Dinner party... long dress or short dress...

We are invited to a semi-formal dinner party in a few days. I own two of the proverbial "little black dresses," about the only things anywhere close to formal that I own. One is short, straight, about mid-thigh length chemise, shows boobage. The other is a long ankle length, long sleeved, fitted bodice dress that doesn't show much skin. Most attendees will probably be university people in the 30-60 year old range. I must admit to being completely "out of my element" when it comes to formal get-togethers. I do have have a couple of business suits, but I'm not sure that would be inappropriate.

Since I'm only about 5' 1" (155cm) tall I want to know which might make me look taller. I think the long dress makes me look like a teen trying to play grownup.

Advice, please.

This is where I miss the old TFP Ladies Lounge.

 

I'd go with the short dress. Frankly, the other dress sounds dowdy. Cocktail-length is more than appropriate for these kinds of events. If you feel it shows too much, maybe work in a scarf as an accessory, but I wouldn't worry too much. Are you game to wear heels? That will add length to your legs.

 

Given that it's a dinner party at a university in the Midwest, I highly doubt they mean black tie.

 

Given the area, I do tend to agree with @Shadowex3 on the idea of leaning towards being more modest. Just my $.02. The way the OP is worded makes it sound like a relatively conservative crowd. Can you find pics online of what the two dresses look like to give us a more clearer comparison? That may help.

 

Thanks @Shadowex3 for your input. Although not any kind of official university function, this is a private social event, the commonality being the University of Nebraska College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. After talking to a few that attended last year I think that what they are getting at is that this is not a shirtsleeves and jeans occasion. I don't think anyone will be turned away unless they show up in Speedos and flip-flops. The group culture is smart well educated but unapologetic "aggies."

The dress shows cleavage, but is not bare shoulders. Showing a little cleavage helps define me as an adult woman. Otherwise I can look like a twelve year old boy in a dress. I think you are right about dressing down for men. In this crowd I would bet that as soon as dinner is over we will start to see ties removed (or at least loosened) and jackets shed. You're right, it's not as easy for women.

Good advice, which I'm already taking.

 

Good old D. C. a great place for liberal boobs and conservative asses.

 

I like the idea of the shorter dress.
It sounds like a fun event.

I once was told semi-formal for a Christmas party at Tt's old job when he worked IT at a law firm. So I showed up in something semi-formal... The perfect slimming black silk dress with some discreet sequins that caught the light occasionally... I was very much over-dressed. The men were in golf shirts and the women in holiday sweaters. I was embarrassed. And to make it worse, Tt's unruly dog jumped on me just as I walked in his door after the party and tore a massive hole in the dress. $250 down the drain - more than I had ever spent on clothes at once in my life (never spent as much since - even my wedding gown was less expensive).

I had been careful to clarify the dress code and even looked up the restaurant where the event took place. I was so, so angry when I realized what they meant when they said semi-formal.

 

What did you decide? Has the party taken place yet? If so, how did it go?

 

The party is Monday evening. I'm going with the short dress. With a scarf or cape. When I got the long dress out it looked a little faded or stained in places, so I ruled it out. I'll report how it goes.

 

I bought the long dress used and it had a label sewn in... Lewinsky, or something like that.