Ask Angie & Everyone Else: Black Tie Ball

Hi everyone!

As a result of a work project, Alan and I have been invited to a black tie ball on January 16th. Obviously I'm looking forward to dressing up in my finery but I am unsure about what is suitable for a black tie occasion. I have a couple of dresses which might be suitable for black tie but I really need some input!

Also, I really want to make a good impression for Alan's sake as he is probably one of the younger people invited to the ball and it is a project which he put a lot of effort and time into completing. I'm also five years younger than Alan so I probably will be the youngest person there so I don't want to look like a student who just wandered in...

Green dress I wore for graduation: http://adressandabike.files.wo.....c11798.jpg

Grey dress: http://adressandabike.files.wo.....nov_09.jpg

Print dress: http://www.asos.com/Mango/Mang.....;clr=Multi

I also have a dark red dress which I don't have a photo of but is cut similarly to this: http://files4.lookbook.nu/file.....ffodil.jpg

All these dresses hit me right about the knees. Are any of them suitable for black tie?

Does black-tie for men mean that Alan should wear a tuxedo?

16 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

Dawn, all of your dresses are lovely, but in my opinion neither of them is suitable for black tie. For me black tie means a floor-length gown, or on a rare occasion a super-dressy cocktail dress. But I am sure that Angie will know for sure.

Dashrashi

Black tie does tend to mean floor-length. However, I recently went to a nominally black tie event, and the women's clothing ran the gamut. You saw everything from dresses at about the dressiness level of your graduation dress, to full length spangly gowns. Included in the middle were sequined mini-dresses worn with sky high heels, cocktail dresses in dressy fabrics (e.g. satin), and dressy evening suits. I ended up wearing my senior prom dress, a black knee-length strappy bias-cut dress with beaded embellishment, and felt comfortable. (Black is always helpful for blending in, these days, also.)

Of the four dresses you posted, I think only the last one approaches being dressy enough, and that's assuming that it's made of a dressy fabric and not a day-time or "versatile" fabric. You're looking for a dress that, when you see it, you say, "That's a fancy dress," or, "I don't think I'd be able to dress that down, really." Either fancy fabric or embellishment or something. You might feel most appropriate in a long gown.

Black tie for men does mean a tux. However, this did not stop some of the men I saw from wearing dark suits.

Queen Mum

oh I'm so jealous! I would love to go to a black tie affair!
I have to agree with Tanya and Dashrashi that none of those dresses say black tie to me. Especially since it is a ball. I would go either floor length or real dressy knee length. (like dash said, something that you really couldn't dress down)

and I would think that almost all of the men would be in Tuxes, and since Alan is on the younger end, he doesn't want to look like he didn't know how he was supposed to dress.

I can't wait to see you model some possibilities!

Beth

Yes, none of the dresses are dressy enough. You can do a knee-length dress, but it needs to be very dressy either in fabric or in embellishment (or both!).

As for black-tie, it most definitely means a tuxedo: black dinner jacket, black tie and cummerbund. The classic James Bond look! I'm very conservative about this, but especially since this is work related, I wouldn't deviate from the traditional, elegant look.

You'll have a wonderful time!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

How fun, Dawn! Your dresses are very pretty, but I echo Tanya. Black Tie Ball is very dressy, and none of these frocks are quite dressy enough. It's all about the fabric and the accessories. Your gown does not need to be floor length. I wore outfit #1 to two Balls - one to a Chateaux Ball in Paris in 2008:

http://youlookfab.com/2009/11/.....ess-frock/

#3 I've worn to VERY formal weddings. I hope that makes sense.

mummy2thea

Active Member

Hi Dawn. I am attending a black tie event this week which I have posted about.

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-tie-event

Lots of people gave me advice which may also be relevant for the event you are attending. You will also see a link to the dress I have decided on minus a few accessories that I have yet to buy.

Hope you find something soon and have a fab time!!

Maya

Dawn, I don't know the first thing about black tie or balls, but I just wanted to say you look stunning in all your dresses!

Dawn

Thanks everyone for the help (and Maya for the compliments) but unfortunately Alan brought home some bad news today about his work schedule for that day conflicting with the event. I'm actually a bit disappointed now as I was looking forward to it for the last few days but ah well, it can't be helped.

However on a more positive note, I have identified a gap in my wardrobe which probably should be addressed as I have a couple of university formals to attend in the Spring Semester anyway so watch this space!

Category