Hello - minor panic

[jessicarosebud]

Anyone out there got any idea as to what WHITE TIE dress code means for a girl? Chris (the brother) has invited me to the Oxford University Commemoration Ball - apparently this is quite a major thing - because he is organising it (the food) he got his plus one free ticket. Which is a bonus as they are normally around the 150 squid mark. So he's

Comments

[gerriparker]

white tie is a not funky type event... it's pretty much ball gown, dainty heels and wrap with understated jewellry for the girls.

[gillo]

Think leaver's ball but posher. Definitely floor-length, "gown" rather than a dress. You could go in black lace over satin, say, but punk gear isn't really an option. Hair in an "up do", though you don't have to wear a tiara!

Jewellery - go with "nice but not too in yer face", and use a pashmina for a wrap or similar sort of wide scarf (they do some very pretty organza ones in the Foleshill Road). Strappy sandals with heels too.

Probably not the time to be too different as bitching would get back to Chris, which wouldn't be much fun for him - and gawd can they bitch for England at Oxford! It's not necessarily a stuffy affair, but it's definitely a ball not a party.

Hope that helps. Best of luck to Chris with the organisation -it's a mammoth job! Oh, and have fun.

[jessicarosebud]

good call on the scarves down the Foleshill Road I think... well, as I live virtually on the Ladypool Road we are well served round here too.

I didn't mean going too OTT with it obviously, just maybe a striking bit of jewellery or a bright dress. I found a gorgeous emerald green taffeta affair in Rackhams just now which I may come back to, and might go scope out Mikey for some costume jewellery (they have a sale on).

He's only organising the food part - which is clearly a mission in itself. It's not for another month or so yet but I need to plan finances well in advance these days without regular student loan instalments..

[saltymcpepper]

Wikipedia (fount of all knowledge) says it is the most formal type of wear suitable for meeting the Queen in.

I think you are stuck with standard ball gown and subtle accessories, unless you went crazy and went for a historical outfit like the one in Gillo's icon. Although I think this might be expensive and possible difficult to get through narrow doorways in.

[jessicarosebud]

I would love a dress like that. It would be great. I wonder if the Commemoration balls used to be like that, I'm not sure when girls started getting let into the 'ford.

[saltymcpepper]

I want to go to a ball, we miss out on stuff like that up here, always bloody ceilidhs.

[scepticalgoat]

You can fluff out any long floaty dress with an underskirt/petticoat. You can get through doorways, it's more that going to the loo is an issue, as is sitting down.

[sapphrine]

White Tie is specific to men only.

According to rules of etiquette and attire, ladies must wear a ball gown to events where men are required to wear white tie attire.

The elements of ladies' white tie attire could include:

* ball gown - ballerina (to the ankle) or full-length (to the floor)
* dancing shoes - formal pumps, sandals or ballet slippers
* jewellery - earrings and necklace; rings and bracelets are optional. A watch is not considered appropriate except for jewelled versions in which the face is covered so that it resembles a bracelet.
* gloves - if worn, should be opera length
* stole, cape or cloak, or an opera coat
* handbag - clutch style or small evening bag

Optional:

* state decorations - if specified on invitation; worn on a bow pinned to the chest
* tiara - if "state decoration" is specified; worn by married women only

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[artamonio]

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