DFW Girls: I need your help!

nabowla

I'm in severe danger of blowing a large amount of money on a dress for a Mess dinner. Or at least I would be if I could find something suitable in the shops :rolleyes:

The background: I've got to go to a Mess dinner at the beginning of June (Army black tie thing). Most of the guests will be senior officers and the dress code is very definitely traditional: long dress, arms covered etc. I've got some really lovely ballgowns in the cupboard but they aren't suitable and I don't fit into my evening dress any more (and there no way I'm going to lose 1 1/2 stones in four weeks!).

I'm getting a bit fed up of the whole DFW lifestyle at the moment and want to treat myself to something lovely. I actually got as far as going on a shopping expedition on Oxford Street yesterday. Luckily it seems to be completely the wrong time to be buying long evening dresses. Even Monsoon was hopeless - lots of lovely calf length dresses for weddings but nothing vaguely suitable for the dinner.

Buying a dress on Ebay is a good idea in theory. However, I'm a really odd shape and have to try everything on before I find something that fits. Ebaying would be a disaster money-wise as I can guarantee that the dress won't fit and I'll end up having to buy something else.

So what can I do? Where on earth am I going to find a decent long evening dress at this time of year? Has anyone got any bright ideas about where I might buy something without spending the earth? The local charity shop just doesn't stock that kind of thing, so that's out. And would someone please give me a d**n good kick up the backside and make me sell some of my stuff so that I can afford to buy this dress. I've got things that could go on Ebay but they've been in the cupboard for weeks. I just can't get motivated.

Little_Miss_Winner

HI there,

I am sure we can sort you out, or give you some ideas.
Does your arms have to covered by the dress? Or will a shrug do?
What colour? Does it have to be black?

love
pot

dippy-dora_2

what about getting something from a catalogue, wearing it for the do then sending it back?

lynzpower

What about "dress exchanges" theres one in london i know of in goodge st, and if you are savvy you can sell it back to them afterwards x

Little_Miss_Winner

Hi,

I know you have ruled ebay out becuase of the fit etc. But I have just had a quick browse, and there are a lot of shops that make made-to-measure dresses, you just chose your design then email them your measurements, and it will be a perfect fit.
I don't know whats your limit for spending, but i guess you will be able to wear for lots of occasions? Or re-sell.
Check this ebay shop (in usa) so you will have to be quick;-
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Lucky-Lamboq
Dresses are from about £35, not bad considering it's been made for you! And flown from USA.

Love
pot
x

spaghetti_monster

Have you tried TKMax?? They usually have a section of evening wear (I also sometimes need long evening wear for work and have thought about buying from there).

Also maybe charity shops in a different area?? Don't know if this would work where you live - I'm in London and in my local area they are most definitely not wearing these kinds of things! But a bit further north-west....

If you found something 2nd hand you could get it adjusted to fit - probably would look a lot better than something expensive bought new!

Hope that helps
alex x

moggins

I agree with TKMaxx, every one I've been in has racks of evening dresses I drool over but I don't need them anymore now I'm no longer an army wife

I think you will find that the arms covered is not strictly adhered to any more, as pointed out before you could use a shrug or a nice evening shawl, or even long evening gloves. If you already have dresses I would definitely look at all the options before splashing out on a dress you may never wear again.

mountainofdebt

dippy-dora wrote:

what about getting something from a catalogue, wearing it for the do then sending it back?

You're not serious......are you?

littlehussy

Maybe you could hire something?

leni

why not buy a dress - treat yourself BUT sell the dresses that don't fir you or aren't appropiate to pay for the new dress!

vicki98_2

i agree TKMaxx is a good place for dresses. George @ Asda do some good long dresses too occassionally and they're not expensive. i bought one from there for a dinner dance last year, cost me £25. i was worried that others would be wearing the same thing because it was from asda but they weren't so it was fine.
do you have a factory outlet village near you. I know theres one up here where they have loads of these dresses from about £15 upwards