<p>When I first saw this, I thought chocolatechipcookie! She’ll find the perfect dress! </p>
<p>You’ve done it again :)</p>
<p>I had to join the fun so I could get dress ads popping up in the sidebar. This dress looks very flattering for mom-ish women, and the combination of lace/sheer dresses it up: [Adrianna</a> Papell Lace & Chiffon Dress | Nordstrom](<a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/adrianna-papell-lace-chiffon-dress/3518319?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=342&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_3_C]Adrianna”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/adrianna-papell-lace-chiffon-dress/3518319?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=342&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_3_C) </p>
<p>You could add some sparkle with silvery shoes, or a necklace or earrings that pick up the shapes in the lace: [Nadri</a> ‘Marquise’ Cubic Zirconia Necklace | Nordstrom](<a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/nadri-marquise-cubic-zirconia-necklace/3160442?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=1368&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_5_B]Nadri”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/nadri-marquise-cubic-zirconia-necklace/3160442?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=1368&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_5_B) [Nadri</a> Pear Drop Earrings (Nordstrom Exclusive) | Nordstrom](<a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/nadri-pear-drop-earrings-nordstrom-exclusive/3285992?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=CLEAR+CRYSTAL%2F+SILVER&resultback=798&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_4_D]Nadri”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/nadri-pear-drop-earrings-nordstrom-exclusive/3285992?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=CLEAR+CRYSTAL%2F+SILVER&resultback=798&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_4_D)</p>
<p>And Martha Stewart says you can wear a short dressy dress for black tie.</p>
<p>Black tie on the west coast tends to be a bit more “lenient”, hence men wearing dark suits. Much more likely to see tuxes elsewhere, especially in large cities. It would be a great time to wear a lovely long gown in a jewel tone or something sparkly and fun.
Check out renttherunway.com to check out the latest styles and reviews as to what looks good on different body types!</p>
<p>Marilyn, I really like that dress!</p>
<p>^^Thanks for your vote of confidence, Deb! 
Marilyn: That dress is gorgeous. I would definitely wear that!
OP: Come back and let us know what you’re choosing! :)</p>
<p>“Black tie on the west coast tends to be a bit more “lenient”, hence men wearing dark suits. Much more likely to see tuxes elsewhere, especially in large cities.”</p>
<p>According to the OP it’s “Black Tie Suggested” which I guess is similar to “Black Tie Optional.” Personally, I hate it when it’s optional. Either do it all the way or not at all. </p>
<p>If a wedding is strictly Black Tie (in the NE) the men, do indeed, all wear tuxes. </p>
<p>I tried this dress on a few weeks ago and loved it. Would be perfect (for me) to wear to a fancy evening do. Now I just need an invite. </p>
<p>[Jumbled</a> Sequins Dress - Artelier](<a href=“http://www.nicolemiller.com/jumbled-sequins-dress]Jumbled”>http://www.nicolemiller.com/jumbled-sequins-dress)</p>
<p>I love that jumbled sequins dress, but it’s out of my price range. </p>
<p>I don’t mind black tie optional, if you don’t put that in, someone will come in jeans and a jacket and think he’s made enough of an effort. My brother gives a formal dance every year to which he always wears a tux. The first year he gave it one guy came in a suit took one look at my brother and went home and put on his tux. But lots of guys come in their flannel shirts with neckties to that party and it’s fine. (It’s really hard to get people to dress up in NH!) They just want people to be encouraged to have fun dressing up in their fanciest togs, but I think it’s a little hard on people’s pocketbooks to make them go and rent tuxes.</p>
<p>“I don’t mind black tie optional, if you don’t put that in, someone will come in jeans and a jacket and think he’s made enough of an effort.”</p>
<p>That is why I like Black Tie (not optional) for a fancy evening wedding. Rental tuxes aren’t really all that expensive, and men look so handsome in a tux. </p>
<p>When I buy a dress in that price point, I wear it for years. My last sparkly black dress (a Marc Bouwer Glamit) I bought in 2008 and I still wear it.</p>
<p>Tux rental in this area is at least $100. I think that’s pretty expensive for a lot of people. </p>
<p>I agree that dress looks like you could wear it for years. But since the parties I go to that involve dressing up seem to involve the same crowd (lab graduation parties, my brother’s party) I don’t like wearing the same outfit year after year.</p>
<p>I’ve been following this thread since I have a New Year’s Eve wedding as well. I just ordered the Maggie London embellished dress from Nordstrom’s that chocchipcookie recommended (thanks!). I just checked the invitation and the wedding is actually at 3pm in a Catholic Church. Reception will be a formal sit-down dinner and New Year’s Eve party at a private venue and doesn’t start until 7pm. Is that dress appropriate for a 3pm wedding? I’m wondering if people are changing since there is so much time between ceremony and reception! Thanks for any help; I haven’t attended a wedding in 8 years! Sorry to hijack the thread, OP! I am interested in which dress you choose!</p>
<p>I’ve gotten over, “I’ve been seen it that dress.” I spent a fortune (for me) on a little black dress at least 10 years ago and I wear it endlessly (funerals, dinner in the city, weddings, etc.) I did have to lengthen it about an inch a few years years ago and it should be good for another 10 years. 
