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Wow dress for a school ball

85 replies

secondspring · 13/02/2024 17:14

My son leaves school this summer and we have an evening dinner dance. I am looking for something a bit special. Not black and no split to the thigh dress. I'm in good shape but at nearly 60 looking for something classy.
I have my eye on a Me and Em dress but it has an eye watering price tag.
Where else can I look?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
15
Mashedorboiled · 13/02/2024 17:23

Do parents go to school balls?

Octavia64 · 13/02/2024 17:24

Does your son's school do an event for parents and students?

Most proms are students only and although I have been (as a teacher) they are not an event I would choose to attend as an adult.

trulyunruly01 · 13/02/2024 17:29

If I'm really on a budget I go for jjshouse.com. If you're a weird shape (well, for me, weird is putting it finely) then they can tailor.

Chemenger · 13/02/2024 17:30

My DD’s school did a summer ball for parents and sixth form leavers, it was a lovely evening.

secondspring · 13/02/2024 18:40

Yes it's upper sixth and parents are expected to be there. They don't do prom.

OP posts:
Eightfour · 13/02/2024 18:41

Can you post the dress you like the look of so people can get an idea of the style you like?

OP posts:
hopeishere · 13/02/2024 19:26

What visit about that dress you like? Colour? Sleeves? Skirt? Fabric? High neck?

secondspring · 13/02/2024 19:33

hopeishere · 13/02/2024 19:26

What visit about that dress you like? Colour? Sleeves? Skirt? Fabric? High neck?

It caught my eye as don't get very excited about clothes. I do like the floaty look and sleeves. Won't need a lot of fake tan. 🤣

OP posts:
Rosiiee · 13/02/2024 19:43

Have you looked on asos? I got a few dresses from there for weddings and they’re quite nice (and affordable!).

secondspring · 13/02/2024 19:46

Rosiiee · 13/02/2024 19:43

Have you looked on asos? I got a few dresses from there for weddings and they’re quite nice (and affordable!).

I will have another look but I couldn't see anything before when I looked.

OP posts:
Mashedorboiled · 13/02/2024 19:55

What height and shape are you? What colours do you suit?

secondspring · 13/02/2024 20:00

Mashedorboiled · 13/02/2024 19:55

What height and shape are you? What colours do you suit?

Slim about 5ft 6 and strawberry blonde hair (sometimes have blonde highlights)
I do buy a lot of navy but love green.

OP posts:
LIZS · 13/02/2024 20:13

Ooer , that is ££££. Are you sure others go all out? I wore discounted Oasis dresses to dc leavers balls.

5YearsLeft · 13/02/2024 22:19

I would recommend searching good ol’ Google for “ankle length dress floating sleeves” and it should combine the two things you said you like about the dress, OP, and show you options from a lot of retailers.

niteklub · 13/02/2024 22:26

I'm afraid I really don't like that. I think an evening dress should show a bit of bare skin. A back, or cleavage, or arms.

Chocolateteabag · 13/02/2024 22:42

@secondspring - you can rent Me & Em dresses from Hurr - can't see that particular dress but they have lots

I have a parents ball this summer and I'm going to go "covered up" - I always look at pictures of balls and think the low cut or strapless dresses look awful on anyone less than perfect. It's probably the flash photographs but it's got in my head now

secondspring · 13/02/2024 22:44

Chocolateteabag · 13/02/2024 22:42

@secondspring - you can rent Me & Em dresses from Hurr - can't see that particular dress but they have lots

I have a parents ball this summer and I'm going to go "covered up" - I always look at pictures of balls and think the low cut or strapless dresses look awful on anyone less than perfect. It's probably the flash photographs but it's got in my head now

Thanks so much. I will have a look. It's just my age. My body hasn't changed much.

OP posts:
Netaporter · 13/02/2024 22:59

@secondspring i just bought this for an event with my DD. Getting the front adjusted so I don’t flash my undies tho 😉It does come in other colours and looks fab on. I’m a similar height to you. Any good?

https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/shop/product/norma-kamali/clothing/gowns/obie-draped-metallic-stretch-jersey-gown/1647597322010693

secondspring · 13/02/2024 23:06

Netaporter · 13/02/2024 22:59

@secondspring i just bought this for an event with my DD. Getting the front adjusted so I don’t flash my undies tho 😉It does come in other colours and looks fab on. I’m a similar height to you. Any good?

https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/shop/product/norma-kamali/clothing/gowns/obie-draped-metallic-stretch-jersey-gown/1647597322010693

Yes lovely but maybe a bit low cut for me. I usually get a comment from my teenage son like "what are you wearing"!!!

OP posts:
RosesAndHellebores · 13/02/2024 23:15

John Lewis do rental frocks now.

Similar events for DS and DD were a decade or so now but the mothers were very understated. I wore black silk trousers to one with a wrap top and a nicely cut black and white dress to the other with a black, beaded pashmina. As we were in marquees and there were walks over grass, and a lot of standing, tidy but comfortable shoes were also an advantage.

It's an event for the girls to shine and look utterly stunning in slips of frocks, mostly bought second hand or very cheaply because they can get away with it.

GettingStuffed · 13/02/2024 23:17

This should work for you and it's half price
https://www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/category/women/clothing/dresses/

It's the green midaxi from frock and frill

KeeeeeepDancing · 14/02/2024 05:25

Oh WOW that dress is amazing. Gorgeous. It's so much silk that's why it's so expensive.

Bigdoglittlecat · 14/02/2024 05:32

I love the people on here asking if OP has misunderstood her invitation and is planning on crashing her son’s ball 🤣 I’m sure as an adult she is capable of basic reading comprehension 🙄

OP have a wonderful time! Wolf & Badger really good for that sort of thing and often good sales on.

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