What to wear to Black Tie Event at the Waldorf in NY?

[mandymac]

I know it is a nice problem to have . I am going to NY on business next month and have been invited to a Black Tie event - USA sports women of the year or something like that. Dress code is Black tie, which obviously gives men a pretty good guideline, but what does this mean for women? Floor length evening dress, knee length cocktail dress? Do I need to get my hair put up, nails done etc etc - I am out of my comfort zone here.
Going shopping tomorrow, so need an idea what to look for.
Help me oh Mumsnet style gurus!

Very posh dress, either floor lenght or cocktail but I would probably go for longer. High shoes, hair either up or styled beautifully (either way you'll need an appointment). Deffo nails done. Nice wrap over the dress too wouold be good too.

Very btw

maxi dresses are in so go for it I have ordered this from coast for a black tie do in Oct - have fun

Staying in hotels in the US for work, I've often seen groups off for black tie events (but never been invited to one myself!) and would second Carmenere and LL's advice - the women really go for it, long dresses, lots of sequins and bling, BIG hair, serious manicures, and accessories like fascinators and minaudieres. This is your chance to really princess it up, enjoy!

oh !

Hmmm hope TK Maxx have something in - budget is not huge! Do you reckon work should cough up for the hair and nails? After all it is strictly speaking work .
I do have fab shoes (my wedding shoes - Wedges, with gold mesh front and fab metal covered gold wedge heels - also have nice gold clutch bag to match, so just need a dress and maybe a wrap/shawl thingy in goldy tones to work with the bag.
Would a long black dress be too boring? I saw a few nice ones today whilst dragging dd round the shops.

ohhh IMAF - that is one of the black dresses I saw today - it's lovely.
Think I will need to invest in some magic knickers too if I am going for something clingly - the muffin top needs reining in.

Littlewoods have v wellpriced evening dresses but I can't get onto their site atm.

Fab links Littlelapin!
Looks like I am flying into Miami on a Thursday, working Friday and Saturday, flying to NY on Sunday (so should get there about mid afternoon, but no idea if shops are open in NY on Sundays). I shall be working Monday and do is on Monday night, so I am not really confident I will have time to shop whilst there - I would rather get something here, although there are some lovely things on those sites.
Don't be too - if someone said tomorrow that I didn't have to go I'd be relieved as I really don't want to leave DD who is 2.3 yrs for a whole week.

I would think that you could really go for it. Lots of sparkles.

mandymac I have the same problem - one of the reasons I've ordered that dress is cos it seems quite ruched round the tum, so I'm hoping will look ok...next to my size 6 colleague

Bluestocking what is a fascinator and a miniaudieres????

The shops are open on Sundays - perhaps even into the evening. It's the city that never sleeps.

Fascinators are those little feathery hair decorations. Minaudieres are those tiny evening bags that are just big enough for your lippie and keys like these.

Lord - I won't be bothering with a fascinator then. Very bizarre! Good news on shops opening Sundays - I was hoping to do some Christmas shopping while I am there, so Sunday pm looks like an option.
I was thinking about going for one of the printed maxi dresses that are in the shops now - not such classic american style evening wear, but one look at my teeth will tell them I am a brit in any case .

Thanks for all the tips and links all. I got out to the shops today and ended up buying this www.monsoon.co.uk/invt/15221913
from Monsoon. Although it is a maxi rather than evening dress (the fabric is a jersey type knit), it has a gold print in it which catches the light. Do you all reckon it will do the job, with some fab shoes, maybe a wrap and good hair and make-up?
Bonus is that it should pack well and I think I can get away with wearing it to a wedding this weekend.

I think it will be great with some serious accessories...have a great time