Help from teachers please - what do you wear to the school prom?

[janeite]

Prom in a couple of weeks. What can I wear? Don't want to spend much money, if at all possible.

Short arse, size 12, norkage, hour glass, brunette.

Any ideas much appreciated!

Pretty please?

Where's Twinset when I need her?

Don't any teachers go to the prom?

I will be wearing a knee-length cocktail dress-type thing from Hobbs. Same as last year. But they won't know...

That sounds nice. Thank you. Can't afford Hobbs though, unless there is a sale!

Ah yes. It was a special treat, not for a prom! I'm trying to do the "cost per wear" thing to justify it.

You need to look a bit dressy though, if your school is anything like mine. They appreciate the effort. In the prom photos section of our local paper, the fanciest schools always have the most dressed down students. Our students dress up

I wore a proper prom-style dress two years ago and a fifties skirt with a corset top last year but upper-arms are a bit flabbier this year. Could maybe wear the dress but with something over it? If it still fits anyway!

And I have NO shoes either. Panic....

I am wearing these

They are v pretty. I would not be able to walk in them though - am useless!

Wonders if it is possible to find a dress that would look okay with flip flops?

Maxi dresses are supposed to be good with flats. I am 5 11 and not willowy and look really quite frightening in a maxi, but perhaps you could get away with it?

I think I would look like a mushroom in a maxi as I am only 5'2.

I need something with a fitted waist and a low-ish (but not too low!!) neckline, I think. 1940s and 1950s shapes are quite good for me.

hi janeit, you could do that whole vivien of holloway look

BTW did you buy yourself soemthing nice wih your johm lewis prize money ? [nosey]

I bought cake tins!!! And make-up.

Oh and a purple silk tulip-style skirt - actually that might be a possibility for the prom, maybe?

Vivienne of Holloway stuff is totally gorgeous but a bit too retro for me. I love retro stuff but tend towards looking like Minnie Mouse if I go too far with it - or a bag lady.

how very Nigella of you

i have no idea of prom etiquette as i am too old and my kids are to young

LOL at minnie mouse - i can se you in one of these red and white spotted dresses but was thinking more this. maybe you are too petite.....

Thank you. A bit too bling for me though, I think. I am also v v self-concious of norkage.

OMG - HOW gorgeous is your kitchen btw?

Could I lend you a size 12 Karen Millen prom length black dress? It's lovely...

Oh... no arms showing... maybe not then.

Thank you! Black I am sorted for anyway - except I wore it last year (complete with arms showing! But I wasn't 40 last year!).

How are you btw?

Not had the best week... ahem, though today was nice, hopefully weekend will be too.

Have you had a nice half term?

I need to send you a couple of books too. Sorry.. I'm not really a dress person am I? Maybe look on ebay? Or charity shops in H?

Glad you had a good day today - hope things are on the up.

I can afford a new dress - just not Hobbs prices!

Have had a lovely half term but am dreading going back to work. HATE feeling like that, as I have always loved it so much.

too plain?

too expensive?

Thanks Tethers - I like the first one and actually have got one v similar to it - might dig it out and see what it looks like. The 2nd is too big and flouncy for me.

Thanks again.

Any more help much appreciated.

Things I own already are:

• silk tulip-shape skirt - purple
• silk chiffon 50s style skirt - black
• full length 'ball gown type' skirt in - thick silk with matching corset-type top - black
• cream and bronze silk prom-shape dress (maybe too revealing: would need something to go over it)
• grey silk chiffon wispy type dress

NO shoes!

imo you want to dress down
its the kids night not yours iykwim

do the 50s style skirt with something lie this mebbe or tbh any plain top you already have

I just don't want to look like a moron, basically! Thanks - that top would cling and bulge on norkage though, I fear. Can you find something that will make me look like a mere C cup?!