Black tie outfit - help please

[maggiethecat]

Have not done this in ages but need to get something for an awards ceremony - any ideas of what's appropriate and where to get (don't want to spend loads but would like to look nice)?

anyone?

Black tie can be anything between a knee length dress, and full length, but for an awards thing, would tend towards knee to ankle length, and obv not very full as it'll get stood on at the tables. Something not too crushy is good too as you spend do much time sat down.

My most beloved, always appropriate, looks great and doesn't crush is a tapework dress from Phase Eight which is like this one. They have others on the site with big reductions, and their outlet shop at Swindon had some real bargains

ok - I thought it always meant full length which I am not keen on. Also, have limited time to get something as I was not going to go originally.
DH is receiving professional award (medical) so don't suppose it's going to be too glamorous but you never know. Don't want to spend more than about 150 on dress bcos I need shoes and outer wear - speaking of which what options do I have? I don't have to worry too much about cold as I'm taking cab - this is such a headache!

If you decide to go short beaded is nice - suggest you borrow a suitable bag and something to go over the top to arrive in if you don't have need for that sort of thing on a regular basis - went to the CBI dinner in Bristol recently and lots of ladies had day bags and raincoats over evening dresses which really spoilt the effect.

wear your best wool coat with a velvet / silk / metallic scarf/pashmina over it and check it immediately

thi sis the advantage of a shorter dress - with full length you have to go all out with eveining outerwear too.

If it needs to be full length, what about something like this?

Thanks for all your help. Think that I will wear mid-calf black velvet skirt which has a really nice cut and shimmers with every move. The top that I bought it with at Jigsaw may be a bit informal so I'll have to get a top. Now, how about a short jacket type thing for outer wear?