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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 !

OP posts:
Thread gallery
11
HappiDaze · 04/04/2023 09:24

gingersnappz · 01/04/2023 16:20

We're on the hunt for the same. Stacee's keeps coming up and our friend has just received one from there which is great quality and fit.

The prom dress I ordered is from Stacees so fingers crossed 🤞 it's not a complete disaster

I will update you on whether it's a hit or miss in a few weeks time

DD says it was recommended by friends but who knows what that's based on

I have a dress in reserve she can wear.

I'm over this prom malarkey already looking for a ridiculous dress for one teenage night out.

It's not like she doesn't already have skimpy inappropriate dresses to wear out to parties already but no it has to be a spectacularly ott prom dress Hmm like she's off to the Oscar's

HappiDaze · 04/04/2023 09:29

I couldn't find anything we liked via eBay or Depop or Vinted etc but I guess nearer the time in an emergency you'd buy whatever you could from there. Plus some of them on there are ridiculously expensive ie the same cost as they would've been new. But if you need them at the last minute then you'd be willing to pay.

CurlewKate · 04/04/2023 09:31

I second Oxfam. I bought my dd a silk Frank Usher dress for 50 quid she wore for her work Christmas do last year 8 years later! Have a look at Oxfam online.

HappiDaze · 04/04/2023 09:34

It tricky getting a size 4 though that's our issue

telli · 04/04/2023 09:38

Shein do prom/bridesmaid style dresses, some are a brand name that they sell so might be worth a look

Original poster
SirVixofVixHall · 04/04/2023 09:48

She has very small ribs and waist, but isn’t short, so that is always tricky. My older daughter is five foot seven with a 22” waist and always needs things taken in , so I am used to clothes needing adjustments to fit really well.
Size 4 tends to be petite sizing, which is too short for her in the body, but it is the better fit width wise.

OP posts:
HappiDaze · 04/04/2023 10:08

Shein have loads more prom style dresses in than when I last looked

How about this one from there OP?

Prom Dresses
HappiDaze · 04/04/2023 10:12

It's called off shoulder boxy pleated thigh split prom dress

HappiDaze · 04/04/2023 12:00

And OP sell your current prom dresses on EBay with measurements because someone out there will want it and make any necessary adjustments if the corset part fits

HappiDaze · 04/04/2023 12:01

Sell it in May though nearer prom time

Original poster
SirVixofVixHall · 04/04/2023 23:18

sashh · 04/04/2023 11:45

Have a look for a dress maker and have something made?

Also check out e-bay and look at wedding dresses and dyeing.

Also look at separate pieces. A fitted bodice is the tricky bit but a skirt is simple to make and an underskirt / petticoat can change the shape.

What about a corset, you could add lace straps / sleeves easily and wear with a long full skirt

https://www.google.com/shopping/product/6768461234694549634?rlz=1C1GCEB_enGB930GB930&q=corset+green&biw=1366&bih=657&dpr=1&prds=eto:17823780283038832346_0,pid:12702282090251234400&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwifuNHNhZD-AhV3QkEAHbYSCW8Q8gIImAsoAA#sgro=om

Thank you all for the various ideas, lots of things to look at and think about . I will look at Shein now. She wants a classic ball gown, (full skirt, no thigh splits, and a fitted 50’s style bodice). I am surprised, as she wears quite simple things, and I thought she would want a slinky column of a dress, with sequins at the most, but she wants the full on fairytale tiny waist and full skirt .
I have thought about dyeing a wedding dress but they tend to be made of multiple fabrics/fibres (and polyester thread, even if the dress is silk) so the dye wouldn’t be even . I have been looking at them on eBay and vinted though, and if I see one that looks as though it will dye I will have a go. I could, if all else fails, make her a dress myself , that will be the option if we really can’t find anything. I would rather not though, as the process would take up most of my sitting room, and our house is tiny.

OP posts:
Original poster
SirVixofVixHall · 04/04/2023 23:27

I have been looking at Shein, how is it possible to make dresses so incredibly cheaply ? The prices are astonishing.

OP posts:
EconomyClassRockstar · 04/04/2023 23:39

We used JJS Prom (also China) and it was absolutely beautiful. You can put in your exact measurements. It was slightly off so we paid for a tailor to just finish it all off but still came to less than an off the shelf dress from a department store. I think the key to buying dresses from China is to keep it simple. IF you start adding lace, etc you're probably going to be disappointed.

LilylilyDaisy · 05/04/2023 10:05

If you look to make a dress, there are reprints of retro patterns by Butterick and McCalls. The skirt and one-shoulder tie (A3) or side tie (A2) on Butterick B5708 might be good. McCalls 7599 is also a pretty shape. It has shoulder straps which could probably be changed to thin straps if preferred. If you look up images of those patterns online you can see other people's makes to get an idea of how they turn out. You would also be able to decide the exact length preferred.

