<p>A friend’s daughter will be attending a wedding in March in upstate NY. The wedding is “black tie”. Her D is 21 and petit. Does she need a long dress? Would short be OK? Is black OK? Any other tips and input would be welcome. She is attending with her BF, it is his family, so she wants to make a good impression.</p>
<p>I think both short and black should be fine. I think there was a similar thread to this recently, but I have no idea what the title was.</p>
<p>There was and I followed it. That was a young, petit person at a “black tie optional” wedding. I guess this is actual black tie.</p>
<p>If she is petite and lovely I would tell her to go rouge and where a red dress short or long. Black tie does not eliminate beautiful and fun–it just means formal.</p>
<p>Black and short are perfectly fine for a Black Tie wedding. I have worn my black beaded short frock to several Black Tie weddings - but any colored short party dress would be fine, too. </p>
<p>Is it an outdoor wedding or indoors?</p>
<p>I hope it is indoors! I would think it would be too chilly for an evening outdoor event in upstate NY in March. I second everyone who said that short and black is perfectly fine. </p>
<p>I think short is fine and black is fine (though a fun color could be, well, fun!). </p>
<p>Personally I dislike making a wedding black tie because most men don’t own a tuxedo and I think it’s an imposition to make them rent one. Especially if there are a lot of young men just starting out. Most men know enough to wear a dark business suit. </p>
<p>Agree! I always thought it was unfair for kiddos BFs when they had to shell out $100 to rent a tux while their ladies could either shop mom’s closet or find something nice for under $100 on a sale rack at Cache and keep it. 
</p>
<p>But here in my town “black tie” is used to indicate to invitees that a suit is expected (or if you insist on wearing your utilikilt, wear a dark blazer with it and polish those Docs).</p>
<p>I just don’t think you should tell your guests that they <em>must</em> dress a certain way in a certain piece of clothing. The wedding party, yeah, sure, I get that. But not your guests. </p>
<p>The wedding is in the BF’s family so she is the “plus one”. It is indoors at a lodge, don’t know which one. Here is the dress that she was considering when her mom asked if I knew anything (which I don’t but said I would pose the question)</p>
<p><a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/bb-dakota-yale-lace-panel-fit-flare-dress/3875487?cm_cat=tellapart&cm_ite=core&cm_pla=women:dresses:dress&cm_ven=display_rt”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/bb-dakota-yale-lace-panel-fit-flare-dress/3875487?cm_cat=tellapart&cm_ite=core&cm_pla=women:dresses:dress&cm_ven=display_rt</a></p>
<p>I will ask if the BF is in the wedding party - it is a cousin. At any rate, she wants to make a good impression with his family and will be not be completely anonymous as a guest because of the family connection <em>running to find out if BF is in wedding party</em></p>
<p>I think a young, pretty girl in that dress is absolutely, positively fine. Wear your hair up, put on some fun blingy earrings, some red lipstick, some fun little beaded purse and some great shoes (might be fun to try some red heels?) and you’re good to go!</p>
<p>What Pizzagirl said. It is a locely dress for a young lady, and it opens a lot of possibilities for accessorizing. :)</p>
<p>"I just don’t think you should tell your guests that they <em>must</em> dress a certain way in a certain piece of clothing. "</p>
<p>I agree, but saying it’s black tie doesn’t obligate anyone. It’s perfectly appropriate for a man to wear a dark suit to a black tie wedding. There may be some old-school clubs that actually mandate a tuxedo, but that’s unusual.</p>
<p>Regardless of whether or not people like to be told what to wear . . . this young lady wants to make a good impression with the parents, sisters and extended family so she wants to fit in and look appropriate not bend the rules as presented. Also, she is from a solidly middle class family in “the heartland” and I gather the wedding party and guests are more Connecticut “money”. Her goal is to NOT buck the system.</p>
<p>The black lace dress will be perfect. Just for peace of mind, here’s what the Emily Post website says: for women, black tie at a wedding means floor length gown, dressy cocktail dress, or “your dressiest little black dress.” There will be a number of women there in black lace cocktail dresses. In terms of attire, she’ll blend right in and look perfectly appropriate. </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.emilypost.com/everyday-manners/your-personal-image/69-attire-guide-beach-casual-to-white-tie-”>http://www.emilypost.com/everyday-manners/your-personal-image/69-attire-guide-beach-casual-to-white-tie-</a></p>
<p>She’s totally fine in that dress. Completely. </p>
<p>How do you feel about these two options, @pizzagirl?</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.lordandtaylor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/lord-and-taylor/brands/wa-cocktail/tiered-lace-dress-0140-en1pvx93d--1”>http://www.lordandtaylor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/lord-and-taylor/brands/wa-cocktail/tiered-lace-dress-0140-en1pvx93d--1</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://www.lordandtaylor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/lord-and-taylor/brands/wa-cocktail/illusion-neckline-peplum-dress”>http://www.lordandtaylor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/lord-and-taylor/brands/wa-cocktail/illusion-neckline-peplum-dress</a></p>
<p>I think the dresses in all three links are very appropriate.</p>