Where can I get a bridesmaid dress?

[jarviscockatiel]

Having come back from a fruitless day of searching for a bridesmaid dress I thought I could harness the power of Mumsnet to help me find one.
I live near High Wycombe, Bucks and need a bright red dress for my 17 year old niece. I am open-minded about the design of it as I really want her to be comfortable with it. She can be size 12 - 16 depending on the brand and because of this I really don't want to order from the internet as I can't afford to pay for 3 dresses of each style and then have to send most of them back. Because of this, I'd really value recommendations of shops to go to. I've already looked in House of Fraser, John Lewis plus usual high street stores such as Next, Dorothy Perkins. Thank you for your help.

[bigchris]

Debenhams
Monsoon?
Zara
Bright red might require a fabric shop to dye it though

[kel1493]

I got my bridesmaid dress for my mums wedding from quiz clothing. My best friend also got her bridesmaid dress for my wedding from quiz clothing.
Maxi dresses, full length. £70. A good price.
May not have that colour in though

[kel1493]

I've had a very quick look and there are a few red dresses online. Styles may not suit though..

[jarviscockatiel]

Thank you for your suggestions. I've already looked at Zara and Monsoon shops. Quiz is possible as I could go to a shop about 10 miles away although I'm not sure whether my niece will like the two red options. Is dyeing a dress difficult????

[dontcallmelen]

Coast are usually good for bridemaid dresses.

[Ilovewheelychairs]

I know you said not online, but I'm having this dress in navy for my bridesmaids. Really good fit with a little bit of stretch. Good returns etc too.

prettykittyfashion.co.uk/collections/lace-dresses/products/red-lace-embroidered-dress?variant=18823266179

[jarviscockatiel]

The pretty kitty one is indeed pretty, thank you. Do you know how long it is? My niece is 5'6'' and I don't think she'd feel comfortable in anything too short.

I've looked at Coast in HoF and JL but they didn't have anything in red and there are no red options for bridesmaid dresses on their online site either.

I guess I'm shooting myself in the foot by not buying online but having seen the traumas of prom dress buying with my niece, I'd probably have to buy about 50 just for her to try on!!

[Ilovewheelychairs]

It's about mid calf length on my 5"6/5"7 bridesmaids. Like your niece my bridesmaids fitted into a range of sizes at different shops. I started with the middle size and luckily it worked out. My bridesmaid who is a size 12-16 in various shops fitted well into the 14. I am buying them an underskirt as well to make it more swingy!

If you like the style, Vivienne of Holloway have similar 1950's style dresses in red satin and they have a shop in London?

[Ilovewheelychairs]

Vivienne of Holloway one is here: www.vivienofholloway.com/women-c70/dresses-c10/1950s-halterneck-red-sateen-dress-p288

[Ilovewheelychairs]

This one in JL is quite bridesmaid-y?

m.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-arabella-maxi-dress/scarlet/p/3114090

[jarviscockatiel]

Ilove You are a star, thank you. I went into a Phase Eight shop today with my niece to try on a larger size of the Arabella dress and I've ordered it in 2 sizes so hopefully one will fit perfectly. Thank you for all the effort you made to help me.

[Ilovewheelychairs]

No problem! Got everything crossed for you, hope one is the perfect fit!

[RedMetamorphosis]

Surprised you couldn't find any in Coast - they've got some gorgeous ones here