Prom Dresses

[SirVixofVixHall]

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 !

My daughter decided on this dress and it's stunning www.thandth.com/gowns/grace-emerald

My dd got hers from Vinted, fitted like a glove, cost £10, looked stunning. She did borrow my heels and a bag though. The thing is everyone gets a prom dress for end of GCSEs, then end of sixth form, so there are so many second hand worn once dresses out there, you could order 2 or 3 and then sell back the ones you don't want.

I suspected that must be the case, as otherwise impossible to make things so cheaply.

That is beautiful.

Londonmummy I think that a couple of those would really suit her, I will show her in the morning. Also the one Firsttimecaller suggested would look lovely on her. She looks her best in deep greens (dark green/hazel eyes, very pale skin, light brown to dark blonde hair) or red. As she is so pale pastels can wash her out, and she doesn’t suit cobalt blue.

For material can you get to an Indian material shop? They often sell in 'suit lengths' of 3 slightly different but matching materials and have some fabulous colours.

I paid £120 for my daughter's dress. There was quite a range, could have paid more or less - all lovely dresses.

Your daughter looks stunning in that ! Beautiful dress, it looks as though it fits her very well too, it is sitting perfectly at the bottom of the back opening, no gaping or cutting in.

Oh yes ! That is a good idea. I think a sari length is eight yards. I used to live near a lot of sari shops and the silks in there were amazing.

Ah you're a sewer! I made my wedding dress from a lilac silk sari with silver embroidery. I cut it to incorporate the embroidery as hem borders and details on the sleeves and bodice. With a vintage pattern you should do well!

I made an 1830s dress out of a sari length, using the border as decoration in certain places, it worked really well.
Sari shops often have the most incredible embroidered ribbons too don’t they. I must have a visit next time I am in a city.

SirVix Minerva.com have an extensive range of fabrics and you can order samples, if fabric choice might be an issue.

I saw a blog recently where the seamstress had made a 50s style full skirted dress with a tulle overlay on the skirt, a strapless bodice and she'd done just the tops of the cups on the bodice in the same tulle (so very vintage looking). It was really stunning (and cute) and I don't think it would be too difficult for an intermediate sewer upwards.

Try Goddiva? That's where my daughter got her Y11 prom dress

Are you in the Midlands? DS’s girlfriend got hers from Sonique in Birmingham
https://soniquedresses.co.uk/dresses?color=red&p=3

THere were about 150 used prom dresses in your daughters size in red and green on ebay so lots to think about.

Have you found a dress? I have a lilac one from my daughter last year. I’m in South Wales. If you’re interested I could send you a picture.

https://goddiva.co.uk/products/goddiva-off-the-shoulder-princess-maxi-dress-blush
My daughter went for this (not this colour though) they also offer free alterations on the length if you pay full price for the dress.

Anyone know where to buy a white satin/silk column slip dress? Without a cowl neck? There's a seller on Etsy making them to order but we've unfortunately missed the delivery deadline. She's not sure about ordering from China.

You may not believe me but when I tell you SHEIN now has the best prom dresses and they are so adorable be sure to check them out xx

@shejokes11 please do not recommend buying from Shein. https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/untold-inside-the-shein-machine-documentary#:~:text=Workers%20are%20severely%20underpaid%2C%20with,thirds%20of%20their%20daily%20wage.

@

please do not recommend buying from Shein.

You can't possibly think for a minute that the website that you recommend with ball gown type dresses for £80 isn't using the exact practises that Shein uses.

When I was in my twenties I worked as a nanny for a clothing designer and we went to China often. The clothes come from the same factories. Nobody is paying those garment makers any more money because the website has .uk at the end.

@icelolly99 that was supposed to be 🙄

In a previous life I briefly had a short but lovely time of events wearing these kind of dresses - second hand is definitely your friend, Debut, Gina Bacconi, Coast Kaliko, etc - also some lovely John Lewis dresses around this year.

Definitely have a look at Oxfam too, and in our town the hospice shop regularly used to get some lovely items. If you're going for the second hand option maybe try on a few dresses new first to get an idea of sizing? And if you live near a bridal store, would they have any items on sale maybe?

Have you thought about Monsoon?