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Help finding 16yo DD’s ideal dress

28 replies

FourEyesGood · Yesterday 13:02

Daughter (16 in a couple of weeks) is trying to find a dress for her school’s Winter Ball. It’s a reasonably formal occasion but she’s quite alternative in style (into punk, riot grrrl music). She likes these (in photos) that she’s found on Vinted / eBay - but they’re not the right sizes - and she’s tried on a French Connection dress that she likes, but isn’t completely sold on yet.

Requirements:

  • knee-length or midi
  • preferably not black (she’d like burgundy, red, blue or - at a push - pink), although she hasn’t ruled out black altogether
  • thin straps (not sleeveless, not sleeved) or halter
  • Size 8-10 (depending on sizing - the French Connection dress was much too big in a 10 but she’s usually a 10 elsewhere)
  • Under £100

She really likes the neckline on the burgundy one (that’s the French Connection one).

Can anyone help us find her ideal dress? I’ve looked at so many now that I don’t know my left from right!

Help finding 16yo DD’s ideal dress
Help finding 16yo DD’s ideal dress
Help finding 16yo DD’s ideal dress
OP posts:
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11
FourEyesGood · Yesterday 13:02

(Images are under review)

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SausageRoll2020 · Yesterday 13:06

Probably sensible to get the FC one now anyway if her size is available, if you don't find something she likes more she has something suitable and if not then it can be returned unworn.

I think the ones she likes were more on trend a few years back so probably harder to find on the high at now

DarkForces · Yesterday 13:14

We've just bought this for dd and it's stunning for the price https://www.bershka.com/gb/lace-midi-dress-c0p229730060.html?colorId=700 - I would say it's long rather than midi but dd is about 5'1" so it might be that!

FourEyesGood · Yesterday 13:28

SausageRoll2020 · Yesterday 13:06

Probably sensible to get the FC one now anyway if her size is available, if you don't find something she likes more she has something suitable and if not then it can be returned unworn.

I think the ones she likes were more on trend a few years back so probably harder to find on the high at now

This was my thinking - but she wants me to hold off on buying the FC one for a while. Maybe I’ll do it anyway and keep quiet about it!

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FourEyesGood · Yesterday 13:31

DarkForces · Yesterday 13:14

We've just bought this for dd and it's stunning for the price https://www.bershka.com/gb/lace-midi-dress-c0p229730060.html?colorId=700 - I would say it's long rather than midi but dd is about 5'1" so it might be that!

That is lovely! But I’m pretty sure the slit and the very low back will rule it out.
Thank you anyway!

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Greedybilly · Yesterday 13:51

Vinted is your friend here OP

7catsisnotenough · Yesterday 14:35

Maybe try Joe Brown @FourEyesGood? They often have similar type dresses. Lindy Bop and Blue Banana were also good, not sure if they're still around, BB did lots of semi Goth style dresses

FourEyesGood · Yesterday 14:37

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I’ll pass them on to DD and she can spend the weekend looking at them.

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FourEyesGood · Yesterday 15:13

Thanks! The Ax one looks good - and isn’t too long at all! She wants knee-length or midi (not mini).

I’ll send her all of the links so far so that she can browse.

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Stowickthevast · Yesterday 16:58

Can you get to a vintage shop? Beyond Retro and Camden market are favourites for my alternative teen. You could also try Urban Outfitters or old All Saints on Vinted. Mine's favourite shop is Minga (terrible name) but they don't seem to have dresses.

PrincessSassy · Yesterday 17:43

Look at hearts and roses and hell bunny

Rainbow21 · Yesterday 18:41

Try looking on Vinted for Stacees dresses - they have a website too with some under £100. My daughter has similar style and found her prom dress here and it was also made to fit her measurements. There's usually some on Vinted. Hope she finds something she loves!

N0rthern · Yesterday 21:37

Search on vinted for teatro prom dress- got my dd’s for £1.80! Should have been £89 new :) they come with little removable straps. She had a bra with clear straps and bolero cardi

FunAtParties · Yesterday 21:51

Came to recommend Disturbia and see it’s been suggested. The items I have had from them have been great. And it’s not only black stuff!!

SnackyOnassis · Today 08:55

Debenhams did a range of these kind of prom dresses in the mid-2000s - I've had a quick look on vinted and found these:
Debenhams blue prom dress
Debenhams red prom dress

If you wanted to buy new, Collectif and Vivien of Holloway are both along the right lines (and I spotted a couple of Vivien dresses on Vinted, too!) This one has a bolero which would definitely pass the formality check -
Those are the ones I remember from my vintage/alternative dressing days, at least!!!

Ocassion dress | Vinted

Ocassion dress - Blue dress

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/9167909075-ocassion-dress

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