Not too showy prom dress ideas

[TwoLeggedGrooveMachine]

DD2 is starting to think about her prom dress. She doesn’t want us to spend a lot and she isn’t interested in satin, clingy floor length numbers. She’s 5’ 9, size 12, D cup with hips and quite self conscious about her size. Favourite colour is baby blue. Definitely wants a pretty dress but not the floaty expensive dresses the tiny ‘popular’ girls wear. It just isn’t her. She’s got long straight hair which she wants in a semi up do with loose curls.

Would love some suggestions for dresses with shoes and bag if possible. No heels as she’s tall enough already and a liability even in sensible footwear. I wouldn’t be surprised if she ends up wearing glittery converse or Adidas.

Are you able to get to London? If so spend a day just trying on dresses on in the shops on Fonthill Road. It will give her an idea of the shapes that she likes. Then look on ebay for similar. There are literally 100s of secondhand "worn once" blue prom dresses in a size 12 from about £10 upwards. Its not baby blue but this one has some interesting draping which would pull the eye away from her figure. (Although I bet she is absolutely gorgeous at her height and size. SIlk and less than £20 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/317042476568?_skw=prom+dress&itmmeta=01KGFPZADRAMY4D5NSYMQ43GN0&hash=item49d1344618:g:dcEAAeSwFWhoYn0X&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAAwO7PUuNWmJ%2B%2BUShgI9tQz%2Fq5BjQxZszBCuFx%2FDHm0QenneL3RzLRM52UWsq4dr%2Ff3ZXdmEr2B2VWZPSN%2B0nIyrTZVenfZ3%2FYI56d8eZfOEBzLiUwgr%2B2dtAjY1vvEmVlN5DKcnYxs7ShyC4XBfCE%2BS2rsAomBLipsvb3JDQFLqcUDSsNE6GrIFZHT9JU5l9lxiivW2Rq%2Fd7YKJy%2BF3Y1XbMEjmBzZjBGvdazynsYz1EHGYDFJLAeSZgoY%2Frc3Yp2hg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5an_faDZw

A V neck helps to avoid a busty look https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/317232224879?_skw=prom+dress&itmmeta=01KGFQEZ8BFRQWVGEZMGM9ZEAT&hash=item49dc839a6f:g:s6kAAeSwDnhotdWi&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAAwO7PUuNWmJ%2B%2BUShgI9tQz%2FoHV36llxGZUQgSNqR7N3X6w74C3BthpXq3K3T%2FW%2Bwzq7TCwq5ioWteaeMUFkSeJDppjkfd6POriIpJS4Sy9xeEtoFeq7StRdnmCyujB2BpSv%2BCWNgG3DNNH86h3HElmpFBEAXyTPwlEgjexD%2FHjrLK3Bpe8ZEKa5taRJ9MA2%2FT1CqPTQ12GvjMr0wifLahiSQnCewtY6Yp1gvEZy7qQWivJpd0kC5brLnA5IOsvQ%2BzyA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8D0u_eDZw
or similar with sleeves https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/226843882339?_skw=prom+dress&itmmeta=01KGFQHR1802N0DF2S7FKAV1DF&hash=item34d0f2f363:g:E~QAAOSwEFFno1qL&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAAwO7PUuNWmJ%2B%2BUShgI9tQz%2FoLzjH4os86ARpK3SJGXail3Bn9WZ7cH%2BUXD%2BEzLJazed4E1Nb1AoSFEyo0cVZxneg4P6cH39bTqa%2FAruMtZJ2hoytoAgXA6q9HeXFOPBAB%2FPZSc7xRDRtLqPQmpGaGLSh1oBz5SwD%2FknwEf0tvh0Jd9K47MLiDKcghFgusiycsO%2FKK9cxoLkSkQwvDcgH9ueuZ%2B0GRhCO9Q9axf57DhYIWxaauQ9bTDPzhj6uN4GEo6g%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR_aAx_eDZw

Monsoon is a good source of prom dresses and she should be able to try on in the shop for fit and then find the dress on ebay or VInted.

A really good strapless bra is a must though.............

right hear me out but what about this? https://www.phase-eight.com/product/emlyn-wrap-dress-10015350409.html

my dd ended up getting a dress from phase 8 (it’s a slinky red number) and we saw this in the shop which she sent to her bf - looked really pretty on the hanger. I know phase 8 doesn’t scream 16 year old prom dress but could be worth a look?

Thanks for the suggestions. No we can’t get to London I don’t think. We’re four hours away and with exams coming up won’t have time for a visit. The floaty Grecian type dresses are lovely. DD doesn’t have a bad figure, very hourglass with relatively small waist. She’s just a lot bigger than so many of her friends. And we’ll definitely be getting a decent bra. Unfortunately those lace up the back dresses are definitely out for her.

myladyjane that Phase 8 dress is a lovely colour. Might be worth a look.

I think this is lovely, and a bit different:

https://www.debenhams.com/product/coast-pleated-mesh-printed-cape-maxi-dress-with-gemstone_bcc12092?colour=blue

I also like this one:

https://www.debenhams.com/product/goddiva-lace-flutter-sleeve-embroidered-mesh-a-line-maxi-dress_p-9eab5fea-ab51-4bc5-bad3-11d55d6fa507?colour=Blue

I'd be straight on ASOS for this - loads options on there.

https://www.coastfashion.com/product/coast-satin-back-crepe-ruffle-wrap-midi-dress_bcc12446?colour=slate+blue&size=12

https://www.coastfashion.com/product/coast-twill-lace-dress_bcc10072?colour=dusty+blue&size=12

Not quite baby blue but very pretty https://www.coastfashion.com/product/monsoon-wendy-pleated-maxi-dress-blue_p-838110a6-4ba4-4ae6-b4bc-6ad1fd708c4c?colour=Blue&size=12

What won’t go with heels @lsavage12 ?? She said she doesn’t want heels anyway!

Do you have any vintage (second hand) or retro shops near you?
There are lots online but you have to be confident of your sizing/ measure yourself and access to someone happy to do alterations to get a good fit.

I love a proper vintage dress for a special event. Guarantee no one will have the same and often means you can. Browse a wide variety of styles rather than the popular styles of the moment.