Prom dress angst

[PromDressDilema]

DD1 has a prom next summer (end of year 11) and has asked me can we go shopping for a dress. I am perfectly happy to go with her but I have absolutely no fashion sense and will probably hate all the choices she makes and point her in the direction of pink meringues ala Big Fat Gipsy Wedding.

I also loathe shopping and a day at Bluewater is my idea of slow torture.

My lovely Sil loves shopping and she often takes the DDs shopping for their birthdays. (She has two boys so delighted to have girlies to go with.) I suggested to DD that she asks her DA to take her prom dress shopping and SiL was delighted (and so was DD.)

I am now having second thoughts. I can't decide if I am being selfish by not going or selfless by letting her go with Sil? It's not that I am lazy- just want her to have a good time and don't think she will get it with me.

WWYD?

There was another thread recently on this. As a mother of teenage boys I'd love to take my niece dress shopping. Sounds like everyone is happy.

I'm the same - I have two girls and am not girly at all - they're only 5 and 3 at the moment but I'm dreading this sort of thing. Thankfully my mum is brill so I go shopping with her - letting her decide where we go and what gets tried on with me saying the odd input.

oops meant to say - why don't you try that too - so tag along with DD and SIL for the 'bonding' but not the fashion advice.

Check with dd. Is it more important to have a lovely bonding shopping time with her Mum? If so grit your teeth and do it. If she doesn't mind a bit and understands that you are good at other Mum Stuff but not this, then guiltlessly delegate to Aunty and wish them both a lovely time. Practice your "that is gorgeous" face for when they get home and put on the fashion parade.

My dd has a prom in the summer, I am not girly and frankly I'd rather stick pins in my eyes rather than spend a day in Bluewater. DD and her gang not partic girly either - she doesn't even own a skirt or dress and lives in jeans & leggings!

Luckily she won't be seen dead with me and will either get off internet or go with her mates. I'd happily pass on the responsibility if i were you

She did google and show me some Big Fat Gypsy Wedding dresses that some of the other girls had bought and I was

Her face lit up when I suggested asking her DA so not sure she saw it as a bonding experience- more an opportunity to spend a vast amount on a posh frock (and shoes, bag, hair accesories and jewellery etc etc .)

I ask her if she minded and would she rather go with me and she said I could come too if I liked but I could tell from her eyes she rather hoped to have DA to herself.

Just not sure how I feel about it now...

Accept the offer with glee!!!!!!!

Now, when dd is older, I'd love to go wedding dress shopping - but I just don't 'get' this prom malarkey

And until I read your post I'd forgotten that new dress also means new shoes and bag and stuff .... oh fgs ....

Let her go with the auntie. Maybe you could do something nice for them when they get back- some drinks and nibbles or a favourite meal so they can eat and tell you all about their day? I was asked by my DDs friend if she could come to our house and get ready for their end of year ball - it made sense because it was nearer, but I felt a bit uncomfortable that her Mum wasn't going to be helping her get ready etc as I was helping straighten their hair and advise on makeup etc. Phoned her Mum who is not into the girly stuff at all and she was only too delighted I was helping out- so I took some nice photos of the getting ready process and had a big one blown up of how the friend looked before we set off and gave it to her mum and she was really pleased with that and quite teary- so don't feel guilty- stick to what you are good at and enjoy and let DD have her fun with her auntie!

Why not make a day of it and all three of you go? I took dd to London for the day to get hers and we had a lovely day - bought the dress, had tea and cakes and went to The Portrait Gallery and the Wellcome Collection. Twas lovely.

But then again, she knows what she likes and wouldn't have been seen dead in a big meringue! We got it the dress in a little boutique off Carnaby Street. She tried on about 30 before we bought it (all of Oxford Street almost!) but was really pleased with the one she ended up with and is looking forward to making another day of it at the end of sixth form!

They want to go together, and will enjoy it.

You don't want to go, and wouldn't enjoy it.

So how is it selfish?

No don't go , let them get on with it.

It's ike dh taking ds golfing , then sayong , you can come along and watch is if you dn't want to miss out . no thanks

be thankful she has an aunt who can help

My Si is very sensible and wouldn't let her buy something without asking me first. I am not sure how much this sort of thing costs Will I need to take out a mortgage extension?

It can cost as much or as little as you want it to, tbh.

DD1's was something like:

dress - 35 pounds in sale
shoes - 15 pounds in TK Maxx sale (v v impressed - reduced from 89!)
bag - 20 pounds in John Lewis
little sequin lace capey thing - I think it was about 15 pounds in the HOF sale
earrings - a fiver
bracelet - a fiver
tights - a fiver
She did her own hair and make up.

So eevn with trainfare, tea and cakes, lunch etc it seemed quite reasonable - it was deffo cheaper than kitting her out with suits for sixth form anyway! :)

im going through the prom nightmare, im so not a girly person .. neither was my 2 oldest girls so they didnt go to theirs.. but the youngest is very much wanted to look like a princess.. we have done the dress shopping, she went with friends first and choose, then i went down later to pay :)
The limo is booked .. just hair, nails, makeup and accessories to go .....