DFW Girls: I need your help!

LookingAhead

Just a thought (and it may be a rubbish one!)....if you could find a dress that was perfect but without long enough sleeves, could you buy a pair of those long elegant evening gloves? Normally no-one wears them but if this is old style traditional then you'd get away with them.

John Lewis sell them I think.....

Good luck on your hunt for the perfect outfit!

fizzel81

i bought the last dress and wrap for my mess do from ebay 12 with p&p it was a fantastic bargin
if not try tk maxx but you may have to be prepared to repair minor things like sequins that have fallen off etc (i bought a dress from there for 5 in the sale because it had a few threads and missing beads)

melancholly

i'd have a look at george at asda - they have some really nice new things that look great in the 'george collection'. or look in next clearance stores - i don't know where many are in london, but there is one nearish to lakeside.

also, having been to an army dinner (the covering arms thing was a pain) - i'd also encourage you not to spend too much money, since the dress may not end the night in great condition (sending a catalogue one back is unlikely to be an option)!! i have heard stories of the sandhurst assault course being attempted at 3am by women in black tie outfits.....(not me, never gone anywhere that posh!) - but things can get a little.... erm.... rowdy?! mess rugby is probably best avoided!

i think anything below the knee is technically allowed..... double check that and you might be able to get a few more options.

nabowla

Hmm yes. I know all about Army dinners & balls. Let's see, there was the time I ended up playing with laser guns on the lawn at 3am whilst dressed in ballgown and high heals, the night the lads decided to swap my shoes for their spurs (don't ask!!!) and the time we all ended up in one of those huge rotating donkey wheels (it seemed like a good idea at the time.....).

Thankfully this one's a serious dinner so the dress will survive the evening, although it's always a lot less fun when there aren't any junior officers around

Locana

The evning dress that doesnt fit you anymore? Can you get it altered at a shop?

melancholly

nabowla wrote:

Hmm yes. I know all about Army dinners & balls. Let's see, there was the time I ended up playing with laser guns on the lawn at 3am whilst dressed in ballgown and high heals, the night the lads decided to swap my shoes for their spurs (don't ask!!!) and the time we all ended up in one of those huge rotating donkey wheels (it seemed like a good idea at the time.....).

Thankfully this one's a serious dinner so the dress will survive the evening, although it's always a lot less fun when there aren't any junior officers around

:rotfl: :rotfl:
if only i could say more about my experiences, sadly the alcohol consumed has removed any memories of them!
(and i think that that is probably a good thing )

clarkey1000

I found bumper cars at 2am are also not good for posh dresses. The dry cleaner manager to get the oil off though. Was most impressed!

I'd just like to thank you for the link to the shop on Ebay, I think it may well be my undoing! My husband will be so pleased!!

Back to the original question - how about borrowing off another wife or female officer for the evening.

Or look at the noticeboards on https://www.confetti.co.uk as people are often selling dresses on there, you could always get one a little bit big and get it altered to the right size.

vixxen

After reading this thread earlier I popped out to my nearest charity shop hunting for a bargain. I got there only to remember that this area is mainly populated by pensioners so it wasn't that good a move unless I want to go out dressed like my nan!

Good luck with the dress hunt, I'd look up a local dress maker to see if they can alter one of your existing dresses, I had a skirt I loved altered for only a couple of quid when I put on a bit of weight. It felt great too coz the label still said 12 when I was a 14

jen_jen_2

i have no idea down south but a new monsoon outlet store recently opened in liverpool, they have loads of long dresses for about £40 (i suspect the unsold christmas stock)

perhaps someone will know of one near you that you can check out (beware the one i went to has nowhere to try on and said no refunds or exchanges, take a good friend to protect your modesty)