[tbm]

As its coming up to that time of year again, Im sure it would be easier to have a thread devoted entirely to ball gowns, prom gowns, formal wear, etc etc, to save everyone posting separately.

So if you need any help, want to share ideas, need to know where to look then post here!



Good places to try for dresses/gowns are the following:

Monsoon
Warehouse
Coast
TK Maxx
Debenhams
Local bridal shops. If anyone wants to add anymore please feel free.

These websites might also be helpful for people when determining what sort of dress might suit them best:

http://www.littlewoods.com/rf/static...=landinghtml26
http://www.howtolookgood.com/index.html

[Sephrenia]

I have a prom dress [a friend of mums lent it to me] but its a tad too big..is there anyway you can think of that I can alter it a bit [nip it in around the bust and waist] without doing any permenant damage to it? Its white silk with a thin gauzey overlay...

[tbm]

Did you want to get it altered permanently? If so, you could probably take it to a local dressmakers/alteration shop and see how much it would cost. I think it would depend on the material though and how delicate it was. Another option is to see if you can find anyone that does fashion at uni, I have a friend who did a degree in that a few years ago and she is fantastic at alterations and making her own clothes.

If you didnt want to get it actually altered, Im not sure. Is there anyway you could carefully put a safety pin in it for the evening and disguise it? Chances are you wont be able to do it if the dress is quite delicate though. Maybe you could put a nice smart ribbon around the waist or something to hide the pin and make the dress a bit tighter? Hmmm, will have to have a think about that one!

[Dark and Lovely]

People in London or can get to London...go to Finsbury park...loads of ball dresses and they are original-not off the high street, the shops stock American dresses, check out a shop called Beverly Hills and USA something?

[Sephrenia]

I can't get it altered permanatly because it isn't my dress. Im borrowing it from my mums workmate, so its got to go back how I got it..I thought about the pin job and ribbon, it might look ok, but the bust worries me a bit...its OK if I wear my gel bra, but the straps show horrible on that, and it looks awful, so I need to get a new bra that has quite a bit of boost, and strap it in a bit, or just a new bra with normal boost and do quite a bit of altering...

[tbm]

Could you maybe try some of those gel inserts "chicken fillets" to fill the space a bit? Sorry, didnt want to appear rude when saying that!!
Then you could use them in a new bra or one you already have that goes with the dress

[Sephrenia]

(Original post by thisbemadness)
Could you maybe try some of those gel inserts "chicken fillets" to fill the space a bit? Sorry, didnt want to appear rude when saying that!!
Then you could use them in a new bra or one you already have that goes with the dress

All my white bras have straps the show horribly and I look absolutly **** in it! I really need a balconette bra with removable straps..but tis getting one with enough lift, so to speak Ill probably get some gel inserts as well, but ti would still be a bit big around the waist...at least I wont need to diet to fit into my dress

[Eva]

This site has loads of dresses as well, if you need any more ideas:

http://store.tjformal.com/PROM_DRESSES_2007/

[tbm]

(Original post by Eva)
This site has loads of dresses as well, if you need any more ideas:

http://store.tjformal.com/PROM_DRESSES_2007/

That website is great!!

And theres wedding dresses on there too for us gals who are getting married soon! (Ive already chosen mine but theres some lovely ones on there for anyone looking for ideas!!)

[stepheh]

coast have got some lovely dresses on sale at the moment, just to tell everyone.. some are 50% off!

[becky.fm]

I hate going prom dresss shopping

I am a size 16, so the people always look at me in the shop like i'm some sort of elephant

That's why my prom dress this year is coming off the internet...

[Bexx]

Me & a mate are going to London on Thursday to have a look for one.
Any stand out shops to go to?
I mean I'm not sure what i want yet, short or long, nothing too "prommy" if you get me.
Any advice? x

[stepheh]

oasis SOMETIMES do some really nice.. un-prom-like but still formal dresses.

[mypaperheart]

Mine was from Karen Millen last year - they do some really lovely dresses too. Does anyone else find that the nicest dresses are out in the winter, and when it comes around to summer its so much harder to find a dress?

[tbm]

(Original post by mypaperheart)
Mine was from Karen Millen last year - they do some really lovely dresses too. Does anyone else find that the nicest dresses are out in the winter, and when it comes around to summer its so much harder to find a dress?

Yep, totally agree.
A few years ago when my sister got married (it was in June) I had a nightmare looking for a dress, was awful. Just nothing about whatsoever, just summery clothes and nothing smart enough. Then a few months later when all the autumn/winter stuff came out there were lovely dresses everywhere It really annoys me that does

[kinkajou]

oooo i got mine from Emma Somerset, but you're looking at around £400 from there. Though i got loads of compliments and my dress was totally unique! Also will last for several different occasions which is good and makes it worth spending the money. I've lost weight since then though so i'm hoping it'll be able to be taken in without spoiling the style

[Bexx]

(Original post by .jen.)
oooo i got mine from Emma Somerset, but you're looking at around £400 from there. Though i got loads of compliments and my dress was totally unique! Also will last for several different occasions which is good and makes it worth spending the money. I've lost weight since then though so i'm hoping it'll be able to be taken in without spoiling the style

wow i love some of the dresses on the site! i wish they were cheaper.
if any of them are similar to what you wore then you must of looked stunning!

[Adarah]

hehehe, don't know why i just went and looked at the dresses on that website - lovely, yes. but too expensive.

[rhiWICKED]

TK Max everyone!!!!

At the minute they have some GORGEOUS dresses in.

On sunday I brought the most beautiful prom worthy dress (a white and purple floral tea dress, mid calf length, boned) for just £30!
sadly it doesn't go with the necklace that I spent a fortune on for my prom so i have to keep searching - but it was such a bargin I had to buy it - hopefully people will be having nice summer parties etc


also - if you search Vivien of Holloway - she does stunning retro inspired dresses - which, especially the satin dresses - would look great at a prom! £55 (but the petticoats are £39.. thats a point..)


Does anyone know where you can buy nice, reasonably priced, but fairly full petticoats from?

[Adarah]

I'd try vintage shops for the petticoats - surely they should stock cheap ones? But then I've never tried to look, just guessing there. It's where I'd start to look anyway.