sparkysmum Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 Help My lovely neice is getting married in a few weeks time and I'm going to have to get out of my jeans for a day. Trouble is I dont shop No clue where to start looking . Money wise I dont want to pay a lot but will go a bit more than M&S prices but not £ooo's I know Debenhams does a "personal shopper" but I'm not that keen on their dresses. Do any of the other big stores do this as I really could do with a hand even finding my way around the "special occasion wear world Happy to consider anything, oh and what is a bodycon dress Have never heard of this before. Totally cluless, thats me Thanks in advance Axx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 I cannot remember the last time I wore a dress or skirt. I don't own any such thing and have worried about having to wear them again. I would feel awkward and self-conscious. You have to wear all sorts of kit underneath to make them look good.So I made a deal with myself that if I have to dress up I would wear a pretty fitted trouser suit. I have in my mind something kind of early 20th century with wide legged trousers and a neat little waist. I think that would be smart, feminine and appropriate and most importantly I would feel comfortable and be a happy guest. Like you though I wouldn't know where to start looking. Google what you fancy for ideas I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 Hi sparkysmum. Coast is quite good for dressy dresses - a bit more than most M&S but not scary! I love Karen Millen if it's for something special but you're looking £150+. A bodycon dress is one that clings everywhere like a second skin! Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 I'm not sure whereabouts you live but I really recommend the personal shopper service that most department stores offer - Debenhams and John Lewis for example. They will have access to all the franchises in the store as well as 'own brand' stuff and I've always found them really helpful in advising and offering suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 I've used the John Lewis personal shopper service before and found it really good. You give a brief outline of what you are looking for, and your budget, and the shopper will bring things to your dressing room for you to try on. They are pretty good at finding styles to suit you. The John Lewis service is free, which is great. I don't know about Debenhams, but I would guess that is too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted August 30, 2014 Author Share Posted August 30, 2014 You have to wear all sorts of kit underneath to make them look good. So funny, patsylabrador I have seen long elastic underthings, items of torture I thought haha I do like Coast so might have a look there and def like the idea of John Lewis personal shopper. Going to have a look on ebay too. Thanks for suggestions so far. Axx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 I rarely wear dresses too but have found 2 lovely ones over the past couple of years in Laura Ashley (both in a sale!). One's been worn a few times and the other I'm keeping for a wedding next year! If you'd like moral support or a second opinion in John Lewis, just let me know . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted August 30, 2014 Author Share Posted August 30, 2014 If you'd like moral support or a second opinion in John Lewis, just let me know . Funny you should say that ANH, was thinking the same myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 Phase eight also do some lovely bits and are quite wearable after too x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 I have just been looking for something to wear to my brothers wedding at the end of December in Chicago. I have found a few lovely ones on M&S, this one in particular http://www.marksandspencer.com/slinky-multiway-dress/p/p22283275?mfPartNumber=T422339&carousel=ASPV_RR which can be worn with the tie in several ways. Even though it doesn't show on each dress, there a a few colours. I particularly like the blue one and the sage one. I need to check what colour the bridesmaids will be wearing, just so I don't appear like one I am thinking of the blue with some red shoes and a sparkly shawl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Monsoon do a nice range of occasion wear, but if you are looking for a personal shopper Debenhams might be a good bet, but their online range is far better than in store unless you find a huge store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 When I was shopping for a special occasion day dress and a smart evening dress (I spend most of my time in a pair of jeans, I'm not sure I'd ever worn a long dress before) I did a lot of online looking and online shopping. I probably ordered about 10 dresses in all on different occasions and I did find the 2 I wanted. I knew/discovered which shapes and details suited me and I was ruthless about concentrating on them only so I didn't keep getting distracted. I found it easy to return stuff, using that courier service where you take the item back to somewhere convenient (like your local supermarket) and it gets sent back to wherever. I'm sorry I can't remember the name of it, and I'm not sure if its in Scotland, I found it remarkably stress free! I used Next (I tried some very 'un-me' dresses from here in the privacy of my own home, and bought a complete bargain evening dress in a sale which cost £25 and which got me a lot of compliments. I am a complete advocate of soft, silky, draping like the M&S dress bluekarin has chosen. It covers a multitude of sins but is also very flattering) M&S, Debenhams (they have such a range) and Hobbs (pricey, but I did buy a day dress). Other shops I've used in the past include LK Bennett (pricey so tend to wait for sale), Jigsaw (sale), Coast, Kaliko, Laura Ashley, Phase8 and Monsoon. I've got a body con skirt and a dress - depending on your shape they can work a treat. They sometimes use colour blocking, so the main panel is often black (slimming) but with a coloured panel down the side (more interesting than all black, and also shaped defining, it gives you a silhouette). Happy hunting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirstine Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I find it's much less stressful to go to a department store where they tend to group all the dressy stuff together, rather than trail round individual shops. I've had some success at Designers at Debenhams, and saw some nice dresses in the 'Occasions' section of Frasers in Glasgow. The dress I wore to my Stepdaughter's wedding was £24 from TK Maxx but that's a secret , and obviously I was lucky they had just the right thing in at the time . I ended up paying £150 in Frasers for a jacket to match, but will be able to wear both items separately on other occasions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Have you tried Gok at TU (Sainsburys!) They seem to have some nice styles that flatter and are easy to move in! Good luck- pics of the big day are a given now, of course! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 Ahhhh thanks ever so much, folks My boys are sorted, kilts. I'm having a day a town day on Saturday, so with a bit of luck I might be sorted too. Oh and MS is looking for skinny fit tartan trews for night, any ideas where he might find some Beginning to look forward to event, at last Ax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Might be worth phoning round a few kilt hire shops - they usually have things for sale as well as hire and might well do tartan trews. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 Thanks ANH, have tried that one. Ant is ridiculously hard to please in the clothing dept and they have to be skinny Hire or ex hire just couture enough for him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 Any luck today ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted September 7, 2014 Share Posted September 7, 2014 ASOS appear to have skinny fit tartan trousers in. Good luck with the dress hunting, I'm no help as have found a couple of nice bargains on ebay, and in charity shops over the years, usually separates which I feel more comfy in. I do agree with the shops mentioned though, whenever I find a really lovely item in a charity shop, it is generally one of those brands! My only tip would be to go with what suits your figure type and what you are comfy in, then you are sorted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted September 7, 2014 Author Share Posted September 7, 2014 Hello Very happy to say that I found this yesterday Just need to find some cheap shoes, bag and I quite fancy a wee fascinator. The belt is detachable or I might tie it at the back. Thanks for your inspiration Photies will follow on the day. Ax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted September 7, 2014 Share Posted September 7, 2014 Very nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted September 7, 2014 Share Posted September 7, 2014 That's a lovely dress Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 7, 2014 Share Posted September 7, 2014 That's lovely . I can just see you in it - you'll look great . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted September 7, 2014 Share Posted September 7, 2014 That's a great dress, well done on finding it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
