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Dress for 100th birthday

18 replies

autumnpie · 23/04/2022 16:44

My friend is going to be 100 years old in a couple of month's time and has asked me to help find her a dress.

I am not the most stylish person and am feeling the pressure to find her a something that she will love and feel comfortable in. I therefore wondered if anyone here might have any ideas please?

She is 4 ft 11 and either a size 8 or 10. She would like a dress that is around mid calf or slightly lower and which has long sleeves. She said that she would like the dress to be 'feminine'.

Colour wise - spring colours suit her best and she tends to usually wear pale blue, pink, lavender, and yellow. She likes colour. She has amazing blue eyes and white hair.

I asked her if she would prefer a plain dress or a pattern. She said she always wore plain in the past but a pattern might be fine.

I will have to estimate her budget as probably up to £150.

The only clothes shops we have near us are New Look, M&Co and Bonmarche and we can visit these. I suspect that we will need to look online however.

Any ideas that you might have would be very welcome please. Thank you so much!

OP posts:
whenwilliwillibefamous · 23/04/2022 16:52

Is there a JL within a reasonable (for her) distance - I imagine the personal shopper service would be great for that (book the oldest consultant you can!).
What sort of fabrics and styles does she find appealing?
Hobbs might be worth a look?

londonmummy1966 · 23/04/2022 17:16

Its not always popular on here but Seasalt have quite a lot of dresses with elbow length or long sleeves. Most are pull on so easy enough to get dressed in - I imagine at 100 your friend might prefer not to have lots of fiddly buttons or a centre back zip. Most are also cotton jersey so comfotable to wear and they have a lot of pretty patterns and bright plains that should suit your friends colouring.

www.seasaltcornwall.com/clothing/dresses?p=2

DelphiniumBlue · 23/04/2022 17:48

I'd suggest shops that have petite ranges, so Next, Wallis, Boden.

NotMeNoNo · 23/04/2022 19:36

Hobbs have a petite range and plenty of colour. blue floral

autumnpie · 23/04/2022 20:01

Thank you so much for all your ideas.

Unfortunately we don't live near any big shops like a John Lewis.

The magic words 'petite' reminded me that I should be looking in those ranges. Thank you (I am at the opposite end of the spectrum height wise so I didn't think about this 😀).

I think that she is most likely to prefer a plain colour dress but it seems most are floral. Adding in long sleeves and petite is restricting things.

I think I will gather the ideas suggested and others I can find and show her some pictures online to get a better idea of the styles she likes. All your thoughts have really helped me work out what sort of things to think of. Thank you!

OP posts:
Skelligsfeathers · 23/04/2022 22:58

This fits the bill but is more expensive
ginabacconi.com/gbp/clarabelle-lace-dress-34980.html

Hatinafield · 23/04/2022 23:10

LK Bennet “Etta” in pink, £113?
www.secretsales.com/61e99518a96ea-lk-bennett-lk-bennett-etta-dress-pink-pink/

Hatinafield · 23/04/2022 23:15

Literally just about to post that exact same Warehouse dress!

Hatinafield · 23/04/2022 23:17

Next pale print floral dress, £40:
www.next.co.uk/g64122s4/T50756#T50756

Hatinafield · 23/04/2022 23:21

John Lewis blue spot midi dress, £65:
Here

Alwayspaintyournails · 23/04/2022 23:21

Hatinafield · 23/04/2022 23:15

Literally just about to post that exact same Warehouse dress!

Clearly you have great taste!

autumnpie · 23/04/2022 23:32

Wow! Some really amazing ideas. Thank you very much.

I will show them to my friend in the next couple of days and try to get some feedback on what styles she prefers.

Thank you for all of your help!

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