What was your party dress like when you were 8

[Radio4Rocks]

Inspired by another nostalgia thread.

I was 8 in 1960 and my party dress was made by my mum and was the envy of all my friends.

It was tangerine nylon with a full gathered skirt with a border of white flowers around the hem, lovingly applied by hand. The same flowers were around the neckline as well. It had a sash that tied in a bow at the back.

Underneath I wore a white layered paper nylon petticoat to make the skirt of my dress stand out.

White, lace trimmed ankle socks and white sandals. The sandals had to be cleaned with that white pastey stuff that came in a tube with a sponge on the end.

My long hair was dragged into a high pony tail with a huge white bow.

I loved that dress. My mum made me a new party dress every year until I went to grammar school and was too sophisticated for such things. 😉

1997. A white cotton shift dress with lurid prints of bananas and oranges all over it. It may have had slightly puffed sleeves. My sister had a matching dress.

1989 purple tafeta skirt, ruched with rosebuds on the hemline, black velvet jacket and worn with a blouse.

I also had an amazing bridesmaid dress that was great for a big party

My party dress would have been from Marks & Spencer. Mine would have been blue or green & my best friend Rachel would have had the same dress in red or pink.

Our mums both shopped exclusively in M&S. If they didn’t sell it we didn’t have it. My mum favoured the blue shades & Rachel’s mum favoured the pink shades.

I usually had red ribbons in my hair though. Over rubber bands (pain).

Oh god, awful brown monstrosity with lacy cuffs and ruff neck thing and smocking. Looked a bit like a frilly sack. 1978. Mother loved it!

Sailor dress. Or possibly something smocked made by my granny. 1988

It was made by my nan, I adored it, mum leant it to my aunt for my cousin saying she wanted it back... never saw it again.

It was bright strawberry red slugsilk, with a white lace petticoat, puffy sleeves and was so cute!!! I looked adorable 😂

A cream silky blouse with lace edges and a purple velvet skirt to match! I loved it.

A drab, floral Laura Ashley thing. All of my friends had fabulous bright, flounced dresses, and I was like an extra from Little House on the Prairie.

1977 - ankle-length cream with a small sprig pattern in dark green. A ruffle at the bottom, slightly puffed sleeves, pleats on the front bodice. It was my first long dress and I felt very grown-up, but I really wanted a black velvet dress with a white collar.

I don't think I had one. Childrens parties weren't a thing locally (or I just didn't get invited to any past age 6), and my parents never went to anything.
If I did, mum would have made it

1965. Orange chiffon with a papery orange under-dress. The chiffon had white daisy flowers all over it - if you know flocked wallpaper, you know the kind of thing. The collar, cuffs and bib front were stiff white nylon fabric. It was very uncomfortable. I think I wore it once.

My party dress was a hand me down from my 3 older sisters 😂. It was a Tartan number.

My first communion dress was also a hand me down. It started as a full length with my oldest sister. My mum must have taken scissors to it every time we wore it. By the time I got it, it barely covered my arse😂😂

M&S. Black with tiny multi coloured polka dots. With a scalloped collar. Knee length and long sleeves. Pure late 80's! Older sister had matching too! 🙈

1992. A Spanish inspired flamenco rara dress with a black bodice, puffed sleeves and a tiered skirt in green, orange and yellow polka dot material. I LOVED that dress.

Late 80s - polyester taffeta in fuchsia pink with black velvet bows and a huge netted skirt. Black velvet polka dots on the pink part. I loved it so much. I distinctly remember squeezing into it when I was about 12 and Proust showing my mum that it still 'fitted'. I got stuck and was genuinely scared I'd never get out of it again

Always had a new dress for Sunday school presentation day - late1980s. Ones I remember - lovely “Heidi” dress with burgundy skirt, sailor style dress and an fabulous rainbow pleated skirt one. Always purchased from special posh shop !

1980. White silk blouse with lace cuffs, red velvet skirt, white tights.

1976 & made by my mum, a double layer, white cotton with white lace overlay (actually cotton lace net curtain material my mum got from a friend of my nan, I've still got some of it though very yellow now) in a slightly 60s knee length straight A line style. Deep pink velvet ribbon tied round the waist and matching velvet ribbons in my hair. I loved that dress!

Bright red with a pencil skirt, mandarin collar and cap sleeves made by my mum. 1990s

Never had one.

It's strange as my dd is 8 and she's not worn dresses for years. Usually wears skinny ripped jeans and river island cropped to-shirts to party's 😬😬

Dark green tartan with a white lace peter pan collar. Elbow length tight sleeves, fitted bodice and a full skirt to knee length.

There is a photo of my 8th birthday with me and six little friends in the garden. Five of them are in pink net frothy extravanganzas which I was envious of. The sixth is wearing an orange and turquoise 60s shift with a zip up the front - I did not want a dress like that. I am in this beautiful tasteful dress which I did love, but I also wanted a pink fairy frock.

Mid 1980s. I had 2.
One was a short sleeved summer one in stiff cotton which was white with sprigs of flowers all over and a purple sash.
The other was a long sleeved satin one with a white net underskirt. It was black and white and orange check. Sounds hideous but it really wasn't. Diamanté buttons too. Oh to be 8 again!

1976. Hand me down navy crimpolene/ polyester maxi dress with grilled cuffs and flowery panels. I loved it - until I wore it to my school Christmas party afternoon & was laughed at by the rich girls. I should have expected it, it was par for the course. I can still remember their names, bitches.

1967Pistachio green shift dress ( in crimpeline sadly) with lilac coloured feather trim at neck and round the skirt.