Fashion advice!
 

I volunteer for the Washington Humane society, and on June 2nd I'm working at the annual Bark Ball:

Bark Ball 2012 - Washington Humane Society

Its a black tie event, but I will be working. I did advice on the dress I plan tp wear.

This is my dress I plan to wear, but its black:

http://www.forever21.com/images/mode...0036649-01.jpg

My question is, is it appropriate for a black tie event? Or should I find something more formal?

TIA

That's way too casual for a black tie event in my opinion. I'd find something else.

Way too casual (and too short IMO).

The model in 5'8, i'm 5'0. Its not that short on me.

Thanks for the input, i'll keep looking.

Yes, definitely. Black tie usually means long gown, no?

I was thinking that too, but I'm going to be working, so I didnt want anything to dressy or long tripping me up. There will also be dogs there.

I have never been to a black tie event and really have no clue on what to wear. I'm also going to be working, and on top of that, I will be dealing with dogs all night. I know I cant wear jeans and a t-shirt, but I was thinking I could dress a little more down then the folks not working. (does that make sense? :scratch:)

I asked the cordinator and she just said its a night to get pretty.

No, it can mean cocktail dress.

eta - look in any magazine at pics of parties where men are wearing tuxes. Check out what the women are wearing. Short dresses are fine for black tie but they need to be dressy...not cotton w/ a drawstring, etc.

What is your upper limit thelio?

The dress is satin i think.

I just looked at some pics from last year, but it helped me none!!! Some wore short dressy dresses (some I could in no way wear and play with dogs at the same time). Some wore longer rather plain dresses. Some dogs wore tuxes!

http://www.metromix.com/content_imag...653538/540/370

Some ladies wore plainer looking dresses but their accessories dressed it up.

I have been in my lab coat so long, thats all I know when it comes to fashion. I'm so out of touch!!

You mean, how much I'm willing to spend?? As little as possible:toothy7:

That dressed costed me $15 from forever 21!

Spare another 15 or so?

I will keep looking on F21, but I do like that one.

ETA: I didn't link it. Sorry. I found another one I like more.

http://www.forever21.com/Product/Pro...893&VariantID=

How old are you, thelio?

Do you have a sequinny or rhinestony or otherwise super dressy cardi or wrap or bolero...or dressy statement necklace...and dressy heels...and a dressy clutch or minaudierre?.

You might be able to pull that off in black. But I would hide the drawstring under a rhinestone brooch or something.

15dollarstore.com has some cute party dresses with sequins, rhinestones, bows and such. I'd pick something like that.

I agree that it isn't formal enough for a black tie event. Black tie doesn't have to mean long gown, as spidey said, but it should be a formal dress in terms of fabric, cut etc. Think of the Herve Leger bandage dresses - a one shouldered one in a metallic colour that is perfectly accessorized and that is only knee length can be a stunningly glamorous look. I love that dress you posted for a more casual occassion. I think black makes it look a little more formal but the cut and fabric are still too "breezy." But I agree with spidey that you could try to dress it up a bit. You're a volunteer, you're fairly young, and you shouldn't have to spend money on something you won't wear if you're not in the habit of dressing up. I think if it's a little longer on you and you have nice shoes, clutch, jewellry, wrap, hair and makeup you wouldn't look ridiculously out of place. But if you don't have those, it will probably cost you less to just get a different dress.

I saw that dress and thought it was cute. But i'm paranoid about strapless dresses like that because i dont have anything to keep it up. you catch my drift?:confused3:

I'm 29, but when it comes to dressing up for things like this, I'm just lost. i never really had to!

Alot of things seemed geared to my age group, either looks "too old" or "too young" imo.

I havent shopped for accessories yet, I was going to this weekend.

the drawstring, is really not a drawstring. its more like a tie. i was going to wrap it twice so i could tie it in the back. i have a flower pin I could always use to hide it.

i also have jeweled hair pins i was going to wear. I was going to put my hair in an up due and dress it up with the pins. i got them during prom season.


Have you ordered form them? how are they at returns??

I like this dress, but once again cant promise it wont fall down.
http://15dollarstore.com/img/16120_1_4704_p.jpg

Check out Goodwill. Their formal dresses cost no more than the most casual dress. That's what I used to do when I used to have (classical) concerts.

Another shopping tip, stores and malls have clearance sales on formal dresses after prom. You can get some very good deals on nice dresses.

I like that better but still find it on the casual side unless it is really beautifully accessorized.

Haha, I didn't mean for the age question to be a put down. I was just thinking that if you are young (and esp since you are small), you could probably get away w/ a little more casual.

But if you can't afford to spend a lot of a proper cocktail-ish dress, go cheap but blingy, as tasteful as you can find and modern and sexy. (Sexy NOT slutty.)

If you go the Goodwill route, plz be careful not to go matronly (esp if you are youngish looking and have a cute figure).

its such a dilemma because if its too formal i will never wear this dress again! This black dress I could see wearing again. i dont want to look out of place, but i want, no need, to be comfortable, i'm going to be a dog handler, which entails me standing and walking most of the night with a doggie.

i also tend to have issues with finding appropriate dresses, because i'm so tiny. i'm 5'0 110lbs. i'm also on a budget. GRRRR!! this is a tough one.

I didnt take the question as a let down. lol.

I do look young, I still get carded for R rated movies :disgust:. i have had adults ask me why I was not in school! I was on my way to work!