Not ideal, I know, but is this dress 'okay' for a ball?

[babedia]

Getting ridiculously stressed about a work ball on Saturday. It's not my work, it's DH's. I was planning on just wearing a dress I bought recently for a wedding but it's black tie and the more I think about it the more I think this dress is wrong. It's this one:
www.hobbs.co.uk/index.cfm?page=1078&element=3345& amp;parent=1068&numdisplay=0

Normally I wear it with a bolero jacket from the same shop, but I bought an ivory shawl yesterday (those that are a bit stiff) to tie at the back (so it's just round my shoulders) and an ivory clutch bag.

I went to the same ball about 6 years ago and some people had evening gowns but most just looked really smart, but with evening-looking clothes, iyswim, my dress is too much of a day dress. Does that make sense? I don't want to spend a fortune buying something new and I haven't got much time either! Help. Will it be okay?

That's beautiful. I would think it would be fine - it all depends on how you accessorize. Have fun .

dress should be fine

add vertiginous heels in black or silver and some bling.

wear your hair up if you Do Up.

would skip the shawl myself and would consider a black or metallic clutch as more eveningy than cream.

agree that dark or metallic accessories will help eveningify it

Im gonna be honest and say it looks more like a day wedding/christening dress than a ballgown dress,

soz!!

I think the dress is beautiful but as you say, is too much of a day dress for a black tie event.

It's a lovely dress, and I think you should wear the shawl with it for a more evening look.

no
NOT RIGHT

I'm sorry but that's a day dress not a cocktail dress

you could get away with a cocktail dress at a ball or long .. but I think it would be extremely difficult to accessorise that into a suitable outfit

sorry

If it's a back tie ball I'd say no, sorry.

have ben to many a black tie do. there are always some ladies in short dresses but i would say they are in the minority and may feel it, iykwim

what about hiring something? that's what i've done if couldn't find anything i wanted to buy

i NEVER wear long

ever
never feel odd

something like this??

i like it

IME at open-invite balls these days half the people turn up in a wedding-type outfit from Coast or a prom dress from Debenhams anyway.

I don't think anyone will look twice at you.

borrow one

couldn't find anything on the Hobbs website but I know they have some nice stuff instore if you're near

or if not some of the monsoon dresses might work

aha yes

what size are you?
where in country?

if a 10 I can lend

show off
if oyu are an 8 I cna lend

im a uk size 4 if that helps ...

should read
'if a 10 I can lend cause I am too fat for them atm'

oh no silly mei am a uk 2

cgi.ebay.co.uk/PHASE-EIGHT-black-lace-dress-16_W0QQit emZ330133039505QQihZ014QQcategoryZ314QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem if you are a 16 get this

'we represent the lollipop kids
the lollipop kids, the lollipop kids
and on behalf of the lollipop kids
we'd like to welcome you to munchkin land'

FRAEKS .. Lying fraeks at that

i'm a size ) but honest I'm fine, I don't need to eat, no honest!

That meant to read size 0. No I am, what, what???????????

i'm size uk 00 and would be happy to lend.