We interrupt this generally one-post-a-day site to bring you the following-
My project has been nominated for the highest award in Dream Job. This is a very cool thing and I hope we win, but because of this I have to attend a black tie dinner event Wednesday night at the Natural History Museum in London with the landed gentry and a chap that was knighted by the Queen not so long ago. For this, I had to buy a dress (the last two black tie events I went to I wore my blue hemp dress. I still love that dress to bits, only I really felt it was time for a new black tie dress to enter the competition).
I am not a posh girl, I’m not good at black tie. And since I’m a bit anti-establishment, I didn’t buy black for the black tie (instead I bought two things, as I couldn’t make my mind up in the shop and they were both on sale).
I have bought two items after much fraught debating and deciding. The dress I liked the mostest was unavailable in my size, and unfortunately the dress in my size had a snag in the delicate fabric. Since this event is two days away (meaning I have a meeting in London in the morning, then the Weakest Link audition where I will change into the black tie event after the audition, then this do) I unfortunately have no time to go hunting for the dress I liked the mostest (and that’s the last time I will opt for poor grammar. From now on, it’s totally unintentional).
So I need your help, and as such I will leave this post up tomorrow as well to see if I can find an answer.
I have option A and option B, and I need to know which one to wear. Please pretend that I am wearing, for example, jewelry, high heels, make-up other than lip gloss, that my hair is done up nicely and my arms covered by a nice scarf. Oh, and that I’m wearing a bra and scary pants, since holding things in is a must. Pretend I am wearing those.
Please let me know which one is better, option A (a jade-colored Grecian low-backed number. It is a very bright jade color, which doesn’t show on the pictures as it needed the flash to show up, and I am so winter white that should I post it on the web an ambulance would turn up to cart me off for blood transfusions) or option B (a black ruched chiffon sparkly strapped top and an iridescent pale green skirt).
I’ve got 24 hours to narrow it down. I could use the help, Angus and I both have a favorite. Which would you wear if you were going to a massive black tie awards dinner with a knighted chap in one of London’s finest museums (and please don’t answer “I wouldn’t wear those, I’d wear Prada”, as…you know…I’m not posh)?
Thanks for this.
-H (aka the Trinny and Susannah hater, but someone that can’t pick out her own clothes anyway).
UPDATED-I was trying them both on and deliberating when Angus told me to come outside, that the sunlight would show the real colors of everything. So I threw a bra on, put on a scarf and jewelry, and gave it a try (the hair appointment is tomorrow morning as this hairstyle here? The ponytail? This is the limit of my abilities, and since I have a big round Asian face I try to avoid the ponytail at all costs.)
Final shots of Dress A and B. Personally, I think I’ve made a choice, I’m just interested in the panel of experts here for their weigh-in. I’m sorry for being a pain and your comments are fantastic. To be honest, I’m most comfortable in my pajamas. I’m feeling really, really insecure about dressing up tomorrow. I don’t do black tie. I do cheeky monkey pajama bottoms and toe socks.
Dress Option A (with the wrong scarf but I can’t find the right one right now!)
And Dress Option A from the side
Dress Option B
And Dress Option B from the side
Go on – just watch this for the NSPCC!
Make me feel loved! Go on! Sign the Guest Map!
A! You look gorgeous in it!
B. Love the colors and cut.
Both are great. However, A seems to be the ONE the fits Helen best. You just look more comfortable.
Now in semi-rural southern bible belt USA where I live B would be most proper. But since you aren’t in Texas anymore you are free to be yourself.
either way Helen- You WILL be smashing and you will do Black Tie perfectly fine :)
bises!
Option A would be the one that I’d choose. It seems to fit you better, both in style and shape.
Yes, I’m late to the party… but I hope this helps.
I am voting again. Still “A” Lose the scarf and just wear the dress. You do not need to cover yourself up. Have the confidence to show off who you are, or at least your arms and shoulders.
My 2nd vote but still going with A. :) Do you have a black scarf too? I have a black scarf which is my “go to” for formal events. Both scarves above are perfect regardless, was just wondering how that would look with A or B. Oh god sorry never mind – didn’t mean to throw in another variable to decide on. I know how it is – it takes me ages! lol :)
I know I’m late…but I prefer dress A. But seriously, I don’t think you can go wrong wearing either…thanks for asking!
I’m changing my vote. Go with A.
And I agree with Paul, you don’t need a scarf, your back and shoulders are lovely and you should show them off.
I still say A :)
Still a fan of B, but in the light, A is definitely the color of the bridesmaid dresses at my wedding.
Either would be lovely, and you definitely don’t need the wrap except for the weather, as your back and shoulders look lovely in either dress.
B seems better suited for the occasion. Both are beautiful and you are beautiful in them, but for a black tie dinner, I say B is more suitable.
And CONGRATS HELEN! :-)
Still love both dresses, but I think for me the jade is just a wee bit intense. Which isn’t to say you don’t look fabulous in both…I’m just loving that paler greeny-blue more. Hee!
It’s gotta be B for me. A is beautiful but B has that “go me and my fabulous body” feel to it!
Either way, you look stunning! Good luck on Wednesday!
AxXx
it is a hard decision but dress option B looks best. A bit more classy than the other dress. Have a nice time at the event.
Y’all are high. B gives her mega Drewbs.
I would go with A. I like them both. I think I like A because I can see your body better in the picture.
I think they are both great.
I like A. It looks classy & polished and I like the the way the bottom flows.
Really, though, you should go with the one you FEEL better in, if that helps at all. You have to feel as comfortable as you can without the monkey sox, hee hee.
I sound like I’m a judge on “Project Runway.” Do you have that there? Don’t forget, I’m still a pig American, hee hee.
Good luck and rock on!
B. Though beautiful in both, you positively glow in B. :)
Sticking with B. I agree with the bridesmaid comments regarding A.
I like B!!!
First of all – congrats!!! Second…I like B better. It seems you got a good mix of A’s and B’s. I don’t really think you can go wrong either way.
The colour on option A is more flattering to your skin tone in my opinion, and I love the style.
So, still A.
I can just imagine you 10 mins before you leave still not chosen!!!
Has any of this helped? Other than knowing that you look stunning in both of them ~grin~
I vote for Option A as I find the V neck more attractive on you and agree that the jade green suits your winter skin ;-)
Best of luck at the Awards and I hope you are the winner!
All the way from Queensland, Australia..Karenx
I love the green dress (option A)…Quite pretty, stylish and very stylish (good choice). Little jewelery would be needed… perhaps a nice pair of dangling earings… and a head full of curls (not poodle-esque, but large curls, with volume)(gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous)… I think that would be quite smashing… Option B is also quite nice, and you do seem to be comfortable. I agree they’re both winners, but I secretly prefer option A…Just an opinion from a Crazy Canadian
Ok, here is the deciding vote
A
go with it….
you look great in both…but go with the A
good luck.
Sticking with my 1st choice….A!
I’m abandoning my B vote in favor of the A. Smashing.
A. Definitely. No doubt about it.
ps. Love, love, love your blog. Have linked to mine – hope you don’t mind:)
Still B
B
B
B
B
:)
Abs x
Oh you just had to show more pics! OK um, I guess I am staying with A. You seem to look more comfortable in it in your photos. To me anyway. Sorry Angus!
Option A, no scarf.
OR
B with scarf. Depends on if you need the scarf or not. If you don’t, do A.
You’ll look Heavenly no matter what!