formal. no clue.

SO is no help!

What is or isn't appropriate for his formal? It's at the Ritz-Carlton downtown in a ballroom, so I'd like to wear something long (to glam it up as well as cover up my chicken legs, I feel so uncomfortable )

But at the same time, I don't want to over do it...
So what are the general rules?
what do you think of these?











I'll worry about accessories later!

[SuzySunshine]

I think you should wear whatever you're comfortable in. Formals are always going to have everything from a cocktail dress to an oscar gown. Wear what you want and have a good time.

[alison]

I have always been overdressed to dh's events and I don't like to stand out. In my experience, formal means you'll find everything from dressy slacks to Oscar gowns. In Chicago, I don't think formal is as dressy as the East Coast.

[Vishenka69]

I think a formal in midwest is a semi-formal in NY. The first two are way too weddingdress-like. And I'm not sure about the plunging neckline. Is your DH wearing a suit or a tux? A suit will allow for a less formal dress, while a tux will need a gown.

[Stella]

I have a ball for work next month and I'm wearing a tea length strapless dress in turquoise. I figure it's in between cocktail and white tie and I can dress it up even more with accessories.

I like things that aren't floor length but that are big bright and detailed.

I mean, here I wear cocktail dresses to dinners with friends, so I don't know what to tell you...

Define:

-tea length
-white tie

You are way more sophisticated than I am!

I'm thinking of just getting something long, simple, and then getting some bling.

My SO said that girls wear cocktail dresses or something...but, it's at the Ritz. And it's formal. And I have ugly legs

I would wear something shorter as well. Floor length just seems "too" formal for a med school formal. We attended the residency "graduation" formal a few years ago and most of the women wore cocktail dresses (short and sassy - something you could wear to a fancy downtown restaurant).

[Vishenka69]

Tea length is somewhere below the knee to mid calf. If showing your calfs will make you feel self-consious, just go for a gown and be comfortable. Just stay away from white and plunging.

[Stella]

Yes, I think that med school formals aren't THAT formal. I would go with something shorter and definitely no plunging neckline. Sorry.

How about something like these....

http://www.bluefly.com/pages/products/d ... Product+ID

http://www.bluefly.com/pages/products/d ... Product+ID

http://www.bluefly.com/pages/products/d ... Product+ID

http://www.bluefly.com/pages/products/d ... Product+ID

[Stella]

Also, by doing something with detail up top, like this:



it'll draw the attention away from your legs.

Otherwise, if you go long, my only suggestion would be to stick to a material like a loose chiffon to give you an airy flowy look as opposed to organza which can seem super formal.

Regarding the plunging neckline....the red is a little extreme, I was thinking about taking that to the tailors.

Thanks for the suggestions...I'll keep it simple.

Actually, this is what I had in mind...

No sparkles, simple, long. With a little clutch, a big ring, and some studs in my ear. Simple and classy.

http://www.bluefly.com/pages/products/d ... Product+ID

Now lets hope I find it in the mall.

[Stella]

My ass is way too big to pull off that dress. It's very pretty! Good luck finding it or something close!!