What to wear for a black tie party?

[Amireallyhere]

I rarely dress up and don't have a clue what would be suitable. It is for a friends party in June. I want to look elegant and would like to be able to wear it again for another occasion (graduations etc) up to £150.

I am in my 50s, size 12 with brown bobbed hair. I don't suit v-necked dresses, which most seem to be. I'd like something longish as I don't like my legs and not too loud, I prefer to blend in! I suit blues, greens and pinks.

Posters in this topic always give amazing advice. Can anyone help please?

You can probably find a local seamstress that can take it up for you. I always have to do this because I'm short. I would check with the other guests what they are wearing. I went to a so-called 'black tie event' a while back, where nearly everyone else rocked up in party and cocktail dresses!

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/suzie-spot-mesh-embellished-midi-dress-blue-44122254.html

I always find nice things in Monsoon. This might work, not quite full length so no worries about it drowning you. Not v neck, looks very flattering. And in the sale!

Very handy. I'm looking for a nice evening dress too! Thank you!

Great suggestions, Thanks. There are quite a few in Monsoon I like, so I think I'll pop in and tryva few.

If you're 5'5" you'll be fine in most long dresses. That's an average height. Black tie means long dress. You really can't do anything other, if it's genuinely too long that you trip on it then either don't choose that one or get a tailor to take it up.

I would heavily judge people at a black tie do if they came in a cocktail dress! Don't be that person!

That’s lovely but that’s way tooooo casual.

https://roandzo.com/collections/occasionwear/products/blue-floral-hanky-hem-dress-petite
What about this?

https://roandzo.com/collections/occasionwear/products/scarlett-red-and-blue-twist-neck-dress

These definitely aren’t black tie. Neither of the ro dresses.

this is remarkably flattering on

https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/dresses/midi-dresses/product.fitted-twist-seam-midi-dress-grey.1139084004.html?utm_source=Lyst%20UK/EU&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=419941139084004001&utm_content=15&utm_term=1251125&ranMID=41994&ranEAID=gcdL/ATRVoE&ranSiteID=gcdL_ATRVoE-1Q2cD4j_sRB.GRY5sLpYQQ

It very much depends on the event. I’m invited annually to a black tie event at an Oxbridge college. The women’s outfits there range from long, to cocktail to what I would categorise as smart day wear.

Knowing your audience is key.

Double check the dress code black tie is guys in tuxs women in full length evening gowns - not a maxi summer flower print dress.

Agree with who ever said checking photos of recent black tie events.

I'm 5ft 1 and just got a dress altered for the last black tie event I was at.

For black tie women can wear either knee or floor length.

Black tie and graduations don't really require the same outfit unfortunately. For black tie you could wear black trousers (ordinary business type ones are fine) with a nice silky blouse if you don't want to buy something you won't wear again.

If you want a proper evening dress, try online, even amazon, just somewhere with free returns. I also picked up one in my local charity shop, that is phase 8. My favourite full length dress (had to be shortened) is bravissimo but they no longer sell clothes

Not sure what you think that means. Cocktail is less formal than black tie. But you can wear knee length to black tie and many knee length evening dresses get called “cocktail” dresses as a generic term.

It depends on the event. I go to an annual black tie awards event, where full on floor length would be very out of place.

Black tie is not automatically a full length evening dress but I agree a full length flowery summer dress isn't black tie.