Which dress?

[DuaNinja]

Option 1

Option 2

Which dress for a black tie do in a large hotel in central London for company annual summer party? Age 52, size 14, menopausal tummy.

Or something else entirely?

@DuaNinja These might not quite be right but Jolie Moi Asymmetric Drape Midi Dress, Rosewood
Monsoon Monica Maxi Dress, Green
Ghost Madison Satin Dress, Black

(ok, I just looked on johnny l)

Thanks, I will look at John Lewis more closely as I can pick up from Waitrose so might actually be a good option 😀

Black tie feels easier for the winter. I have a few velvet evening dresses but they will be too hot.

Can't do links sorry but on the JolieMoi website I'd go for more the Metallic Spot Chiffon Midimix Dress in Black.

Same sort of thing as the one you linked, but possibly looks more chic for a black tie.

Dresses | Dresses for Women | Jolie Moi UK – Jolie Moi Retail
I'd go for plain without any metallic or sparkly detail.

Black tie is cocktail attire not the most formal dress code (that's white tie) so I don't understand the people saying these look too casual. You can wear a knee length dress to a black tie event for example. 2 looks much fresher and more modern OP - polka dots are very in this season! And navy feels better for summer than black.

A knee-length cocktail dress would be fine.

https://www.hurrcollective.com/

Hire a designer dress for that price instead.

Ah when I saw 2 I thought it would be perfect for a summer work party outdoors(I'm thinking a big black tie event at some big venue like a stadium where you have a BBQ pitch side). Then you said it was in a hotel. I'd go for 1 in that case.

Black tie at work events, is a lot less formal than people on here are thinking. We have them and people wear all sorts, cocktail dresses are always popular.

I’d imagine that all the ‘people on here’ are familiar with black tie work events, @xSideshowAuntSallyXx. They’re hardly unusual.

We just all have different tastes.

What are you wearing on your feet? I notice that both of the dresses have raised front hemline.

I've totally changed my mind as the dresses were out of stock after my dithering!

Ordered a few from Next to try this weekend and if no good will have to find something else.

Whistles

Religion

Phase Eight

Sistaglam black one shoulder

Sistaglam black one shoulder dress.

really love the whistles one!

3 have already arrived. Not sure if I love the Whistles one or look like a toilet roll topper. The one shoulder one would be perfect if the split didn't go to the very edge of my pants. The Phase Eight one is much nicer in real life, dark bronze colour with a slight sparkle.

Two is lovely.

One is making me feel hot and sticky for a summer party.

The Whistles one is nice for summer. The others are a bit wintery for me.

Some more (dotty) ideas

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su662812/f68414#f68414

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su473899/aj2358#aj2358

I think both are good, most people wear navy easier than black so probably was the better choice. Have a lovely time OP.

They both seem to be in stock on the links you posted OP?

I'm looking at the Next website as i can get next day delivery and easy to return. Not in stock on there anymore, there may be similar though.

For some reason I can never follow links to items on Next, the main Next homepage always opens.

I think the Phase Eight dress in your latest link is gorgeous!

I'm not so sure about that assumption given some of the posts or every time black tie work event comes up for discussion.

@xSideshowAuntSallyXx , I'd hazard a guess that most people on here have never been to a black tie work event.

Don’t like option one. Option two is too casual and don’t like that much either. Sorry.