Help! Which dress for a black tie wedding

[JenaWren]

Can anyone help me choose a dress for a summer black tie wedding?

It's been a long time since I've been to a wedding and never been to one where the dress code is black tie. I'm really looking forward to it but a bit uncertain about what to wear.

I'm in my fifties, petite and a size 10. I this petite dress from Hobbs might work. Which pattern is best, or should I look for something else?

Midi doesn’t feel formal enough to me, is there anyone going that you know really well? They could be having the same quandary.
www.brides.com/story/black-tie-wedding-guest-dress-code-long-gowns

Not convinced either scream black tie, those patterns take the dress down a notch in terms of smartness for me, they look more like cocktail dress territory. That being said, how dressy something is can depend quite heavily on the fabric, which doesn't always come across in photographs.

My feeling is also that although those are nice frocks and you’d get away with it, you’d be a bit underdressed for a full black tie wedding. Ask around to see whether the other women are going full black tie.

I think it's unfair to impose black tie for a wedding really. Not everyone has the money to buy a new evening gown or cocktail dress they'll never wear again. I'd buy something I can use again whether or not it's strictly black tie.

I would look into hiring a dress, you will be able to get something much more opulent for the same money you would spend on buying a new dress you won't rewear.

Thank you all. Looks like I need to be more dressy. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I'm only just over 5' so it makes it very difficult to hire anything and also really limits the choices on offer.

@JenaWren have you considered a "dressy" jumpsuit?

Great idea Miss Fritton but I find it really hard to find jumpsuits that work because I'm so short.

I've found a couple of more evening style dresses - would these work? I'm worried they look a bit too much like a bridesmaid's dress?

Both of those are lovely and more suited to a black tie event.

A poster recommended this site on a thread recently.
www.ever-pretty.co.uk/products/sexy-v-neck-a-line-sequin-evening-dress-ep00751?variant=32092687073374

www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/joanna-hope-gunmetal-beaded-bodice-maxi-dress/kn347/product/details/show.action?pdBoUid=2094&optionColour=Gunmetal&pdpClick=true&optionSize=10

Monsoon have a black tie category at John Lewis
www.johnlewis.com/browse/women/womens-dresses/monsoon/size=10/black-tie/_/N-flwZ1z13s3fZ1z14064Z1z0rov3

Their general black tie selection, I can’t find the petite filter & you would have to put your maximum price in for your budget
www.johnlewis.com/browse/women/womens-dresses/size=10/black-tie/_/N-flwZ1z14064Z1z0rov3?sortBy=relevance

Well that’s the risk the bride takes when she opts for a black tie dress code.

Maybe find out the colours and avoid those?

Ooh the ones you have found are lovely, I’ve spent so long looking for dresses I didn’t realise you had posted again

I’d wear something like this rather than long

[quote Wimowehwimowehwimowehwimoweh]A poster recommended this site on a thread recently.
www.ever-pretty.co.uk/products/sexy-v-neck-a-line-sequin-evening-dress-ep00751?variant=32092687073374

www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/joanna-hope-gunmetal-beaded-bodice-maxi-dress/kn347/product/details/show.action?pdBoUid=2094&optionColour=Gunmetal&pdpClick=true&optionSize=10

Monsoon have a black tie category at John Lewis
www.johnlewis.com/browse/women/womens-dresses/monsoon/size=10/black-tie/_/N-flwZ1z13s3fZ1z14064Z1z0rov3

Their general black tie selection, I can’t find the petite filter & you would have to put your maximum price in for your budget
www.johnlewis.com/browse/women/womens-dresses/size=10/black-tie/_/N-flwZ1z14064Z1z0rov3?sortBy=relevance[/quote]
Love those Monsoon dresses Wim. Thanks for finding them! Annoyingly it looks like they've stopped doing any that are petite.

John Lewis is a genius idea - had a good look through but petite wear for a black tie wedding looks in short supply.

@PinkTonic

I’d wear something like this rather than long

Love that dress Pink. Sadly sold out in Navy and I'm not keen on black. Do you think short is ok for black tie?

I think both are a little dull.

Love that dress Pink , it's very me. I'd then have stunning heels in a fabulous colour. I went to a fancy wedding years ago when 5 months pregnant and got away with a tiered dress not dis-similar.

Can I also say, bases on a PPs posted definition of black tie wedding my DH would NOT be wearing patent shoes in a million years! He'd get round it by wearing the formal, dress kilt!

Although this one is in stock... could it work?

I love the pale pink/rose gold long dress, it’s stunning.

Black tie can be from knee length to floor length (white tie is floor length only), but how often do you get to wear a beautiful long dress?

Sorry I don't know how to link but hopefully this photo will attach - it's from the John Lewis website.

First not formal enough.
Last jumpsuit is lovely.

Just popping back to update and thank you @PinkTonic - I wore your dress and had a great time!

Turns out I could have worn any of the other choices and been fine but it was lovely to dress up!

@JenaWren

Just popping back to update and thank you *@PinkTonic* - I wore your dress and had a great time!

Turns out I could have worn any of the other choices and been fine but it was lovely to dress up!

That’s so nice to hear @JenaWren, glad you had a great time!