Where to find ball dresses

[shinybaubles]

I have a ball I have to go to, I am dreading it I am a size 16 and short, and have a budget up to £1500, but where should I be looking, and if they fit they will probably be too long won't they? Any ideas please, before I find a reason not to go.
DH says just get one made but I have no idea if that's even an option?

Definitely an option on that budget

Look at Vogue patterns - there are a few wedding dress designs which would look fab. Macculloch and Wallis have lovely fabric, but a good dressmaker my have a trade supplier.

Have a look at the Sewing bee on BBC I player - they did big dresses in the final and prom dresses in one episode

For one ball, I'd be tempted to see if there is a dress hire place locally first. Much cheaper and lots of choice. There's one near us that is really popular. Might be worth checking out.

Really you think that's a good option, how would I go about finding a dressmaker - completely clueless.
Was hoping for an I know this fantastic shop that cater for short round people who don't do dresses -

Dress hire didn't think of that, but not sure i wouldn't spend the whole night paranoid in case I spilt something.

Unless it's a very high class ball, HofF do very nice size 16 ball dresses for under £200

Not sure if it's high class but am feeling some a great deal of pressure to look fab, I suspect there will be many real designer frocks, around.

Go to Vivienne Westwood and get something like this

This

Vera Wang

Pretty

Two piece

Vintage

Elegant

Selfridges
Harvey Nicks
Harrods

If you're looking at that kind of money, book an appointment with a personal shopper at any of the above. They will help with everything including accessories and even makeup.

By accessories I obv mean shoes, clutch/bag, wrap, tights or other undergarments spanx and so on

m.phase-eight.co.uk/fcp/product/phase-eightNina-Sequin-Jewelled-Full-Length-Dress/202188654

m.phase-eight.co.uk/fcp/categorylist/inspire/blacktieevents?resetFilters=true

shopbees.com/

I agree with Hearts - book in with personal shopper. Let them know when you book what sort of occasion it is for. It might sounds intimidating but ime they are always very nice, put you at your ease, have lots of ideas, and are not there to sell you the most expensive items. If you want to, take a friend and make a day of it.

Definitely try to get one made if you can. Look up local dressmakers? Or are there any independant dress boutiques near you?

Get a dyed-to-order dress from Ghost in a colour that really flatters you, and then have a dressmaker alter to fit perfectly and embroider or embellish it.

It will cost a whole lot less than £1500 and you will look like you're wearing Jenny Packham.

Charity shops in affluent areas of London are also worth a look for the base dress, as people often give away occasion wear and bridesmaid dresses they can't store in tiny London homes. Again, a dressmaker can make it magical with embellishments and alterations.

I go to a lot of black and white tie events for work and these two tricks have saved me a fortune over the years.

I would not get one made from scratch. It's very hard to trust a dressmaker you've never used before, and it's such a lot of money to waste if you're not happy.

I know several friends who were bitterly disappointed with their supposedly couture creations. A friend of mine had her wedding dress made and hated the result so much she ended up having to buy a sample dress off the rack days before her wedding!

Hire, don't buy! There is no point spending £1500 on something you will only wear once or twice. For a very minimal fraction of that, you can hire a top designer dress, and minor spillages are covered in the cost.

Try www.wishwantwear.com or www.girlmeetsdress.com.

there are lots of retailers around finsbury park who specialise is those sort of dresses

Sorry about the really late reply especially after so many kind replies, had visitors arrive on Thursday for the weekend.
I would love to have a Vivienne Westwood dress, nice dream.
I think I will think about buying a dress and having it altered rather than having one made, I don't think I can hire one as I think they will be all too long as I am short. I will have a look around Finsbury Park and then see what I can find online.
What area would you suggest I try for charity shops? It's a good idea and if I am going to be in London anyway I may as well try.