Black Tie anyone? (hair, wearing, shoes, best)

[Chinolala]

I'm going to a black tie event in March. This will be my first one. Is a tea length dress appropriate or do I have to wear a full length gown? I was watching what the stars were wearing at the SAG awards and saw both. I'd prefer to wear a tea length dress. Anyone have experience in dressing for these events?

[Metlakatla]

Wear the tea length thing; it's what you'll be more confident in and self assurance is the best accessory at these things. If it were white tie I'd say go for the ankle length.

[RDSLOTS]

Lisa, a tea-length dressy dress is most appropriate. Black tie is not ultra-formal, if there even is such a thing. White tie and tails denotes a floor-length gown for a woman. Nice shoes, jewelry appropriate to the dress, and doing something with your hair and makeup should make you feel very comfortable. I think, in my Mother's day, they called them 'cocktail dresses'?

[kshe95girl]

Originally Posted by RDSLOTS

Lisa, a tea-length dressy dress is most appropriate. Black tie is not ultra-formal, if there even is such a thing. White tie and tails denotes a floor-length gown for a woman. Nice shoes, jewelry appropriate to the dress, and doing something with your hair and makeup should make you feel very comfortable. I think, in my Mother's day, they called them 'cocktail dresses'?

LOL!!!!! I thought it was the other way around, that tea length was the older term, shows how old I am!
The designers are showing a lot of knee-length hems now, I think it would be perfectly appropriate!

[Chinolala]

Thanks, everyone! I'm sold...I'm going to go with a tea length dress. Now I have to start going to some stores. I'll start with Lord & Taylor, Macy's and Nordstrom. Hopefully, I'll get luck at one of those and not have to spend a fortune.

[kshe95girl]

take a pix and post it, so we can see how gorgeous you are!

[Chinolala]

I will. This isn't until early March so it'll be awhile.

[brokendolly]

I have experience with black tie but not white tie. Tea length is great alternative to a floor length gown.

I remember reading this in The Globe and Mail late last year...

Black tie tips for the ladies...
Length matters
White tie and black tie both call for a long gown, but cocktail length is acceptable if you pump up the volume, says Christina McDowell, image stylist and national spokeswoman for Holt Renfrew. If you go long, keep it sleek and chic. If you go cocktail, make it special. “Here is where you use colour, silk satins, velvets, beading, sequins, embellishment and fur trim.”

globeandmail.com: Formal affairs

Personally I'm not big on sequins but remember if you want to stand out go for colour. I don't know how many events I've been to where everyone is in black. Of course if you've got some spectacular diamonds go for black.