So what does black tie mean nowadays?

[WinkyWinkola]

Is it necessarily long, floor sweeping dress? Or could I wear something like this to a black tie wedding?

I have this dress

Or this:

Very pretty but not dressy enough?

I'm 6ft tall and size 12 and it's hard to find dresses long enough for me without looking like they've shrunk in the wash.

If it is black tie then dress code for women dictates that cocktail dresses are fine (according to Debretts ). Its only if the dress code is White Tie that women would be expected to wear floor length gowns (and poss even gloves )

The Karen Millen dress would be perfect and you will stand out beautifully in a sea of "meh" black dresses

Ooooh, great. I'll get the spanx ordered then.

I go to quite a few black tie events (get me!) and it is quite acceptable these days to wear a short dress and I think both of yours would be fine. I think however that the accessories should be firmly 'evening' ones so no black patent court shoes and the like, or huge bags. Think glamour rather than practical. Enjoy!