black tie outfit - help. totally stuck

[strangerthongs]

I have a black tie ceremony to attend. I'd love to wear a dress but for reasons that will be outing, I will have to pop out of the event occassionally to do something and thus I can't wear something that will get wet / dirty nor wear heels that are not practical for walking.

I need to look smart and professional, whilst at the same time showing off my weight loss (I'm now a size 16, although hoping to get into the 14s by the time of the event). I may be giving a speech.

I'm not good in heels due to my disability causing some balance problems.

So I'm leaning towards a jumpsuit but I don't want to look too plain, or like I'm going to work. I know that all other women there will have long elegant dresses on and I'd love to wear one but don't see it being a sensible choice for me.

Also I have a long body and short legs. I'm 5'5 but tend to go for the petite trousers. I look chubbier than I am because of my short stumpy tree trunk legs!

Can anyone recommend a jumpsuit or something that's kind of in betweeny that will be easy to nip outside in a potential wet / snowy day (knowing our weather)

My mum is insisting I should wear a really long elegant maxi dress and heels because "this is your moment" - think oscars for my industry....eeek.

My favourite shops atm if it helps are boden, monsoon, la redoute, new look, joanie clothing, gap - I can't see anything in these shops I like or that will make me look tall and slim and not showing belly

Help! What do I wear!

@strangerthongs

Have you had a good virtual rummage through Nordstrom?

shop.nordstrom.com/sr?origin=keywordsearch&keyword=jumpsuit&top=72&offset=0&page=1&sort=Boosted&size='2%3Aregular14~~9'%7C'2%3Aregular16~~10'

Or something like this?

www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shop/blenheim-lace-jumpsuit?category=SEARCHRESULTS&color=009&quantity=1&size=L&type=REGULAR

If you stick with evening fabrics, a jumpsuit with flats would look lovely. You can get very wide leg crepe versions that are almost dress-like.

Phase 8

Quite dress-like:
www.houseoffraser.co.uk/women/hobbs-hobbs-vera-jumpsuit/d945998.pd#306730347

Won't a jumpsuit also get wet?

@MerryMarigold DS1 wears this when on the subs' bench. The OP would cut quite a dash.

www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&id=BC9584D1F7518A9B54AB3EC556BFC48CA571C63B&thid=OIP.jnDato1fuzKHYhwevmaN7gHaHa&mediaurl=http%3A%2F%2Fi.ebayimg.com%2Fimages%2Fi%2F321536272713-0-1%2Fs-l1000.jpg&exph=1000&expw=1000&q=football+subs+waterproof&selectedindex=9&cbir=sbi&ajaxhist=0&vt=0&eim=1,2,6

The thing with a jumpsuit is that they are nit that practical when you need the loo and have to take it down and sit semi naked on the loo.

Plus I'm not sure if you might feel a bit conspicuous wearing one - if everyone else is in dresses? I'm going to a black tie event but would never wear a long dress.

lol, I meant a long dress might drag along the ground and getting wet that way rather than wet overall. I'd obviously wear a coat of some sort which reminds me, I need to find a coat now!

Can you get something where you could tie the skirt up without it creasing?

Otherwise go tea length.

Something like this? www.jjshouse.co.uk/A-Line-Princess-Scoop-Neck-Asymmetrical-Chiffon-Lace-Mother-Of-The-Bride-Dress-008164106-g164106#/