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Original poster

Where on the high street are you buying your New Year’s Eve ballgown?!

120 replies

sotty6 · 26/11/2021 17:06

John Lewis doesn’t stock full length evening dresses
My local Monsoons have closed
Debenhams has closed
House of Fraser has closed
TK maxx had no dresses in stock (used to have a whole rail full of options)

I’m close to three large cities and not a single shop sells full length evening dresses.

I don’t want to buy online!

It’s such a shame.

OP posts:
Original poster
sotty6 · 27/11/2021 00:15

@glimpsing

Just get one of your old ones altered. Or get two made into one. Add some trimmings, change the sleeves. Princess Dianna did this.Smile

Eco friendly too.

I really don’t like wearing the same ones twice… 🙈
OP posts:
Original poster
sotty6 · 27/11/2021 00:15

@jeanne16

Might sound strange but you should try a charity shop in a fairly well to do area. I volunteer in one and we have loads of beautiful dresses that have probably been worn once.
Lots of comments about charity shops - thank you - excellent idea and will definitely look Smile
OP posts:
Original poster
sotty6 · 27/11/2021 00:18

@WeirdArchitecture

jesus christ, some of these responses are a bit shit. Im not surprised the op hasnt returned. We are not all alike, but i cant see anything offensive in the post.
Ah don’t worry about it, there’s always a snippy one. Imagine if I’d started a thread about an expensive handbag to go with my gown! Wink
OP posts:
Original poster
sotty6 · 27/11/2021 00:19

@DidgeDoolittle

Phase 8 used to have lovely long frocks.
Ooh yes! Good thinking Batman!
OP posts:
oviraptor21 · 27/11/2021 00:20

So glad you got some decent answers in among all the dross.
Depending on where you are, Next often has a decent selection (usually their allied brands or however you'd describe them) at this time of year.

Wildheartsease · 27/11/2021 00:39

What you really need of course is not a department store but a fairy-godmother.

Now, about the glass slippers...

RobertaFirmino · 27/11/2021 01:27

@habibihabibi

Can you can nip over to Riyadh? There are hundreds of ballgown shops crammed with every imaginable variety . If nothing takes your fancy, there are absolute acres of beautiful fabric and tailors who will have one done in 24hrs.
Oh no darling. One simply does not 'nip over' to Riyadh anymore. It's not 2019 you know. No, these days, Balonse is the place to shop and the flights really are a snip. You can even get there for under £1500 but it does mean flying economy.
Time40 · 27/11/2021 02:19

John Lewis doesn’t stock full length evening dresses

Really? Wow. I think I'll go and check out my local JL tomorrow.

Have you got a Boundary Mills Stores near you. OP? They're usually heaving with long dresses.

Time40 · 27/11/2021 02:20

... I mean I think I'll go and check out my JL because I can't believe that it won't have them. I'll be astonished.

Palosverdesblue · 27/11/2021 04:36

I think your biggest problem is wanting to try them on in a store. It’d be much easier if you were happy to buy a few online and return the ones you didn’t want to keep.

LoveGrooveDanceParty · 27/11/2021 04:40

@Palosverdesblue

I think your biggest problem is wanting to try them on in a store. It’d be much easier if you were happy to buy a few online and return the ones you didn’t want to keep.
It’s only ‘easier’ if that’s your preference.

I’d find it way easier to spend a day in town actually trying loads of dresses on. You can’t do that online because you can realistically only buy a few, wait days for them to arrive, and then return all the ones you don’t want.

MrsEricBana · 27/11/2021 04:44

I'd say Phase 8 too. Were I in the market for a ball gown I'd go for slim sleeveless black top, huge full skirt in jewel colour, kitten heels, not dress. Will find a pic.

DagenhamRoundhouse · 01/12/2021 17:53

Very thankful to say I have no need of a NYE ballgown!

CrushedPistachios · 01/12/2021 18:16

I know you didn’t want to do online but if anyone else was on the look out for a ball gown, I know friends who’ve got some sparkly evening dresses for black tie events from Goddiva, reasonably priced.

Flyinggeese1234 · 01/12/2021 18:26

OP is Monsoon a possibility? They still have actual shops and do formal occasion full length dresses.

I do know what you mean about wanting to avoid online and would agree that Selfridges could be a good bet (Trafford Centre is my nearest and I’ve seen full length dresses I there recently but from a distance as I was just passing through to another dept so can’t vouch for exactly what they had).

Another option could be to order several from the JL website, and get delivery to the store then do all your trying on (then resultant returns) in the changing rooms there. I’ve certainly done this before and it’s a kind of middle ground.

Hope you get sorted. This type of thing used to be fun didn’t it before they all shut!

WaltzingBetty · 01/12/2021 18:59

Coast?

winnieanddaisy · 01/12/2021 21:06

Do you live anywhere near a MacArthur Glen outlet village ? They should have loads of choice .

Ddot · 01/12/2021 22:11

Wedding shops! a nice bridesmaid option

PerditaNitt · 01/12/2021 23:12

Wedding shops are a good idea.

Alternatively, if you have some fancier Indian clothes stores near you, long ball gowns are in fashion (to be worn as dresses, without any scarves etc). Stores can be hit and miss so best to get recommendations local to your area.

Phase 8 are a good bet. Ted Baker usually has maxi dress and more formal options. LK Bennett used to do some more formal party dresses but I don’t think they have stores anymore. Hobbs does some long dresses too

Skysblue · 01/12/2021 23:17

I tried Monsoon and phase eight etc but no luck for my body shape.

There are however a great many ‘worn once for a few hours’ silk evening dresses on Ebay! Especially if you search for ‘silk bridesmaid dress’ etc.

I know, I didn’t want second hand either. But I’d rather wear a designer silk gown that cost me £40 and has been worn once, than a £200 polyester gown…

CallmeBadJanet · 01/12/2021 23:32

1954?

justasking111 · 01/12/2021 23:36

Having tramped around many bridal shops the gowns there were lovely

FGSWhatNow · 01/12/2021 23:51

Come on, OP, you know the MN rules. You can't start a thread like this and not tell us where you're off to. It's like starting a parking thread without a diagram Grin

Ddot · 02/12/2021 06:44

I'm jealous wish I had somewhere to doll up for. 😻

Findingthelight1 · 02/12/2021 06:52

Have you tried an Asian wedding shop? I was shopping the other day in town (multicultural area, North, not posh) and went into one for the first time as they had some gorgeous bridesmaids-type dresses in the window that I thought might be pretty for DD for Christmas.
They had a gorgeous range of dresses, all inexpensive compared to Coast, Ted Baker etc, and really stand-out stunning.

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