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 have several nice dresses and a couple of ball gowns. I assumed everyone would have at least one?

I assumed everyone would have at least one?

Really?
It is years since I have been to a formal black tie event, and I don't envisage ever going to one again. Loads of people don't have that kind of social life.

It’s years since I’ve been to one but I still have the clothes. DH hasn’t chucked his tux out just because he hasn’t worn it for a decade. Surely everyone has been to a prom or ball at some point in their lives?

I went to loads of black tie events at university but I graduated 5 years ago and haven’t been to one since. I’ve had a bit of a cull of my dresses and just kept a couple of absolute favourites as it’s difficult to justify the wardrobe space for them. This might be outing as I’ve mentioned it to a few people IRL but I plan to wear one as my wedding dress as it’s what I was wearing when I met DP (at a ball)

Yes!
I’ve got a near ankle length stretchy black velvet dress that still fits despite lockdown weight gain
I’ve also got a couple of knee length options that I could also wear

It's a lovely dress op.

Hamtonn why would people keep clothing from a phase of their lives they're not going back to?

I went to balls in my late teens and early 20s, but I'd rather watch paint dry than do that now in my late 40s, and there's no conceivable reason why I'd need to.

I've moved house eight times, moved country three times, and had three babies, who are now teenagers, since I last went to a ball. I'd quite honestly be a bit unhinged if I'd dragged ball dresses I'll never aware again around the world with me for the last 30 years.

Very odd assumption, that everyone is dragging clothing they'll never wear again around for decades, every time they move house (or never moves and stays more or less in one place accumulating clothing for every life phase and keeping it in case they have a random ball to go to once every 30 or 30 years!).

Not me either. I agree with a pp I would probably have to hire one (lots of good online companies at the moment out there) or do a quick scout on the Outnet/Net a Porter depending on my budget.

@Hamtonn

It’s years since I’ve been to one but I still have the clothes. DH hasn’t chucked his tux out just because he hasn’t worn it for a decade. Surely everyone has been to a prom or ball at some point in their lives?

I agree with @UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme. I don't keep clothes that I haven't worn for several years. I don't move in circles where a black tie event is ever going to happen, and DH would rather eat hair while watching paint dry than go to one.

A black tie event is as beyond my radar as me getting pregnant again (I'm 62)

Yes, but only by clearing half a day at the weekend to drive an hour to the nearest city that would hopefully supply something. Infact thats what I did last time it happened to me (we won!)

I have never been to a black tie event so would have had to look up what was suitable. Also never been to a ball! I’ve just read the thread with interest and am amazed that I seem to be alone. I’m not a hermit! I go out, I work (teacher), I’m in my 50s. Went to uni but wore dungarees and monkey boots. I like clothes. Weddings I go to have been quite casual. I guess I would panic at a black tie invite. Shoes would be the hardest. Anyway I know where to come for fab advice if it ever happens (unlikely)

I have two pairs of evening trousers - black and navy - and tops to go with them so , yes, I can do black tie or cocktail at the drop of a hat. I also always hang onto a couple of funeral outfits as well.

I could.
I have a load of suitable dresses that I haven't worn in 8 years but they still fit and look great.
I would need to send them to the dry cleaners though.
I've not had an occasion to wear them since DH changed jobs.

I could but that's due to lots of black tie outfits that have been worn over the years including at all stages of pregnancy so could accommodate my slightly fatter than usual tum.
I also work in construction but came through a uni & professional route that involved a lot of events and DHs career is similar so I have a lot in the wardrobe (and I'm awful at getting rid of stuff that may possibly be used again)
The only thing I might struggle with is shoes as my arthritis is very bad at the moment and nothing is comfortable.

I'd have to buy something. I maybe have 1 dress which I previously wore to a wedding which would work. I'm not sure it's that common to be able to do that level of dressed up so quickly unless you have been to these type of events before.

I'd probably order loads of dresseses online in my credit card and return all at once rather than hoping a few would work out, having to return then order more. Best of luck!

Have to do a lot of black tie for work, and is always the same bloody people, so have a few outfits on rotation.

There's some great ones on Amazon, really, and ASOS. Shoes are a pain, but as I've got older I'm now of the opinion that if the dress is long and the room is dark... be comfy!

(I did once wear a full length black all over sequin number with black Uggs at an event I was running, so poss worst person to comment)

I used to be able to, before lockdown. Now, I can do shoes, bag, tights, maybe jewellery. But dresses are problematic as mine are all too small, and the shops I used to buy from have closed. And I can't figure out the right size and shape for my current reality.

(I'm not looking for black tie right now, but am looking for a good suit and decent smartish work clothes. ..I currently have 3 pairs of trousers (all the same except different colours) that are very cheap and badly cut but aren't totally squeezed into me, and a small handful of plain tops, but going back to the office and have a few big projects meaning lots of high profile meetings and attendances in Parliament in the next 6 months).

I'm not sure it's that common to be able to do that level of dressed up so quickly unless you have been to these type of events before.

I agree. I find it surprising that some posters think that most people would have clothes for such events on standby.

Yes. I have a couple of dresses in the wardrobe from 15-20 years ago that shouldn’t have dated as very simple and still fit due to style (am a good stone heavier though!) I also have my wedding shoes dyed black that go with that style.
I bought a beautiful dress for a summer wedding that I would love to wear again but it’s mid calf not long so maybe not suitable.

Yes. Had a job earlier in life where this was a regular feature so I always have something knocking about.

That job had a dress allowance. Had to attend something once with about four hours notice. It was unseasonably warm and sunny. My boss let me off for the afternoon to go into town buy a dress and then get dolled up.

Yes.
Have you tried Lipsy at Next (online) usually plenty of choice there for full length black tie dresses that are pretty reasonable.

Yes, but only because I have a wardrobe full of glittery and fancy stuff that I never get to wear. In my old life I use to have to regularly get scrubbed up for awards dos and company/client events. I haven’t the heart to throw them out (although I have given some to my sister).

For our last Christmas party (pre lockdown) I hauled out a lovely black Armani cocktail dress and a pair of gold stilettos with straps that wrapped all around my ankles... both bloody uncomfortable, and walking on a marble floor when pissed as a fart was death-defying... but it was worth it to see the looks on my colleagues faces (I usually rock up in jeans and a T-shirt, with my hair scraped up an no makeup).

Probably have a bridesmaid dress, a dress I wore to my sisters wedding and a couple of nice dresses I wore to wedding not sure if they would fit do have the shoes and my feet as the same size.

I could do cocktail dresses immediately, and have shoes to go, but not full-length. I have two full length dresses but I don’t think I’d fit into either of them at the moment. I could absolutely find something online with two weeks notice, though!

Hire a dress? Also, I'm pretty sure oxfam have an online shop, just for formal wear.