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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Teenage daughter and dinner dance

15 replies

NK598f4e20X127fce81c05 · 02/04/2011 17:44

Hi all, I'm hoping you can help and stave off the inevitable argument with my eldest. She's 19 and has been invited to a dinner dance for her boyfriends rugby team. The problem is, she would like to wear quite a short dress, not as revealing as she would wear on a night out with friends, but still something that I feel is inappropriate. www.kandco.com/lipsy-beaded-sienna-dress/881721580.prd?browseToken=%2fb%2f1655%2fq%2flipsy%2fr%2f100&trail=1589-1655&prdToken=/p/prod7136919-sku11486200

Do you think I'm possibly being too conservative and as she will say old fashioned, or am I right and should she wear something slightly longer and more formal. Thanks for the help and wisdom :)

OP posts:
usualsuspect · 02/04/2011 17:47

At 19 she can wear what she wants really..I wouldn't imagine you have much of a say

Original poster
NK598f4e20X127fce81c05 · 02/04/2011 17:49

It's not really that I want a say in it, it's just that she came to me and asked what I would wear, and she didn't quite agree with my answer

OP posts:
Ragwort · 02/04/2011 17:50

Has she any idea of what rugby club 'dinner dances' are really like Grin?

TheVisitor · 02/04/2011 17:52

It's up to her what she wears really. The dress is a bit short for a dinner dance like that, maybe you could both look at alternatives?

EverSoLagom · 02/04/2011 17:52

It's a gorgeous dress (i'm sure she is gorgeous too) and it would look fantastic at all sorts of other occasions... but "dinner dance" sounds reasonably formal, so i'm not sure if it would work. Maybe best to check with her boyfriend on the dress code? But i don't think there's anything wrong with it per se, she's 19 so should be capable of picking her own hem line! It's just perhaps not quite fitting for the situation.

Original poster
NK598f4e20X127fce81c05 · 02/04/2011 17:57

No to be honest neither she or I have any idea of what a rugby dinner dance will be like Hmm could you educate us? lol I felt it was a little short and suggested knee length, which she obviously rolled her eyes at. To be honest, her boyfriend hasn't a clue, he is wearing a suit, I think, because he likes the idea of dressing up as he put it james bond style.

OP posts:
cat64 · 02/04/2011 18:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
NK598f4e20X127fce81c05 · 02/04/2011 18:13

I was trying to push her more towards a cocktail dress, definitely knee length at least. To be honest, with the boyfriend wearing a suit, that is really just because he likes to see himself as a james bond type, full of his own good looks. I have suggested she speak to some of the other girlfriends that are attending, and see what there wearing.

OP posts:
everyspring · 02/04/2011 18:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
NK598f4e20X127fce81c05 · 02/04/2011 18:24

I do understand her argument, which is, if the other girls are wearing full length then I will, but if there only wearing something slightly classier than club wear, then I will to. She has also said to me, that it's not a formal,it's a dinner dance, we don't have to wear a formal dress. Hopefully, she will wear something like the other girls, which I am hoping is cocktail length. But huge pants are a definite if she does wear that dress Grin

OP posts:
Maryz · 02/04/2011 20:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cyrilsneer · 03/04/2011 10:01

I think it looks lovely. She just needs some killer heels and a little clutch and she's good to go.

It's not an audience with the Queen - she doesn't need to go demure. All out glamour is the way.

Great choice.

smokeandglitter · 10/04/2011 21:01

Have you tried suggesting an alternative and giving the reason behind the opinion?

Only suggesting (as a 20yo myself) that if I asked my mum's opinion then I'd probably want an answer along the lines of "It's lovely, darling, I'm sure it would look fabulous but most dinner dances are quite formal. Have you thought of saving that one for a different occasion? What about something like [this]?"

I've been lucky to have parents who are nice and liberal when it comes to dress sense, but I do value their opinion at the same time as believing if I feel good in it in this time where body image is a big issue for a lot of people (inc me) then it's worth wearing. In my opinion, I'd say that the light gauzey style is much more summer day dress than night but of course that is just my thought on it, and honestly I would say it's very stylish compared to many girls at my school d/d who's boobs and bums were most definately glimpsed more than once! Haha, poor things.

frantic51 · 10/04/2011 21:08

It's gorgeous and just the job imho. Teens just don't do "kneeline" cocktail dresses, haven't done since 1970s (1980s if you were a Sloane) Grin

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