'Formal' dinner in US. Appropriate attire?

Nelbell

Hi,
I've been invited to a 'formal' dinner in the States next week and I was just looking for some advice on what I should wear. I was thinking of not going too mad and just wearing a smart pencil style grey or black dress? Anyone agree with this choice or think I'm way off the mark?
Any advice is greatly appreciated
Thanks

Sibylla

A classic LBD would be a safe bet, Stick with structure and nothing too short. Karen Millen is pricey but gorgeous. Don't be afraid to experiment with colour as it's spring.

http://www.karenmillen.com/Floral-print-pencil-dress/New-In/karenmillen/fcp-product/903000056056

http://www.karenmillen.com/Signature-stretch-satin-dress/Dresses/karenmillen/fcp-product/903000056057

http://www.karenmillen.com/Graphic-panel-dress/Sale/karenmillen/fcp-product/903000055771

Twee.

Sibylla wrote: »

Stick with structure and nothing too short.

So important to try and "test" your dress before the event (or buying!) by sitting down. A dress that looks long standing may slide right up when sitting down.

anniehoo

Sibylla wrote: »

http://www.karenmillen.com/Graphic-panel-dress/Sale/karenmillen/fcp-product/903000055771

Thats a beautiful classy dress and would be perfect. You'd get endless wears out of that. The first two are a bit too "wedding or cocktaily" imho.

pow wow

Definitely a dress, potentially a long-ish below the knee one depending on the 'demographic' of the party

Nelbell

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I'll go with the classic LBD and agree with the whole length issue. Deffo don't want to look like a tart with a dress that's too short!

reallyrose

http://www.karenmillen.com/Floral-pr...t/903000056056

This one is gorgeous. I fell in love with it and was instantly heartbroken when I saw the price.

lainey316

Sibylla wrote: »

http://www.karenmillen.com/Graphic-panel-dress/Sale/karenmillen/fcp-product/903000055771

I'm not loving the skirt on this one to be honest, I think the flared (?) skirt is a bit too girly to be formal. (My friend bought this dress).

I'd probably stick with black, below the knee and a bit more conservative than you'd need to be in Ireland.

forensic

"Formal" is a bit ambiguos maybe? (Is that how you spell ambiguos??)
Is it black tie formal, cocktail formal?

Karen Millen has some nice stuff but some of it can look a bit cheap and tacky to my mind sometimes, and it's anything but cheap when you look at the prices!

LK Bennett have some nice classic dresses too http://www.lkbennett.com/clothing/dresses?page=all

I'd try to find out what type of formal they mean and then go from there.

Not sure where you are but Dundrum shopping centre would be a good one stop shop. House of Fraser, Monsoon, Karen Millen, LK Bennett or Harvey Nichols (if you were lucky enough to win last night's euromillions )

Let us know how it goes and what you settled on, and of course, what everyone else wore to the dinner