Ideas for leavers' ball transport and dress

[Housemum]

OK, so this isn't "education" but thought those of you with secondary age kids might have some ideas if you've seen previous balls. DD1 wants something "different" - all the chavs have limos (her words, not mine). She thought of a bus but couldn't get enough people to justify the cost. I can't think of anything other than a classic car.

Also, has anyone ever had a dress made for them? She has some fixed ideas about what she wants, but I don't want to be embarassed if I talk to a dressmaker with no clue of the price (and if it's likely to be too much I can let her down gently now...)

Thank you

I know of someone who used a converted fire engine in the Midlands!

Will be watching this with interest. DD having her leavers ball in June... wants me to make her dress but not totally decided which pattern! As for transport she is thinking we will drive her and some of her mates rather than the limo but bet she will change her mind and go with the rest of them even she agrees it's "chavy"

Could you not try and make it for her?

Round here also someone has a converted fire engine and also a tank. (Actually dh informs me it's an armoured personnel carrier.)

There is a haulage firm in one of the other villages who has show pieces eg. fronts of lorries, four of these were used to transport some boys to the leavers ball.

Traction engine can get a bit sooty, so cover up; Vintage car; pony and trap? DS chose to go on a tandem, but not recommended for those wearing dresses.

Can't kids just enjoy the Leavers' Ball without turning it into an excercise in one-up-manship.

Like the fire engine idea. And hermodike, I know it's following the herd but I'd feel mean if I just said she had to go in the family car.

I would make a dress but my skills are a bit wobbly - knitting and cross stitch are fine, but give me a sewing machine and craft stuff and little kid stuff are my limit (ie too young to complain...)

DD's friends also had a Fire Engine!

SOme girls get dresses from Ebay, you send your measurements. They were happy with results.

DD saw an individual shop in Oxford that she wants to go back to to get a dress for her FInal leaving 6th Form Bash They were really cheap as well!

DH took DD3 to her year 11 prom. some of the girls did go in limos but most got taxies or parents bought them. SShe bought a pretty knee length summer party dess from top shop and wore it with a belt. All her friends said how nice she loked.

Oh Milliways what's the shop called & where abouts in Oxford is it....please???

If your DD is into second-hand/vintage clothing, this shop in Oxford used to be FANTASTIC! Unicorn, on Ship Street, just off Cornmarket. I used to go when I was a student years ago!

Brightwell - It was a small shop in the indoor market place (loads of little shops, cafes & a Milkshake bar etc). From the outside it all looked posh & expensive, but the dresses we all under £30! On close examination they were NOT the best quality, but as DD said, they only have to do a few parties!! (She was looking at short dresses & puffy skirt thingys). I don't know Oxford, we only went to visit the Uni - sorry!

T K Maxx have prom dresses (all lengths) as well.

Thanks, I'll have a look next time I'm in town.

I have been thinking about this some more, housemum. I remember that for her prom DD wanted a new dress. And a handbag to match. And shoes, of course. And a pashmina. And a limo with her mates. And ... and ... It's scary how it mounts up.

If I was doing it again, I would agree a budget with DD and then leave it up to her how much she spends on each part of the evening!

Good idea hermodike!

Dress - the bane of my existance
Check out M&S Debenhams as well as Monsoon for new ones
Try Ebay and vintage clothing shops for retro or vintage ones
Transport - this is fun. Get a BIG bunch of her friends and get the local bus there. Very fun, you get lots of compliments and all the (nice) attention. There are alwys the old standbys of classic car, horse and carraige, Motorbike (ruins the hair though). I know some kids that got
Helicopters
Scooters
Trucks/Lorries
Local Bus
Ferrari
Rolls
Mustang Convertible
Walked

Good luck with it.

My son and his friends went on the tube - all dressed up in black tie outfits, they took loads of photos.

how about this very cool car this was my wedding car