Help me decide - black tie dress - splurge purchase

[Kellylindo]

I’ve had a wretched couple of years and feel like treating myself to a new dress for a black tie work party. The challenge is I want to buy something I’ll wear again i.e dinners, drinks out but that’s formal enough for black tie.
Any thoughts on this dress: https://www.victoriabeckham.com/products/posy-midi-dress-in-navy-21644

Or I go all out on this dress but don’t know when I’ll wear it again: https://www.victoriabeckham.com/products/isabella-gown-in-navy-21790

Thanks in advance!

Both lovely but I far prefer the first one. More versatile too. And although it's a man-made fabric, some of the higher-quality imitation silk satins can be excellent if weighty enough.

Thanks for all the replies, feedback and suggestions of other dresses, the Beulah dress is gorgeous.

I should have mentioned that I’ve tried both dresses on, along with some other dresses - I had an afternoon in Mayfair. I do feel a bit crippled with indecision, which is generally the case since my mother died, we would have done this sort of thing together and had a wonderful time. However, I feel firmly put in my place by@similarminimer about asking a ‘bunch of randoms’, isn’t that what Mumsnet is all about? Nevertheless, thanks everyone, I’m going to buy the first one!

The first one is stunning.

I did recommend this to someone attending a winter wedding. It's rather similar to the Posy dress & is also an acetate satin - but as it's reduced to below £200 it might not satisfy your need to splurge!!!

*Always helps to post the link ...!!

https://gb.marella.com/p-3226045102003-sapone-navy

What a gorgeous colour.

@Kellylindo oooffff - in attempting to defend myself I appear to have injured you - v sorry as no
Intention at all to put you in your place.

I commented originally as you mentioned rewearability. - rather than how they made you feel, so I thiught perhaps you had not fallen in love with either. Apologies for misinterpreting and offending. Glad you've chosen that one and hope you love wearing it many times over

Good choice. It's fabulous.

It’s silk velvet, which I think elevates it. It’s embellished all over with something, although I’m not sure what, has a diamanté buckle, and the neckline and sleeve seams are trimmed with something which might possibly be more diamanté.

To my mind that’s more winter black tie suitable than something made from acetate and viscose, (edit - but crepe-backed satin is an improvement) but perhaps it’s over-elaborate.

Love the first dress but would go for the orange because it shows the tailoring and structure of the dress so well. The darker colours sort of look less of an impact. The white is beautiful but not really black tie.

The first one is gorgeous, good choice op.

First one - stunning

When I opened the link to the first one I gasped and thought it’s so beautiful, enjoy your Christmas event and wearing it at other times too.

Ahhhh this is why i still keep coming back to Mumsnet. 😂

One day you get a post about rationing condiments, a whole bottle of sweet chilli sauce gone in a week for goodness sake.......and the next its an afternoon in Mayfair trying on 1k dresses.

Good choice OP, it’s beautiful. Raise a glass of fizz to your Mum as you’re getting ready 🥂

I much prefer the second.

The first just feels fussy to me.

No I am not Victoria...

edited to say I just say that you have indeed bought the first so I take back the fuss comment-am sure it is lovely on you

I don’t understand mumsnet sometimes; spending £1000 on a dress?

Perhaps you need to read 99 other S&B threads to put this one thread you don’t understand in perspective?

I love the first one so wise choice and I hope you have a lovely night in it.

I also loved the Saloni and Beulah ones, stunning dresses.

Some people spend that on cigarettes on no time

Or on dog grooming, or Deliveroo, or not flying economy on a single journey, or a coffee machine, or gel nails, or a custom paint job on their bike, or candles, or their mate’s stag do, or luxury earphones, or golf, or cushions, or a bottle of malt whisky …

What’s your poison, @Blastedusername? 😄

To look at, I actually much prefer the Victoria Beckham. The out issue I see is that it would be difficult to adjust the hemline if it isn’t exactly the right length for you.

It's a beautiful dress, enjoy it and the night out.

First one.

Really don t like the second one

I love the style of the VB dress, but you can get similar for a better price elsewhere.

A friend wore last year’s version of this to a party a while ago and the cut was so flattering. Great fabric too:
https://www.reiss.com/style/su708067/h60854

Me+Em are also doing some amazing party dresses this season (don’t they always?):
https://www.meandem.com/satin-drape-neckline-maxi-dress-deep-ruby-red

…and then just spend the remainder of your budget in Jimmy Choo!