Is this dress black tie appropriate?

[pinkdisco]

What's the mumsnet verdict on whether this works for black tie?

www.neverfullydressed.com/products/pink-rib-knit-tilly-dress?variant=41038424440909

It's floor length, but in a shimmer knit material that maybe makes it a bit comfier / less formal? It's to wear to a professional dinner in March.

Was thinking obviously nice heels, clutch.

I’ve heard the exact opposite!

OP I think your original dress would be fine for this event especially since you’ve posted the pics. A wide range of formality there.

I've changed my mind seeing the pics, not many of those outfits I'd consider black tie. Go for it

March is definetly Spring. From the meteorological calendar spring is March, April and May.

Summer June, July, August,
Autumn September, October, November
Winter December, January, February.

Using the astronomical calendar, Spring is from the vernal equinox (March 20th) to the Summer solstice (June 21st).

Either way, late March = Spring.

It certainly is!

I like it as it looks current and the metallic knit makes it evening.

However it depends what your 'black tie' event is. It would be perfect for the sort of event I'd go to but maybe not for an army dinner.

Also if you only need once a year I'd rent rather than buy a dress.

It's a bit on the casual side. In black, maybe?

That's much better, more in keeping with black tie.

Yes it's fine. Though I would make sure hair looked styled. I went to a black tie dinner a couple of months ago, more at the properly formal end, and the younger attendees looked fab in a range of colours and lengths. Not many women of any age were in black.

How about this one? Slinky but not clingy?
https://www.johnlewis.com/gina-bacconi-tori-asymmetric-crepe-maxi-dress-light-navy/p112273644

I think it's fine, especially looking at the pics of last year. It's a 'wear something you feel great in' event rather than 'tick all these prescribed criteria' event.

Is it just me laughing at the descriptions of "casual" being bandied about - as if everyone wears stuff like that for nipping to the supermarket or going down the pub?

It's a jumper dress in the style of an evening dress, it's lovely but I can't think where you'd actually wear it. It would also be too hot I'd imagine. And when you are sitting down it will just look like a jumper.

Your photos show a variety of dresses, yes, but no jumpers!

If it looks good on and you like it, I think it's fine. What else could you wear it to?

Looking at the pics of previous events I think your suggested dress is great.

I think it's lovely, but prefer it in the gold.
I saw this one on the same website but not sure if it would be too sparkly for black tie
Silver wrap dress

After seeing the images of last years event I think it would be very appropriate, it’s a lovely dress, might need to wear shape wear though

Yes it is OP, lovely dress

The MacDuggal dress is absolutely stunning (way nicer than the &otherstories one) and you’d be one of the best dressed there, but yes it’s very expensive for one wear.

The pink dress is nice, not black tie, but those photos you’ve posted don’t look like a proper black tie event.

The Sainsburys dress is horrible, sorry.

Those pics from last year are not what I thought black tie was supposed to be! Maybe cocktail, dressed down at that.

Back to the drawing board of me trying to keep up to date!

If it's a seated dinner you don't want your sleeves trailing in the food or knocking over the glassware. So the pink dress would need alterations to the shoulders and sleeves to be practical. Besides, I'd save the 'fairy-waif-princess playing dress up in mama's wardrobe' look for gorgeous snuggling at home, not a professional dinner :)

Those pictures are pretty much what I would expect for black tie unless it was a mess dinner/ sit down banquet with royalty.

@pinkdisco - Personally I think it would be absolutely fine - obviously as you have seen - other opinions are available - but I think OK for what it is worth

I thought it was fine on first glance - length, colour and shape - but the fabric probably isn't right and the sleeves are just too long and casual. If you're concerned about a particular area, you should probably invest first in the control underwear and then go shopping with it on. It makes a massive difference to what looks and feels right. I wear a lot of black tie and often I just can't be arsed, but for a real occasion, I climb into the under-armour. That's when I can wear my most elegant frocks without being constantly aware of my stomach, which happens to also be my most bothersome area.

Most of the outfits in the pictures you provided I wouldn't call black tie. You can see midis, pants suits, cardigans. The pink is lovely. But do get something you'll enjoy wearing again.

It’s the sort of dress I would have worn when I was slimmer. I think with the right accessories it would look gorgeous.

The pink dress would imo be even more unforgiving to a less than perfect figure.