black tie dress?

[user5687921]

Is this suitable? The last several black tie things we've been to I think there have been more short/cocktail type dresses than gowns.

Perfect ❤️

That dress is nice but to me it’s not black tie, and I’ve never seen anyone wearing anything like it to a black tie event. It probably depends on what the specific event is, but I would always go for something longer for black tie.

I've just got in from a black tie event (token old person invited for a work reason - most people are still dancing the night away).

There were over 600 people at the 'do', so lets say 300 young women.
All but about 4 or 5 were wearing long dresses.
Overwhelmingly a single colour / no pattern.
The only people I saw in dresses that weren't maxis were wearing midi dresses and I can only say I noticed 2 of those - potentially there could have been a couple I didn't notice as I moved around the room.

So I'd say no, that isn't a 'black tie' dress.

@user5687921 Black tie doesn’t mean long dresses! It never has. That’s white tie. Black tie is evening wear - so long, short, midi, trousers, etc. Can be anything glamorous! Dress is very short so hope you have great legs!

@OhDear111 , I disagree - what you describe is more cocktail wear. For me, black tie is full length, elegant, not overly revealing. White tie would be ball gown, with opera gloves.

OP, the dress is nice but I would say too short for black tie, in my opinion.

Agreed @QueenMummyTheFirst

As I say, I have the example of over 300 (mostly) young women from this evening, so not just my opinion.

I would say that's too short for a black tie as well. I'm going to a black tie and debating whether I can wear a midi or whether I should go full length. The image you shared is mini - I wouldn't even think about wearing it. If you're going to buy something new anyway, why not get something a bit longer?

It’s a beautiful cocktail dress but I personally don’t feel it’s black tie.

I have been to events at my old Oxford college where many recent female graduates happily wore dresses shorter than that to a black tie medical dinner.

Being a good 30 years older, and never having had the legs for it, I was wearing a comfortably ankle length number.

But I think shorter can work well if that is what suits you.

I guess it depends whether you want to stand out as bending the rules. It's a gorgeous dress. I really thought I'd seen a long version of it on My Theresa, but it must've been another gold textured number.

This is Simkhai.
www.mytheresa.com/gb/en/women/simkhai-metallic-effect-bustier-gown-silver-p01113748

I know you didn't ask for long dresses - and I'll stop now! I like this one for a woman who'd look good in the mini.

https://www.revolve.com/elliatt-celeste-gown-in-black-gold/dp/ELLI-WD1000

I recently attended a black tie charity dinner in central London. Women wore a mixture of full-length, midi and short dresses as well as tuxedo suits. Your dress would not have looked out of place. An extended member of the royal family was present and she looked fabulous in quite a simple bling-free midi dress with fabulous jewellery so perhaps the ‘black tie = full-length gown’ rule doesn’t apply universally across the UK anymore?

Agree. I have been to loads of black tie events and people always wear long dresses. The OP's dress is great but its cocktail attire not black tie.

Thanks, all. We've been to several black ties this year where this would have been completely fine, but I think this event might be more staid, so I'll opt for something safer. It arrived yesterday and I tried it on and really like it so will save it for some cocktail dress things I have coming up.

@OhDear111 My legs are good, but not of the calibre I'd go to an event in it if it was a short on me as it is on the model (I'm 5'5") 😃

Thanks for the suggestions @GarlicHound. I have enough full length dresses that I can't really justify another to myself (sadly).

I m going to a black tie event in Feb nd the invite specifies no knees and no shoulders on show for ladies.
I am not happy about it but I will find something

black tie is more demure and glamourous. I think too short

Are the men allowed to show shoulders and knees?

That sounds a bit draconian. I get that the one I posted is a bit short, but you generally see lots of shoulders at these! A cropped cardigan is good if you already have a dress that displays those forbidden sexy bits next to your neck...

It’s not black tie. Black tie is always floor length.

It really really isn't.

We've been to several black tie events this past year where lots of people were wearing short dresses and where this dress wouldn't have stuck out at all. This event is I think a bit more staid, so it might, which is why I asked.

Could you make it temporarily floor length something like this
ASOS LUXE bandeau corset jacquard maxi dress with full skirt in gold | ASOS

Thank you for that idea. It's too long (on me) for that to work. I'll wear something I already have that's a safer choice and save this one for the cocktail dress code!

@Breadcat24 Why does it need to be floor length? Black tie doesn’t require this. If op wants long, buy long.

Black tie is NOT floor length gowns. It’s cocktail - short, knee length, midi, trousers!

Well clearly many people have a different experience from yourself @OhDear111 , as this thread shows.

OP says she already has plenty of long dresses.

Debretts: long is optional. As I said shorter, midi or trousers permissible! No tiaras though!