what do you think of these dresses?

[hatwoman]

it's for a black tie event. and I'm really floundering...I've got a couple of old long dresses but I'm increasingly thinking long is ott. any comments/suggestions would be really gratefully received.

kind of day-time style but evening fabric? I like it cos it's neat and simple and the shape would work well on me

like this but not wholly sure

but more adventurous?

unwise for a shorty?

out of descriptions

Couldn't get final link to work.

Not sure - they all a bit daytime for a black tie do.

What size/shape are you?

1st one too officey
2nd linen will look messy after you've sat down for 10min
3rd I like it would suit short one
4th nice but bit dull imo
5th can't see link

5ft 1, size 8, long reddish hair

3 I LOVE LOADS
4 is nice

can't see 5 and the other two are a bit plain, don't like the shoulders/straps on no 2 but I do like the neckline.

I thought long was expected for black tie? If you are going short I think the ones above are not dressy enough,first two look more suitable for a funeral than a black tie do.Go for more colour (like the green one,but that looks way too casual) and a glam fabric.

am kind of agreeing so far...

this was the last one

agree about the ted baker one. dh says it looks like a lampshade.

would look beautiful with reddish hair

Coast has lots of fab stuff - have you tried there?

I like that last one - the black Coast one.

check out Karen Millen - lots on there...

back in the 90s you tended to get 2 kinds of black tie - full on ball stuff (generally long) or cocktail dresses (for dinners and drinks and generally short). I'm thinking this is going to be more the latter. it's definitely not a ball.

I like both those coast ones.

(I say back in the 90s cos I haven;t really done black tie since)

both coast ones are nice

That last black satin one- The coast one, is much more glam and a pretty shape.

Ted Baker is a no for sure.

None of the others are saying suitable to me.
I saw a fabulous one in a magazine from French Connection, would look great with your hair,
will attempt to post link...

the one shouldered turquoise one

I am not sure black tie necessarily means long dress but am open to correction.

Eviltwins link is beautiful, and would fantastic with red hair

failing that number 5

i dont really like any of the others for black tie bt i do like them, apart from number 3

I'm same height (size 6/8) would go for something not too fussy and strapless this type and would look fab with red hair

I'd go with evil twins suggestion

i like the last one - dressy enough
i like evil twins offering,

what is going on with the green one?

bias against green

there's the carmel plain black dress on monsoon though the link direct to it wasn't working. Unlike most of their dresses it actually looked better up close.

just sloped through other websites to find sth along the lines of your choices (fitted, simple, cocktail dress)

tried this and this on today. both are fab. the black one is incredibly flattering and fitted. red one (which looks nothing in tha picture) drapes beautifully and looks gorgeous in an understated way. black one's expensive though.

i love the black LK Bennett. Yummy. definitely a win.

the red one doesn't look much - just like a bit of cloth & some elastic...it would have to be much nicer on.

first 2 nice but dullish
3- love it
4 - hate it
5 doesn't appear to exist

black lk bennet is really lovely

stop saying it's nice. it's two hundred bloody quid.[drums fingers, and wonders how many brownie points she earns by buying £10 dresses from Tesco, buying handbags and belts from Oxfam and, frankly, in teh scheme of things,not really buying many clothes at all]