Black Tie Holly Ball

[SuzySunshine]

So DH's hospital has a big black tie Christmas Party every year, every year a department is the recipient of the funds raised and therefore front and center. The new neuroscience institute opens in January so this year Neurology and Neurosurgery are front and center. I don't know how many neurologists there are but there are only 5 neurosurgeons and we will all be seated at a front table as a group of 10.

These are the only online pictures I can find from previous years' events: http://www.kcindependent.com/2011/01...ukes-hospital/

As you can see there isn't a lot of color - the invitation says "Black Tie" and that is it. We'll be buying DH a tux before the event since we'll be going every year. I don't really want to wear black. I am 5'2" (DH is 6'4") usually a size 4 petite and I feel like black doesn't help me. I can comfortably wear a 4-ish inch heal. And I don't really do strapless, to uncomfortable for dancing since he is so much taller then me.

I almost ordered this dress from RueLaLa this weekend but they didn't have a 4 and I didn't want to have to have a lot of alterations.
badgley-mischka-one-shoulder-rasberry-gown.jpeg

But maybe that is TO much color ?!?!?

I know if I can't get it in petite I'll probably have to have anything shortened. What do you think about?

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/lauren-r...BaseUrl=Formal

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/adrianna...BaseUrl=Formal

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/hailey-b...BaseUrl=Formal

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/abs-by-a...BaseUrl=Formal

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/ml-moniq...BaseUrl=Formal

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/js-colle...BaseUrl=Formal

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/calvin-k...BaseUrl=Formal

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/adrianna...BaseUrl=Formal

I don't know, red is probably to much, I like blue but not navy - I think I'm kind of lost.

[Phoebe]

I like all of them. I think my two favorite are the Ralph Lauren and the Calvin Klein. There are some really pretty choices.

[moonlight]

I like the third one because you said you like blue and didn't want anything too dark. Hailey by Adrianna Papell One Shoulder Pleated Taffeta Gown

I think we have the same coloring and that type of blue always looks really good!

[Curegirl]

I second Moonnlight's suggestion. I like all the dresses that had more color.

[Pollyanna]

I like the red one best I also think it will be fun and festive for Christmas time.

[Michele]

I liked the Hailey taffeta one best, then the lace one and then the paper ruffle one.

I didn't like the red. It looks crooked to me. I get the asymmetrical part...but it looks wrong.

[corn poffi]

I prefer the Lhuillier gown for you.

I think many of the others might be "too much dress" for your height. And normally I am all for red dresses, but something isn't right about that one.

[Deebs]

I keep reading this as "Black Tie, Holy Balls." AND cracking myself up over it. Guess I need more sleep.

The pics look very similar to DH's Foundation's ball. Last year, I wore a long skirt, and separate top and found that many women wore that combo. When I write that, it sounds casual, but it's not, they're the separates found in the black tie section at Nordstrom. What other women wore was a very wide range, but definitely not limited to black. I didn't like the blue dress at first, I think because of the taffeta, but when I look at it again, it's a beautiful dress. The color is also a bit muted, in case you're worried about standing out too much, without looking bland. Do you have a Nordstrom anywhere close so you can go shopping in person? When I went a couple of weeks ago, everything I found online looked terrible in person and the dress I found had looked pretty boring online.

[SuzySunshine]

Thanks gang, I do have a Nordstrom here just need to find a time to go I guess. Do they do gown alterations too? Wish I had someone to go with me!

[Deebs]

Yes, they do alterations. If you have shoes you might wear, bring them with you to shop. We have a Nordstrom card (my only store-based credit card) specifically because we get free alterations with it. I honestly don't know if that kicks in at a certain spending level or not, but alterations can be so expensive. I always have to have dresses shortened.

[MsSassyBaskets]

I really like the Ralph Lauren, I think it's a good color with just the right amount of sparkle. But then, I have clearly demonstrated that I am allergic to anything with too much color or sparkle.

[SuzySunshine]

The other question is where else do I shop for black tie besides Nordstrom?

[Deebs]

I can tell you where I didn't find anything (I was hopeful some of these would have "holiday" dresses in, as I had found some in the past)

Loft
White House Black Market
Banana Republic
Talbots
Macys did have a whole three dresses to chose from (not kidding - but, Macy's here is pretty craptastic, so maybe that's why)

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

I like the one shoulder ones very much - I think it provides good visual interest without being strapless (I have the same problem being 5'0 and DH being 6'8...can't do strapless).

I have an annual black tie party each year and I have found dresses at Macys, Saks, and Lord and Taylor as well as Nordstrom's. I can usually find something on sale so those are my go-to. All of those places do tailoring but you can also use Angie's List to get better deals on tailoring. As someone who has to get almost everything tailored, finding a good tailor is crucial to exploring a new city. I'd love to not do it and save money but I'm slowly learning that it makes clothes fit so much better.

[niener]

I love the sparkly one. But then again, that wine color will look lovely at a holiday ball. My only suggestion is try a few on -- I'm 5'2" also and things never look the same on me as they do online, and many times it's just too far beyond simply taking up the hem. Also anything will lace/sequins/any sort of overlay that stretches to the bottom will be more difficult to hem.