Black tie nightmare - help!

[Ansjovis]

I am really not known for my fashion sense and now I have a black tie dinner to attend - not a good combination. I'm 35, petite and pear shaped. I don't want to look either like I'm trying to look younger or older than I am.

I've come up with these options - naturally I'll need to get the length taken up but can I have some other opinions please as to how these would suit a 35 year old? And if, as I suspect, I have completely gone down the wrong track, does anyone have any recommendations please?

www.johnlewis.com/jolie-moi-lace-bodice-pleated-maxi-dress/dark-purple/p4345149?size=10

www.johnlewis.com/gina-bacconi-keana-jersey-maxi-dress/p4249351 (probably all wrong for my body shape but I really like the colour!)

Can you find any photos online from the last event (which will be two years ago I know) to see what people were wearing?

Black tie can vary from smart cocktail to grand evening gown.

I recall a do where one woman turned up in just a smart suit. She looked mortified and her evening was ruined. Her husband gave her the wrong message.

Could you have a quick word with any other women going to check the protocol?

Thanks for all the suggestions! For those who've asked, I literally can't find a single photo of 2019's event with a woman in it. I work in a very male dominated company and so all the photos are of the men, there's not even a woman in the background that I can see.

I guess if all else fails I can safely go in a tuxedo?!

Black tie isn't necessarily dresses, and definitely doesn't have to be floor length. You can do evening trousers and a fancy top if you like. Might be better for you to draw the eye upwards as pp's have said. More chance of getting future wear out of them if you don't go to these sorts of things often as well. People tend to wear all sorts so I wouldn't worry too much about what other people wear, just be comfortable.

If it's work black tie I'd go less sexy and I wouldn't bother going long.

Wide leg black palazzo trousers and a sparkly top would be great, or a cocktail-length dress

www.self-portrait-studio.com/black-tailored-crepe-and-jersey-midi-dress

www.self-portrait-studio.com/stretch-crepe-midi-dress

www.uterque.com/gb/collection/dresses-and-jumpsuits/black-guipure-lace-dress-c1862512p9310624.html?colorId=800

www.temperleylondon.com/gb/anita-long-dress-black.html

www.temperleylondon.com/gb/pixie-dress-midnight-mix.html

www.temperleylondon.com/gb/sleeved-pixie-dress-midnight-mix.html

I have been to many Black Tie events and the women usually wore short or midi dresses. Most of these were in some way work related, maybe if you are going to a private event of an entirely social nature then long dresses might be more usual. My first step would be to see if i could check out from others attending whether it will be mainly long or short dresses.