advice and help!

[geekster_girl]

Fatshionistas, I desperately need some help.  My husband and I have made the big splurge and are attending an inaugural gala on Jan 20.  The gala is "semi-formal/black tie" and I'm having a fatshion brain lapse.  So far I've found two different dresses that I think might work, but I'm completely confused about accessories and shoes.

Comments

[clytem]

The Macy's dress comes in a 1x too.

[darianj5]

I really like the Igigi one - very sophisticated. Depending on where the gala is, it might be warmer too.

[thirtiesgirl]

I'm an 'oval' shape, too, and carry most of my weight in the front. Based on my dress up experiences, depending on where either dress hits you on the leg, I'd suggest either subtly pattered black nylons (nothing too overdone), or bare legs. If you're uncomfortable going bare legged, some well made, sheer nude nylons would work.

For accessories... the Macy's dress is obviously flapper inspired, so I'd go for accessories that are era appropriate: perhaps a black jet beaded necklace or bracelet from 1928 Jewelry, and a petite, black beaded clutch purse. Shoes could be era appropriate, too, like a black mary jane pump (or, if all else fails, a classic black pump, which works with everything).

The Igigi dress is more late '40s/early '50s inspired, so I'd suggest a faux black pearl necklace, and maybe a peep-toe pump. If you can find a '50s inspired handbag/clutch purse, that would really make the look.

[roguewords]

iawtc.

[alabasterduch]

I second the all around use of 1928 Jewelry - they are always my go-to source of necklaces/earrings/bracelets when I have a formal event.

[pinsandbeetles]

Both cute, but the igigi looks like a day dress to me.

[astragali]

Have you considered one of the long dresses from Igigi? Those would still be appropriate for a black tie event. I think the dress you selected is too casual/daytime for a gala.

[femmegrrlprof]

I was actually going to say the same thing---neither of those dresses seem "semi-formal" to me.

[trizydlux]

I agree with both of you. Those are both pretty dresses, but I think the first one is sort of costume-y, and the second is something that I would wear to work (though I do see it appears in both the evening dress section of the website AND the casual dress section). I do think Igigi has some really nice choices and some of those are not floor length. I like this one (and even better in the green color, but the black pic shows the dress better):

[alogsdon]

I think this would work really well. I also think the fringed number would be appropriate, though. I think it would be costume-y only if you did really accessorize with vintage jewelry. I would keep the jewelry, bag and shoes modern. But this dress would be much easier to accessorize because it's simpler. You wouldn't even need a necklace since there is already enough "interest" at the neckline.
See my comment below for a definition of black tie, though, that might mean these dresses are too short...