What does black tie mean these days?

[Surelyitssummersoon]

I have a black tie ball type thing in the summer and I have now idea where to start on finding a dress. It’s not the same as wedding appropriate, but also not winter sparkle/velvet so I’m a bit lost. 46, haven’t had a fancy summer night out in years! Size 8 but sadly not toned, 5 ft 4 and quite booby - used to wear short body con dresses but thinking this is a bit dated now or else too teenage. Any suggestions much appreciated!

I would always go long to black tie, but I know some people go cocktail length.....

As Kate said, long is more traditional but lots of people wear cocktail length.
Can't do a helpful link but if you go on somewhere like the Outnet, filter by evening dress and then by fabric, there's lots of inspiration.

Yes maybe long is safer. I can just get a bit drowned by long and floaty.

It sounds as if something with an exaggerated asymmetric hem might look good on you. It would be long enough for black tie but it wouldn't swamp you. What colours do you usually go for?

I couldn't be less into keeping up with the current fashions and would have no idea where to start either. I would go to the John Lewis personal shopper service to fix this problem. When you book the appointment you fill in a form outlining what you need (casual outfits, holiday wardrobe, formal event etc) and your size, style etc so they already have a bit of an idea before you arrive, but they'll adapt once you're there.

I used to have a fantastic independent women's formal wear shop nearby, but they were a casualty of the last recession. DH's company went from several formal dos a year, all paid for with partners invited, to an Xmas party for employees only where you paid for your own meal - his won't have been the only company to do this, so I can see how the shop's sales plummeted. The woman who owned the shop was awesome. She didn't even ask your size, only what you were attending, and within 3 dresses you were sorted.

Selfridges has a rental service and a personal shopper service - perhaps you can combine the two.

Thanks that’s a great idea on the hemline. I have some nice spring green shoes I’d quite like to wear if I can get something to match them. I spent several hours searching green dresses yesterday and feel a bit overwhelmed!

The personal shopping idea is a good one, although I’m a hopeless people pleaser so am likely to walk out with a purchase that I hate feeling that I needed to buy something!

I wouldn’t go with formal gown for summer black tie. Me + Em have a few suitable dresses and I saw one in Jigsaw a couple of weeks ago that was lovely.

https://www.meandem.com/fluid-crepe-volant-statement-maxi-dress-spring-green