linen for black tie?

[SnowdropsBlooming]

I have a black tie dinner in the summer (it's a college thing, so quite lax with the definition of black tie, though). I saw a nice looking dress on eBay, but it's 100% linen. I'm a bit worried that I would just end up looking like a creased dish rag as soon as I sit down. Has anyone worn a formal dress that is pure linen, and do you just end up a creased mess after you've been sitting, or do the creases kind of drop out when you stand? I can't try it on of course so have to take a gamble. It's definitely cut as a formal dress, not a day-dress/sundress, with a low V-neck etc, long, smart looking, and I quite like the colour and style. Just would have expected it to be silk or satin or something mixed with linen. It's not just sitting for the dinner but I'd probably take a bus/taxi to get there to start with, so would be creased before it begins if it's that type of fabric. Or does that kind of dress just look OK with a bit of creasing?!

Creases definitely don’t drop out of linen.
Curious to see a linen formal dress, could you post a screenshot? It might give us the likelihood of how creased it could get, and if it would look okay.

Linen will definitely crease and stay creased. Depending on the style of the dress, this might either look fantastically nonchalant and cool or untidy and sloppy. Either way don't buy the dress expecting it not to crease because it definitely, definitely will. I absolutely love linen things and I have learned to love the creased look and roll with it - but it might not be the look you want for a formal event.

I suspect you're right and it won't actually work. Shame as it's a lovely colour. And although it's not really formal, it would I think be formal enough for this event as it's not what most people would think of as black tie - men will wear DJs but women will be wearing all sorts of things. So the actual style I'm less concerned about, but I think creased is probably not a great look. Will keep looking. I'd need some kind of wrap or something as well, which I"m not sure about.

I don't want to post the actual one in case I end up getting it - maybe for other occasions! - but it's quite like this. I'd say slightly more formal in style though, maybe.

www.reiss.com/style/su588242/ar3932

Honestly, I do not think linen is an appropriate fabric for a black tie do. It's a summer, daytime fabric and creases are inevitable and not really the look you want at a black tie occasion.

That Reiss dress is a linen-mix and honestly I don't think it's suitable for black tie even so. Even less so were it pure linen.

Thanks. I think back to the search bar for something more like silk! I do still like the dress but because it does look quite formal (to me), I'm not sure where I might wear it if I did get it, so I'm resisting for now, but i'm still tempted if I can envision another occasion where I might want to be a bit dressed up and where it might work. It's very low cut though and I think that lets it out for most things. Of course I do have a very casual lifestyle and most things look quite formal to me, so maybe other people would just wear it for a normal day out!

I don’t think that dress is formal enough. More appropriate for a garden bbq with friends. There’s much more glamorous things out there 😃

This was another I was considering (second hand). But something about this felt a bit too 'sack tied in the middle' - maybe it's just the photos, as the one listed online doesn't seem that gathered. Doesn't really show off a waist, but then might be good at disguising bellies when sitting down, which is a plus!
I'm keen on the teal/sea-foam green sorts of colours, but not going to spend loads for one evening, so will find something I already have if nothing more suitable comes up over the next few weeks in my searches

www.endource.com/product/jigsaw-tie-waist-silk-dress/Wr8kUcnnfAABoVWP

The Jigsaw dress isn’t suitable for black tie either.

not long enough?

Both dresses are way too casual for black tie.

To me black tie is most like this:

https://www.whistles.com/product/209687.html?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=17999921653&cq_term=&cq_plac=&cq_net=x&cq_plt=gp&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=17999921653&utm_content=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17347183346&gbraid=0AAAAADtW8dtgX3UyAaBs8tTxWcwjSFbCI&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIk5jt38vBjQMVK4KDBx1OcyjGEAQYASABEgJBwfD_BwE

I think this event is probably less formal that what most people would call black tie, though - more a college dinner, with people who are generally quite informal and so probalby not really glamorous even when dressed up (though some will be). So the definition can be slightly expanded to usual black tie, but I would still like to look nice, and appropriate, without spending lots. I have lost weight so my previous dresses aren't great anymore, though might do if necessary.

That's pretty, especialy at the back. And has the advantage of not needing a cover up.

I've been stalking Vinted and eBay more, but I might have to expand my searching. Having lost weight, I'm sort of tempted to want to get something quite nice as a treat, but also it's pointless given the rarity of these sorts of occasions in my life and the tightness of my budget...

Have you thought about rental? A one-off black tie event is the perfect thing to rent an outfit for, IMO.

I agree with PP that the dark green satin Whistles dress is more in the right area.

You could, for instance, rent this green satin Reiss dress for £40.

I've been to some college dinners in Cambridge. People do wear all sorts of things. Most men wear dinner jackets/black tie/tuxedos (lots of names for this) and most women wear a sparkly or silky dress of any length. If you chose the second dress (sack tied in middle) you'd need some exciting accessories to glam it up but the Reiss dress (lime green/navy) is just too casual.

The Whistles dress is lovely.

The Reiss green satin one is really nice too.

I hadn't thought about rental, no, but it's a good thought. I might look into that some more.

I'm not someone who likes to draw attention to myself, and as a former size 16-18, my style was very much about covering up and finding something that hid the worst bits. Now I'm more like a 12, and while not really slim (tummy roll or two still and very wobbly arms), I could wear more fitted styles that I did before, but I'm so not used to them. They all seem very glam somehow, but probably normal to other people.

I'd definitely consider rental if I were you (unless you're a very difficult fit). It gets rid of any will-I-wear-this-again, will-it-fit-in-future issues and you can wear a knockout high end designer dress for less than you'd spend on something from the high street if you bought it. Also good if your weight/body are in transition.

The dresses you've picked aren't black tie. You won't be refused entrance but you might feel out of place.

This site specialises in inen and there are several which would work as black tie because they are so extravagant and so different from the standard "black tie"- e.g the silver and black beetled linen dresses. I almost bought the parachute skirt and gold top - scroll to second picture

Kindred of Ireland

Kindred of Ireland dress

Kindred of Ireland parchute trousers.

Kindred of Ireland dresses

Thank you for the suggestions. Not sure they are entirely my style (or budget!) but it's good to broaden my ideas and to get a better sense of what is considered black tie

Such beautiful clothes but the prices ….

https://www.hurrcollective.com/

You could hire a designer dress instead of buying something you'll only wear once.