Wow dress for a school ball

[secondspring]

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?

Yes that did amuse me. 🤣

As a teacher at our U6 leavers balls I would be pretty understated and covered up - I think that mums can be a bit more out there (and some absolutely were!) but the best dresses oozed class and kept flesh to a minimum but I think you know that anyway.

There's some nice floaty things and quite a lot of blue on Monsoon website. Page 2 | Occasionwear | Women's | Monsoon UK
I think that pink is more wedding guest that ball and could be sweaty for a summer dance.

There’s quite a few silk me and em dresses on Vinted, some new

I really like that dress, it’s the sort that could look great on some people and dreadful on others. I know I’m too short and would get a bit swamped for instance.

Does it have to be pink?

These are a bit more striking

Raishma has modest but glam dresses. Also Bombshell HQ website.

I love that dress and was briefly considering it in lilac myself (I’m 57) but decided it is too much money. I second ASOS and you might want to look at Needle and Thread. Many of their dresses have sleeves. There are some very fussy styles but also some simpler classic dresses. Also maybe consider vintage Vivienne Westwood?

This has the sleeves, the corsage and the swishiness of the me&em dress.

https://ba-sh.com/ie/en/p/dress-helena-violet-3664784695424.html?soldes-fw23-priceoff=&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA5rGuBhCnARIsAN11vgS1FM37WQWqOidDolQDgLIjTUmZqkyXTNWC_sorP5ZaVkGXbQs-c8AaAv4dEALw_wcB

BooHoo have some really glam stuff in the sale at the moment:
https://www.boohoo.com/chiffon-bridesmaid-angel-sleeve-wrap-maxi-dress/GZZ14743.html?color=148

https://www.boohoo.com/volume-sleeve-midaxi-dress-/GZZ71999.html?color=125

Loads of others!

Have a look on the Outnet.

I love it. Shame it's out of stock 😭

What about hope and ivy? They’ve fairly modest but dressy and v reasonable price

This is a stunning colour from asos although it’s not as swishy as the me and em dress
https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-high-neck-midi-dress-with-godet-hem-in-forest-green/prd/205653497#colourWayId-205653498
Not sure how you feel about a pattern dress but this is also really nice from next
https://www.next.co.uk/g29498s1/407564#407564

Just buy the Me and Em dress. It's beautiful and perfect for the occasion. Go for it!

They have the lovely BASH dress in Size 12 here www.biscuit.clothing/products/ba-sh-helena-violet-dress

what about this one from boden it's half price so you could buy some nice accessories

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/blouson-sleeve-maxi-tea-dress-bright-cobalt-florist/sty-d0837-blu

I still might 😁

I love this but too low at the front
https://www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shop/farm-rio-vintage-wave-long-sleeve-maxi-dress?cm_mmc=Facebook--Product_Tag--2023_Product-_-02-15-24_farm-rio-vintage-wave-long-sleeve-maxi-dress&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid_social&utm_campaign=social_DPA&utm_term=womens_active_BA_In-Stock&utm_content=Facebook_Mobile_Feed&utm_kxconfid=vx65e2bla&fbclid=IwAR1pjJbHlasB0jsFxcKoJ41QZGyqqRousdtmT0d2vbPx4vj4Vs2C__otaVM_aem_AYviwhlOCUJDTjrPMA5SjWAl4112A4c4BtY0_VVjVR7xIKypxWWKlKx_lW14EsQ0zYYIDwfIHZ8wegKuwNvVlCCh

Oh that one is lovely but I agree, the v neck is a bit too low for a school event.

I love that one @secondspring

at the risk of getting in trouble could you not wear something like this lacy bandeau bra under it

https://eu.cosabella.com/products/never-say-never-curvy-flirtie-bandeau-bra-zaadi-purple-en?currency=GBP&variant=40218443186266&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=19851615317&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=&utm_term=&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAibeuBhAAEiwAiXBoJM3EOy2BHH6_bfYEUvSeJ_R47TJSvdo-JPlK9y9DFScSLMBCTRDQdBoC4r4QAvD_BwE

I noticed that. Sorry. It went out of stock soon after I posted 🙁

Its more night at a restaurant than ball though

That's retsina at a greek taverna followed by a kip in it the next day on a sunbed