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Original poster

Talk to me about prom dresses

38 replies

paralysedbyinertia · 09/05/2021 20:09

DD's school has confirmed that they are going ahead with their year 11 prom. DD will be 16, and really needs a chance to feel a bit special after a shitty year.

I'm just wondering about prom dresses. Where to buy, how much to spend etc. We went to a local shop today and tried some beautiful dresses, but they were all in the range of around £400!Shock That is not unaffordable for us if it is the norm, but it seems really extravagant for something that she might only end up wearing once! She also doesn't want to be really overdressed compared to her friends!

We tried some other places on the high street, as well as charity shops, but didn't find anything remotely suitable.

There are lots of cheaper dresses online, but it's really hard to tell which ones are reputable and it's also hard without being able to try stuff on. We are totally confused about her size - she usually wears a size 6 but in the posh shop, the dresses given to her by the lady were uk size 2 or us size zero. She is petite but not that tinyConfused - are prom dress sizes generally different?! We now don't know what size to order if we buy online!

DD is short so it's likely she'll have to have any dress altered. Dresses are often quite gapey around the top. Any idea how much we might typically have to pay for alterations? They're all included if we buy from the posh shop.

We are both so confused! I don't really care what she wears, I just want her to feel comfortable and a bit special - she has worked so incredibly hard, followed all the covid rules without complaint and tried so hard to stay positive, so I want her to really enjoy the prom. She just wants to find a dress that she loves, she fell in love with one of the expensive ones but is worried that it's wasteful because she'll probably never have a chance to use it again.

What do other people do? Are there any really good websites or shops that people would recommend? (We are in Midlands) Does it matter if you can't try the dress on before you buy it? We only have a few weeks so can't keep sending them back!

Any advice would be welcome!

OP posts:
TinaHopgood · 10/05/2021 21:44

Her friends have typically paid from £200- 600 for theirs

£400? £600? Bonkers! DD ordered 2 from ChiChi London to try on (free postage & free returns). Both looked lovely. Around £90 each - 10% off if you sign up for their newsletter.

Why do parents get sucked into this stretch limo/fancy car nonsense?

Bring back the Leavers Disco, I say Grin

MintyCedric · 10/05/2021 22:17

@paralysedbyinertia my friend's DD wore sequinned Converse under her very expensive prom dress

allofthecheese · 10/05/2021 22:26

I think asos is good shout. Lots of choice on there and super easy returns if not right. I've bought bridesmaid and occasion dresses from there before.

Malteser71 · 10/05/2021 22:33

It’s a strange year for dresses. Seamstresses can’t get hold of fabric, shops can’t order new stock.

If you find it, buy it.

heinztomatosoup · 10/05/2021 22:49

If you're anywhere near London the absolute best place to buy a dress is Fonthill Road in Finsbury Park. Many dress shops there have the identical dresses as the prom shops around the country but for less than half the price, as they are the wholesalers. Shows what a mark up those suburban shops are charging!

Original poster
paralysedbyinertia · 10/05/2021 23:57

@heinztomatosoup

If you're anywhere near London the absolute best place to buy a dress is Fonthill Road in Finsbury Park. Many dress shops there have the identical dresses as the prom shops around the country but for less than half the price, as they are the wholesalers. Shows what a mark up those suburban shops are charging!
That sounds amazing! Sadly, the cost of getting into London for us would probably cancel out any savings on the dress, but hopefully your suggestion will be helpful for someone else who is a bit nearer!
OP posts:
Original poster
paralysedbyinertia · 11/05/2021 00:00

[quote MintyCedric]@paralysedbyinertia my friend's DD wore sequinned Converse under her very expensive prom dress[/quote]
That's genius! I wish I could persuade dd to do that, but I think she has set her heart on heels. Fair enough, because she's tiny, but I can't help but think ruefully of all the evenings I ruined when I was younger through uncomfortable footwear! I guess there are some things that we have to learn from experience.

OP posts:
Ollinisca · 11/05/2021 02:28

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted

Felty · 11/05/2021 06:58

We bought about 8 dresses all from ASOS, all under £100 and had a really fun day at home with dd1 performing a tongue in cheek fashion show to her sister, my mum and me.
My mum who knows her way around a sewing machine could advise us immediately which dresses would be easy to adjust.
Sadly dd1 never got to go to her prom last year so her lovely sparkly dress remains hanging behind her door 🙁

Felty · 11/05/2021 06:58

We obviously returned the 7 dresses that weren’t right.

pourmeanotherglass · 11/05/2021 08:20

Quiz are worth a look, both my girls got theirs at quiz.

pourmeanotherglass · 11/05/2021 08:25

Now looking for a nice dress for year 13 outdoor leavers event. Probably not formal or full length, and ideally the same dress could do for a family wedding. Any ideas?

Neversaygoodbye · 11/05/2021 08:33

ASOS here and in the sale! Bargain for a one off event. They have loads and do petite, definitely worth a look.

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