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Original poster

which dress for black tie event?

66 replies

bonnieweelass · 10/02/2019 09:56

This one from boden, which is lovely on and shows off my nearly 3 stone weight loss perfectly:

www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/womens-dresses/smart-day-dresses/j0378-blk/womens-black_ivory-alma-ottoman-midi-dress

Or this one I've ordered from Monsoon which is a gorgeous colour but not sure yet if it fits (cos not arrived) and not sure if it would be too light (event is start of March so not sure if weather still cold)

uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_26.1/6494483208

I ordered a boden jumpsuit that had loads of great reviews but looks horrible on so I've decided to stick with a dress instead. Don't really have the budget for any other outfits.

Shoes - I have black shoe boots and gold court shoes. Which is best do you think? Again not really got any budget left.

I'm a size 16

OP posts:
LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 10/02/2019 09:58

The first one is too casual and the second one is pretty but a bit frumpy (sorry).

rainbowgrimm · 10/02/2019 10:00

Hmm, first is lovely but not for black tie. Second I really like but again not black tie, I'd wear it with boots for a nice day out.
What kind of thing are you looking for - colour, length, bits to show off/hide, budget. I'm sure we can find some options.

Tootrousers · 10/02/2019 10:01

The first is way too casual for a black tie event and I think the second one is too. For black tie, I think you really have to wear something that you couldn’t wear in the day without looking silly.

VictoriaBun · 10/02/2019 10:03

Personally I don't think either of those dresses are black for event dresses.

FraggleRocking · 10/02/2019 10:05

Agree with others - neither seems suitable for black tie event, sorry!

watsmyname · 10/02/2019 10:06

@bonnieweelass I think you could dress up the plain navy version of the boden dress to work for black tie. Gold shoes, some lovely jewellery and big hair and make up 👌

SinglePringle · 10/02/2019 10:09

I’m not keen on either dress but if I had to, I’d wear them to work. They’re definitely not black tie worthy.

rainbowgrimm · 10/02/2019 10:11

For black tie, I think you really have to wear something that you couldn’t wear in the day without looking silly.

This is really good advice.

Original poster
bonnieweelass · 10/02/2019 10:14

I literally have no funds to buy anything else.

I have some other dresses in my wardrobe - mainly animal print shirt dresses.

I have this dress from monsoon but due to weight loss it is now to big!

uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_26.1/6494490108

I'd like to show off my waist mainly.

OP posts:
wishingforalotterywin · 10/02/2019 10:16

Oh sorry cross post I see now you are not looking to buy a new dress.

wishingforalotterywin · 10/02/2019 10:17

Is the boden ottoman the plain one or stripey?

rainbowgrimm · 10/02/2019 10:20

You can send the blue monsoon one back if you find something better? Have you looked in ASOS sale? If you filter for occasion dress there's lots in a size 16 really reduced.

www.asos.com/prd/10119037

www.asos.com/prd/10623253

www.asos.com/prd/10324163

Any thoughts?

Pinkprincess1978 · 10/02/2019 10:21

Sorry neither is suitable for a black tie event.

Original poster
bonnieweelass · 10/02/2019 10:23

Hi, its the stripy black ottoman dress

I don't like the Asos ones, sorry. They are too young for me. I'm 38 and I have short chunky legs so I am trying to wear midi or maxi length dresses.

OP posts:
rainbowgrimm · 10/02/2019 10:24

Could you red/black monsoon one be pulled in with a belt or would it still look to big? Or as it's current stock stick it on eBay to fund something else?

Pinkyyy · 10/02/2019 10:25

I must agree that neither are suitable. In general I'd stay away from stripes or bold prints such as animal prints.

hussherbye · 10/02/2019 10:25

Could you return the monsoon dress for something else like this

https://uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/ukcatalog/monn_13.21/6428760212

I know it's a bit more- there are others a bit cheaper.

I do really like the Biden dress though- would just need some gorgeous heels and lovely earrings

thenightsky · 10/02/2019 10:25

You need a long dress for black tie. All the others look like day dresses - not even what I'd call a cocktail dress. Can you borrow something off a friend?

Bluntness100 · 10/02/2019 10:25

Black tie you need to think of cocktail dress or equivalent. These dresses are not suitable and neither is ankle boots.

Have a look on ASOS, they do some fab evening dresses very cheaply.

Bluntness100 · 10/02/2019 10:28

And no you don't need a long dress for black tie. Although some will be in them. But you do need an evening dress

RuthW · 10/02/2019 10:28

I'd wear both of those dresses for my office job. Neither are suitable for a black tie event.

Sickoffamilydrama · 10/02/2019 10:29

I have to go to black tie events for work and none of those are right. Sorry OP.
Could you return or cancel the monsoon dress then look at something else? Next have some nice and cheap dresses in the clearance section just search maxi dress I've got my eye on this one which has nearly £100 off it! When I've been broke but got a work thing I've also ordered on the next account then paid it off next pay day....not ideal as the interest on any of these catalogues are huge but needs must!

which dress for black tie event?
rainbowgrimm · 10/02/2019 10:29

What about this then? You wouldn't have to wear it as open at the front
big hair, big jewellery and your existing shoes? httppwww.asos.com/prd/11006549

RumpoleoftheBaileys · 10/02/2019 10:29

Neither of those are black tie appropriate

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