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Original poster

Prom Dresses

105 replies

SirVixofVixHall · 28/03/2023 19:34

Hello all, dd has her end of year 11 prom coming up. I had ordered a dress that she chose from Hebeos, she had looked at the site and it says they offer returns. Except they don’t, they are absolute shysters, I should have checked trustpilot as the experiences there echo my own. I think it highly unlikely I will ever get my money back. The dress didn’t fit and wasn’t the same as pictured - horrible fabric.
So now the hunt goes on. She wants a full skirted floor length dress with a fitted bodice, a ball gown type dress rather than a long slim column. She likes red, or green. Five foot five but still growing so creeping towards five foot six, size 4-6, 28DD bra.
I literally have no idea at all where to look ! I have looked at the John Lewis website but there wasn’t anything right.
Help !

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Thread gallery
11
stillherenow · 03/04/2023 07:27

Vinted is no returns isn’t it ?

DD is y10 but we were talking about this last night . She wants a 90s look prom dress so I’ve told her to start looking around now ! The mesh overlay type which I used to have (dammit) . Vinted has some but I’m not risking no returns.

good luck op !

Original poster
SirVixofVixHall · 03/04/2023 10:01

PrinceHaz · 02/04/2023 23:25

My daughter got hers from here. It was expensive but very good quality.
https://www.dress2party.net/products/iris-red

Thank you, I will look through these with her when she gets back from school (revision sessions).

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Original poster
SirVixofVixHall · 03/04/2023 10:04

AuntieSoap · 03/04/2023 00:32

I know you said you're in the sticks but if you can get to London, Fonthill Road in Finsbury Park has fantastic prom dress shops. The best one is Bemod UK. Lots of prom dress shops outside of London buy dresses from there and put a premium on, so best to go direct. They've got an Instagram page.

instagram.com/bemoduk?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Maybe we should try this. I am a v long way from London but it sounds as though it might be worth it.

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Original poster
SirVixofVixHall · 03/04/2023 10:09

HappiDaze · 03/04/2023 01:59

Ah ok so I'll keep my fingers crossed her dress fits then and doesn't look like utter crap as the refund policy is probably a lie then

OP what didn't you like about the dresses you bought

The fabric of the dress I ordered isn’t the same as described. It is a weird thick plasticky net, really horrible fabric. Almost like something you might make a shopping bag out of. The main issue is the fit though, it is too wide for her but also too short in the bodice . A petite fit for a shorter person. So if the dress sits on her waist it doesn’t cover her bust. If it is pulled up to cover her bust then it flounces out at a strange point, but would also slip down (strapless).

OP posts:
AuntieSoap · 03/04/2023 10:18

Maybe we should try this. I am a v long way from London but it sounds as though it might be worth it.

A PP said that prom dress shops are £500+ but that's not the case here, it's very reasonably priced and there's a wide variety. Plus the ladies who work here are just lovely and obviously really care about their clients. They make your daughter feel very special.
Make a day of it in London 😊

Original poster
SirVixofVixHall · 03/04/2023 10:23

I am working through the suggestions, very grateful for all the advice. I am normally good at shopping, but ball gowns for a teenager are not something I’ve had to look for until now !
I thought she would want something slinkier so that she could dance in it easily, but no, full on ballgown fit for a Viennese Waltz is her heart’s desire.

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Original poster
SirVixofVixHall · 03/04/2023 10:29

chocolatebunnybop · 03/04/2023 00:24

I'm sure I've heard good things about cloud London. Not sure it would be your daughters style though. Hope she finds something

I can’t find this, is Cloud a shop, or a brand ?

OP posts:
Original poster
SirVixofVixHall · 03/04/2023 10:56

These are the sorts of dresses she likes. All these from dodgy retailer though.

Prom Dresses
OP posts:
Original poster
SirVixofVixHall · 03/04/2023 10:57

And this one

Prom Dresses
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CallmeIT · 03/04/2023 10:58

Also struggling with this, especially because I don’t have hundreds to waste on a dodgy website. She’s found a “dream” dress on a site with poor reviews and nothing else is matching up. I’m over this prom already!

Good luck with your search.

Original poster
SirVixofVixHall · 03/04/2023 10:58

This too

Prom Dresses
OP posts:
heinztomatosoup · 03/04/2023 10:58

AuntieSoap · 03/04/2023 00:32

I know you said you're in the sticks but if you can get to London, Fonthill Road in Finsbury Park has fantastic prom dress shops. The best one is Bemod UK. Lots of prom dress shops outside of London buy dresses from there and put a premium on, so best to go direct. They've got an Instagram page.

instagram.com/bemoduk?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

We also did Fonthill road, it was fantastic. Half the price of prom dress shops and you can try on.

However daughters Yr 11 prom was cancelled due to covid and when eventually had a Yr13 prom she no longer liked the dress. I refused to buy another pricy one so we bought from Shein- I couldn't believe how beautiful the dress was and cost £35!!!!

KnittedCardi · 03/04/2023 11:16

If you are anywhere near Guildford my friend runs a prom dress shop. Just expanded into new premises. Appointment only, but lovely dresses, mid price. In my experience, whatever you buy will need alteration, but if you start with a good quality dress, they are easy to do. PM me if anyone is interested

QuickNameChangeForMeToday · 03/04/2023 13:35

@SirVixofVixHall roughly where in the country are you and perhaps one of us can suggest a recommended boutique within a few hours.

Original poster
SirVixofVixHall · 03/04/2023 14:40

Trixie all those are lovely. The greens bit minty for her maybe but I will show her. I love the Ted Baker but she wants floor length, I might buy it for my other dd though as so beautiful.
I am in mid Wales.

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Original poster
SirVixofVixHall · 03/04/2023 14:43

KnittedCardi · 03/04/2023 11:16

If you are anywhere near Guildford my friend runs a prom dress shop. Just expanded into new premises. Appointment only, but lovely dresses, mid price. In my experience, whatever you buy will need alteration, but if you start with a good quality dress, they are easy to do. PM me if anyone is interested

Yes please do pm me, as although I am nowhere near Guildford I am happy to consider all options. Terrible two years for us as a family, and dd is very stressed about her GCSEs , so I want to do something that will make her happy.

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Original poster
SirVixofVixHall · 03/04/2023 14:45

Oh and I expect to get a dress slightly tailored to fit, it is just the one we bought isn’t alterable as the entire bodice is too short, and the skirt horrible fabric.

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WithASpider · 03/04/2023 16:11

FB marketplace is your friend here. My DD is selling hers from 2020 - wrong size and colour for your DD but right style! A proper Cinderella gown!
A friend is selling her Dd's from last year too, emerald green size 4 with a corset back.
There's loads out there and I'll recommend shein as well, had a gorgeous gown from there for about £50. Make sure you check the measurements though.

bagsofbats · 03/04/2023 16:38

Talk to your local charity shops. One brilliant shop did an evening event with bubbles and even ran a second event in the school one afternoon. Lots of brand new dresses £20-60 as well as advice on fitting and making them unique. The school event made £600 and lots of kids got decked out for a reasonable price (they had shoes and accessories as well).

I thought it was an inspired approach by the shop manager.

unclebuck · 03/04/2023 16:52

Get one on DPOP. There are loads to chose from. DD got one for £35 that had been £300 new. She sold it for £35 4 days after the prom so the cost to her was the cost of drycleaning.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 03/04/2023 19:36

If you're mid Wales Cardiff definitely has some nice prom dress shops.

Original poster
SirVixofVixHall · 03/04/2023 21:39

Oh does it ? I have to be in Cardiff next week.

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