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Original poster

Prom dress for dd ..... aged 12...!

14 replies

swedishmum · 08/01/2008 23:32

There's a charity prom at dd's school for Y7 and 8 on Fri 18th. Have no idea where to find "formal" dress for dd who is tallish (for 12), blonde (therefore no black as it looks v cheap) and slim - may get away with an adult 6 or 8 but don't want her to look too grown up. Had a quick look on line but need some pointers please. Don't like Debenhams dresses. Any ideasfor something a bit alternative and funky please? I offered to get the sewing machine out but she declined....

OP posts:

Cremolafoam · 08/01/2008 23:35

check out some of the oxfam or other charity shops. recycling is cool-call it 'vintage' choose a colour that suits her and customise it. blue or silvery grey is gorgeous on blondies . let her choose funky accessories and shoes.

psychomum5 · 08/01/2008 23:36

T K Maxx........brilliant for prom dresses IMO.

I got one for my 13to for a drama production she was in recently and it was fab, and £35 too.

they may even be cheaper ones right now cos of sales etc....

kittylouise · 08/01/2008 23:42

lol at look on 12 year old's face at the thought of mum sewing her a prom dress!

My dd had a prom at the end of her year 6 year in the summer. It was a nightmare trying to find anything appropriate that wasn't too long, too frumpy or tarty. She is about a size 6 or 8, and tall for her age too. The main problem was an emergent bust which she was very self conscious about and didn;t want to be highlighted, if you see what I mean.

We eventually found her a mid length strappy dress from Debenhams (not much luck for you though). However, this time of year you will have little luck in finding prom dresses as such as it is not the right season.

Best bet is to look in the sales for christmassy dresses, have you looked at Monsoon? Also New Look and Dorothy Perkins had some party dresses which may be good. And (don't be horrified) I noticed in the summer that TK Maxx had a load of party/prom dresses that were dirt cheap.

Also a friend recommended a site www.prom69.com which had some dresses for £50 or so. Some of the designs were a bit odd, and they may be too big for your dd anyway, but if you're handy with a sewing machine...

Original poster

swedishmum · 08/01/2008 23:51

Not meaning to dis Debenhams (like grown up stuff) but the only appropriate prom dress is already owned by two of her friends . We have a TK Maxx down the road so we can pop in after school - didn't even think of that. Tried Monsoon website - all a but girly for her apparently. Many thanks. It's such a hard age not to look too grown up - will let you know how we get on.

OP posts:

Cremolafoam · 08/01/2008 23:59

interesting selesction on here if there is time shipping may take a while.

Original poster

swedishmum · 09/01/2008 00:27

I agree Gremolafoam - blue and silver really suit her, and so does (subtle) gold.

OP posts:

Cremolafoam · 09/01/2008 11:15

just remembered this shop this morning.

MrsBadger · 09/01/2008 11:43

BHS used to be really good for their 'teen' bridesmaid dresses but the selection looks rubbish at the moment

littleboo · 09/01/2008 13:22

Try Jane norman or warehouse on their sale rails, they both do size 6 and are very small sizes. My dd 12 and her friends love these shops..
Have seen prom dress in both these only today

bundle · 09/01/2008 13:23

dd1 had a gorgeous dress from Monsoon for her birthday, it's red with tiny polkadots. not sure what size they go up to but you may find one in the sales.

bundle · 09/01/2008 13:25

what do you think? (real bargain too)

Cremolafoam · 09/01/2008 17:39

i think that is beautiful bundle, but dd age 12 hates it.mind you she is a big gothette.so ignore her.
i was in a big new look today and saw lots of nice dresses for older girls that are not-prostitute-wear. also lots of little polkadot crop cardigans for over the top.
here

Original poster

swedishmum · 09/01/2008 22:34

SUCCESS! We called in to TK Maxx and brought 2 dresses home to try with proper shoes (not Converse and skinny black jeans as in the shop) - one was £11, one was £20. One gold pleated halter neck (better than it sounds) and one milk chocolate satin. Both will need a bit of altering and if we keep the sain one she'd like straps. And both will go with shoes she can borrow from dd1. Thank you for the ideas - would never have thought of TK Maxx!!

OP posts:

psychomum5 · 09/01/2008 22:45

excellent

I never went to tk maxx before last year, but I needed a prom style dress for a wedding and a friend dragged me there....getting a gorgeous one for em....then when my DD1 needed a proper party tle dress for her performance a a princess, again TK Maxx came up trumps!

tis the place to shop now for dresses.

hope the prom goes as perfectly as it now should for her!

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