Please help me decide on dresses - for 2 events!

[PopcornFiend]

Hi all, I have 2 work events coming up: one black tie event (3 course dinner & party at a big event centre in London.) Then our work Christmas party (canapes/dinner/disco in a nice hotel).

I have all of these dresses either already purchased or on their way.. but I need help deciding which to wear to which event! Please let me know what you’d choose - and of course if you think any of them are completely awful 🫣

Im 5ft5, size 12, age 40. Not bought shoes or bag yet until I narrow down on the dress(es).

Hopefully the pictures will attach ok..

I think 4 is truly awful! Interesting how it's dividing the room.

I'd go for 5 for the party. For the black tie I'd go for something like 3 but wouldn't opt for the massive slit without being sure it fits within the dress code.

I don't think the skintight ones showing a lot of shoulder or thigh (1235) are appropriate for a black tie do.

I think 4 or 5 would be ok for the work do as that is more casual.

I don't think any would qualify as black tie tbh. But number 4 is lovely for a Christmas do!

I'm probably wrong, but I tend to look at the age of the model to decide if something is appropriate for me, rather than whether it fits, or is my colour. They all look very young to me.

I wouldn't - it's the only 1 I'd wear. 3 is horrible.

I never consider the age of the model. If I like it and it fits, that's what matters.

No 2 for the black tie event and no 1 for the Christmas party. No 4 is awful 😂

Wow no 4 is really a marmite dress! Thanks for all opinions, will be giving it some thought - and also having a mooch round the shops today to see if any other options jump at me.

Quite honestly none of them are to my taste at all but I think the vast majority of people would at least have a little snigger if someone turned up in the fourth dress - it’s like a metallic sack.

no 3 for the black tie so and no 1 for the Christmas party/ disco

The 4th dress is by far the best. 1 and 2 are boring. 3 is hideous.

I don't know what "real life" some posters live in but in the one I'm in 4 is the dress that would get compliments

I think there is a big difference in styles of your dresses and you probably want something that's a bit in between the skirt split up to the top of your hip and the foil bin bag of dress no 4. It may well be that dress no 4 looks a lot better on when there is movement and perhaps the wearer isn't quite as thin as the model. I like dress 3 but think the split is probably too high to be suitable for your events .

I actually like dress 5 for a Christmas party - worn with tights and ankle boots - but I think your events are a bit too upmarket for it - I'm thinking more local town social club .

How awful to imagine adults laughing at another adult purely because they don’t like the clothes they are wearing

I only like number 5, but I'd wear it with black tights and boots and a biker jacket.

1 and 2 both look really dated and cheap imo.

4 is hideous.

I think no. 4 is one of those dresses like what OP says looks better in real life than on the website. I love it even though it may not suit me now (put on weight).

Agree. I'm a bit taken aback that at least 2 posters think laughing at what someone else is wearing is a valid "real life" response.

I may well think "blimey- that's terrible" but laughing? Or give any indication whatsoever what I'm thinking? In my "real life"- never.

3 for the black tie. 5 for the party/disco.

No. 4 is easily the best and the most stylish of the five. It's also the one that can be styled for each occasion. Personally, I would spend money on accessories and shoes, not different dresses.

Have fun OP

Oh I love 4! The others are boring to me

I don't think people would laugh openly, no. But if I'd see someone wearing that dress (no 4), I would think 'god, that's hideous'. I wouldn't say anything to the person wearing it obviously, why would I, that's daft. Judging by other responses, many people would think the same as me.

Obviously, it's a perfectly valid choice to wear whatever you want and not care about people's opinions. But OP did ask, and people are answering.

I like the third dress, first and second are ok too. None of them are what I'd wear, but they're ok. No to the last one, and I absolutely hate the fourth one. Jingle Dobby, how apt.

Judging by other responses, many people would think the same as me.

Judging by other responses, some people would think the same as you. Equally, dress 4 is the only dress several posters liked.

In case anyone’s interested I’ve finalised my dresses now! Ended up not going with any of the first ones - though I have kept no’s 3 & 4 as I do like them.

Have settled on the black velvet midi dress for Xmas party (with silver strappy heels) and the red/burgundy satin dress for the black tie do (with black strappy heels).

Thanks all for your advice on here - the Dobby sack comments re #4 still make me laugh (and incidentally my husband agrees - but I still like the dress so I’ve kept it!)

Ooh they are both lovely, black velvet one especially! Good choices, OP 👏
Enjoy the parties!

Lovely! The burgundy is stunning.

These are both beautiful OP! Can you share where they are from?

FYI black tie denotes long dresses, so I think you were wise to rule out some of the prior options and go for this beautiful satin number.