what on earth do I wear to a PTA ball?

[legalalien]

HEELLPP!

In a fit of uncharacteristic confidence I signed myself up to go to a black tie PTA ball at DS's new [private and scary, to me at least] nursery /primary school. I can't back out now as I've bought the tickets. The last time I went to a ball was at least a decade ago and I was two sizes smaller - so I have to head into central London tomorrow to try and buy something. I have about as much fashion sense as - well - a geeky person without much fashion sense.

any ideas? pleeese? Doesn't have to be terribly cheap, but on the other hand I don't want to spend silly amounts on something I'm only going to wear once. And ideally not black (because I always wear black and look completely washed out)

me: somewhere between 5'6" and 5.7"; size 10-12, mid brown hair, fairly pale (yellow tinge not pink tinge to skin if that makes sense).

Head for Monsoon, they usually have something nice and not black. Jewel colours seem to be in at the moment.

Loads f options here.

I know it's boring and everyone does it but go to Coast - they have simple dresses that won't look too OTT if you're not used to dressing up.

Coast dresses sell well on ebay if you won't wear it again.

yes, debenhams a good idea, will try monsoon as well. Do they HAVE to call them "prom dresses"? I am too old to wear anything called a prom dress (grumble, grumble)

Debenhams is 20% off today and there's a free delivery code somewhere.

Look at john Rocha at Debenhams- his stuff is well made and well cut.

what about something like this

green dress

or is it too short? also worried about being cold.

Crikey, a PTA ball! Sounds like a blardy nightmare

at cost!

I quite like the navy one actually, may need to see what it looks like "in the flesh", so to speak.

Can't quite see myself in flame coloured ruffles - people might notice me or something.

and yes, a PTA ball does sound ghastly - I just had visions of being branded as completely antisocial at a critical school-gate-clique forming phase if I didn't sign up. (think we might need an "insecure" emoticon!)

if it's a pta ball then surely you should be wearing something made from a net cutain, with accessories possibly made from pasta and string and tinsel?

ps - funny about the twins! how's nursery going? Am changing jobs back to the city at end of the month, so will be able to make city lunches again...

change of job (back to old place/team, 10-4 and term time only). (have probably just outed myself to anyone who knows me - oh, well)

You'll hve great fun you'll realise everybody is in the exact same boat as you and then get really pissed and embabrassing together. I love karen Millen i'd steer clear of Monsoon and coast you don't want to turn up wearing the same as someone else.