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AIBU?

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Original poster

To not have already got a prom dress appointment?!

70 replies

Wombatbum · 23/01/2023 15:11

My daughter said loads of people at school already have dress shop appointments! And one of her friends already has her dress! I’m panicking as I was really hoping I’d be able to get her a dress from a high street shop, am I being naive?! If anyone has some money saving prom tips I’m all ears as I’ve got another leaving school next year too!!! 😩 thanks

OP posts:
Helpwhatwouldyoudonext · 23/01/2023 15:14

Just bought one from Vinted, still has tags on. Will need taking up slightly but have paid a third of the tag price, so definitely in the high street price range.
I told my daughter to have a look early (she has until July!) and after a weekend's research we made an offer on one which was accepted.

Better to buy unwanted / used too - we'll be selling this one on again! Would have bought second hand - they're often only worn once.

bumpytrumpy · 23/01/2023 15:15

Don't buy into the nonsense! There are many many lovely dressses available on the high street.

AuntieStella · 23/01/2023 15:17

We just went on a shopping trip to the nearest city about a week beforehand.

I did think that was cutting it a bit fine, as we'd have been stuffed if she hadn't found anything she liked. Fortunately, she did

takealettermsjones · 23/01/2023 15:17

I'd definitely be going second hand, or if you want high street try Chi Chi, Quiz, AX Paris etc.

Comedycook · 23/01/2023 15:18

Gosh...is this what I have to look forward to?! How ridiculous....they're not getting married ffs! I'm sure a high street dress will be absolutely fine.

Helpwhatwouldyoudonext · 23/01/2023 15:20

I didn't even know there was such a thing as a 'dress shop appointment' for a 15/16 year old!

PomBearWithoutHerOFRS · 23/01/2023 15:21

My DD 's prom dress came from dresslily or similar online.
it was £12.45 (including postage! 😁) and we customised/altered it a bit ourselves. We ordered it early though, those sites can take a long time for delivery sometimes.
her boots were £3 in Primark sale. She did her own hair and make-up.
it's not about the money, or shouldn't be.

butmumineedit · 23/01/2023 15:22

My daughter has got hers from Next in the clearance section - some real bargains on there - - with some top brands

Helpwhatwouldyoudonext · 23/01/2023 15:23

Mine got the benefit of me, standing on the landing whilst I said yes, we'll take it up a bit, try a different bra, try it with both your Converse and Docs before I stuck this pin in, you can't change your mind!!
Maybe if you asked her, she would've chosen a dress shop after all 😂😂😂

AlpineSnow · 23/01/2023 15:25

We got them for both dds from Next for about £50. From looking at the photos of the prom they didn't look in any way out of place. There was the full range on the girls. Trouser suits, long dresses, shorter skimpier dresses, ball gowns. Surrey comp. (Near Croydon not full on Surrey)

gogohmm · 23/01/2023 15:25

Try quiz at the mall

MargaretThursday · 23/01/2023 15:45

Ds hasn't decided whether he is going. He says if he's going he's going to wear his football kit with a black tie.

He says can anyone prove that isn't black tie?

He's not impressed by the dress code. Can you tell?🤣🤣🤣

DestinysGrandchild · 23/01/2023 15:47

Don't worry about not having an 'appointment' somewhere. Some kids go all out and turn up in £££ dresses but you can get just as nice dresses from a normal shop.

Bikechic · 23/01/2023 15:50

DD1 - charity shop, fitted perfectly £15
DD2 - ASOS, DGM altered the length on it £30 ish

Greatly · 23/01/2023 15:52

High Street here. Private school where very dressy typical prom dresses were seen as naff. Zara seemed to be one of the most popular.

AlpineSnow · 23/01/2023 15:58

AlpineSnow · 23/01/2023 15:25

We got them for both dds from Next for about £50. From looking at the photos of the prom they didn't look in any way out of place. There was the full range on the girls. Trouser suits, long dresses, shorter skimpier dresses, ball gowns. Surrey comp. (Near Croydon not full on Surrey)

By ball gown I mean a more gathered skirt like this rather than a cinderella crinoline.

To not have already got a prom dress appointment?!
UWhatNow · 23/01/2023 16:03

Greatly · 23/01/2023 15:52

High Street here. Private school where very dressy typical prom dresses were seen as naff. Zara seemed to be one of the most popular.

My dd went to a very diverse inner city comprehensive and there was a mix. Some girls went minimal and high street (they looked better and more youthful/appropriate imo), some wore trousers suits, and others went down the big formal frock route which they had to constantly hold up as they clumped around in shoes too high.

For the few short hours they were there I could not help but think how ridiculous it was that some parents clearly spent an absolute fortune on big structured dresses that looked far too old and frumpy for 16 year olds.

Lots of the online shops do long gowns that will be perfectly fine for 4 hours at a high school prom.

Original poster
Wombatbum · 23/01/2023 16:10

Thanks everyone, in her head she’s got the idea of a just below knee length dress, fishnet tights and doc martens, all rock chick looking…I’d prefer her to go with something a bit more mainstream but won’t stop her x

OP posts:
pointythings · 23/01/2023 16:16

@Wombatbum my DD1 went full Steampunk/goth and looked great. Got the dress from Burleska in Camden, dressed it up with fishnets, ankle boots and a proper updo. I made the accessories. Came to about £100 all told and no appointments needed.

DD2 got a knee length classy sheath dress in the sales from a local posh shop that sells to racegoers, was £30. It doesn't have to be crazy prom princess.

wizzler · 23/01/2023 16:18

Dd and her mates are ordering online and I am to be denied the pleasure of a mother daughter shopping experience. I was looking forward to it so am quite piqued

Original poster
Wombatbum · 23/01/2023 16:19

pointythings · 23/01/2023 16:16

@Wombatbum my DD1 went full Steampunk/goth and looked great. Got the dress from Burleska in Camden, dressed it up with fishnets, ankle boots and a proper updo. I made the accessories. Came to about £100 all told and no appointments needed.

DD2 got a knee length classy sheath dress in the sales from a local posh shop that sells to racegoers, was £30. It doesn't have to be crazy prom princess.

That sounds great!

OP posts:
Thatnameistaken · 23/01/2023 16:20

My daughter got a gorgeous dress from ASOS for £20 a crafter friend altered it to fit and she looked amazing. She knew spending a fortune wasn't an option for us so sorted it all out herself, we paid for her hair to be done.

lunar1 · 23/01/2023 16:24

One of my friends was telling me about the insanity of prom. Appointment for a dress fitting, where you have to tell them which school so they don't sell you the same dress as someone else!

Apparently the total cost won't give much change from a grand. This looks a a NW state school in a pretty deprived area.

Thank god I have boys!

xogossipgirlxo · 23/01/2023 16:27

Dress appointment? Are you sure they're not trying to kill two birds with one stone and perhaps getting married after prom? 😂It sounds like "Gossip Girl" UK version.

BeanCounterBabe · 23/01/2023 16:29

Wombatbum

Why would you prefer something more mainstream?? Your daughter's idea sounds really cool.