Need ‘Black Tie Optional’ evening wear – on a Budget!

[AlohaNow]

DH and I have to attend a 'black tie optional' dinner. First we were told we could get out of going, but now his employer insists, but is gifting us the tickets. Back in the day we used to do black tie stuff in NY all the time, but my how times have changed! I have nothing, literally nothing to wear. So can anyone suggest a good place to look for evening wear? Of course I’ll be scouring my local thrift shops this weekend, because I only have a week to find something! The dinner is for breast cancer awareness so flashes of pink are encouraged. I think it will be kind of fun to put something together, but I do wish I had more time. Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[halfpintpeggy]

Often, you can find designer wear at stores like Ross for a steal!

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

DH and I have to attend a 'black tie optional' dinner. First we were told we could get out of going, but now his employer insists, but is gifting us the tickets. Back in the day we used to do black tie stuff in NY all the time, but my how times have changed! I have nothing, literally nothing to wear. So can anyone suggest a good place to look for evening wear? Of course I’ll be scouring my local thrift shops this weekend, because I only have a week to find something! The dinner is for breast cancer awareness so flashes of pink are encouraged. I think it will be kind of fun to put something together, but I do wish I had more time. Thanks for any suggestions!

1. Check the clearance rack at department stores. I've had great luck at Dillards and Belk; multiple times I've found dresses under $28. Belk is the best if you are in the south.

2. Ask your friends. You never know who has something that they don't mind lending out. Just have it dry cleaned before you return it.

3. If you are average height, there are multiple rental sites that run about $40 per rental. I'm not sure what the cleaning fees are. I'm too short to use them.

My husband is a military officer and these are the methods that most of my military wife friends use.

 

[eliza61]

My go to evening wear is the classic basic black dress. You can find them just about every where really inexpensive. the key is accessorize. since flashes of pink are suggest go with pink costume jewelry.
I also agree with Minniessweetheart, check your friends, I have one go to friend who works in Washington dc so she's always going to some political shindig or another.

thrift shops are great places for cheap costume jewelry.

Have fun, every once in a while my dh and I use to love having a real nice night on the town.

 

[AlohaNow]

Have fun, every once in a while my dh and I use to love having a real nice night on the town.

You know, eliza, we just may do that. The hotel is offering a fabulous rate on rooms that night for attendees. Now I love a great deal, but of course I'm like, Christmas is coming, we really shouldn't spend the money, blah, blah, blah. But knowing, eliza, that your DH departed this world too early, as did both of my in-laws, I think we will stay over. Life is too short not to. The kids are old enough to stay by themselves and 'downtown' is only about 9 miles from our house. Plus, after DH officially booked us in for the tickets for the dinner, he immediately texted me, "Wanna get a room?" I think that's a request one should say yes to!

And thanks for the rental idea, Minnie - see, I wouldn't have even thought of that! OK, I'm literally off to shop now!

 

[captainjen]

Try rent the runway! I had both my twin sons get married 6 months apart last year and I was amazed and delighted at the gowns that I rented for very little money. One of my sons got married on New Years Eve and it was a very formal black tie event and I must say I rocked it in the gown that I rented. They are designer gowns that some of them go for over $1000 but rent for as little as $170 Quality was amazing for both gowns. I was looking at bridal stores and Norstrum and I could not find anything close to what I found online.

 

[pittsburghmom]

Definitely check your local thrift shops. Last weekend, I found a little black dress and a pair of black heels for under $10 for both. I needed something to wear to my 20th year high school reunion. Will borrow some accessories from my fashion savvy sister and will be good to go! I was pleasantly surprised at the selection for dressier clothes there as I typically shop for jeans and shirts there. Good luck!!

 

[wilkeliza]

Try Burlington Coat Factory. I found many a nice dress there for 40 bucks that were originally in the hundreds (one even in the thousands!). I buy them when I find them and then stash them for fancy evenings or formal night on cruises. I've seen both Michael Kors and Vera Wang stuff at Burlington.

 

[Julylady]

I ordered three different dresses from JC Penney on line last spring for an evening wedding. I kept one and returned the other two to our local JC Penney store. Several weeks later, I saw "my" two dresses on the sale rack for a significantly lower price. It seems like rather than sending returns back to the warehouse, they just put them out on the store floor. So, you might want to try your local department stores to see what you can find on the clearance rack.

 

[SparklePixie]

Rent the Runway.

 

[Gracie09]

Rent the runway

 

[Princess_Meghan <3]

Nordstrom Rack is another place to check- I've been looking for a formal dress for an event, too, and I've gone to several and they seem to always have at least two racks of formal dresses, and one is usually a clearance rack. Good luck finding something!

 

[andiraye]

I agree try to find a little black dress. Great suggestion! It can be dressed up or down, can be worn again and is appropriate for any event.

 

[pjlla]

To the OP: FWIW, I thought of you when I was shopping at a thrift store yesterday. I took a moment to check out the rack of dresses and came away with a beautiful black dress.... Chaps brand.... probably $60-80 new at Macy's.... fit me beautifully, hung/draped beautifully..... I could TOTALLY see wearing this with some blingy jewelry and heels to a formal/semi-formal event.... for a whopping $5.99 (and it would have been half that if the price tag had been the "color of the day"!). Yes, it definitely took me time to rifle through a rack that was mostly ugly old sun dresses and "past-their prime" prom and bridesmaid dresses.... but it was totally worth the time! I will admit, I do not know exactly when/where I will wear this dress.... but I could NOT pass it up for the price! It is street length, so I could wear it with a jacket/cardigan at a less formal occasional (Christmas Eve at church... that type of thing). Wish you were near me.... I could loan it to you! .................P

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

Another vote for rent the runway!

 

[disneylove69]

I saw some really pretty dresses at Macy's for a little over $100.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

Definitely get a room with your husband!! That sounds fantastic. You and your husband deserve a fancy evening.

Update with pictures of the dresses.

 

[Stargazer]

TJ Maxx is also another great option - we had to attend a wedding last year that was black tie optional, so I just ordered 5 dresses so I could try them on at home (free shipping on orders over $89); took back the ones that I didn't like (free returns at the store). If I'm not mistaken, I believe my dress was under $100.

 

[rynosmom]

Try Burlington Coat Factory or Old Navy....I got a nice plain black dress in old navy for $25 and dressed it up with cute jewelry.

 

[RoxyJ]

JCPenny is having a pretty good sale on right now. I found a few things that might be interesting (sorry for being presumptuous, but I was feeling like quite the "stylist" lol):

Liz Claiborne® Sleeveless Sheath Dress
Melrose Flutter-Sleeve Two-Tone Dress
Scarlett Cap-Sleeve Lace Sheath Dress

Pair it with a pink wrap, or some pink jewellery.

It looks like they are also handing out $10 off of $10 coupons on Saturday (first come first get).