Dining In nights - Keeping up with the senior ranks?

LittleCharlie

Just discovered something which might help others out in my situation.

Fella is in the RAF and we frequently are asked to attend dining in nights in the officers mess. However - this requires careful dressing on my part, and can sometimes make money tight if I really need that new dress. It doesn't help that I love shopping in Coast. (Oh, you know you want to feel sympathy for me really!)

Lightspeed surveys offer their rewards in Coast vouchers... I'm going to rack up the surveys and try and get vouchers for the graduation ball we're going to in April/May! Bit late for Christmas, but he said he'd treat me to a new dress for that one if we can get something in a sale!

Now just to find a way to get vouchers for shoes...

Sujamjen

TK Max have some gorgeous evening dresses if you are in the 8-14 size range. Prices from £30 - £75 here in Coventry.

bonsibabe

You may want to try ebay - I got a lovely ballgown on there and after getting the height altered, I spent a measly £50 on the dress and £15 on shoes.

LittleCharlie

Sujamjen - You kidding? TK Maxx I don't think I've EVER found anything in my size! I'm a 6-8, so they never have anything. I always find stuff in size 16+ that would fit my mum!

bonsibabe - I don't like the thought of buying anything like that unseen on eBay, I'm mega fussy about clothes as it is.

To be honest I'm a bit of a snob too. I like having really nice things, and if I have to bust my gut doing surveys, well, it's worth it. And for some reason, I really can't abide the thought of wearing someone elses clothes and certainly not shoes...

jpwhittle

LittleCharlie wrote: »

Sujamjen - You kidding? TK Maxx I don't think I've EVER found anything in my size! I'm a 6-8, so they never have anything. I always find stuff in size 16+ that would fit my mum!

bonsibabe - I don't like the thought of buying anything like that unseen on eBay, I'm mega fussy about clothes as it is.

To be honest I'm a bit of a snob too. I like having really nice things, and if I have to bust my gut doing surveys, well, it's worth it. And for some reason, I really can't abide the thought of wearing someone elses clothes and certainly not shoes...

there are some brand new ones on there you just enter your mesurements and its made up for you. they come from china so they are cheaper. my dh is going for his comissioning he has his first interview in 2 weeks and if he makes it i think thats were my dresses will come from. are wives allowed to the graduation comissioning? hes a corporal now so im not sure how it all works.

moonrakerz

Try the charity shops, my wife does the rounds before we go on a cruise. Try a slightly more up-market town (perhaps not Essex ! :rolleyes:)

horsechestnut

There is a Coast shop at Cheshire Oaks Outlet Village. Most things are half price, many even less. Always plenty of size 6-8.
I know that it isn't near you but I'm sure that there are other outlet shopping centres available.

pavlovs_dog

another option if money is really tight is to invest in a good quality little black dress and then buy new accessories to give it a new spin. each time you wear it you could go for a different colour scheme (black and red/gold etc). its normally cheaper to buy decent accessories than it is to buy a decent dress that fits the way ou want it to.

EmmEve

There is always the option of hiring too. I've no idea what costs are like though.

milkybars

LittleCharlie...

Unlike other posters above, I have read this thread properly so won't be suggesting second-hand to you for buying!

However, are there any frock exchange shops in your area? The type that buy good-condition second hand dresses and dressy items to sell on. You could sell some items to them that you've already worn to a few dinner nights and use this money to add to your Coast vouchers for a new dress.

Enjoy the ball in April/May next year!

EmmEve

milkybars wrote: »

LittleCharlie...

Unlike other posters above, I have read this thread properly so won't be suggesting second-hand to you for buying!

However, are there any frock exchange shops in your area? The type that buy good-condition second hand dresses and dressy items to sell on. You could sell some items to them that you've already worn to a few dinner nights and use this money to add to your Coast vouchers for a new dress.

Enjoy the ball in April/May next year!

I think its rather rude to suggest that other people have not red the thread properly or their advice is irrelevant.

It was rather funny that depsite saying you wouldn't suggest 2nd hand, you did in fact suggest 2nd hand though.