LBD for dd in 1st year of University -help you fashionistas!

[TheEmpressOfUtterBastardry]

Dd starts university soon and wants a 'smart but also chic but also cool' black dress or two for dinners and such. Can anyone recommend a good place to purchase such a thing? the dress ought to be black, quite short and fit a size 6.
TIA x

Allsaints would be my first port of call.

AAh I hadn't even thought of them, thanks !

Asos. Zara. It’s a bit early for Christmas LBDs. Get student discount as asos.

Thank you

There’s not likely to be any dinners this term!

There might be , small group ones in households

Oh God - this reminds me of shopping for going-to-university clothes, about a billion years ago. First week Director of Studies drinks, everyone in jeans, woolly jumpers and faded tee shirts, 'cept me in Fenwick's finest satin pussy bow blouse and a neat pencil skirt.

But there was a girl in my college who blew her entire first term's grant (yes, it was that long ago) in Laura Ashley. She looked wonderful, floating around in endless pie crust collars and tartan skirts - but I gather the conversation with her parents over Christmas was ... tricky.

I dunno, OP - if she's young enough for you to be helping her find clothes she'll look great in anything. But she'll win coolness credit if she shops in vintage stores or antiques markets ...

Help her get basics if she needs them but suggest she waits for more, she will find her own style once there.

Thanks all, maybe I ought to just let her do it. She hates all my suggestions anyway!

@Peaseblossom22 no-one dresses up for flat dinners! Even for formal events I’ve been surprised at hue Relatively casual dress codes are now. I went to Oxbridge in the late 80’s and barely a week went by without something black tie which meant full on strapless frock, elbow length gloves etc and the chaps in proper DJ’s. Neither of my kids’ unis do all black tie Events now

Depends on the university surely.? Balls are still held but maybe not this year. Formal dress can be worn at quite a few events but it depends on the university. Students often shop via asos and everyone else with an in line presence. Not everyone wants vintage. Some don’t see it as cool but there’s a market for used ball gowns in Oxford! It is a good idea to develop your style. Vintage is usually small sized so if you are bigger it’s impossible.

On line presence.

@TheEmpressOfUtterBastardry

Thanks all, maybe I ought to just let her do it. She hates all my suggestions anyway!

Heavens! You mean she hasn't even asked you to help?

In the kindest way - butt out! I know it's tempting but you are (in relative terms) a million years old and can have no idea of what she'll want once she's acclimatised.

(I'm always desperate to choose clothes for the family teens. I have to sit on my hands ...)

An odd suggestion but Biba is worth a look for more formal long dresses for young people. Concessions in House of Fraser.