.uk/emily-black-swan-border.html?pdg=kwd-302886143995:cmp-749411648:adg-44824551488:crv-176776665326:pid-5056061981517:dev-m&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_dOgrZ7M2wIVxbDtCh15AQToEAQYBCABEgLFePD_BwE
Or too informal? To me its super posh with a big petticoat underneath it but I'm worried evert other woman will be in something slinky.
Its a work business event, my team is up for an award. I am a fairly new part time administrator and am not from a corporate/business background.
Iam 38 but could pass for 25, so can i get away with a younger looking dress? Like i think the lindy bop one is.

Heellpppp.

No. You need either an evening gown or a nice cocktail dress.

You can tell whether something is a cocktail dress by the fabric. Cotton, linen etc is day fabric. Skill, shiffon, velvet etc are in evening weat territory.

No to the lindybop. Looks like a fancy dress dress.

You need something more formal and elegant.

WhAts the budget, your size?

Crap.
We'll be at business meetings all day and I'm pretty sure my bosses are just going to wear smart work dresses.

I'm a size 14, 5 ft 3 and have no budget for this. I earn 10k a year and have 20 wuid to last me to payday (after the event).

What else do you have in your wardrobe?

If you've only got £20 until payday, can you borrow a frock from a friend or relative?

Been to any weddings? Any friends you can borrow from?

I would feel like I stick pit like a sore thumb in that dress, however of you love it, the wear it.

Do you have anything longer length?

I wouldn’t normally go with a cotton dress for black tie, but awards ceremonies are normally quite a mixed bag. What’s the industry? Unless it’s something intrinsically wealthy like investment management awards, I’d say you’ll be ok and it’s not worth buying a dress for one night on a limited budget.

Add the petticoat, wear sparkly shoes and jewellery and have a fabulous night

Asos sell cheap black tie dresses from £9.00. Just found it by quickly browsing.

charity shops are your friend here

I'm going to go against most posters and say you will definitely look smart enough in the dress if you wear it with the petticoat, hair done up, smart shoes and some jewellery.

If you had the money I'd say you could get something similar shaped but satiny fabric, but I think you can make it work.

So what if everyone else looks sleek and slinky? Boring. This is your style. Be yourself, and no-one will care anyway. It's not like you are suggesting wearing a yellow-feathered bikini. It's a tasteful black and white dress.

And when you have the money, for your next do, you could go for something like this.

prettykittyfashion.co.uk/collections/party-dresses/products/new-teal-blue-lace-embroidered-swing-dress

If you dress it up, and your bosses are going in work dresses, then I think it'll be absolutely fine.

If they are going straight from work then they won't be wearing black tie anyway. Are you sure that it is actually a black tie event? Can you find pictures from previous years on the Internet?

I think it’s fancy dress really and since when are big petticoats remotely fashionable? Try and borrow a dress that’s a plain colour. A good fabric and one that looks expensive, even if it isn’t. What else gave you got in your wardrobe?

Who cares about fashionable?

The board is called Style and beauty, not fashion victim.

Most definitely have a charity shop crawl.

Thanks all. Nice to see a mixed range of opinions. I was fretting last night. To answer some questions -
The dress code given for the event is black tie. However most people will be going from work, we'll have travelled to london for meetings thn will go straight to it.
There will be people with 6 figure salaries, then there's my team where the maximum anyone earns is 50k. I know i can't compete with ppl who earn stupid money.
Knowing my more established colleagues and boss they will be wearing smart office dresses.
A colleague who has been to v wealthy events like this before says a good dress will be fine.

Can't do a charity shop trawl, have a toddler to look after. My remaining 20 quid for the month is for us to have a coffee/babycino/lunch out a few times.

I'm not fussed whether I'm fashionable and i love my big fat petticoat so I'm going to ignore anyone who says different :p

These are my other options from my wardrobe. Sorry the photos aren't great. I might feel more comfortable in the frilly one. I will also adlsk my boss for advice. I'm pretty certain she isn't expecting any of us to fork out for a new frock.

Of the 3 you've shown, I think the plain black one is most appropriate. It's simple enough that you'll not look out of place if people are in work clothes, but with good heels and jewellery it'll look smart enough for the black tie crowd.

Enjoy the do!

I also prefer the plain black one, will look very elegant and not out of place.

However if you love your lindybop one then go for it by all means! My only caution is that you might feel out of place. I would prefer to be merging in rather than standing out.

Honestly I think any of them would be fine with good accessories and make up. Personally I would wear that plain black dress in the last photo, put some nice shoes with that and you will fit right in with everyone else. Little black dress and all that!

No to the lindybop. Yes to the plain black. With heels. Borrow a big statement necklace and sparkly clutch bag. Put hair up. Bit of lippy. Perfect.

Can you wear the plain black with nice heels and bag and make an effort with Hair and make up and simple/elegant jewellery? Or borrow from a friend?