DD needs a ball gown

[LetTheCakeCool]

DD is soon to be attending a ball organised by her Autism charity, it will be her first (and quite possibly only) formal ball and we are really struggling to find something she likes or thinks she will feel comfortable in. I am therefore appealing to the MN style gurus for help

DD - 24, size 12/14 (probably more a 14 in a dress), 5ft 6. Her ASD makes clothes shopping really difficult and overwhelming so I would like to try and narrow a couple down before hitting the shops. She is not a fan of online shopping as she prefers to try things on before buying (her ASD head tells her you dont buy something to send back

Requirements - not sure really. She normally will only wear black (t shirts and leggings, not black as in goth!) although has ventured out in to a few paler colour t shirts. She wont wear anything that is remotely low cut, and doesnt do buttons or zips very well due to her poor fine motor skills. Budget probably around the £100 if that is at all possible, although can spend a little more if needed.

Thanks in advance!

Lipsy (available at next) is my daughters go-to for dresses for formals. She’s a student so buys them up on eBay for about £10’

Can you hire one?

Maybe look for a Quiz shop? Lots of formal options with them. Sometimes they stress in House of Fraser.

Also New Look is worth a go with their Christmas stock.

Maybe John Lewis?

Coast do some lovely dresses and you can find a bargain online. DD needed them to be soft for playing in orchestra

Take a look at GirlMeetsDress

You choose from the options online, and get up to 3 dresses sent to you. You then try them on and decide which one you want to hire.

TK Maxx is often good for evening frocks. There's this one online which has a kind of gothy vibe to it and looks relatively non-fiddly to wear (but maybe a bit more glam than she's thinking?):
www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/women/edits/occasionwear/occasion-dresses/party-dresses/black-crochet-lace-maxi-dress/p/15376228

But their branches usually have a decent selection in too, so might be worth finding your nearest big one and having a try-on session - it would be a good way of trying lots of different styles in one shop.

Could she flick through websites and find something she likes and get it made, I did for my prom.

Oh, just realised you said NOT gothy! Nice dress anyway! I would guess she wouldn't be particularly into bright shiny satin-type dresses if her usual fare is black top and trousers.

Definitely hire one or look on eBay.

Other option is an infinity dress - my bridesmaids had them for £60 from Etsy. You can change how they’re worn to suit what she likes

Sale on at coast
www.coastfashion.com/womens/dresses/occasion-dresses?prefn1=length&prefv1=Maxi

Sounds like maybe an over the head no fastenings simple black or navy jersey/ silk jersey long dress would do the job. Comfy for her, elegant and no fuss. You might find something like this at a John Lewis or other department store ( not many of them left) but there are several examples online. Coast is now all online and often has things like this. Phase Eight too.

I've just done the rounds of prom/ball dresses for dd's 18th and ChiChi clothing had some fab ones.
In the end though, believe it or not, the one she fell for was from Ever Pretty on Amazon and cost a whole £39.99

Dorothy Perkins have some bridesmaid style dresses. (Not sure if they are still on high street though as our local one closed)

Monsoon and Roman do nice evening wear... especially coming up to Christmas.

I have a couple of bias cut dresses which slip over the head and are comfy, if you can find any.

@ClawedButler

Take a look at GirlMeetsDress

You choose from the options online, and get up to 3 dresses sent to you. You then try them on and decide which one you want to hire.

Thanks all, I’m going to sit with her over the weekend and look through everyone’s suggestions.

Clawed thanks so much for this idea, if she knows that the original purpose is to send 2 back then she may just go for it