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AIBU?

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Friends daughter(16) ruined designer dress

403 replies

kidditsonyou · 03/04/2025 21:19

DSD (22) works around fashion so has a lot of clothes and often gets designer items at good price.

Friend asked if her daughter could borrow a dress for her 16th birthday. I asked DSD who agreed, she often lends clothes to friends and family. Dress chose and borrowed was very expensive and covered in intricate beading, DSD got it heavily reduced but still cost several hundred. DSD says she heavily pushed for daughter to try it on while she was there but she refused, was told it fit perfectly.

Dress returned today and is very damaged.
Zip tape is ripped, Inside lining is ripped and main body is very stretched and warped. Several areas of beading damaged and quite a lot of beads missing. No mention of this when dropped off.

DSD reckons is not repairable / not worth repairing because of the amount of different areas of damage. Previous plan was that DSD would also lend a prom dress.
DSD is very kind and anxious, she is not likely to kick up a fuss or demand anything but is upset. I feel responsible as the initial conversation came through me.

What’s reasonable in this situation? It’s not unreasonable to refuse lending of prom dress and also request at least the price DSD paid for the dress, is it? (Though she wouldn’t be able to get the same dress at that price again)
I know this would be a lot of money for friend

OP posts:
Blackcountrychik83 · 03/04/2025 21:23

How do people not feel guilty when handing over an obviously damaged dress . I would be questioning this friends morals if I was you coz she’s bang out of order for not even discussing this with you .

I couldn’t stay friends and the offer of a prom dress would be taken back without a doubt .

WindyRoses · 03/04/2025 21:22

Absolutely not unreasonable, but also if "friend" was really your friend, she should have offered that immediately upon returning the dress, along with copious apologies from the 16 year old in person!

as for whether of not your friend can afford the price for the ruined dress, tell her 16 year old to go get a job and pay her mother back!

if I was the mother I would be mortified at having to return a damaged item, that I, or someone I'd asked on behalf of, to borrow had ruined. Stick up for your DSD, and ask friend to repay her the cost of the dress

GrizeldaMcBain · 03/04/2025 21:21

Definitely say no to lending another dress and explain exactly why. As for asking her to pay for the ruined dress, I’m not sure. If I were her I’d offer when I knew it was ruined. If you have to ask it may damage your friendship.