Black tie dresses...can anyone help me?

Question

I am attending a black tie (Hogmanay) Ball and need to know acceptable styles/ colours for ball gowns - and do they have to flare out quite so much at the bottom - Is blue velvet (long, semi flared at the base) acceptable? or a long, black fitted dress which is narrow at the bottom - I take it that a wrap/ shawl/ scarf is a non-negotiable? Also, how can I tell if a dress is intended to be a bridesmaid's dress or an evening dress? Help! - are there any socialites out there? (I've finally decided to play instead of work - but it seems that I haven't received the rules for the game)

Answer 1

Traditionally, black tie meant full length gowns. However, there's a little more leeway nowadays. Either of the options you mentioned would be absolutely fine. A cocktail dress would also be perfectly acceptable under normal circumstances - although being an New Year's Ball, it may be better to go for a full-length or below-the-knee dress as the event may be more formal. You do need to consider the type of dancing you will be doing - if you're going to be doing traditional Scottish dancing, it may be that a full skirt would be easier to move in.

If you go for a strong colour, you're not going to look like you're in a bridesmaid's dress - although I've actually worn a bridesmaid's dress to a ball before without problem.

Try Monsoon for a good selection of dresses. Otherwise, Coast, John Lewis, Debenhams etc. There are also a number of formal dresses available in high street shops that would be fine. A wrap is a good idea, but you don't have to keep your shoulders covered - it's just more practical and attractive than wearing a jacket with your evening dress.

Just wear what you feel comfortable in, don't forget party feet for your shoes, and enjoy getting dolled up.

Have a wonderful time!

Answer 2

I surely have been to a number of formal and black tie activities. there is not any particular distinction interior the nutrition or the decor, however the area is often extra posh in a black tie journey. in spite of the reality that I surely have even been to an identical ball room venue two times, as quickly as a appropriate and as quickly as a black tie journey. There extremely replaced into no distinction in the two activities different than the adult males have been donning tuxedos and the ladies people have been donning long floor length robes throughout the time of the black tie journey. On different black tie activities, I did be conscious that the appetizers secure extra seafood alternatives and the meat replaced into top notch, making it slightly extra upscale. A buffet dinner has no place in a black tie journey. So, in precis, black tie means donning the formalist of outfits to the form, alongside with according to risk a extra effective determination of nutrition while in comparison with a appropriate journey.

Answer 3

Both sound fine to me! just choose something you feel comfortable in, and you know you look good in, but i personally wouldnt go for anything that was straight and narrow at the bottom, i would imagine theirs going to be lots of dancing, so something with a bit of a flare would be more suitable!

Answer 4

Any long dress will do as long as you're comfortable in it. If you're planning to do lots of dancing the it probably shouldn't be too narrow at the bottom!

Monsoon does loads of suitable dresses, or check out your local department store (Debenhams, House of Fraser etc)

Answer 5

Both of those dresses sound appropriate, and of course add a wrap or shawl.

Answer 6

long black dress suitable bit hard 2dance in though!

Answer 7

Red, long and sleeveless