Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with blacktie

Help with black tie event accessories for the style impaired

pitseleh — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 20:45:13 -0800

I have to attend a black tie gala on Saturday. Help with accessories, please! I have a form-fitting, knee length, black cocktail dress to wear, but from what I've heard about last year's event, I'm concerned the dress may not be formal enough. It's sleeveless, with one-inch straps on the shoulders and a somewhat low neckline. It has ruching on the front and back, but otherwise is very simple. You can see a picture of it here.

I have two questions: (1) What kind of shoes and jewelry should I wear to dress it up, while keeping it fun? (2) What can I do to keep warm, since it's supposed to be far below freezing that night? If it helps, I'm 29 and the event is a law firm party.

Are tails too much for an evening bat mitzvah party?

djb — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 07:22:01 -0800

Tails or too long for a tux? I'm attending a bat mitzvah party at 7:30 tonight (past sunset). Dress code is Black Tie. I rented a tux without knowing that the coat had tails. I have the option to swap it for a non-tails coat, but one that will be a 36L (vs 36R on the one I have, which fits well) with the sleeves taken in. Advice?

Help me find a plus-size black, lace dress to wear as a bridesmaid dress.

tastybrains — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 12:02:56 -0800

I need help locating a bridesmaid dress for my sister's wedding. There are a few constraints, but basically I'm searching for a plus-size, a-line, black, lace dress. I'm having a lot of trouble finding what I want pretty much anywhere.

The basic requirements are that it must be black, long, and formal.

My additional requirements are that it is an a-line cut, has a scoop / v-neck / or strapless neckline, and that the longest sleeve length is cap sleeves (i prefer sleeveless).

I would *really* like a dress that is black with a black lace overlay. I am seeing a lot of dresses with a black lace overlay, but usually the fabric underneath is nude, white or another color. However, the dress has to be solid black.

It also has to be available in actual plus-sizes, not just a line that goes up to an 18.

I've been Googling & searching all the formalwear sites I know. Actual bridesmaid dress lines don't seem to have lace dresses from what I have seen. If you can help me find some sources, I will love you forever.

Thanks!

What does "black tie" mean for women?

handee — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 10:12:22 -0800

Black tie dress codes: do I have to go and get myself a dress? How "formal" does it have to be? I have no idea about smart clothes, and have been invited to a "black tie" event. Being female, I can't do the simple hire-a-tuxedo move... but I don't own a dress and haven't worn one for over a decade. Am I really going to have to buy myself a dress? Are there places that rent dresses out (in plus sizes, in the UK)? What about shoes? I've never worn heels in my life and don't really want to start now.

Marines are notoriously strict about dress codes.

ChasFile — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 10:28:25 -0800

Where can I rent a tuxedo for Friday night (just over 48 hours from now) in New York City?

Should I buy a tuxedo?

paul_smatatoes — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 20:07:29 -0800

Is buying a tux worth it? I've got a black tailored suit already, but I'm attending a "black tie" wedding in less than two months, and starting to think I might get enough mileage out of a tux to make it worthwhile. As they say, it pays for itself if you wear it twice. I've already asked around and the consensus among a couple NYC fashion editor friends is that you only need to own a tux if you're planning on a career in politics. Is that just because they're very fashion forward, or can I really get away with a sharp black suit at black tie events for the rest of my life?

Cheap, black tie or alternatives

godawful — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 09:20:05 -0800

How would you go about finding a cheap tux in New York? Otherwise, what's the craziest way to satisfy a "black tie" dress code? I think I might go to a party on Friday night for which the dress-code is black tie. However, judging by the people who are throwing the party, we're not going to be having polite conversation and sampling hors d'oeuvres. It's going to be more like a crazy fancy dress do.

So, rental is out and there's no way I'm buying a new suit for this. How can I somehow match this dress code by Friday night for under 50 bucks?

So I guess I'm looking for particular thrift store recommendations, and also costume ideas.

I hereby rule out a Chippendales-style collar and cuffs job.

I was thinking of getting a huge suit and trying to make a Mr Creosote (Monty Python's Meaning of Life) style costume. Any ideas to make this feasible?

Need a tux in London

tiamat — Sat, 11 Feb 2006 16:13:27 -0800

I need to find a place to rent a tuxedo this week in London. Sub-questions follow... I've up in the N3 area near Finchley Central (Northern Line), but travel down to Charing Cross M-F so that area is good too. Recommendations further away are welcome, but I'd prefer something close, obviously.

I need it for next Saturday night, when I'll be going up to Cambridge for a Canadian Club dinner. (I'm Canadian, see?)

Sub-Questions
1) Should I expect to be able to pick it up Saturday and return it Sunday, or Saturday-Monday or Friday-Monday?

2) How much should I expect to pay, on average? I don't want them to 'see me coming'.

3) Can I realistically learn how to tie a bow tie in one go, or should I get a clip on?

4) I don't have proper shoes, can I rent those too?

5) What else does one who's never worn one of these things need to know?

6) Can I wear a tux on the train without ruining it/the look of it? Should I plan on having to carry it and change somewhere in Cambridge?