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Help me decide - black tie dress - splurge purchase

96 replies

Kellylindo · 27/11/2025 13:19

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!

Posy Midi Dress In Navy

Directional draping brings a sensuous tactility to the Posy Midi Dress in Navy. Crafted from crepe back satin, it has twisted shoulder straps and a pleated detail at the waist and front skirt. An asymmetric hemline brings fluidity to the silhouette, wh...

https://www.victoriabeckham.com/products/posy-midi-dress-in-navy-21644

OP posts:
Knowsley · 01/12/2025 12:26

@Htcunya , you are derailing the thread and making it unpleasant. OP has had a tough time and treating herself to something that will make her feel fabulous.
Stop making it about you.

Htcunya · 01/12/2025 12:29

Another who doesn't understand that I was agreeing with OP's purchase!

I hope she has great pleasure in wearing the fabulous dress.

owlpassport · 01/12/2025 16:26

Htcunya · 01/12/2025 12:29

Another who doesn't understand that I was agreeing with OP's purchase!

I hope she has great pleasure in wearing the fabulous dress.

Just jumping on to defend you @Htcunya ... No idea why you're getting so much grief, it's not you who's derailing the thread or making it unpleasant. I understood your point, and also tend to be cynical regarding quality of 'celeb' brands. For clarity before someone jumps on me, this is a general statement and no reflection on the VB brand.

Anotherdayanotherpound · 01/12/2025 20:58

F the two, the first is much nicer and more interesting . Have you tried them on?

TheApocalypticiansApprentice · 02/12/2025 05:44

Have you read the thread, @Anotherdayanotherpound?

user1492757084 · 02/12/2025 05:59

I prefer Posy.
I like it in the orange, red, navy and black.
Do you have fit looking arms? To carry the dress off, I think your arms need to be toned.
I hope you try the dress on. You need to make sure you look great in the colour and style.

The other dress is extremely formal and it's shape is less flattering.

TheApocalypticiansApprentice · 02/12/2025 06:18

Ditto …

OhDear111 · 02/12/2025 07:32

@owlpassport Why do you think VB is a celebrity brand? What are the others you don’t like? VB is very much considered a legitimate designer and business within fashion. Admired by many in fact.

Francestein · 02/12/2025 08:03

The first one is lovely. Unless you are very, very tall and very, very slim (if you are, ignore what I am about to say) there is a very high likelihood of looking like a Mediterranean widow looking for a headscarf.

Pr1mr0se · 02/12/2025 08:20

You could rent from Rotation or MyWardrobe etc rather than buy, then the 'can I wear it to another event' question is not an issue.

Hdpr · 02/12/2025 15:24

The first dress is gorgeous. I hope you have a wonderful time

Freebus · 02/12/2025 15:29

1st one much better. With thr second you risk it being too long

TheApocalypticiansApprentice · 02/12/2025 15:37

Surely if a dress is too long you get it shortened?

(Easiest if it’s just the skirt end. If it’s too long in the body it’s more complicated but generally doable.)

Sassylovesbooks · 02/12/2025 15:48

I love the first VB dress it's gorgeous 😍

owlpassport · 02/12/2025 16:48

OhDear111 · 02/12/2025 07:32

@owlpassport Why do you think VB is a celebrity brand? What are the others you don’t like? VB is very much considered a legitimate designer and business within fashion. Admired by many in fact.

You're clearly spoiling for a fight, but I'll bite. VB was famous for something other than clothes originally, so that's why it would be classed as a 'celebrity' brand (and note I did write it in inverted commas the first time too). I didn't say I don't like any, I said I'm sceptical. For example Rare Beauty is Selena Gomez's brand. I didn't have high hopes but I really like her lip oils.

Mydadsbirthday · 02/12/2025 19:14

Love the first VB dress OP well done!

I like the navy, red and orange.

HoratioBum · 03/12/2025 03:20

This is why I’m not cut out for high fashion!
With the first dress, the tailoring on it looks quite weird to my eyes.

The view from the back of it looks like something you’d see on sewing bee when they’ve gone a bit off piste - the shoulders don’t match, which makes the neckline look and hang a bit ‘off’ from the front and I’m not sure that it looks intentional enough. It’s making my eye twitch!
I know OP has made her choice and I’m sure she looks fabulous in it. I know so little about fashion that I’m certain I’m ‘wrong’. But I much prefer the drama of the second dress.

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 04/12/2025 09:34

I saw something high end and perfect pop up on my news reels a couple of days ago but I can’t remember the designer. The draping was stunning!

Comefromaway · 04/12/2025 09:44

Loewe do some stunning draped pieces

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 04/12/2025 10:03

I’ve just sat scrolling my reels for half an hour lol as I wanted to find the video….and I found it!

Okay the company is https://www.maison-alaia.com

Ive screenshotted the dress as I thought it was so stunning.

Help me decide - black tie dress - splurge purchase
Help me decide - black tie dress - splurge purchase
Help me decide - black tie dress - splurge purchase
Knowsley · 04/12/2025 10:30

Shortening a dress isn't a matter of hemming it. The dresses in the OP probably could be shortened at the hem, but many dresses can't.

If the torso is too long, neither dress could easily be shortened.

The styles and fabric do not lend themselves to major alterations.

why not go physical shopping and try things on and lunch with a friend. Go with a blunt, honest friend, not one who would say you looked lovely in anything.
I have a friend who will say 'that style/colour is wrong for you' but my mum would say it looked lovely.
The 'lovely' item would be worn only once and I'd have cringed at the photograph and consigned it to the charity shop.
The item bought with honest friend would be still in my wardrobe and still being worn.

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