Help - NEED a dress for a summer ball and haven't got a clue where to start....

[triffictits]

Please help me - this is desperate.

I'm going to a summer ball (its in an Officers Mess, so if any forces people around who could advise it would be fantastic) but I need a dress. It has to be full length and can either be a long evening dress or a ballgown type. I dont want to get one from Debenhams (got one a couple of years ago) - they are fab but 4 others had it on .

Soooooo can you help me please - I am quite tall 5ft 10.

When I say ballgown i dont want a huge fluffy ball, but something a little like a bridesmaids dress maybe? I dont know where to start!

Must avoid high street wherever possible as I dont want to be in the same dress as anyone else!

I'm loving dress number 2761 on this link.
It has to be full length for this military ball

www.theweddingshop.co.uk/watters_and_watters.html

oh my - love the back! Like that website - no prices, though

will the colour suit you?

I can't see 2671 at all but there are some georgeous dresses there.

2761, not 2671!

centre, second row

Ooh - I'm looking at that one to get married in

triffic, do you have to cover your shoulders during dinner too? make sure you have a wrap with you, just in case! oooh! this is soooo exciting!

I had a gown made to measure a few years ago. I got it from ebay and it is really beautiful and really fitted. The only thing is that they put a full length zip in it, but stitched it off about 10" shorter than the full length of the zip and because I have a curvy figure, I couldn't get in on! it wouldn't go past my hips! Adjusted it with some help, but it just wasn't right so I've never worn it and now I'm no where near as slim nowadays, so I don't know if it'll ever get worn.

trifictits, will you need scaffolding to hold up your (um?) bodice (sorry, defaulting to Georgette Heyer mode)

back is very low!

Oh yes! thanks, I love the back too! but I don't like the straight cut at the bodice.I like 8382.

OOOh! tis lovely LL.
I need to go on a diet...will start next monday. I have a silver wedding anniversary and a wedding evening in June and then the ball in August.

OOOH! I love Christmas balls...they feel so special!

I will get a wrap with whatever I buy just incase!

I was wondering about norkage - what will i do about that? Do you think that dress is too low for one of those cross over bras that fall a lot lower? I cant wear it without a bra!

I love that one too LL and I also looked at 8382 but dont think it would suit me as well.

The only scarey thing is that there are no prices, so have no idea how much it is - do you know tilly? And how on earth would i find it in a local wedding shop - is it a case of ringing around each one and asking if they stock it?

Ooh this is so exciting!

Solo - cant believe you havent worn your made to measure dress - what a shame - it isnt in a 12-14 and long enough for me is it

ok, triffic.

firstly, deeply admire your taste for having found this lovely website. Am also very jealous of you being 5 ' 10".

secondly, if you really love this dress, then you should phone them, tomorrow, on

Tel: 01206 767359

they are based in Colchester, Essex (and this is not me with my all seeing Keep Calm eye, this is on their website)

phone them up

find out prices

then, and only then, start worrying about whether your splendid norkage can be accommodated in the dress.

you have four weeks - do it now or you will be too late!

Triffic - I can't remember specific prices but I don't think any I have been looking at are any more than about £250 (I've been looking a bloody loads of them though )

Best to get a list of your local stockists and then ring/email them to see whether they have it in stock

keep calm - it was LL who found the fab website, not me! Huge thanks to her for that.

Right, update - after lots of ringing round I have found a shop that stocks the dress in that colour and also lots of similar ones!!!

As I dont have time to have it made to measure, I have to hope i can fit in the ones off the peg so I have an appointment in a couple of weeks to go and try that one and numerous others on

Ooooh I am so excited!!!