Please help - haven't a clue what kind of dress to wear to a "Black Tie Summer Ball"

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School summer ball, blokes black tie - what should I wear. Some are saying it is very formal so needs to be a long dress, others are saying "cocktail dress" ok. What do you think I could get away with? Am normally pretty casual and have never worn a long dress, am only 5ft so don't think it would work anyway. Can I wear a knee length?

Please give me some examples - am short, not quite 5ft, 8-10 but large boobs, no keen on strapless.

Cocktail are usually ok at most black tie events

something like this maybe ?

I would def go knee length.

Maybe a one shoulder dress? Or something like this
www.tedbaker.co.uk/shop.do?cID=596&pID=6177

I like both of those but dont think ive quite got the figure for them. So short with strappy sandals is deemed ok? Good!

keep em coming.

Or I used to have this dress - and big boobs
www.tedbaker.co.uk/shop.do?cID=596&pID=6062

Meant to say

"Or I used to have this dress - and have big boobs"

obv, my boobs have not just dropped off or anything.

that's funny - I did think you meant your boobs had shrunk!!!

I used to be about an F but after 2 bouts of bf and losing a couple of stone last year they are now way smaller so I would have believed you (but still too big...)

watching this, 5ft 5 small boobs, want to get one off ebay and want names of labels I might like to type in and see what's what... this is, of course terrible hijacking but please forgive me, my ball is coming up soon too and i can't keep wearing the same old thing

no problem I really need to see examples so the more the merrier!

Well shops-wise, coast are good for black tie BUT you may find you are not the only one wearing a coast dress (and even worse, that someone is wearing the SAME dress as you)

Karen millen are great for petites (infact, this is nice, I tried it on the other week)
www.karenmillen.com/fcp/product/-/Dresses/Folded-jersey-dress/903000052675?page=prod903000052675

this is young and funky
www.allsaints.com/product/?all=1&page=1&category_id=22&&prod_desc_id=5051214415307&position=25

You will be the best dress in this:
www.allsaints.com/product/?all=1&page=1&category_id=22&&prod_desc_id=5051214410210&position=104

hello ladies (am assuming only ladies will be interested in thsi conversation judging by DPs non-comittal grunts on the subject last night).

Do you think I wouls get away with this dress from Wallis? Don't know why I was in there but saw this yesterday and it is a really nice fit (and cheap which is always nice). But is it a bit casual, summery for a black tie summer ball? Could I dress it up with heals etc?

www.wallis-fashion.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId= 20551&storeId=12557&categoryId=140443&parentcategoryrn=45258&productId=1209139&langId=-1

bump - running out of time - more ideas please!

I'd say that that was a bit informal for a black tie, but that's just imo.

I was looking around for similar a few weeks ago, and LKBennett had loads in (don't know how good they are for petite, sorry).

also - do you have a debenhams near oyu? they are good as they have loads of different concessions, so a huge range of things to try on.

what is your budget? quite a few here

this is v reasonable and you could dress it up

It's pretty but lacks the wow factor for me. However, what matters is that you feel gorgeous in it.

This is also lovely from Debenhams:

Debenhams chiffon They also have this in cerise.

Another Wallis number but a more 'dressy' pattern. I love this one.

Wallis prom

no real budget but like bargains

I think I need the petite fit for a dress to fit properly

am liking a lot of these suggestions - can get to a debenhams at teh weekend and thought i might go down to bluewater this evening so keep em coming!

this in plain pink with silver shoes and bag, maybe a little shrug too?

good call on debenhams - was loads there - got a couple of dresses to choose from, will see if can find links.

Great. Links, links, links!

Coast is usually good for that type of thing. I reckon you can wear a cocktail dress. Is the event soon? If not, I'd wait a few weeks for summer sales to start and get yourself a bargain.

I have your short of height problem so know how hard it is to get a good fitting dress!

this with killer heels
this also with heels
not sure if these two would be too short for you

I'm hankering after this
bright