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Help finding dress for DD16

58 replies

TriceratopsRocks · 24/05/2023 17:24

DD16 currently lives in oversized hoodies and denim shorts all year round. She's 5'9", size 18-20, about a FF/G cup (using Boob or bust) and incredibly self-conscious. Hence the permanant OS hoodies. She's also ND and extremely particular about what she will/won't wear. She has her school prom next month, and I need help finding her an outfit. We are in a small town and have few actual shops available (and she hates clothes shopping).

We have browsed the internet together for ideas and the outfit she most liked the look of is this (with the tutu underskirt) https://walkers.style/shop/225311/plu/plu_the_dress_pl225311 However she would prefer some proper sleeves (short or long, as long as they go over her shoulder) and a more relaxed fit. She isn't after anything traditionally 'prommy' and will most likely be in her black doc martins. Can anyone help point me to anything similar-ish, or suggest some websites I could try? I simply have no idea where to start looking. I found the Walkers.Style site via the summer goth thread and she did like several things on there. She has said if she can't wear a hoodie she will want a jacket of some sort. The main thing is finding something that she wants to wear, and even better if it suits her shape. She will only wear round/high-ish necklines.

Budget is probably up to about £150, but up to £200 if it can include a jacket/hoodie alternative that she will be happy to wear as a cover up. She wants to spend as little as possible as she is aware she might never wear it again, and doesn't want to waste money. I'm hoping we can find something that she will wear again in the summer, however, as she is always incredibly hot in good weather, but refuses to remove her hoodies.

Grateful for any suggestions!

| Walkers.Style | https://walkers.style

https://walkers.style/shop/225311/plu/plu_the_dress_pl225311

OP posts:
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OP posts:
CushionsandThrows · 24/05/2023 17:40

Aw, the dress with the tutu is lovely. It's great for a prom especially with DMs. I don't suppose she could wear a long-sleeved t-shirt underneath to cover her arms? In black or a brighter colour or even striped? Even a short-sleeved t-shirt if it's really just her shoulders that she wants to cover?

AuntieEmm · 24/05/2023 17:53

Search Google for 'alternative long sleeved black tutu dress' lots come up. I hope she finds something she likes.

jay55 · 24/05/2023 19:58

These might be too form fitting for her.

www.dollyanddotty.co.uk/products/darlene-nautical-black-white-striped-dress

www.dollyanddotty.co.uk/products/tess-lace-sleeved-dress-in-black

Best of luck with the search.

BackT · 24/05/2023 22:57

DD is also self conscious about their arms and she was going to wear a mesh/lace top under her dress. It's stretchy and tight but less obvious than a proper t shirt.

I really like the first tutu dress you linked to.

TriceratopsRocks · 25/05/2023 00:44

Thank you so much for all of these - some really good suggestions, particularly the idea of something other than a T-shirt underneath - that could really work well with the dress she liked. And for the petticoat, which could work great with several dresses (it wouldn't have occured to me to search petticoat). I do think she might actually go for the John Lewis or the Monki one though - fingers crossed because they would both be good for general summer dresses too. But if not, you've all given me a much better idea of what to search for.

OP posts:
marmiteloversunite · 25/05/2023 06:11

What about getting a fitted black jacket and wear it over the Amazon black tutu(maybe a slightly shorter version) with a fancy corset style belt over the top? Black tights and DM's.

My daughter wears similar clothes and gets a lot of black dresses on Vinted.

ittakes2 · 25/05/2023 09:38

Or ASOS which have a 173 black prom dresses in size 18
Search: black prom - page 1 of 7 | ASOS

this one stood out as could be flattering and partly covers arms?
Yours knot front glitter mini dress in black | ASOS

ittakes2 · 25/05/2023 09:41

This offers a lot of coverage - maybe too much but they do have it in size 18
ASOS DESIGN satin maxi dress with batwing sleeve and wrap waist in black | ASOS

ittakes2 · 25/05/2023 09:47

I am a size 20 and cape dresses can be flattering on our arms if you think she'd wear blue
Gina Bacconi Via Beaded Cape Tiered Dress, Royal Blue at John Lewis & Partners

ittakes2 · 25/05/2023 09:48

This is a bit out of your price range and they are out of 18s...but it would totally cover her arms and if she likes it you might be able to find this version cheaper elsewhere
Gina Bacconi Avigail Caped Maxi Dress, Black/Silver at John Lewis & Partners

ittakes2 · 25/05/2023 09:49

Another cape option on sale - no 18 but there is a 20 and I tend to size up in this brand if my size is not there.
Gina Bacconi Plus Size Onika Embellished Cape Dress, Cornflower at John Lewis & Partners

TriceratopsRocks · 25/05/2023 12:29

Ooh a cape - what a good idea! A small cape/poncho type thing could work really well with some of the more dressy dresses and solve her 'cover up' issue.
l really like the lacy black bolero too. And the silver cape of the Gina Bacconi is gorgeous - I'm not sure she'd go for the dress it's attached to though! but I have found another Gina B dress that I think DD might like, and which would work with her DMs. I didn't know John Lewis did a rental option either. There is a beautuful dark green velvet dress on there - she loves dark green velvet so that could be a real contender.

Thank you so much for all your suggestions. I now have various ideas from several of the websites you have all linked, saved and ready to show her this evening.

OP posts:
Zebracat · 25/05/2023 16:30

These 2 items look like they would work together.

Zebracat · 25/05/2023 16:31

I did add them. I did!

Zebracat · 25/05/2023 16:33

Last try

ArtfulPuss · 25/05/2023 16:39

Friend's DD is wearing this to prom, with DMs; I happened to be there when it was delivered, and it looked amazing on. The lace sleeves and neckline in particular were really lovely:
https://www.disturbia.co.uk/products/mourning-lace-cascade-midaxi-dress?variant=43222625484957&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjryjBhD0ARIsAMLvnF9yPbvdd72ny_pv79Yhwo-3i1QjeVKbFUrNkMKJiDBQ5efGtwM4JLEaAjmgEALw_wcB

ArtfulPuss · 25/05/2023 16:41

(sorry, just reread OP and realise neckline on that one might not suit)

MyEyesAreBleeding · 25/05/2023 16:46

I'm ND, size 16/18 36gg. I wear lots of hellbunny dresses with dm boots and leather jacket/hoody.

hellbunny.com/dresses/style/fit-and-flare-dresses.html

She would be a 3xl I reckon. I like 2xl with a bit of room.

Cupcake cult do some quirky hoodies www.emp.co.uk/p/black-cat-hood/350591.html

You can get nice clincher belts like this www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331611327775?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=JjZ8_qLBQya&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=mOPMPcHMTja&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

I buy my dresses slightly oversized and use the belt for extra shape. It can be removed if sensory annoying. Or buy it not mega tight so it does the job but isn't aggravating.

Hellbunny petticoats also available in vinted etc but check sizes. One size is tiny tiny.

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