Is this dress appropriate for a black tie August wedding in the UK?

[mixandmatch]

I’ve just tried this on and it fits brilliantly. But is it black tie appropriate?

One thing I should clarify is that I am 5 ft 4, so this dress is almost to my ankles, it is not ‘midi’ in any sense. It is also very heavy and structured which it makes it feel smarter than the picture looks.

anyway, let me know thoughts! Plus is it nice? Please be very honest!

https://www.freemans.com/products/adrianna-papell-floral-jacquard-midi-dress/_/A-15S740_12?ns_mchannel=pla&ns_source=google&ns_campaign=control-womens-dresses&utm_medium=pla&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=DEP%3AWOM_CAT%3ADRE_THE%3AGen_CHA%3APmx_CFO%3AMx%2BF_ADV%3AFreemans_PLA%3ASA360_INV%3AGoog_OBJ%3AConv&ns_mchannel=pla&ns_source=google&ns_campaign=DEP%3AWOM_CAT%3ADRE_THE%3AGen_CHA%3APmx_CFO%3AMx%2BF_ADV%3AFreemans_PLA%3ASA360_INV%3AGoog_OBJ%3AConv&ns_linkname=20281768709&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20281769669&gbraid=0AAAAADplBR_UyDyA9dVBRyMjoxf9v7Ow6&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2YHY4uXylAMVrJpQBh2ppgX7EAQYASABEgLWbPD_BwE

I think the dress is lovely and would be appropriate for black tie.

It is heavy fabric though and could be a bit too warm for a wedding in August... having said that it's not a given that the weather will be hot!

If it’s black tie, is it inside or outside? Later in the day? I think it’s perfect.

@MeetMeOnTheCornerits a mid afternoon start, mainly outdoors/marquee I think

Hmm I’m not sure it really fits black tie. It’s a nice dress for a wedding but don’t think it’s glam enough

It’s beautiful, you could have it shortened if it’s down to your ankles, all depends on what you prefer. I’d wear a shawl with it, strappy healed sandals and a cute little bag, 🤗

Don’t think it is black tie appropriate. It would be perfect for a ‘normal’ wedding dress code though

@mixandmatch Black tie doesn’t mean long. I don’t know why pp thought it was down to your ankles! It’s midi so perfectly ok. Black tie means guys wear an evening jacket, not a lounge suit. The fabric looks evening wear to
me. I’d make it look glamorous by adding jewellery. My DD is having black tie wedding later this autumn but no outside at all. I think summer black tie is more tricky but you don’t have to wear long.

Because @mixandmatch said in the op that it's down to her ankles.

I think that's glam enough for black tie, a little more day time ish by virtue of the floral pattern but I think that's fine for a mid afternoon start for a wedding, especially in August when it will be light for a good chunk of the evening still.

@MeetMeOnTheCorner the OP says the dress is almost down to her ankles as she’s 5”4. It’s only midi on the model, who is probably nearly 6 foot like most models :)

If you’re 5’4” I think it will be too much, in every way. The fabric is heavy, the print is large, and there’s just a lot of dress there. I can see why you like it but I’m just not convinced that it won’t be wearing you and not the other way around.

Thanks all - some really useful points here. The ‘it wearing me’ point - I know what you mean.

the other challenge is that I tried on the 12 and it was just a touch too big but I fear the 10 may be a touch too small. So maybe I need to keep looking.

this dress is almost to my ankles

Black tie is a full length dress or cocktail dresses. I think this dress is perfect for a wedding but I don’t think it’s black tie. If the dress is too long for you I can’t imagine it is very flattering. Very beautiful dress though

Not black tie appropriate by any stretch of the imagination, and will stand out

I had a black tie wedding in August a few years ago and this would have been very different to what most people wore.

We had a purple midi sequin dress, floor length emerald green embellished dress, red fitted slinky floor length dress, and a few wide leg full length jumpsuits in different materials. All the men were in a tuxedo and bow tie which is the typical UK interpretation of black tie.

I wouldn’t wear anything floral personally, and while I don’t think
floor length is necessary I think it will help you focus on dresses that better fit the theme.

It would be perfect for a normal wedding but not black tie.
I think that shape will look odd down to your ankles too. I would generally avoid patterns for black tie. look at petite ranges.

Which colours do you like, OP?

It's very pretty and would be fine for a normal wedding.

It's not a black tie dress but frankly black tie (aka evening dress) at 2.30 in the afternoon is bonkers. I'd feel so uncomfortable. Husband will get into his dinner suit at the drop of a hat but I don't think he'd believe me if I told him he'd be expected to wear it early afternoon.

It's really classy and beautiful

I like that its jaquard fabric but I dont like the warm beige-y ground, it appears quite modest and I understand black-tie is glam-glam-glam! I think the most important person to ask is the bride. You could ask her to define what she means by black-tie (as it pertains to the lasses), as this could overcome any doubts/questions.
She could show you some pictures to give you inspiration, too?
I would just have a chat with her and I'm sure she'll be pleased you take it seriously and want to dress appropriately for the dress code.
have fun! ;)

Personally I think it's giving major "elderly aunt's sofa" vibes. Saying that, it wouldn't look out of place at a normal wedding. But it doesn't feel glam enough for black tie.

It’s beautiful but no not black tie, black tie means full length ballgown style dresses

The bride has specified black tie, it’s a well known dress code

No need to bother her with guest dress questions, just buy a black tie dress

No it doesn't. Ballgowns are for balls. Black tie does not mean a dress has to be floor length