dress help - 80s prom themed gala, for a woman in her 50s

[Anonymous]

I'd scour poshmark for a cute dress, then do an 80s nod like some fingerless lace gloves or a headband.

[Anonymous]

https://www.amazon.com/Womens-Going-Costume-Jenna-Vintage/dp/B09GXXP6Z5

[Anonymous]

If you can't find the right dress, lots of costume jewelry and big hair will get it done.

[Anonymous]

https://m.shopbop.com/ilona-cocktail-sheath-dress-black/vp/v=1/1535581361.htm?os=false&breadcrumb=Shop+Women%27s%3EClothing%3EDresses%3EOccasion+Dresses&folderID=68213&colorSin=2091391380&fm=other-shopbysize&ref_=SB_PLP_PDP_W_CLOTH_DRESS_68213_NB_6

https://m.shopbop.com/virgil-midi-rebecca-vallance/vp/v=1/1596878204.htm?os=false&breadcrumb=Shop+Women%27s%3EClothing%3EDresses%3EOccasion+Dresses&folderID=68213&colorSin=2031970893&fm=other-shopbysize&ref_=SB_PLP_PDP_W_CLOTH_DRESS_68213_NB_4

https://m.shopbop.com/reception-dress-elliat/vp/v=1/1520692254.htm?os=false&breadcrumb=Shop+Women%27s%3EClothing%3EDresses%3EOccasion+Dresses&folderID=68213&colorSin=2048635981&fm=other-shopbysize&ref_=SB_PLP_PDP_W_CLOTH_DRESS_68213_NB_20

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.amazon.com/Womens-Going-Costume-Jenna-Vintage/dp/B09GXXP6Z5

I went to prom in the 80’s and no one wore anything remotely like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.amazon.com/Womens-Going-Costume-Jenna-Vintage/dp/B09GXXP6Z5

I went to prom in the 80’s and no one wore anything remotely like this.

That's the 13 Going on 30 dress - my daughter has it and wore it for Halloween last year! Not the right look for 80s prom, but a fun costume option.

[Anonymous]

This is very 80’s / Solid Gold
https://www.lulus.com/products/elegant-occasion-gold-sequin-one-shoulder-midi-dress/1971036.html?pla=1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=%5BADL%5D%20%5BPLA%5D%20Dresses%20-%20Cocktail%20-%20tROAS&utm_term=I21D1387%3A%20BLACK%2FSHINY%20GOLD3&utm_content=148748097813_657843054410&s_kwcid=AL%217824%213%21657843054410%21%21%21g%212202445691644%21&gbraid=0AAAAAD-pt91HnrRY4M_NpX4bLtLO7R7go&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgp3RtMqUgQMVGkVHAR0-kwQsEAQYCCABEgKiQ_D_BwE

[Anonymous]

Sixteen Candles. Big hair, pumps, super frog frou dress: try to look like a cupcake.

Tbh this look was bad enough on teenagers in the 80s, why are we trying to have 50-somethings do it now!?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sixteen Candles. Big hair, pumps, super frog frou dress: try to look like a cupcake.

Tbh this look was bad enough on teenagers in the 80s, why are we trying to have 50-somethings do it now!?

This is OP - and I really don't know! I also definitely do NOT want to wear a dress that's advertised as a costume - and I don't think I want to wear a dress that's essentially for teenagers. But at the same time the idea of spending a lot of $ on a dress that I truly can't wear again feels absurd. I don't really have time to scour thrift stores, either!

When we did a 20s themed gala a few years ago, I just wore a regular dress - and seriously everyone else was dressed to the theme. I missed last year's event even though I'd bought a great dress for it (I had COVID) so I do want to make an effort this year. But also - argh! I buy myself cocktail dresses so rarely.

I appreciate the people who've posted links - and thoughts. I need to relax a little and htink of this as fun instead of a burden, I think!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sixteen Candles. Big hair, pumps, super frog frou dress: try to look like a cupcake.

Tbh this look was bad enough on teenagers in the 80s, why are we trying to have 50-somethings do it now!?

This is OP - and I really don't know! I also definitely do NOT want to wear a dress that's advertised as a costume - and I don't think I want to wear a dress that's essentially for teenagers. But at the same time the idea of spending a lot of $ on a dress that I truly can't wear again feels absurd. I don't really have time to scour thrift stores, either!

When we did a 20s themed gala a few years ago, I just wore a regular dress - and seriously everyone else was dressed to the theme. I missed last year's event even though I'd bought a great dress for it (I had COVID) so I do want to make an effort this year. But also - argh! I buy myself cocktail dresses so rarely.

