Feeling an unfit mother - I have no idea where to go to get my daughters prom dress - any ideas?

[minimu]

The title says it all really. She wants to have a dress that noone else will get but nto sure where to look.

Think it'll depend on budget. I know the shopi bought my bridesmaids dresses from did prom dresses. They were v nice too! They looked like the shorter style bridesmaid dresses iyswim but in less weddingy colours.
Try an independent bridal shop and give them a ring

agreed, bridal shop.

if money is a problem you can get them from china on ebay for like 70 quid - which is what my neice is doing, however last year spend quite a lot of money on prom dress for dd - i thnk its not just about the dress, its about shopping for the dress, being measured for the dress and everything that comes with that helps to build up the excitement - like xmas shopping !

I think most of DD's friends went to Coast for their prom dresses, so you might want to avoid there - DD got her Year 11 prom dress from a small shop in a little arcade that sells mostly Goth stuff - have you got any small independent shops near you?

For her Year 13 prom she wore a dress she got for £5 from Top Class, which seems to be a kind of factory outlet shop - anyway it has normally expensive clothes at low prices.

theres the whole big dress v's cocktail dress thing to sort out too.

debenhams do some really nice cocktail dresses come wedding season

rusty your daughter is stunning - and so sweet to see her as a child then a grown up like that!

Minimu what is your daughters usual style? Is she confident/shy etc I would suggest buy online to avoid getting something others have got www.asos.com have loads of choice and some brands you don't find on the highstreet as do www.oli.co.uk or if she wants a 50s vibe i love love love vivien

tk maxx?

ebay

check out the wedding/bridesmaid dresses from China - about £50 for full length - you have to wait a while though

I'd echo the TK Maxx idea - chum of mine has got some lovely and usually inexpensive posh dresses from here and as they are often not this years stock they are less likely to be seen on everyone else.
Or, how about making one? My Mum made me a couple ball dresses - totally unique then.
Monsoon do lots of dresses too.

my cousin got hers from ebay, tons of dresses on there. hth

Thanks everyone - you have given us some good ideas. I would love to make them but to be honest it would be rubbish so I think I had better stick to one made by someone else. I will look at all you suggestions and Rustybear your daughter looked fab.

My daughter(s) twins have similar styles but are as skinny as a rake so they don't want to be swamped by a long ball gown style but they both want to have full length. They are now getting ideas that are a bit nearer my price range moving down from the £995 designer dress they both loved.

d wore this dress she will be selling on ebay soon
hope the link works

In the States, Jessica McClintock is very popular (as is Prom).
Her site has many, many lovely dresses that noone else will have...but they are in the US. Once you convert the $$ into ££, it works out very similar to UK prices.

Betsey Johnson is another brand that do funky styles that are sure to be unique.

This site stocks both brands and has International shipping. There are some very nice dresses on that site. I think this one is very elegant, yet girly. And this one is very understated until you see the skirt underneath.

They suit slim girls and the sizes are easy once you get the hang of them. I am sure the shop can help you with measurements.

[http://www.asos.com/Asos/Asos-Premium-Cutwork-Neck-Silk-Maxi-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=877182& cid=8859&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=-1&sort=-1&clr=Black this]]

sorry cid=8859&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=-1&sort=-1&clr=Black this?

oh fgs this!

Twin girls at a prom! I'm already dabbing my eyes for you!

Ebay is def. worth a try.

High st brands like Coast/Monsoon/Karen Milen will be perfect for them, and by buying previous season designs, they will avoid having the same as someone else. Maybe have a shopping trip to try on styles/colours etc, and then hit Ebay for find something suitable.

And don't worry about things not fitting perfectly, as anything a bit big can be altered easily, and fairly cheaply.

this, for example

We got one for my DD last week, it's www.phase-eight.co.uk/fcp/product/fashion/Dresses/Petal-Dress/200893996?colour=blue but in purple - we went to a Macarthur Glen outlet and she tried on lots of stuff. It looks like it was made for her, she's thrilled,and it only cost £90, so I am pretty happy too!

Thanks everyone I've shown my daughters this thread and how come you lot are just so much better at finding dresses for my girls

Apparently you all have style and are much more aware of what teenager girls need!!!! lol.