If you wanted a strapless dress, you'd be looking at a boned corset bodice (harder to make, possibly you could make a non-boned strapless bodice from stretch satin but again that's quite tricky to get the fit just right so it doesn't fall down).

Made in an evening fabric like satin or taffeta these could look lovely. Full-skirted petticoats to puff them out underneath can be purchased from sites like British Retro in a variety of colours. There are full-skirted prom dresses for sale from these retro sites but overall they tend to be made from cotton and knee length, ie day dresses rather than evening prom feel.

There's likely other Simplicity retro 50s classic ball gown patterns, those two patterns are just the ones I know as a starting point if you were thinking of making your own.

KingofCats · 05/04/2023 10:22

@AuntieSoap @heinztomatosoup
can either of you tell me what the approx prices of the dresses in Finsbury Park are like?
I hadn’t budgeted for a year 11
prom dress and was hoping to spend no more than £150-£200 max. Is it worth me taking DD there g or should I look for elsewhere? No prices on Instagram.

sorry to gatecrash thread OP!

heinztomatosoup · 05/04/2023 11:29

@KingofCats I paid around £150, although was reduced. The more mainstream dresses were around £150-220, literally half the price of the high street prom dress shops as the 100% mark up is removed

LlynTegid · 05/04/2023 12:04

I hope you can find something from Oxfam or another charity, so that their work is supported. I don't like single or low use clothes, at least this would be a positive thing to support a charity.

VanCleefArpels · 05/04/2023 12:07

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 !

Just resell if it doesn’t fit. There are loads under £20, I’m selling 2 at £25 but sadly larger than the OP needs!

KingofCats · 05/04/2023 12:34

heinztomatosoup · 05/04/2023 11:29

@KingofCats I paid around £150, although was reduced. The more mainstream dresses were around £150-220, literally half the price of the high street prom dress shops as the 100% mark up is removed

Thank you!

stillherenow · 05/04/2023 13:46

@SirVixofVixHall Shein is one of the worst companies for cheap labour, I’d never buy from them.

londonmummy1966 · 05/04/2023 15:54

ebay - there's quite a lot of protection for buyers and the dress could be pretty cheap so you can afford to have it altered if necessary. A few examples

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285212831432?hash=item4268026ec8%3Ag%3ADC4AAOSwsFlj3RnP&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAwNSdoPSHSwQ6XnJJ1B59qi%2BCPupbxonCuYJ4XEmRfRpMbp1LEEgUlvvNz6ESPVmdefolFc%2F9iE5kgxEV%2FGkUSPh8%2BM%2B%2BpWZoF5MfZeLvu6tTOjenuT2ZG9YrBgFBguHa5jDqCIZGwmwHqXk660qo72%2FRQpQOfNOfLoFdfIkkqURmt4uJzpbled5culXJXkO21ZWPIRaE%2F8KGJ509TJQmIk3nGTiiX5ZmjUICatdisw5%2FXA08aLpp4VQMdk6pw5zzVQ%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7ae-pzqYQ&LH_ItemCondition=3000

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285213476447?hash=item42680c465f%3Ag%3AU5QAAOSwd7Zj5084&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAwDtmvYBoDtM5sI%2FZpE5%2FUwW%2Bfz4C3e9DF3orExOIOPOf6mkDNgX20F%2FRgGqrBB0pB6CtjfwuF%2BYTYSfZS48KVrNfo6yUgkxzqX8mTOio6%2BRRTo%2B9C2ip5elTwtbHvWEzbmFIG5gFPTgcBoJiySeAw8Aeh2vHjY0gq7c2G9UUi4RLqaDSlkJHWBlytY%2FMMYMZUX4Gawc27CFLrUB8z2Q6xQnDsqHkKUr57JDsjg%2FX8q16mKvlJsCBp1%2BiTgMTNbwRYg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7ae-pzqYQ&LH_ItemCondition=3000

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115639796981?hash=item1aecab44f5%3Ag%3A-zMAAOSwWlNjmLlv&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA4HyWQj3NBUvvqtXLboygf9i7Ujr5WC2IfDnAX6fiH6GS0TRr7Caxk%2FI66ppUoZFqei3PEgoo6WSDt8DB9zKP5Vc9K6zNx0KE0c7rSwmqCwFhNfNN5pv%2FF6FbWelS%2BOYAQiUG1zMUQfMgPzfkuG%2B9WwCHQ9zYaGJ9j9GgCLzEpfCn94tKNG%2FBDFBd3oYF5AQbvy2JFTp%2Bip6hjLGzl4irfls%2Fea4o8mckdQLEi%2BmmNd48Hx6hZ2ZEjMxFzcFPZH314u6YB6m2w1lChagRooksEeA1uZPfR2b6JAyEsgxhv%2FPk%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7qe-pzqYQ&LH_ItemCondition=3000

