what on earth do I wear to a PTA ball?

[legalalien]

HEELLPP!

In a fit of uncharacteristic confidence I signed myself up to go to a black tie PTA ball at DS's new [private and scary, to me at least] nursery /primary school. I can't back out now as I've bought the tickets. The last time I went to a ball was at least a decade ago and I was two sizes smaller - so I have to head into central London tomorrow to try and buy something. I have about as much fashion sense as - well - a geeky person without much fashion sense.

any ideas? pleeese? Doesn't have to be terribly cheap, but on the other hand I don't want to spend silly amounts on something I'm only going to wear once. And ideally not black (because I always wear black and look completely washed out)

me: somewhere between 5'6" and 5.7"; size 10-12, mid brown hair, fairly pale (yellow tinge not pink tinge to skin if that makes sense).

[KatieDD]

Head for Monsoon, they usually have something nice and not black. Jewel colours seem to be in at the moment.

[Buda]

Loads f options here.

[Gobbledigook]

I know it's boring and everyone does it but go to Coast - they have simple dresses that won't look too OTT if you're not used to dressing up.

Coast dresses sell well on ebay if you won't wear it again.

[legalalien]

yes, debenhams a good idea, will try monsoon as well. Do they HAVE to call them "prom dresses"? I am too old to wear anything called a prom dress (grumble, grumble)

[SoupDragon]

Debenhams is 20% off today and there's a free delivery code somewhere.

[robinpud]

Look at john Rocha at Debenhams- his stuff is well made and well cut.

[legalalien]

what about something like this

green dress

or is it too short? also worried about being cold.

[PuppyMonkey]

Crikey, a PTA ball! Sounds like a blardy nightmare

[legalalien]

at cost!

I quite like the navy one actually, may need to see what it looks like "in the flesh", so to speak.

Can't quite see myself in flame coloured ruffles - people might notice me or something.

and yes, a PTA ball does sound ghastly - I just had visions of being branded as completely antisocial at a critical school-gate-clique forming phase if I didn't sign up. (think we might need an "insecure" emoticon!)

[themildmanneredstalker]

if it's a pta ball then surely you should be wearing something made from a net cutain, with accessories possibly made from pasta and string and tinsel?

[legalalien]

ps - funny about the twins! how's nursery going? Am changing jobs back to the city at end of the month, so will be able to make city lunches again...

[legalalien]

change of job (back to old place/team, 10-4 and term time only). (have probably just outed myself to anyone who knows me - oh, well)

[ithinkimtallandblonde]

You'll hve great fun you'll realise everybody is in the exact same boat as you and then get really pissed and embabrassing together. I love karen Millen i'd steer clear of Monsoon and coast you don't want to turn up wearing the same as someone else.