I need help to dress DD for proms

[BirdsofPrey1]

I really have no clue and money is incredibly tight too. I don't really have a budget. Also DD has severe learning difficulties and ASD plus a host of sensory issues. She hates dresses too but could cope with a skirt and top.

We found a skirt similar to the pic in a charity shop. DD loves flowers and nature I should add. Would that work with a silky or glittery top in a bright colour or would she be totally underdressed?

Also, what about shoes? DD really only wears trainers (for comfort and sensory reasons).

Have a look at photos from previous years.. ask her friends / their parents.. It can be very different from school to school and between friend groups. My DS's year, lots of girls wore heels, DD's year 2 years later, loads of people wore trainers - this was age 16, not 18. That may also make a difference.

My DD has always avoided dresses / skirts. She has worn a pair of dress trousers, waistcoat and a plain white top to one formal - all adjusted to fit her perfectly and another she found a secondhand dress that she did like, long, fitted, but not fussy. She was comfortable, that is more important than her reflecting the others around her. If she is in a fairly laid back school, ideally there will be a range of outfits.

Will she notice or mind if she's a bit under dressed?

A sparkly blazer would look really good over that with just a plain black top, or a jacket/cardigan with a big sparkly charity shop brooch. Then she'll be in a suit like the boots and wouldn't technically be undressed

DD attends a special school and is on transport. I do not know other parents. There are a few pics from last year on website and most girls wear this huge highly flammable monstrosities. DD would never wear that. But there were only a handful of pics. They may have been of the better dressed girls. No idea what the bulk of the students wore. DD is 16. Good to know that trainers are completely out of question!

@StamppotAndGravy

Lol, DD wouldn't have a clue if she is under or overdressed. Completely oblivious.

I like the blazer idea. Will keep my eyes open in the charity shops. Sometimes they have pretty cool stuff!

I think trainers will be fine, especially if she won't notice. Sparkly trainers if you want. My cousins wore glittery converse type things with poofy frocks as bridesmaids at quite a posh wedding last year and they liked really cool. It sounds like it's mostly about you feeling she ought to dress up, rather than her wanting to. I'm sure she will look very cute in a photo in trainers and that skirt.

I think if she doesn’t care about being under or over dressed, then leave her be. So just put trainers with it and what whatever top she wants. Eg a black strappy top would go fine.

Thanks, that's really reassuring. DD isn't really fussed. It's me who worries about fitting in but I guess there will be a few outliers anyways as she attends a special school. All a bit more relaxed too I think!.