Help a girl in distress : What (not) to wear

mark55man · 12 September 2008 at 8:40AM

My DD (13) has been invited to her first posh do. A dinner party for 6 of her friends - they are all getting carried away and turning it into a mini ball by the sounds of it -DD is very bright academically but fashion wise her tastes are more grunge than Dior, so she is tense about not wanting to wear something she is uncomfortable in, but not wanting to turn up in jeans and a top.

Can I have some money saving compatible ideas about what she might wear that I could get off the High St. She is 5'4, Size 16, with noticeable but not large lady bumps (oo er), short dark brown hair and a good complexion, but freckled. Her hair is mid length straight and cut a bit like Violets in the incredibles but less so.

Any fashion ideas or even suggestions for outfits recieved gratefully - links to eg M&S or Debenhams website even more so. I really don't want her first major outing to be a train wreck for her

TIA - Mark

SugarSpun · 12 September 2008 at 9:07AM

I think if she's normally not very girly then a flowing maxi dress might be the best thing - not dressy enough to be uncomfortable but still pretty enough to pass.

I found two that I like on ebay - she might not agree but I like 'em so there :P

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEXT-BLACK-RED-PAISLEY-PRINT-MAXI-DRESS-UK-16-BNWT_W0QQitemZ120302405885QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item120302405885&_trkparms=72%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NWT-STUNNING-MAXI-DRESS-GEORGETTE-SIZE-16_W0QQitemZ230288104942QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item230288104942&_trkparms=72%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

specialK · 12 September 2008 at 9:14AM

My DD is the same. When we needed a dress for a christening last year, she chose a big spotty dress with a thick band around the waist and hem. I was shocked she chose it as it was pretty, maybe she thought it was that 'busy', she would not be looked at, the dress would!

What about leggings with skirt and a top?

Hope she finds what she is looking for!

vicks276 · 12 September 2008 at 9:31AM

Not sure if they still do them but Peacocks did a funky dress which was strapless, knee-length and black with silver stars on it. It was like a prom dress, not skin-tight (the skirt was flared IYKWIM) had netting underneath the hem and was about £14. It was definitely more "grunge" than others I had seen.
Just found this one on ebay that is really similar.
Also try MK One if you have one near you, their clothes are really good value and they have some great party dresses in at the mo.

RustyFlange · 12 September 2008 at 9:50AM

SugarSpun wrote: »

I think if she's normally not very girly then a flowing maxi dress might be the best thing - not dressy enough to be uncomfortable but still pretty enough to pass.

I found two that I like on ebay - she might not agree but I like 'em so there :P

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEXT-BLACK-RED-PAISLEY-PRINT-MAXI-DRESS-UK-16-BNWT_W0QQitemZ120302405885QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item120302405885&_trkparms=72%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NWT-STUNNING-MAXI-DRESS-GEORGETTE-SIZE-16_W0QQitemZ230288104942QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item230288104942&_trkparms=72%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

I think the second dress would be perfect! it's lovely, shame its not in my size!!! oh that and I don't do dresses lol
Hope you find something soon and that she has a lovely time.

Another thought but have you had a look in evans as they have some lovely items and they do size 16 and sometimes have some lovely items reduced.

mark55man · 12 September 2008 at 10:18AM

Thanks everyone. the printer is busy as I type :-) - any more suggestions - keep em coming in.

we are going shopping at 3pm today so - fortune favours the prepared (and we will need all the fortune we can get)

pretz_2 · 12 September 2008 at 11:04AM

ok ive had a look i dont know your budget for this dress and found debenhams a tad expensive but their dresses are lush here are a few examples

http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10001_66851_648592_-1

http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10001_66851_621474_-1

http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10001_66853_613163_-1

http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10001_66154_601556_-1

http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10001_66154_686905_-1

http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10001_66154_690214_-1 this is my fav

i tried to keep it in classic block colours as not to overwhelm with flowers and prints also ive tried to keep the colours to what she would be use to.

the dress should ideal be a-line or empire cut these cuts will make her appear longer and leaner.

hth
pretz

SugarSpun · 12 September 2008 at 11:16AM

This is lovely, but shoes will also be required:

http://www.evans.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=20554&storeId=12553&categoryId=69555&parent_category_rn=&productId=697125&langId=-1

Next have a gorgeous black silk dress on their sale page reduced to 12 pounds.

NemoToad · 12 September 2008 at 11:25AM

If she's not happy in a dress what about smart black tailored trousers (you can probably get some very cheaply at Primark) and a pretty top with a cardigan or shrug. It's not the same as wearing jeans, but she might feel more comfortable in it then a dress, and if they're her friends I'm sure they'll understand that she's just not a dress/skirt kind of girl. Lots of my (girl) friends when to balls and things in suit type clothes rather than dresses at that age! Alternatively if she's feeling a bit braver, a floaty black skirt would look nice with a pretty top too.

Maybe a top like these?

http://www.newlook.co.uk/1528523/152852301/ProductDetails.aspx
http://www.newlook.co.uk/1486497/148649738/ProductDetails.aspx

Team it up with some pretty sparkly ballet style pumps maybe? New Look are pretty good and cheap for that, or again Primark are also good.

ClareEmily · 12 September 2008 at 11:27AM

Not being funny, but why can't you give her some money and send her out with her friends to choose an outfit?

At 13 very uncool to go shopping with your dad.

RustyFlange · 12 September 2008 at 11:29AM

ClareEmily wrote: »

Not being funny, but why can't you give her some money and send her out with her friends to choose an outfit?

At 13 very uncool to go shopping with your dad.

But to be fair if Dad is paying then it could be a good way to bond between them ... give her a limit on what she can spend and then away to the shops together!
I wish I had the opportunity to do things like this with my dad.

Help a girl in distress : What (not) to wear

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