Petite black tie dress needed

[tetleyhead]

As the title say, I’ve been invited to a work dinner with dress code “black tie / formal” and I am 5 feet zero.

I don’t own anything like this and googling is giving a wide range of hits, mostly on sites I’ve never heard of.

Any recommendations on good sites or what I should be looking for? Evening dress? Bridesmaid dress?

I did try maxi but got a lot of less formal dresses that I’m not sure meet the brief.

any help would be appreciated!

What’s the budget? I’m a bit in love with this one from Karen Millen.

Or there’s this one at £123?

In theory I could maybe stretch to the budget of the first but I really, really don’t want to. Liking the second budget better!

Thank you - I didn’t think of Debenhams

Cannot imagine why bridesmaid dress would have occurred to you!

Perhaps you could give an idea of the context? In either of my professions, past or present, a black tie dinner would mean a smart midi-ish dress or trouser suit or a silk shirt with skirt or trousers - so very far from the ballgown end of black tie. What sort of evening will yours be?

It’s an evening awards dinner and I’ve been told it’s long dress rather than cocktail.

I will double check this given what you’ve said in case I picked it up wrong but that’s not the steer I’ve been given so far

thanks!

Have a look at Boden.
They don't do floor- length formal but there are some nice longer length velvet/ chiffony type dresses there for the Xmas season. And they do petite.

Also, Monsoon (online) do a lot of formal dressy dresses.

As PP says I don't think black tie/ formal = ball gowns. More smart dresses or trousers and blouses.

White tie is much more formal.

Who gave you the steer on this? I agree with PP- at a black tie awards dinner you could wear a long dress, but many don't. You wouldn't wear a ball gown.

Thanks all… so like the suggestions PP made or something like this?

https://www.reiss.com/style/su792034/h76911

I’m also 5’0” and I bought a lovely petite dress from Phase Eight last year - it was Donna in red and it’s glorious, but they don’t have it available in petite at the moment. There are some others on the Phase Eight site that might be worth a look, though.

thanks! Checking this out

Still available in John Lewis but only in a small size
https://www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-petite-donna-maxi-dress-red/p111459097?size=6&s_ppc=2dx_mixed_fashion_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20151164127&gbraid=0AAAAAD2el1yeFvSUqWxQQ0UEgTmtfrYgj&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0sSyzoqckAMVLJhQBh12UAobEAQYASABEgKT_PD_BwE

You really need to check out the dress code @tetleyhead .

There have been threads here over the years on 'dresses for black tie events' and posters have put up photos of what they wore, as examples.

There were no ball gowns.

They were smart dresses, usually midi or knee length.

You risk being overdressed otherwise.

You could also check out renting a dress - J Lewis do this as does Nobody's Child.

yes I definitely will do. There is clearly a wide variation and I do not want to get it badly wrong.

I really don’t think renting is an option. I’m 5 foot. It’s difficult enough finding and buying a petite length dress - I can’t imagine they’d have one to rent. Nevertheless I will check it out.

Thank you again

That is perfect.

Can you google the event and see if there are photos of previous years so you can see what people wore? TBH for that sort of event I usually go with something that is long but not full length. I bought this for something similar earlier in the year (it hangs much better on someone with curves than it does on the model - its clearly too big for her) https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-sleeveless-lace-slip-midi-dress-navy/p113720846

Abercrombie and Fitch also do petite dresses - DD has this one
www.abercrombie.com/shop/uk/p/the-a-and-f-julia-slip-halter-maxi-dress-60011360-1005?categoryId=84562&faceout=life&seq=03&afsource=social+proofing

https://www.reiss.com/style/su751873/w55359

I've recently been invited to a black tie event through work and am 5ft1. I tried so many petite options but didnt really love any of them - in the end Ive gone for a 'normal' dress from Club L and had it tailored to fit me (not just shorterned) alterations cost me £70 (in surrey) and im thrilled with it !