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shorty
member


Reged: 24/05/2008
Posts: 2
Black tie dinner do, long or short?
      #120352 - 24/05/2008 16:23

Would welcome advice. Should I wear long or short to a black tie dinner? I would hate to make a mistake. How glamourous or understated. Strapless or covered. Help!!

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Foxie
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Reged: 09/08/2007
Posts: 2759
Loc: South London
Re: Black tie dinner do, long or short? [Re: shorty]
      #120366 - 24/05/2008 17:06

I was reading recently that cocktail dress length is the right thing to wear to a black tie dinner. My personal choice would be an understated dress with bling earrings or necklace (from Topshop, Miss Selfridge, Accessorize etc.) and a pretty evening bag and shoes. I just think you would get more use out of a simple dress than one that shouted black tie.

Strapless or covered depends on your arms!! There are loads of little shrugs around which are good cover ups, some places have so much air conditioning that it is really chilly!!

Foxie

p.s. just noticed it is your first post! So a big and warm welcome to the forum!

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Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make all of them yourself. Eleanor Roosevelt


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bettyboop1234
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Reged: 01/02/2008
Posts: 11
Loc: south east england
Re: Black tie dinner do, long or short? [Re: Foxie]
      #120369 - 24/05/2008 17:12

Hi there as Foxie said a cocktail dress is correct for this occassion. It is supposed to be a demure and classic dress that is made glamorous by beautiful accessories. Hope you have a great time. Remember confidence is the most beautiful feature any woman can possess x

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Boop Boop A Doop your way through life cos serious girls don't have any fun x


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Glitterqueen
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Reged: 11/01/2008
Posts: 707
Loc: Essex
Re: Black tie dinner do, long or short? [Re: Foxie]
      #120376 - 24/05/2008 17:30

Welcome to the forum Shorty

I've been to a couple of "black tie" events recently and the women were dressed in either cocktail dress (knee length or just above) or long dress. Neither looked out of place but all the ladies were pretty dressed up.

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PLASMO
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Reged: 13/03/2008
Posts: 2071
Re: Black tie dinner do, long or short? [Re: Glitterqueen]
      #120378 - 24/05/2008 17:41

Years ago remembering balls MOH and I attended in airforce messes, when a black tie do was specified we had no choice but to wear long dresses, meaning down to the ankle.

I think trends have changed now even in the military, and I think dress for the ladies is optional, so I think you would be okay in long or short. Just wear some stunning jewellary with whatever you chose. If you wear strapless, wear a pretty wrap, Im sure you will look great.

Have a lovely time. Plasmo x

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wispa
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Reged: 16/01/2008
Posts: 1273
Loc: Suffolk,
Re: Black tie dinner do, long or short? [Re: PLASMO]
      #120435 - 24/05/2008 21:02

At the golf club (not as boring as it sounds) we do 2 black tie events a year. Xmas is definitely long. Summer ball can be long or short as long as it is party dress.

..wispa


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Loo
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Reged: 09/01/2008
Posts: 580
Re: Black tie dinner do, long or short? [Re: wispa]
      #120535 - 24/05/2008 23:41

Hi, Welcome to the forum.
You could hedge your bets and get a calf length dress. There were some nice ones around with handkerchief hems at Christmas, so neither long nor short.
I hope you enjoy the event.

Loo

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....as in Looby Loo


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jennifer36
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Reged: 16/01/2008
Posts: 427
Loc: West Oxfordshire
Re: Black tie dinner do, long or short? [Re: shorty]
      #120577 - 25/05/2008 09:46

I used to go to loads of black tie events with OH when he was working and honestly anything goes! But usually if it's a dinner rather than a dinner/dance or ball I think a long dress is not going to be the norm. But it does depend on the function and where it's held.
Wear whatever you feel comfortable in, lots of pretty accessories and a shrug or wrap as air conditioning can be fierce.
Also don't think you have to wear black -at so many 'do's' most of the ladies wear black and shouldn't! It's very aging and draining - unless you know it suits you choose something more flattering to your colouring. And strapless is usually not good either unless you have very toned arms!
have a great evening!

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feathers
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Reged: 20/05/2007
Posts: 460
Loc: Tyneside
Re: Black tie dinner do, long or short? [Re: jennifer36]
      #120582 - 25/05/2008 10:11

Don't wear black with all those DJs around! Choose something feminine and flattering - Monsoon do gorgeous party frocks.

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sarahjane13
member


Reged: 10/04/2008
Posts: 35
Loc: Cheshire
Re: Black tie dinner do, long or short? [Re: feathers]
      #120604 - 25/05/2008 12:20

hi, go for a lovely long floaty ball style dress. how often do we get a chance to wear something likexthis. cocktail dresses are just that can be worn at a lot of do's. am in hospital bed and just bought myself a handpainted long dress from karen millen totally grgeous. see we can shop anywhere! where there is a will there is a way. welcome by the way and have fab time

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gigi
member


Reged: 12/04/2008
Posts: 1559
Loc: North East
Re: Black tie dinner do, long or short? [Re: sarahjane13]
      #120608 - 25/05/2008 12:25

Sarahjane, hope you wont be in that hospital bed for too long. Your dress sound so feminine and lovely.

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dgt3
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Reged: 29/03/2008
Posts: 49
Loc: Cornwall
Re: Black tie dinner do, long or short? [Re: gigi]
      #120778 - 25/05/2008 19:52

Hi shorty,

Welcome to the forum. I have been to black tie events and most women wore cocktail dresses. I agree with whoever said don't wear black. Although black is great for being classic and everyone should have a lbd, you need something that will stand out a bit from the sea of black. Red or blue is always great against black.

Hope we hear some more from you,

dgt3x


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merc1
member


Reged: 20/02/2008
Posts: 471
Re: Black tie dinner do, long or short? [Re: dgt3]
      #120809 - 25/05/2008 21:26

Whatever dress you choose, Shorty,wear a smile as well. Enjoy your evening.merc.

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issi
member


Reged: 30/09/2007
Posts: 2353
Loc: Surrey
Re: Black tie dinner do, long or short? [Re: merc1]
      #120867 - 26/05/2008 02:11

I went to a black tie dinner where men were invited to wear regimental dress and every woman wore long except (get this) the guest of honour, some Colonel or other in regimental dress whose wife wore black trousers and a grey cardigan! No-one batted an eyelash but I can remember feeling insulted that I had made a lot of effort and the wife of the guest of honour made none at all. Other dinners I attended were a mix of knee length cocktail dresses and long. However you dress, make sure you act as if you did it exactly right. Cardi-pants did and got away with it!

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shorty
member


Reged: 24/05/2008
Posts: 2
Re: Black tie dinner do, long or short? [Re: shorty]
      #121082 - 26/05/2008 18:00

Thanks everyone who replied. I think I'll opt for short with a smile, some twinkly jewellery and have a great time.

This is another topic altogether, but maybe you can help. I made some fudge which won't set, any ideas?


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merc1
member


Reged: 20/02/2008
Posts: 471
Re: Black tie dinner do, long or short? [Re: shorty]
      #121160 - 26/05/2008 21:02

The only thing I can suggest is the temperature was not right. I think you probably need a sugar thermometer and then beat the h*ll out of it until it thickens!! You can also do it by testing the mixture in cold water to see if it forms a soft ball in your fingers as it cools. Hope that helps,merc.

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