I appreciate the people who've posted links - and thoughts. I need to relax a little and htink of this as fun instead of a burden, I think!

This is OP - and after all that I just found a dress I am actually sort of excited about. It's a Batsheva dress - on sale! - that seems sort of perfect. And it's silk, not poly, so hopefully it'll feel nice, too. Pockets, too!

https://batsheva.com/products/square-neck-mini-prairie-dress-in-iris-metallic-taffeta?variant=43442062786809¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxuCnBhDLARIsAB-cq1oMgXeuLAvSpqnAG4g65GVpSPA_poGDwgsCvxqGr0bY9q_cdX7CGRAaAhIAEALw_wcB

Still feels insane spending $ on a dress I might only wear once, but at least it's not a HUGE sum of money - and I do actually like the dress.

I didn't know this brand before - will report back on how the dress turns out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/sunday-in-brooklyn-off-the-shoulder-structured-ruffle-dress

omg i had this dress in black in 1983! I loved it! so hawt

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sixteen Candles. Big hair, pumps, super frog frou dress: try to look like a cupcake.

Tbh this look was bad enough on teenagers in the 80s, why are we trying to have 50-somethings do it now!?

This is OP - and I really don't know! I also definitely do NOT want to wear a dress that's advertised as a costume - and I don't think I want to wear a dress that's essentially for teenagers. But at the same time the idea of spending a lot of $ on a dress that I truly can't wear again feels absurd. I don't really have time to scour thrift stores, either!

When we did a 20s themed gala a few years ago, I just wore a regular dress - and seriously everyone else was dressed to the theme. I missed last year's event even though I'd bought a great dress for it (I had COVID) so I do want to make an effort this year. But also - argh! I buy myself cocktail dresses so rarely.

I appreciate the people who've posted links - and thoughts. I need to relax a little and htink of this as fun instead of a burden, I think!

This is OP - and after all that I just found a dress I am actually sort of excited about. It's a Batsheva dress - on sale! - that seems sort of perfect. And it's silk, not poly, so hopefully it'll feel nice, too. Pockets, too!

https://batsheva.com/products/square-neck-mini-prairie-dress-in-iris-metallic-taffeta?variant=43442062786809¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxuCnBhDLARIsAB-cq1oMgXeuLAvSpqnAG4g65GVpSPA_poGDwgsCvxqGr0bY9q_cdX7CGRAaAhIAEALw_wcB

Still feels insane spending $ on a dress I might only wear once, but at least it's not a HUGE sum of money - and I do actually like the dress.

I didn't know this brand before - will report back on how the dress turns out.

That's perfect OP! Hope it works out - have fun!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.amazon.com/Womens-Going-Costume-Jenna-Vintage/dp/B09GXXP6Z5

I went to prom in the 80’s and no one wore anything remotely like this.

This looks like a weird bathing suit!

[Anonymous]

Bigger than OP’s size but I had one similar to this:
https://www.thredup.com/featured/150913337?department_tags=juniors&referral_code=adwords_pla%2Cadwords_pla&iv_=__iv_p_1_a_19827996150_g__c__w__n_x_d_m_v__l__t__r__x_pla_with_promotion_y_8908102_f_online_o_147941452_z_US_i_en_j__s__e__h_9029014_ii__gg__vi__&gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxuCnBhDLARIsAB-cq1p582Z4saIiyOl03OjWZFRIulM2-nN2GLHsm-nFY1F6lWMKgpvLTG8aAsvFEALw_wcB&featured_item=150913337

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bigger than OP’s size but I had one similar to this:
https://www.thredup.com/featured/150913337?department_tags=juniors&referral_code=adwords_pla%2Cadwords_pla&iv_=__iv_p_1_a_19827996150_g__c__w__n_x_d_m_v__l__t__r__x_pla_with_promotion_y_8908102_f_online_o_147941452_z_US_i_en_j__s__e__h_9029014_ii__gg__vi__&gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxuCnBhDLARIsAB-cq1p582Z4saIiyOl03OjWZFRIulM2-nN2GLHsm-nFY1F6lWMKgpvLTG8aAsvFEALw_wcB&featured_item=150913337

I am OP and I had a dress almost exactly like that in the 80s! Mine was strapless - but with that velvet, boned top and the big pouffy taffeta skirt. I remember the boning broke when I was wearing it for the second time, and it kept poking into me all night - but it was still fun!