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?

Yes. I rarely go out of an evening at all, never mind anywhere smart, but I have several dresses suitable for a black tie event, two bought about 3 years ago for a university reunion type thing (I couldn't decide which one to buy so I got both as they were in the sale and ridiculously cheap for evening wear). I'm pretty sure they would still fit ok.

@BiddyPop

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).

John Lewis personal shopper for you young lady!

I have a couple of old Lindy bop dresses in my wardrobe that always look glam with a big underskirt (50’s style). I’ve recently worked out new a fancy updo style. Black shoes, clutch and bag. I’m good to go! I’d need about 90 minutes for a shower, change and a bit of makeup. Hair takes about 10 minutes and goes up in the new style better wet!

I haven’t been to a black tie event in 25 years. I’m also not an easy to fit body so it’s highly unlikely I could find anything remotely suitable in 2 weeks. I would still be waiting for my first online orders to arrive.

Yep! I have a couple of options which wore pre covid. I would try on ASAP. If nothing fits or whatever I could go to town on the weekend to get something. Then either get accessories on same trip or online or I already have something.

The last time I needed an evening dress I found something midweek after work. The week before, ordered handbag from ASOS which arrived 2 days later. Whole outfit was ready with 5 days to spare.

I can be ready for a funeral, a wedding, a job interview, or a cocktail party in about an hour. I keep the standards available. Black tie just never comes up.

Yes, I’d just need time to dry clean a dress.
There must be a hire place you could go to? Otherwise just don’t overthink it! Monsoon often have some lovely dresses?

I'd struggle with shoes right now but have dresses that would work.

I've just bought an outfit for a black tie wedding so yes, I could be ready in an hour or two.

It's a long dress though, hope that won't stick out. Just fancied a long navy dress and silver accessories.

Hope you enjoy the evening

Yes, I have a number of outfits including long over the elbow silk gloves🙃suitable for both black and white tie events.
But having said that, I’m usually dressed everyday in jeans, T-shirts, fleeces, wellies etc on the farm and don’t really have any ordinary going out smartish outfits. My going out usually is either going to the local pub for a meal maybe every 5 or 6 weeks wearing clean jeans and a freshly ironed shirt when work on the farm allows and attending 2 or 3 annual hunt balls.🙃

Yes, I’ve got an evening dress/ballgown sorted in under 2 weeks before.

In fact one time I had to get a wedding day outfit, shoes etc for a wedding the next day! As I only realised when I got to the station that I’d left my outfit at home. Thank god for a department store near the destination station.

Yes given a day to go shopping by myself (not dragging two year old DD round with me) to sort out underwear and shoes. Then probably hire a dress - I would not wear it again I think so no point buying.

@DriftingBlue

I can be ready for a funeral, a wedding, a job interview, or a cocktail party in about an hour. I keep the standards available. Black tie just never comes up.

Same. The last black tie do I went to was when I was pregnant with DD nearly 22 years ago. I have been to a few dos where getting dressed up was a thing over the years since then, but nothing as formal as a black tie do, and I cant see that I ever will again. I'm pretty sure I could find something from Quiz, Lipsey or Phase Eight quite easily if I needed to.

No i couldn't

I have been living in stretchy joggers and gained a lot of weight this year

Yes. I could probably do black tie with 24 hour notice

Yep, could do it straight away with options.

To be honest, while it might be nice to have a new pretty dress you can get away with a smart office dress if you jazz it up with jewellery - you don’t need a ball gown for black tie!

Yes. With a choice of half a dozen or so dresses. Not that I've had any cause to wear them for the last few years.

Possibly but I'd have to spend most of my spare time trawling shops. Don't own any smart dresses or the right footwear. I haven't been out to a smart event for a few years now.

Yes ! I have a black tie dress , a ball gown and a velvet jumpsuit .. I'd probably order something new though !

Yes, definitely

Not a chance of size 9 and tall so really have to shop around. Plus i enjoy the build up to nights out planing make up etc.

Yes very happily always have a frock to hand whether it’s because of plenty weddings or not.

Yes, but only because my husband is military and I'm exhausted military so I have a stash of dresses and my husband owns a tux

Yes! I did the BAFTAs with 3 days’ notice…

I booked a personal shopper at House of Fraser (back when it was a half decent department store) and managed to find a really lovely dress. There were a couple of others that would have been OK too.

(I am a fairly average size, which helps, but also a short arse so had to have fairly vertiginous heels to make the length work. Luckily it was pre lockdown so I could walk in them…)

I have size 9 feet; new look and Next for dressy shoes