Dd and I are going to a fancy party. Where should we shop?

[Flamingoose]

I'm 40, size 10, and looking for something well cut and lined for under 200 pounds. Can you recommend some brands to check out? I suit fitted dresses, but I hate showing too much skin, so high neck and long sleeves would be best. I loathe wearing heels. Can I wear a dress with flats?

Dd is 12 and doesn't really want to wear a dress or anything fancy. I was thinking maybe velvet trousers and some sort of top or jacket for her? I could be utterly wrong about that!! She might be persuaded to wear a skirt with chunky boots. She's at a funny in-between age where she really just wants to wear navy blue leggings and have no one notice her. Any brand recommendations for her? Please don't say Topshop or H&M - we are utterly overwhelmed by the choice there and end up leaving with nothing.

It's a family party - not especially formal (the older generation will dress up). We haven't seen everyone for years and want to look nice.

For you I would reccomend hobbs or have a look at boden if you don't want to pay that much. For your DD u would suggest a jumpsuit. Suitably smart these days but probably casual enough to satisfy her.

Both good suggestions. Thank you!

Have a look at Coast, but buy a size up as they are quite small.

For DD have a look at Next

Good tips. Thank you :)

If anyone has any more suggestions I'd be grateful. Have checked out the ideas so far and not yet found the perfect thing.

You don’t mention your height - my recommendations will be better if you are tallish....Me and Em, Arket, massimo dutti

Possibly a Vivienne Westwood dress on sale e.g. flannels sale

For DD if she is a child like twelve then Zara may be worth a look, though unfortunately the website is styled with smaller children. They have European clothes which look quite smart/plain.

Urban outfitters is a classic teen choice and do have some good evening options but you may feel it’s similarly daunting to topshop. You could search the website with plenty of filers e.g. dresses and jumpsuits, size 6 may narrow it down enough.

Forever unique and Comino Couture.

Debenhams might be worth a go?

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_028030321233_-1

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_028030321360_-1

Flat shoes should be fine, with any, you should wear whatever you are comfortable in!

My fave would be the polka dot one with some flat red, gold, pink flat slingbacks.

For your daughter, maybe something like this?
www.newlook.com/uk/girls/clothing/playsuits-jumpsuits/girls-black-floral-frill-bandeau-jumpsuit-/p/596091209?comp=Browse

www.newlook.com/uk/girls/clothing/playsuits-jumpsuits/girls-black-floral-crepe-square-neck-jumpsuit/p/597076009?comp=Browse

I know you weren't keen on H&M for her but they have got some classic shapes which she may feel confident in:

m2.hm.com/m/en_gb/productpage.0641012001.html

m2.hm.com/m/en_gb/productpage.0551717003.html

m2.hm.com/m/en_gb/productpage.0626119001.html

And I would stick with just some simple sandals for her?

www.newlook.com/uk/girls/footwear/shoes/girls-pink-glitter-espadrille-sandals/p/581998970?comp=Browse

She might just like the cut of the leggings/feel they suit her? are they by a particular brand? I wore a navy jumper for many years when I was younger because I got a lot of compliments on it and was told colour was nice on me...it maybe something like that? X

P.s. that's meant to say red/gold/pink for the slingbacks 😄

If it’s geographically convenient do a John Lewis personal shopping consultation for yourself. It’s free, you are well within their price range and they stock so many brands you will have loads of choice.

for your DD, if she is happy in leggings I’d let her stay in leggings. It’s a family party not a court ball. As long as she is clean and smiley with shiny hair she is bound to look nice. Maybe buy her a nice top from Monsoon or some such to smarten the leggings up a bit. And if she would wear them, there are a lot of embellished glittery trainers /skater shoes in the shops atm which would dress leggings up a bit.