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185840253417?hash=item2b44f139e9%3Ag%3A0asAAOSwFGxkKd2G&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA4EjLWPGRiAlsAUqd6p9jOXUhqAUNnjhJ0GaM2x5ezzL5AFfi56oeu5FydebwCmfyGj55sMVOHKRpOtm%2FLzCSY%2B0lDQLLqF%2FiJf0sc72NHKrABL3XXyaxurZPTDid4Re6HC5CfGMLg4tEQZw3PJlK6G4WN2LZg95wgWH5%2B%2Ftxfz0p5I1mrOlAkRpazKsFqgjpUbvOdk278%2BJ%2BfZeECdrWOW9j8HDKWADv%2BpSgGss28ahW7cpzd6GcOBgkY5JpYP6x%2F%2Ba1Au3%2BDrpWVoq4pz3Jn5s7FD8fdA2BcSr84dKjXncl%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7LhlJ3qYQ&LH_ItemCondition=3000

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234575260987?hash=item369dc66d3b%3Ag%3A%7EAsAAOSwSeVil1kV&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAwEtyfzC1psxQabt2TFu5NSBRK0zEg0LMnmdtYz0C%2BjZ%2FYf6qW5%2F1C8t%2Fkbtj3DVvwLnu1cRDOXf10m23wV5Z3XxQX9QJekY6gZKE9b2bWiuF%2BIEm6c6qnInCd9zGub4AcohnifWkC6CDh9sKJwYEQuZbWiXXcF7YbrwExBl5rvxlr51v9dd%2FaLCstBS62FQOfqi1AXnuuLYsID6bl48MtxrNyXd9NZAHjKKKkT5AC4V1zckiw3Kd9kf17wsJ2XIn6A%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6i1xJ7qYQ&LH_ItemCondition=3000

Also if you paid for the current dress by credit card you might be able to get a refund on the grounds that you didn't get what you paid for if the fabric was different.

prom/ ball gown size 6/ 8 stunning | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for prom/ ball gown size 6/ 8 stunning at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285212831432?LH_ItemCondition=3000&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAwNSdoPSHSwQ6XnJJ1B59qi%2BCPupbxonCuYJ4XEmRfRpMbp1LEEgUlvvNz6ESPVmdefolFc%2F9iE5kgxEV%2FGkUSPh8%2BM%2B%2BpWZoF5MfZeLvu6tTOjenuT2ZG9YrBgFBguHa5jDqCIZGwmwHqXk660qo72%2FRQpQOfNOfLoFdfIkkqURmt4uJzpbled5culXJXkO21ZWPIRaE%2F8KGJ509TJQmIk3nGTiiX5ZmjUICatdisw5%2FXA08aLpp4VQMdk6pw5zzVQ%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7ae-pzqYQ&hash=item4268026ec8%3Ag%3ADC4AAOSwsFlj3RnP

LynetteScavo · 05/04/2023 16:27

DD bought a "bridesmaids" dress from ASOS and we had it altered to fit exactly - much cheaper than an official "prom" dress, and IMO nicer.

Original poster
SirVixofVixHall · 05/04/2023 21:12

LilylilyDaisy · 05/04/2023 10:05

If you look to make a dress, there are reprints of retro patterns by Butterick and McCalls. The skirt and one-shoulder tie (A3) or side tie (A2) on Butterick B5708 might be good. McCalls 7599 is also a pretty shape. It has shoulder straps which could probably be changed to thin straps if preferred. If you look up images of those patterns online you can see other people's makes to get an idea of how they turn out. You would also be able to decide the exact length preferred.

If you wanted a strapless dress, you'd be looking at a boned corset bodice (harder to make, possibly you could make a non-boned strapless bodice from stretch satin but again that's quite tricky to get the fit just right so it doesn't fall down).

Made in an evening fabric like satin or taffeta these could look lovely. Full-skirted petticoats to puff them out underneath can be purchased from sites like British Retro in a variety of colours. There are full-skirted prom dresses for sale from these retro sites but overall they tend to be made from cotton and knee length, ie day dresses rather than evening prom feel.

There's likely other Simplicity retro 50s classic ball gown patterns, those two patterns are just the ones I know as a starting point if you were thinking of making your own.

Thank you for all the pattern details, I will look at those. I do have a lot of historic patterns and I am experienced, I can make a complicated bodice with boning. I am worried that it might be hard to get the fabric , and space is an issue, full skirted dresses take up so much room , I long for a little sewing cabin.
I think we need a city trip to try some things on and then we can look at fabric shops too.

I am going to look at the Ebay and Vinted links too.
I am sure this thread will be great for lots of us hunting for prom dresses, everyone has been amazingly kind and helpful , thank you all so much.

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