OP i am going, too. i am wearing a long sleeve, floor length jersey wrap dress from Ralph Lauren. understated, but classy and yes, LONG. big sparkly earrings and shoes. see you there!

OP here. Thanks for the feedback! I did get a long dress today at Nordstrom. Waiting on some shoes to arrive from Zappos tomorrow that'll hopefully fit.
I'm feeling better about not looking completely out of place!

Oh, I'm envious, OP! I've always wanted an excuse to buy a long dress.

Not knowing your body type, here's a variety of options:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/adrianna-papell-lace-yoke-drape-gown/3491731?origin=category&BaseUrl=Formal

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/adrianna-papell-draped-mesh-gown-regular-petite/3544842?origin=category&BaseUrl=Formal

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/ellen-tracy-embellished-waist-back-drape-jersey-gown/3580175?origin=category&BaseUrl=Formal

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/tadashi-shoji-ruched-mesh-gown-regular-petite/3472436?origin=category&BaseUrl=Formal

I have been to tons of events like this including this one in particular. I feel L & L ball does require long dress and I usually am ok with short for a good number of black tie events. Go on rent the runway, call it a day

A new dress could make you feel wonderful. You could get an inexpensive one, maybe one that can
be shortened later. These days people are wearing less formal entire even to black ties. If you have sparly earrings, great shoes and purse- wear what you have. Have hood night, give generously

I'm supposed to go this weekend with DH for his work and have no idea what to wear. It's been over a decade since I attended a black tie event.

It says "Black tie formal." I have a black cocktail dress, that hits above the knee. I only have a pair of peep toe pumps that go with it. I'm 39 yo.

My questions are:

Do I need a long dress for this shindig? All the pictures I found online had the majority of women in long dresses. I have no idea. Dread shopping for one. Would also need to buy shoes. Dress sandal type shoes I'm guessing?

Or if I go with the shorter dress and the peep toe pumps, can I get away with no hose?

Please help my lameness.