Evening Dress

[fairy!]

What is the definition of evening dress for a female?? 

 I don't think it means quite as glam as a ball gown type dress, but I'm not really sure!  x

[acw]

It usually does mean a floor length dress, or trousers and a flowy top (for older or larger women only though I would suggest).  Some of my evening wear dresses (that sounds like I have loads, I don't!!) are not really that glam - I have a plain black strappy one that is simple and floor length.  Of course you can glam it up with accessories. 

I personally would say that unless the invitation says cocktail dress then our outfit must at LEAST cover your knee, if not your whole leg (or even both legs!). 

Depends on your age/the occasion.  Military things have a strict dresscode - do check up if it's a military do!

[acw]

PS - Have a nice time! :-)

[Mrs_Pegasus]

Totally agree with acw.

Being married to the military the rules are verging on the bizarre i.e. no bare shoulders!  Great you spend a fortune on a beautiful evening dress and then you cover half of it up with a jacket!

If your question is due to an invitation I would strongly advise contacting someone who may also be invited or speaking to the host.

Hope you have a fab time!

[Sasha13]

re. the bare shoulders thing that Mrs_Pegasus mentions in regard to the military... This is so that when dinner is being served you won't be hurt if hot food that is being served drops onto your shoulder. Most Messes only require that shoulders are covered during a sit down meal rather than the whole occasion, and in this circumstance it is acceptable, for example, to cover your shoulders with a wrap during a meal. The things you learn when you have a relationship with an officer in the RAF eh?

[Sasha13]

Added to this (sorry, just thought of it) any dress worn would certainly have to be below the knee if it were a military function.

[fairy!]

Thanks everyone... it's a posh evening event, but it's defo not military!  I work for a photographers studio, & we're going to be taking photos of couples etc as they come in (kinda like how they do at proms) I really don't know much about it, just that I have to blend in & therefore wear evening dress... but it needs to be practical, as I'm gonna be working!

[callisto]

 have youthought of hiring an evening dress if havent got one there are some fantastic hire companies out there really good for photography events.

[fairy!]

I did thik of hiring, but having trouble finding somewhere in my area :-(

[silly moo]

Apparently old fashioned defintions were:-
day - knee
cocktail - calf
evening - full length
Enjoy your evening ( even work can be fun sometimes)

[redcarpet]

try www.redcarpetgowns.co.uk - cheaper than hiring!