To ask for help choosing a dress for daughter's 18th?

[whichdresshelpplease]

My daughter turns 18 soon and is having a party. She has specified a "white" theme - so we all need to wear white. I have no idea why - apparently it "looks good on the photos". Anyway, I've told her white isn't the most flattering of colours on a 39 year old mum of two, but my protests were largely dismissed! Of course they were, my size 6 tiny daughter looks fabulous in white 😂

Anyway, I've narrowed it down to 2 options - just need help choosing between the two. Apparently pattern is acceptable and she has "approved" both of these.

So... which one shall I wear, option 1 (white & pink), or option 2 (white & black)?

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/zw-collection-contrast-midi-dress-p08212219.html?v1=372776424&v2=2420888

Hi OP, I think both of those dresses are fine but nothing special really, and you sound like you’re doing yourself down with them. I am also 5 foot 8 - I tried this on (am a bit larger and five years older) and I felt brilliant.It looks a bit hangy online but is a lot nicer on. It’s fitted but chic.

Where is the party? If it’s in your home I wouldn’t wear either
If it’s a restaurant place…either but definitely neither if they’re from SHEIN
Garden party? Which ever goes best with wellies
A hotel venue ? Either….again not if they’re from SHEIN
I prefer the black & white one….i always think pink looks a bit ‘chavvy’ Sorry.

I would go with white if that's what's specified, not black and white or black and pink.

The Zara dress desperatedaysareover found is lovely. A million times nicer than the ones in your OP. And also not from Shein. In fact I'd say anything not from Shein is nicer than anything from Shein.

Also love the Zara one. Please try to avoid Shein for above reasons.

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/draped-midi-dress-p03152320.html?v1=397267096

Another white dress from Zara...

Color-wise the black and white one makes sense, especially with a black blazer.

Dare I say they’re a wee bit sexy for the mum at an 18 year olds party though? I’m a similar age and figure so I’m not saying put a cardigan on. Just something a little more classic?

hides and ducks

I think the black & white one will look better for a white theme.

If you go for the pink one just to be aware, my DD has it in blue - it's beautiful but skintight just in case you wanted to size up! It's also ankle length on her and she is only 5'1" ish

The black and white option is nice.

I think you should go with something all white, some fab suggestions on here already and sounds like you have the perfect figure to carry off any of them. Hope she has a great party!

I don’t think either of them will be anything like the pictures if they’re from SHEIN, I’d worry the material will make them look really cheap.

Some of the suggestions here are 10x nicer. With your height I bet you could wear any of them and look lovely.

I think the 2nd black and white is the best dress.

I agree with this. Cheap white fabric (I.e. the fabric used for those Shein dresses) will look awful, regardless of your figure - it'll likely be see-through and clingy due to being badly cut....

You'll look far better if you go for something well made with good quality fabric.

I also agree that the pink might spoil the white look your DD is going for. Black won't because it's still monochrome, but the pink has the potential to clash with other people's accessories etc.

2

The Karen Millen dresses are beautiful and look v classy.

Sorry OP but not a fan of your suggestions. I don’t think they’re classy at all.

Sorry I think both of the OP options are really naff and probably will look 10x worse in person because the fabric will be awful. Some really lovely classy suggestions from PP though - and not expensive either!

The Karen Millen dresses linked above are absolutely gorgeous. Won't the shein ones be a bit see through?

I don't like them either, sorry.
The skin tight look is dated and tacky, if they're from Shein they're bound to look cheap, and pics I've seen of white parties, people are in all white.

Some lovely suggestions by pp, but to add one more, I think this is lovely:

www.johnlewis.com/chi-chi-london-cut-work-lace-one-shoulder-midi-dress/white/p111708553

Sounds like DD is a bit precious!

18 is hardly a massive achievement! Congrats on staying alive!

That being said, I'd chose the second one. Strapless is too much like hard work, and you'd spend half the night inelegantly hoiking it up constantly!