What can I wear with this for a Summer Dance/ Black Tie dinner?

[cornflakemum]

Have to go to a 'Summer Dance' at a hotel in June. It's Black Tie but described as a 'Summer Dance'.

I wanted to wear this dress (see pics in profile) as I bought it last year, but ended up never wearing it. It's a Pearce Fionda, silky material - not cotton or anything.

Could I wear it? All my other 'Black Tie' type stuff is black or dark colours!

What could I wear with it to make it more evening/summer dance-ish?

I was thinking about some sort of shrug/ wrap?

No style gurus around this morning? (Too busy out shopping I expect )

hi there - I was wondering EXACTLY the same thing (where are you, it's not on the 13th June is it?)

I also need to know exactly to the letter what the appropriate outfit is for my DP - he/I know nothing about what black tie means so could someone please tell me what to buy/hire him.

Cornflakes I think your dress is very nice but possibly a bit too casual? although I havent really got a cluse about what is expected.

OK; what sort of organisation is holding the event? This will effect how formal it is, and how you may want to dress. (Military affairs tend to be more formal etc) Generally for a summer ball, people do tend to wear brighter dresses, a;though usually full length. Some of the maxi dresses around at the moment are a good compromise if you do not fancy wearing a 'classic' ball gown. Shrug/wrap also a good idea.

For blokes - black tie means exactly that. Dinner suit, white shirt with black bow tie, black formal shoes. Traditionalist sneer at 'pre-tied' bow ties and will try and 'fine' the wearers in drinks, but if you or DH don't know how to tie one, then they are probably the best way forward.

It's actually a school event - end of year parent's dance. We went last year and there was a wide variety of types of dress - I don't remember there being many full length ones to be honest.

I don't think it will be very formal to be honest - I think there was a lot of Monsoon/ Coast type stuff last year....

I have loads of black dresses, but they just seem wrong for a summer event?

Tsk - parents' dance

If you have a good idea of how formal it is (which you obviously do) then I would have thought the dress on your profile is pretty.

If you are looking for an excuse to buy a new dress, then go for it! If you are tallish (I am, which is why I like them!) then a silk maxi dress would be lovely, and you could wear it afterwards. Otherwise perhaps more 'cocktail dress' type from Coast/Monsoon as you mentioned, which would also be suitable for weddings/parties later.

Is cocktail style okay for a summer ball?
(don't think I'll make it this year...DS only 14 weeks... but for future reference...)

eachpeach - depends on the event (sorry - that may not help )

I go to military events with DH and cocktail would not be acceptable at most of them. (You probably wouldn't get thrown out....but people would stare and talk...the shame!!)

I think other balls or dances may be less formal, and long as the dress is 'dressy' then cocktail length/style would be OK.

I think it is easier to go full length if not sure and then at least you are not underdressed. (saves having to fake tan legs as well...)

I think it depends where you live/ where the event is, etc, etc...

I would wear a long dress for anything called a 'ball' but the problem (and my problem!) is with these sort of 'inbetween' events that are 'summer dances' or similar.

There's no change of being 'thrown out' for wearing the 'wrong thing' at the PTA dance LOL...

NotYummy -I was trying to avoid buying a new dress, rather than looking for an excuse to go shopping! We're past the 'wedding' age (haven't been to one for about 10 years, and kids not old enough yet!) and I probably won't really have an excuse to wear a long dress again this year.

Sorry, but I loathe the current maxi-dress thing - I've yet to see anyone under 6 ft who looks good in one!

Ho hum - will go and have another rummage in my wardrobe....

tis the same type as cornflake mum... school parents' summer ball

There's no chance of being 'thrown out'

(must preview in future...)

mine also school parents thing - so are we saying a short cocktail dress would be ok for me (I am short so no go on the maxi dresses). For DP - can I just hire him one from moss bros type place or will that look naff?

Slight hijack - but would anyone like to comment on what is required for a "black and white ball" in mid summer? As I don't intend to go in white, do I have to wear all black?

cornflake - yes that dress would be fine. It's very nice. Yes a wrap would be nice with it and strappy heels.

xfabba - yes to cocktail dress. And Moss Bros suits are fine (I'm sure lots of others will be doing the same). Lots of men now wear a black tie (not a bow tie) for "black tie" events. But that has greater potential for naffness imo.

Lilymaid - You could wear black or black and white. But not white top/black skirt - you will look like a waitress.

hello I have been to the same dinner dance the past 2 years, 3rd black tie dinner dance coming up. Looking at what the ladies wore the last 2 years, I would say anything goes as in colour and length of dress. Obviously no mini skirt length dress.

I'm still looking for a dress, I do have a back up dress that I got for my Xmas last year (a lovely Roberto Cavalli dress and matchin jacket)but not worn it yet. Last year I wore a lovely Roberto Cavalli dress I bought in Las Vegas. It was a gorgeous blue colour and length was just above the knee.

This years colour for fashion is colbalt blue and coral. Blue would be nice but the coral would looked to washed out on me.

Has anyone bought a nice evening dress recently and where did you buy it from? All the ladies out there please help, as I have looked everywhere from Escada, Chanel to high street such as Coast and Karen Millen. Personally I dont do high street, I want something with wow factor. (also to match my Chanel bag) Tanks ladies in advance.