Formal Event: gown or dinner suit?

[poulinska]

I have been to three formal events last year and got through them with a black pantsuit and a Sandro Mini Lace-Dress. Now the dress-up season is coming and this year I have to attend a formal event with dancing. On the photos, all the women are wearing long evening dresses. I hesitate to buy a dress like this, because I don't like them that much and I think, you can't wear the same dress to different events. So I am thinking about buying a dinner suit / Tuxedo for women like this:


And I hope, I could wear it with different festive tops.

I don't know whether this would be sustainable (or maybe a black suit?).

Any opinions or ideas?

Thank you for reading!

 

[880]

I have been to three formal events last year and got through them with a black pantsuit and a Sandro Mini Lace-Dress. Now the dress-up season is coming and this year I have to attend a formal event with dancing. On the photos, all the women are wearing long evening dresses. I hesitate to buy a dress like this, because I don't like them that much and I think, you can't wear the same dress to different events. So I am thinking about buying a dinner suit / Tuxedo for women like this:
View attachment 6080502View attachment 6080503

And I hope, I could wear it with different festive tops.

I don't know whether this would be sustainable (or maybe a black suit?).

Any opinions or ideas?

Thank you for reading!

IMO only, a formal suit like this for women is nicest with a cocktail dress code. If a woman wears a black suit to a formal event, I would be concerned it would be too closely aligned with waitstaff. if it’s a white suit, I would be concerned with seasonality or level of formality, but JMO. In the end, I’m sure uou will look lovely with either choice
Have fun deciding

ETA: have you thought about a long full black skirt, akin to what Carolina Herrera used to wear. It can be quite formal or dressed down and can be worn with different tops or jackets

 

[poulinska]

ETA: have you thought about a long full black skirt, akin to what Carolina Herrera used to wear. It can be quite formal or dressed down and can be worn with different tops or jackets

This is a great idea! Thank you!
I didn't think about getting aligned with the waitstaff, but I should consider this. Actually, I don't like the decision process so much, because I really try not to buy too much. So a skirt is a great idea.

 

[CoastalCouture]

I would hesitate on the white suit because it is such a statement. It reminds me of clothes worn for important political events where the candidate or guest of honor is a woman. It is a powerful look and it will be attention getting.

I love @880's suggestion of a long full black skirt, similarly you could go with ultra wide leg black trousers that read as a skirt.

 

[poulinska]

Okay. This would be what the women wore at the event:


Do you think a white suit would be too much of a statement? My thinking was, that the white suit would be festive but not a dress with so much skin showing. I will look for full skirts.

 

[blushnbellinlvoe]

Great suggestions thus far. If you go with a dress, it can always be shortened and repurposed for more casual day wear after the event. Throw a denim jacket over the newly altered cocktail dress and voila.

If you go with the black suit, accessories and jewelry should be more than enough to set you apart from the wait staff and gives an elevated feminine look. I love an evening suit on a woman. It evokes YSL powerful sexiness (thinking smoking jacket). The white suite also very striking. I would stay away from wool twill and boxy cuts as that may look too boardroom and businesslike. High heels stilettos and sparkling minaudiere definitely could add a festive touch. Let us know what the final outfit looks like!

 

[Purseloco]

The white suit is elegant, and you will stand out in a positive way.

 

[snibor]

It’s an absolute no for me on the white suit. It’s not dressy enough. I could see a dressy dark colored suit…but only if it’s dressier than a regular pants suit and perhaps paired with a festive, dressy blouse. If you really want to play it safe, a dress would be it. Best of luck deciding!

 

[A1aGypsy]

I think a white suit is going to really stand out and be even more limiting from a re-wear perspective than a black dress (for example) which you can dress up in different ways.

A black suit (and this is only my opinion) only works for a black tie if you wear nothing underneath. Otherwise, it looks like you are headed to the courthouse.

If modesty is what you are going for a long full skirt with a blouse would work.

That being said, at the end of the day, if you are comfortable then that’s probably the right choice. (I mean from a mental perspective, I’m not advocating for a hoodie and lulus)

 

[randr21]

I dont know why, but when i read your post op, I immediately thought of awake mode, one of my fave designers. lo and behold, quick look at their site had the best of both worlds btwn your suit idea and @880's great skirt suggestion.

I actually love ur ivory suit, but i feel like unless it makes u feel like a million bucks, there may be other options? fashion should be a bit of fun n flair imo.

i ss both outfits, one of the front n the other of the back. classy yet modern.

 

[Love Of My Life]

I think that there is something unexpected about wearing the white suit.
It many ways it could be a standout if you can carry it off.
You can put a lacy camisole underneath it & wear with pearls, (either a choker or multi strand necklace),
the white jacket can be worn again with an evening skirt or black trouser, so you will still have
fresh looks repeating the jacket, JMO
The image above speaks for the look of "white/ivory".. Sleek & rather chic looking in an unexpected way
this look has my vote for "white", very modern looking
Whatever your choice is , enjoy your evening

 

[poulinska]

Thank you all für your replies. Awake looks great! Their shipping policies are too difficult for me but I thought some more and narrowed down, what I didn't like about the dresses: most of the look oldfashioned, I suppose, maybe because they are all very long.
So I researched some more and found this look of Kristen Bell (with the jacket), which I like very much:




And I found this dress from roland mouret, which I also like a lot:


So I thought maybe a midi / cocktailish dress with nice accessoires could make me feel better than a full gown. Also I already know three occasions whre I would wear something like this.

I also ordered the white suit just to be sure how I feel in it. Thank you so far for your suggestions.

 

[A bottle of Red]

If you're heading towards cooler weather, you can switch the white jacket of the suit for a short fur cape or stole with a silky blouse underneath to add some rich textures.

 

[piperdog]

My teenage daughter has refused to wear dresses/skirts for a few years. We've found some tuxedo-ish options that work beautifully for her; she feels like a million bucks, and she draws the eye for being more covered up in a sea of the current teen style for homecoming dresses. Plus she gets to play with her look, sometimes adding a silk bowtie instead of a necklace, or high-tops instead of heels depending on the event.

Of course, hers isn't the same as your situation, but IMO a more formal/tuxedo-cut pantsuit in a dressier material, with well-chosen accessories could definitely work. In most cases any potential resemblance to service staff could be minimized by your choice of shirt, shoes, and accessories.

Whatever you choose, please share pictures!

 

[poulinska]

Thank you @piperdog - this sounds beautiful.
I decided kind of spontaneously for a dress today. It is a midi version of a little black dress from Talbot Runhof which I fell in love with. I know, it is not a gown but I felt great in the dress and could think of several occasions where I could wear it. It has very tiny (almost invisible) pinstripes with tiny sequins, long sleeves and a great drapey cut. I will share pictures from the full outfit.