Dress for white tie event
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Anonymous
| It looks a little promish to me. |
Anonymous
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Sorry OP, the dress you picked wouldn’t work fora black tie let alone white tie event unless you are 17.
If you are trying to find something in that same price point here are a few options. http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/ml-monique-lhuillier-bridesmaids-strapless-chiffon-gown-nordstrom-exclusive/3261874?origin=category&resultback=2709 http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ml-monique-lhuillier-bridesmaids-twist-shoulder-chiffon-gown-nordstrom-exclusive/3234430?origin=category&resultback=4913 http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/adrianna-papell-tiered-chiffon-gown/3106871?origin=category&resultback=641 |
Anonymous
| These are all pretty! Get a nordstrom personal shopper. They are free and a huge help! |
Anonymous
| Op- Also keep in mind that white tie can have cultural variations and expectations. So if your host is a foreign ambassador as an example be sure to look into what is the norm for their country for both dress and protocol. Have fun!!! |
Anonymous
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Anonymous
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OP here - thanks for the suggestions and feedback. I was also browsing Nordstrom online and found this one http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/amsale-crinkled-chiffon-halter-gown/3213798?origin=category&resultback=1280
Opinions? |
Anonymous
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Wow! Like
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Anonymous
| OP, I like your new choice better but for white tie you are going to need a wrap. As a PP pointed out white tie truly calls for covered shoulders while I dont think you need to wear a granny dress I would be careful with something so backless. |
Anonymous
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Meh - I think you need to realize that you will likely be around some serious designer s*&t, so although I don't think you should try to play ball with the big whigs, you out to try and up the class factor a bit. I'd look for something with a little more detail. This might be a bit much, but it's so sparkly! (yes I know we're not in middle school)
http://www.bluefly.com/Alberto-Makali-purple-sequin-jeweled-strapless-gown/cat20112/315818501/detail.fly Otherwise, if you're going with a simple dress, you'll want some bolder jewelry. Do you have time to head to leesburg and hit the off saks outlet? Or have you checked out bluefly or net-a-porter? |
Anonymous
OP, this dress looks cheap to me. I think the three that the other poster posted from Nordstrom look a lot nicer, and they're similar in price. |
Anonymous
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Dresses I like:
http://www.theoutnet.com/product/111218 http://www.theoutnet.com/product/102938 Probably out of price range but: http://www.shopbop.com/neck-gown-notte-by-marchesa/vp/v=1/845524441924015.htm A little different, but: http://www.shopbop.com/one-shoulder-drape-column-embroidery/vp/v=1/845524441910994.htm or even: http://www.theoutnet.com/product/254773 If you can bum a fur or buy a wrap for most of these, that's a good idea. You can find decent vintage fur stoles on etsy sometimes. |
Anonymous
| Op, I like your second pic much better. But I would pair it with some bold jewelry. Like big green drop earrings. They don't have to be real jewels. |
Anonymous
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I attend several white tie events. I think that white tie calls for a real ball gown. Frankly, that Jil Sander dress (previous link) was hideous, and $600+ for polyester? No thanks!
While it's true that your shoulders should be covered by a shawl/wrap initially, you can certainly remove your wrap once inside and definitely for dancing. I was invited to the Vienna Opera Ball several years ago, which is a strictly white tie event, and many ladies wore bare shoulders. This is still the case: http://www.kleinezeitung.at/freizeit/events/baelle/2691039/55-wiener-opernball-feierlich-eroeffnet.story See photo and article from Austrian newspaper. Here is an old picture from 1954 depicting Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. at a white tie event in Australia. I can assure you that such events have a very strict protocol - much stricter than anything you will ever see in the United States - and even there you saw some bare shoulders. http://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/royal_romance/crowns_and_gowns_2?result_6095_result_page=2 Even Her Majesty shows her shoulders. Now, as far as the gown is concerned, I would pick either a ball gown or A-line silhouette. How much time do you have? How about something like this? http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446413382&site_refer=AFF001&siteID=Hy3bqNL2jtQ-Nevo0t_GvjpYrR2kDdhZSw&LScreativeid=1&LSlinkid=10&LSoid=246445&LSsid=Hy3bqNL2jtQ The fabric is silk organza, which is beautiful and has a nice crisp feel. It comes with a wrap in the same fabric. Pair it with a simple necklace and earrings, and wear off-white silk or kid leather gloves: http://www.lordandtaylor.com/eng/JewelryAccessories-gloves-Opera_Length_Silk_Charmeuse_Gloves-lordandtaylor/161806 You can also try to get these on eBay for much less. If you prefer a more substantial fabric (e.g., silk taffeta or silk dupioni) why not something like this? http://www.thebridalshop.com/montage/110904.htm (it's polyester taffeta, but still pretty) Or something in chiffon? http://www.edressit.com/edressit-2012-new-simple-elegant-evening-dress_p1994.html BTW, this site has some lovely dresses. I've ordered in the past, and they do a nice job, but it takes a few weeks. Cheers! |
Anonymous
| NP here and I agree that you would be best-served by a true ball gown if you can find one you like and can afford. I do agree that wraps can and will be removed later in the evening. Better to err on the side of tradition with formal dress, in my opinion. There may be women in a variety of dresses there but that doesn't mean the hosts consider that acceptable, just that they are too polite to turn people away for their dress. Going the traditional route shows that you know and respect the guidelines and guarantees that you won't rub anyone the wrong way. Which is always a good approach, especially in DC. |
Anonymous
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So, now that we have discussed the dress code and the options, I am curious...
Where are you going? There is only a handful of white tie events in the D.C. area, and the next one I can think of is the Committee for Western Civilization Ball at the Organization of American States. Oh, and the Gridiron Dinner is coming up, too. |