I need a dress for a ball - advice/suggestions?

[ComeAlongPond]

It's not too fancy, it's black tie university one. But from what I can tell, everyone is going in floor length dresses anyway so I don't want to be the odd one out flashing my legs around when nobody else is, iyswim.

I'm 23, size 6, five foot 3... but I'm on a teensy budget and really, ought not to spend much over £100.

I like this one but I'm not sure if the skirt is too 'thin' and not enough room to move? Also it may be a bit big in an 8, but is very cheap so could be taken in...

I also like this one but I have my doubts because it's Jane Norman... is it actually nice, or just tacky??

Finally there's this one but I'm just not sure about it.

What do you think? Other suggestions would be greatly appreciated too.

Thank you :)

Oh, thank you, some of those are lovely... I particularly love that first one you linked to, hatti. And thank you for those links warmandwooly, I will check out the other thread now as well.

At 5ft 3 you may well find a full length dress needs to be taken up. Pick one that looks like this might be do-able, whether you are going to do it yourself, or get a dressmaker to do it (probably £15-£20).

Chiffon is v. hard to hem unless you have the right machine. Anything with a fancy hem or border might well be out.

That's a good point, OneHandFlapping. I do know someone who will do it for me, but I need to remember to get the dress ordered with time to get it hemmed!