So I went party dress shopping today…

[pictish]

What a disappointment. The shops are terrible, an all time low. Nasty-assed cheap fabrics and everywhere resembles a jumble sale. Oliver Bonas gets a particular mention for stocking H&M quality clothing at Oliver Bonas prices. I actually laughed out loud in there…wtf are they on?

This year’s theme? Jane McDonald and Pat Butcher.

Is it just me or is nothing worth parting with cash for?

There's a party dress thread on Christmas.Lots of ideas on there :)

Oh no. I really need to get something for December.
Currently I have a red dress that I’ve worn for several years and last years admittedly gorgeous Christmas jumper to team with black trousers.
Did you go round Zara or River Island?

I agree - I wanted a slightly dressy top and there’s nothing out there. Well, one boiling hot lurex one lined in some kind of micro fleece 🥵, but otherwise it’s a thousand padded coats.

Try M&S! Agree there's lots of shite fabrics in the shops atm but at least M&S design and price sit well with me.

I did a massive Christmas party outfit Next order and want to keep lots of it. M&S also has some lovely stuff in their larger stores.

Went round Zara, Phase Eight, Anthropologie, Mint Velvet, Fat Face, Monsoon, Hobbs, All Saints, Oliver Bonas today. Have been looking online for weeks.

There was a gorgeous dress in Zara I’d seen online…a long fringed velvet dress. Reality was the fabric was tissue paper thin and as soon as I stood on a fringe the dress would be trashed. It was £80 of dress but not nearly £80 of quality.

Mint Velvet have some nice pieces.

I went into Oliver bonas the other day and could have bought half the shop!

I bought these.

I was struck by how dreadful the fabrics were. If the items were half the price, fair enough.

I'm loving all the velvet this year - takes me back to when I was a student and lived in a maxi black velvet skirt and top. Luckily I was half the size I am now 😂

I don’t think I’d be tall enough for these.
I love the short dress.

I agree re Oliver Bonas ATM. I usually love it, but just not impressed with anything in there at the moment. I don't even care if it's not pure wool or whatever, but a lot of it just doesn't even look nice.

I agree... I usually love Mint Velvet... went in this week and there was nothing worth the ££.

Also fed up that it's either a maxi dress (too long) or mini dress (too short).

Feeling the same, I’ve been looking & am finding the cheaper materials now do not sit well on my older body. But anything of decent quality is out of my price range. I just can’t justify buying something that I will only wear once at the moment. Feeling a bit fed up about it listening to everyone at work talking about their outfits. At this rate I’ll be going in my christmas pj’s!🤣 Not sure what the answer is…

Have same problem. Maxi - too long can’t dance in them. Mini - too short, would be tugging at my hem all night. Midi - no use for the short of leg like me.
Just above the knee is perfect…but not in fashion.

@pictish If you can give the charity shops near you a look. I picked up a sequin skirt for £4.00 recently and have seen loads of party wear in. You could find your outfit and save yourself some money too.

Yeah, I was looking in charity shops - you might get a better range. A lot in the shops is 'tiered maxidress', which is no good for a lot of people (I'm only just over 5ft so that doesn't work for me)

i second charity shops, lots of party wear in the ones near me. Also you could try Beyond Retro online vintage, I’ve picked up some great vintage dresses, including one 100% silk 80s belter which I can’t wait to wear over Christmas, for about £30.

Totally hearing you OP
I’ve been in to our main city twice just to get winter clothes/Xmas outfit and come away totally empty handed.

God I do love a second hand bargain. Got myself a little vintage wool jacket last weekend that fits like a glove. There’s a vintage shop in the next town that’s pretty good…had a few bits from there.
No dresses for me at this time, sadly.

As for the chazzas…yes, in theory…but they take a looooong time to sift for treasure. Nothing is guaranteed or even likely…charity shop finds are luck based in my experience.

It doesn’t help that I’ve got specific quirky taste. I often toil for clothes. I don’t like anything…and if I do, it’s like £300 and not happening.

I got a gem of a dress from Sezane at this time last year, twinkly but not specifically Christmassy so I’ve had it on a few times. Looks like I’ll do this Christmas in it too. It’s much lovelier than anything I’ve seen this year by far.

@pictish Very true that charity shops are hit and miss but worth a shot!

Don’t agree at all. Have bought a dress in Mint Velvet and several tops in Reiss. All for parties, I think they all look great!

Didn’t look in Reiss to be fair. I’m quite boho and Reiss doesn’t generally cater for me.