Black tie ideas - but with conditions rules!

[Zigzagga]

I'm going to a black tie wedding this winter.

We have to wear floor length. We cannot where white or black (wedding rules).

I am size 12, 5.5.

Dark autumnal colours really don't suit me so I would be looking for bright colours or gold/silver I think (pastel colours feels weird for winter!?)

Any ideas!? I've scoured the other black tie posts but so many of the dresses posted are black 🫣

Thank you so much everyone, these are gorgeous!

And also like the suggestion of going into a prom dress shop, although when I think prom I just think very over the top American 80s prom vibes which is putting me off 🤣

I did consider renting, but it seems expensive and also a bit risky on sizing?

Also, have you checked the interpretation of black tie with the bride? I had (and have been to several others) a glitzy black tie winter wedding and black was perfectly ok so long as it looks obviously dressy (sequins, embellishments, even a very chic Roland Mouret jumpsuits one of my guests wore).

Also, ballet length and midi length are generally acceptable for black tie, again, so long as they are dresses with a bit of a wow factor.

Pastels can work for winter too (think Frozen!)

sorry for multiple messages but have you looked at a the Reformation?

Bit over your budget but so many great dresses: https://www.thereformation.com/dresses/long?page=2

I was at a black tie recently and emerald green was a popular colour

https://clubllondon.com/products/fay-bottle-green-velvet-corset-style-knot-maxi-dress-cl128016047 this looks much nicer irl and not as low cut as it looks

https://clubllondon.com/products/bottle-green-one-shoulder-maxi-dress

No so they have specifically requested that we do wear floor length and we don't wear black or white on the invitation!

What colour do you feel and look most amazing in ?

Our local dress agency has lots of evening wear just coming in for party season. Save some cash, and be less likely to turn up in same as someone else buying on the high street.
Royal blue is a great colour.

"Wedding rules"?? Why on earth do brides think they have the right to dictate what colour you can wear, provided the dress is suitable style-wise? If it were me, I would have to wear black, because I have a gorgeous classic dress that is my go-to for (very rare) formal dos. White as a no-no, of course, but black, in winter? Just why not?

Bloody hell, what is the world coming to? Are they going to turn u away if you arent dressed the part?

So the women have to wear a floor length dress and the men in formal with dicky bow?

I just wouldnt go. Who can be arsed with that shit?!

And as a pp said.....floor length is white tie, black tie is cocktail dresses as standard but floor length if you choose. So crass as well as demanding!

This is very pretty.

I had a lovely dress from ebay a couple of years ago, it was a dark red / burgundy colour. And I have just had a look and I can't find a pic.

What about something like this? https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/iQ4AAOSwMeViAbD6/s-l1600.jpg

These are the same label

https://www.amazon.co.uk/maya-deluxe-dress/s?k=maya+deluxe+dress&rh=n%3A1731296031%2Cp_n_size_browse-vebin%3A1946208031&dc&ds=v1%3AOm%2B4lW2me52oi2uMpTGCy%2FT1o4f%2FZ0G09DG79wYIQ2U&qid=1696901492&rnid=1837153031&ref=sr_nr_p_n_size_browse-vebin_4

For the people complaining about 'black tie' and floor length, it can be cheaper to hire black tie, particularly for men who may not have a suit and would need to buy one.

OP

Have a look at amazon and ebay, not necessarily to buy from there but to get some ideas. Try searches of formal wear, prom and bridesmaid will bring up some ideas.

Also do not discount lighter shades, I wore a lemon watered silk ball gown (it was 1992) to an Xmas ball, but my hair band, bag, shoes and shawl were all burgundy.

Also look at skirts / tops that look like a dress.

I'm lucky I live where there are lots of Indian material shops and they do some fabulous fabrics, they normally sell three different but matching materials for a shalwar kameez and scarf.

Also if you live near a 'posh' city, Harrogate or Oxford it's worth a trip to look at charity shops.

The aforementioned ball gown cost £10 in a second hand shop in Oxford, It has obviously been hand made for someone and as I'm short and stout I was amazed it fitted as well as it did.

If you can sew or know someone who can then this pattern is versatile https://jaycotts.co.uk/collections/patterns_evening/products/s8328-misses-special-occasions-dress

I know it is being marketed as a teen outfit but in nice material and without the belly showing it would look fab.

Jjs house uk

Hundreds of dresses, most of them in around 30+ colour ways and standard size or made to measure.

Ended up getting my bridesmaids dresses from there and honestly it's hard to trust by looking but took a chance and everything was perfect, quality is fantastic. Champagne/ taupe would be nice. Good luck d

How about this op:

https://www.coastfashion.com/product/coast-blouson-top-fishtail-sequin-bridesmaids-maxi-dressbcc04453?gad=1&gbraid=0AAAAACozbbxBsSRYgQ6krqXKyO2F3MkQR&gclid=CjwKCAjwyY6pBhA9EiwAMzmfwZxeXhQcsEcn7MPj-NMnGlBd1155-87SEGFqPE3XV8jR7g1h2FPpZRoCdYUQAvDBwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&colour=champagne&size=14

You're fun.

Or this?

https://www.johnlewis.com/ghost-beau-satin-maxi-dress/boudoir-pink/p6336756?size=L&sppc=2dxxmixedfashionnBAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclid=CjwKCAjwyY6pBhA9EiwAMzmfwc7n2m5hRBmEFcB9R0AgKLJbM4fgfqVzKVL7g-T-6Xzy2QanTnHOTRoCbWsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Black tie has always traditionally been floor length, not cocktail for women.

However, you can now get away with cocktail length (have been able to for the last 15 years or so) and even more recently a dressy jumpsuit.

Phase Eight normally has a good selection. But agree with the PP who said think about what colour you look great in and go from there.

John Lewis have tons (Phase Eight, Adriana Pappell and others) which fit your budget - just filter by the colour you want.

I bought this over the summer- it is a jumpsuit but you can’t actually tell. Felt great in it! (I’m size 12 and 5ft4)

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/melony-sequin-sleeve-dress-220100610.html#pdpCarousel-220100610

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/brielle-shimmer-maxi-dress-221802070.html#cgid=occasion&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=221802070&pos=25

Wedding rules?????

I love the first dress linked by @Plump82 from Monsoon.

Great advice to choose the colour that suits you best and go from there.

Also agree with an independent prom dress or evening wear shop. I didn’t want a traditional wedding dress so bought mine from a local evening wear shop and it was a great experience.

Oh that is GORGEOUS! 😍
I don't like to show off that much leg personally (not my best feature!), but if it wasn't for the split I might have had to buy one!