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Please help me find my daughter a formal dress!

70 replies

lurchermummy · 03/05/2022 11:46

Hi my daughter is going to a "graduation" ball from college in two weeks time. Due to Covid she missed out on all her previous leaving dos/balls etc and she's not going to uni so we really want to make it work for her. She's had a number of mental health issues and because of this there are some specific requirements for a dress i.e long sleeves (to cover her self harm scars). She's also tiny, 5'3 and very petite, and flat chested, so nothing too plunging or ridiculously long. She doesn't like sequins or frills (this is a girl who is most comfortable in riding boots and jodpurs). She likes black, dark green, or strong colours, not pastels. Budget wise we can only go up to about £80 - 100. Can anybody help?? We'd be open to hiring or buying. Thanks so much!!

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DeliaOwens · 04/05/2022 14:07

Try LittleBlackDress...great for stuff and often a bargain to be had!

linenalltheway · 04/05/2022 14:16

I would suggest a slip dress with a long sleeve top underneath

justaweeone · 04/05/2022 14:58

There is this but size 8 is the smallest
www.boohoo.com/petite-off-the-shoulder-split-maxi-dress/PZZ75352.html?color=105

lurchermummy · 04/05/2022 16:00

@justaweeone thanks some nice ones there

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lurchermummy · 08/05/2022 21:07

Okay so it turns out that the first one from Club London that she ordered fits beautifully and she loves it. It's a little "cheap" in terms of how it's made (although at £65 not actually cheap!) but she's happy and that's the main thing. I've booked for her to get her hair done as well and we're going looking for shoes next weekend. So phew! Thanks ladies for all your sterling efforts.

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LIZS · 08/05/2022 21:15

Zara have some jersey column dresses for about £45

dancingmonkey · 16/05/2022 18:25

Have you thought about renting? I use ‘by rotation and you can rent the most amazing designer dresses for a few days at a time. It’s great you get to wear an amazing dress but don’t have the cost of buying an expensive dress only to wear it once.

Elianna · 16/05/2022 18:43

www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/dresses/midi-dresses/product.sweetheart-neck-midi-dress-beige.1055316001.html

This op? & other stories sells lovely dresses. it’s a bit above your price range but I have a 10% discount code if it helps.

tkwal · 16/05/2022 18:53

Have a look at Monsoon . Some great quirky stuff

LoisLane66 · 16/05/2022 18:54

HQ Wardrobe might have something. It's a hire and/or buy website which mostly has smaller sizes, think 6/8/10.

lurchermummy · 16/05/2022 18:59

@LoisLane66
@tkwal @Elianna thanks all for the suggestions but she's sorted now!

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LoisLane66 · 16/05/2022 19:04

Great. If it doesn't work out, here's a size 8. £65 for 3 day hire.

Please help me find my daughter a formal dress!
LoisLane66 · 16/05/2022 19:06

Better photo

Please help me find my daughter a formal dress!
Ddot · 16/05/2022 21:33

Blouse and long skirt would look nice and very up to date. Victorian blouse with long denim full skirt or plain blouse with big puffy netted skirt

angela99999 · 17/05/2022 09:54

Hope she loves the dress she's chosen and feels good in it on the night.
Thought the dress was great!

GrumblePug · 17/05/2022 13:38

Sorry, late to the party as usual!
My DD is going to Prom at the end of June, so we've been looking...a lot!
Fortunately, I have an older DD who is pretty savvy and seems to have an endless range of websites to try.
We ordered a dress from a website called Club L London (clubllondon.com) although they seem to be the stereotypical website, they do have a lot of alternative sleeves and lengths going on. DD wanted a column dress but hasn't got boobs, so nothing plunging and we ordered something not too bad. It's not the greatest material but was ideal for Prom and cost £60. Plus it arrived in two days, so if it wasn't right there was plenty of time to send it back!
There's another website called Light in the Box which might be good?
www.lightinthebox.com/en/p/women-s-swing-dress-maxi-long-dress-green-black-wine-navy-blue-3-4-length-sleeve-solid-color-pure-color-ruched-lace-fall-winter-round-neck-elegant_p8812235.html?prm=1.5.1.4
Anyway, hope it helps and your DD has a wonderful time, whatever she wears.

GrumblePug · 17/05/2022 13:40

Aha, have just seen your post, glad it's all sorted!

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