Could you do Black Tie at less than a fortnight’s notice ?

[BikeRunSki]

Last week I was told by work that I could, in fact should, go to the industry awards ceremony that we were initially told we could not attend (public austerity).

I am not high maintenance at all and my wardrobe is largely outdoor wear, denim, fleece and hi vis (I’m in the construction industry), with a couple of smarter office outfits. Days in the office were rare enough before lockdown, since I spend most of my working time on construction sites. I do have a beautiful black tie dress, but it’s more than 20 years old, and despite being bias cut, it really doesn’t fit very well after 2 dc and lockdown!!

It’s been a bonkers week of ordering and returning dresses, bra fittings, realising that there appears to be global shortage of nylon tights and cursing my size 9 feet.

My mother is horrified that I can’t do black tie at the drop of a hat. Could you?

I wouldn’t have anything to wear to black tie either! I have plenty of smart casual outfits for work, and outfits for drinks/dinner but nothing for black tie - I’d have to borrow or buy something. Hope you manage to get something you like!

Yup, got 2 or 3 suitable outfits. Last time I needed a new one I just went to a big department store and was sorted within the hour.

Yes, but only because work requires it. Charity shops or ebay for dresses are a good shout

Yes, surprisingly so given what I usually wear day to day.
One outfit for every 'occasion' is tucked away in a box under the bed

@TuftyRusty

I wouldn’t have anything to wear to black tie either! I have plenty of smart casual outfits for work, and outfits for drinks/dinner but nothing for black tie - I’d have to borrow or buy something. Hope you manage to get something you like!

I’ve got something I love, but have had to borrow shoes!!

@dementedma

Yes, but only because work requires it. Charity shops or ebay for dresses are a good shout

I did a trawl of the local charity shops, but to no avail. Plenty of frocks, none my size!

Could you wear whatever you wore to the last wedding you went to?
Not sure if wedding & black tie are similar??

Yes, I could, but only because I still have my dresses from the uni balls. My style is quite classic, so I would have to just pick the least dated option!

I could as I usually have to attend a work thing once a year or so. But otherwise no, it wouldn’t be something I’d have in the wardrobe “just in case”. I wore a dress recently for my first client meeting in 18 months, realising it the first day since Covid that I’d not worn jeans and my biggest concern was whether I’d cope wearing court shoes for a day. So have you checked re shoes?

2 weeks? Yes. Charity shop dress.

I could but I have a stock of decent dresses from previous events (not that they all still fit!)

Good luck finding something!

@TheFlis12345

Yup, got 2 or 3 suitable outfits. Last time I needed a new one I just went to a big department store and was sorted within the hour.

I’m a country mouse, groaning under a huge workload with a number of weekend and evening commitments. Ordering online was going to be quicker than finding time to go to a city with dept stores. And with the death of Debenhams and culling of John Lewis I’m not sure where I’d go.

The size 9 feet are my biggest problem.

I did manage to have a look in TKMaxc when I was collecting a parcel from Next, but only bought soap!

I could probably just about rustle something up, but it wouldn't be my best effort. As you say, babies and lockdown have not been kind! DH has never worn black tie in his life so that would have to be a hire job.

@MakkaPakkas

Could you wear whatever you wore to the last wedding you went to? Not sure if wedding & black tie are similar??

The last wedding I went to was 17 years and 2 dress sizes ago!!

Yes, but only because I still have a classic ball gown from prom, and 3 bridesmaid dresses that are all decisively not bridesmaidy and more black tie.
But then, I might try them all on and go "nope, hate this" and have to shop

Yes, a huge wardrobe of black tie stuff from university events and smart weddings, most of which still fits (I tried it all on when I last did a clear out). Shoes are the same although much less choice there than I once had.

@WildWombat

I could probably just about rustle something up, but it wouldn't be my best effort. As you say, babies and lockdown have not been kind! DH has never worn black tie in his life so that would have to be a hire job.

I was rather envious of my me colleagues who just went out and hired tuxes.

I rather fancied the idea of an evening suit, but my physique is about as far from Jerry Hall/Jagger as possible!!

Could you possibly hire something? EBay, Vinted and Oxfam online are good suggestions.

I could do it with a few hours notice.

Have you tried hiring a frock - there are a few companies eg Girl Meets Dress that do a delivery service and have a lovely range of dresses for black tie.

I literally have one dress that I wore to a very formal 60th on the RYB and wore to a formal dress wedding a few weeks ago …absolutely hate scrubbing up ,so out of my comfort zone! Try a big department store and accessorise for the extras !!

At the drop of a hat, no but in two weeks, yes. Many online shops do next day or two day delivery so could be sorted within a week.

www.hurrcollective.com/
Sure there are other good hire companies.

I'd be alright for black tie but I've got a couple of work events that require cocktail dress coming up and I have nothing 🤦‍♀️

I could do cocktail dress (had them for formal night on cruises) but not full length, I never had a ballgown even at uni (balls weren't much of a thing at mine and certainly not my cup of tea). Shoes are also my problem but I live near a city with a good range of shops.