Zapaka - a scam? Help with dress for wedding 13 year old dd

[celestebellman]

Hi, we have a wedding in June, and my dd, 13 has been very engaged with the idea of finding a dress and quite specific in her ideas about this. She would like royal blue or sage green, and doesn't like anything long. She is generally quite sporty and into what she terms 'preppy' (I would say conventional for her age!) fashion. She found a dress on Zapaka website which after some brief googling I ordered, but think this was a mistake - it has not arrived yet, though has not been that long, however further googling alerted me to a lot of negative reviews amidst claims that the good reviews have been 'planted' by the company.

So, partly just wondered if anyone has experience of Zapaka, and also looking for any other dress recommendations/ where to shop for a dress for a wedding for this age group? (As thinking I may need to order something else!) Budget under £100, preferably more like £50 but depends what's available.
Picture added of the dress she has ordered, for idea of style - thanks in advance!

This may be OK www.etsy.com/uk/listing/579726098/bb-floor-length-maxi-infinity-multiway?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=cobalt+blue+dress&ref=sc_gallery-1-2&plkey=76198726ab1a05e7514a516f4ddbbd97d84df3d4%3A579726098&variation0=784664942&variation1=1427641948

Their website looks very dodgy and if the dress doesn't suit I think you'll find it impossible to return. Did you pay by PayPal or credit card?

Hmm, there's no indication who the seller is or where they are located. Their returns policy is as bad as the other company. I wouldn't buy anything from them.

@KimikosNightmare Can't remember how I paid - probably PayPal, would need to check..., think will have to put it down to a bad impulse purchase and a learning exercise!

@GettingStuffed thanks, will have a look, though does not have to be something really similar to dress posted, eg halter neck isn't necessary. But I think the picture illustrates the length and slightly flared style she likes - not too long, and not too little girly. She also liked sage green so was looking for anything in that kind of style.

I guess I was wondering also where people shop for occasion dresses for fashion conscious teenagers who want to look good but not too 'princess-y'?

Monsoon? Darker colour but similar shape - www.monsoon.co.uk/rose-jacquard-halter-neck-prom-dress-blue-31818706.html

I wouldn't touch the site GettedStuff' suggested with a bargepole either. The Monsoon one is beautiful and you can trust Monsoon.

Thanks @AwkwardPaws27, had a look at the Monsoon website, which I hadn't thought of, but she says she wants brighter more royal blue. Or sage green. Aargh - don't think this dress exists in a heard-of outlet, though my searches are all bringing up other disreputable looking sites, and I've told her I'm only ordering now from a well-known place!

www.monsoon.co.uk/children/childrens-collection/older-girl-13-15-yrs/

Here are all Monsoon's dresses searching with a blue and green filter.

Sorry the filter didn't stick when the link is carried over but there are some lovely dresses

www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/women/edits/occasionwear/occasion+party-dresses/mint-occassion-dress/p/30477631?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=OrganicShopping&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping&utm_term=3047763108008&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1N2TBhCOARIsAGVHQc4gyJwAjfpEG5ufSbl_TR2sLsnvPaCkAfRMexUDNtkzCnxOOhCao3QaAubdEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Aarg excuse massive link TK Maxx - it's an adult dress but size 8

Would any of these work from Shein?

Dress 1

Dress 2

Dress 3

Outfit 1

Chi Chi London - would there be anything on this site that might grab her attention?

ASOS is good for that style of dress, look in the bridesmaids section. DD (14) got a lovely sage green chiffon number for less than £50 last year. Lots of different styles, order a few and send the ones she doesn't want back. Their sizing guide is pretty bang on.

Like this

So many more styles too

www.newlook.com/uk/girls/clothing/dresses/girls-light-green-lace-strappy-dress/p/819542131

I'm not 100% sure if that's sage or mint, though!

She could take a look at Lipsy girls on Next?

Or This ASOS one with halter neck, in various colours.

For a 13 year old?

This one comes in sage green, size 10: www.coastfashion.com/tulle-tiered-frill-sleeve-dress/ACC95332-130-20.html?istCompanyId=ea18716d-5d4c-45d1-97b5-44f5ccef03c7&istFeedId=804fbb78-ffa6-4f49-ab7a-570411b233ee&istItemId=prqlllapt&istBid=t&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1N2TBhCOARIsAGVHQc6y6rfNyw2jJPAssWqt8Vu20DlldFznagc1MKZUHyKIUvBQZOalw8UaAqoMEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Royal blue, also size 10: www.coastfashion.com/lace-bodice-pleat-skirt-midi-dress/ACC03197-3.html?color=119

royal blue, sizes 8 or 10: www.coastfashion.com/lace-bodice-pleat-skirt-midi-dress/ACC03197-3.html?color=119

Well maybe not that one for 13 @KimikosNightmare admittedly, I was just trying to give a quick link. There are plenty more for the op to look at.

Those are lovely. Obviously we don't know what OP's daughter will like, or what size she is, but Coast and Monsoon seem like good ideas. TK Maxx might be a possibility too.

I wouldn't touch the site GettedStuff' suggested with a bargepole either. The Monsoon one is beautiful and you can trust Monsoon.

It's Etsy, hardly a small website!

OP please don't use Shein. Slave labour, shipped from China, and all returns go to landfill.

Etsy is only the vehicle used to market it. The individual seller suggested has no information about where they are located or where the goods are made.

Unfortunately no return possible despite lack of quality!

Here's one of several similar reviews of the seller on the Etsy site. That seller's returns policy is as dodgy as the company this thread is about.

Thanks all, just catching up - wow, some great suggestions, thanks, liking some on asos and chichi. Also the New Look one, which I did spot earlier!
Is ChiChi a good site? Had not heard of it but they do look nice.

Monsoon do have some lovely ones too, though she's not sure any quite right - might try to look in the actual shop as we do have one nearby.

Is ChiChi a good site? Had not heard of it but they do look nice

I've not heard of them but their TrustPilot reviews are quite poor (over 20% are 1 star balanced out by a lot of 5 star ones - that inconsistency is a bit of a red flag to me - while their overall rating isn't awful, it looks like the quality is pretty poor going by those reviews).