</p>
<p>I don’t think $100 for a tux is too much to ask - given what women have to spend to go to these affairs!</p>
<p>IBDPmom, I think people are going to change.</p>
<p>Thank you, emilybee; I guess I might need 2 dresses. I love the Jumbled Sequins dress as well, but couldn’t get past the statement that the model shown is 5’10" and wearing a size 2!</p>
<p>^That’s just my opinion. It’s just seems like a very big gap between wedding and reception. I would probably wear a pretty suit to the wedding.</p>
<p>Every model in every dress is that tall, or taller, and wears a size 2. Can’t go by that!</p>
<p>True, but the dress I ordered is more forgiving, lol!</p>
<p>I went on a cruise last winter with my mother. Thanks to Weight Loss for Dummies, I lost a lot of pounds in the last couple of years. I found a long black gown in the back of my closet from the early 80’s and it fit me again. No one on the cruise ship remembered seeing it before!</p>
<p>The discussion of what “black tie” means reminds me of the formal night discussions on the cruise boards.</p>
<p>^ My theory is that since I am not an important person at these affairs, no one is going to remember what I’ve worn before. </p>
<p>I do a lot of altering instead of buying new. I make jackets shorter, dresses longer, tailor pant legs, let out, take in, etc., etc. etc.</p>
<p>"…but couldn’t get past the statement that the model shown is 5’10" and wearing a size 2!"</p>
<p>I personally think it is good to have a reference point! I used to get intimidated by those numbers. If a model is 5’10", then the dress will be 4" longer on me, which is most of the time is a good thing. And in my experience, most dresses look as good or even better on curvier ladies! In case they don’t, there is always that return label. :)</p>
<p>I agree with Bunsen regarding looking better on curvier women. I think a lot of women make the mistake and go too unstructured and it makes the look bigger. </p>
<p>Here is one I think is very pretty and a tad less clingy. </p>
<p>[Kay</a> Unger - Lace Sheath Dress - Saks.com](<a href=“http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374306422146&PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446604055&R=713642087239&P_name=Kay+Unger&N=306422146&bmUID=k9cFO5_]Kay”>http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374306422146&PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446604055&R=713642087239&P_name=Kay+Unger&N=306422146&bmUID=k9cFO5_)</p>
<p>I really like this one, too. Very in look. I like it in the brown. </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374306422146&PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446367565&R=474703516791&P_name=Lotusgrace&N=306422146&bmUID=k9c76zU[/url]”>http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374306422146&PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446367565&R=474703516791&P_name=Lotusgrace&N=306422146&bmUID=k9c76zU</a></p>
<p>You are probably right about no one remembering emilybee!</p>
<p>With that much gap I’d probably wear something different to the ceremony and change for the reception. We are going to a similar wedding in February for my nephew and that’s my plan. Especially since I know the church is freezing!</p>
<p>I’m on the west coast but tux rentals in NYC start at about $100.00. Realistically, you probably will pay more, especially if vest and/or shoes are needed. If your husband rents a tux, do NOT rent from Men’s Wearhouse. They do not keep rental inventory at each store, but rather ship it in from a warehouse. Go to a specialist that hangs inventory in their back room. On the other hand, if your husband does not own a black suit, this may be a good time to purchase one. Make sure he wears a 2-button coat front regardless of suit or tux selection.</p>
<p>“Black Tie Suggested” translation: You will be able to count the number of men wearing tuxes on one or two hands!</p>