Daughter needs a semi formal dress ... issue with showing upper arms

[morningcoffee]

DD15 has a semi formal occasion coming up in summer and needs a dress. She is an average size on top but has unfortunately inherited my very fatty and large upper arms and would like to keep them covered. I can sympathise ... I have never worn a sleeveless dress : ( 

 

Most formal dresses that are I have seen that are youthful in style are also sleeveless. I'm leaning towards getting one of those dresses and pairing it with a little short sleeve jacket. Whatever jacket she wears would have to be very light weight as it will be hot. A crocheted shawl would be enough coverage but maybe a pain to wear for the whole evening. 

 

What style would suit her? I would really appreciate some advice .... links to photos would be great. TIA! 

[ErinE]

I like the shopstyle website to get ideas. You can search for clothing by entering search words. Below is a link, which should have 'short sleeve formal dress' as the default search:

http://www.shopstyle.com/browse?fts=short+sleeve+formal+dress

 

A jacket would work for a spaghetti strap or sleeveless style dress.

Edited April 26, 2016 by ErinE

[Guest]

We have had several brides use the little sweater-lettes as part of their bridal gowns.  I don't know what these articles of clothing are called, but they are basically short sweaters, usually lacy (like crocheted or something) with short- to 3/4 length sleeves.  The ladies have looked very pretty!

[hornblower]

how about something with a split sleeve like this? http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/race-to-the-finesse-dress

[Guest]

If you Google "bolero sweater" you will get a lot of pictures of what I was talking about above.  One of the interesting things is that there are quite a few different "cuts" and sleeve lengths.  

 

Good luck.  I dress for camouflage, and have all my life because of skin issues, so I know how this kind of stuff matters.

 

[hornblower]

also, lace overlay dresses are in now... something like this maybe ?

 

or whatever sleeveless dress she picks and a lace sleeve bolero like this

[catz]

Yes, I was going to say Bolero jackets or shrugs work great for this and are much easier to wear all night than a shawl.  Something along these lines.  You can also get knitted ones.  You can get them in different sleeve lengths too. 

 

http://www.amazon.com/PattyBoutik-Womens-Pleated-Sides-Bolero/dp/B008XG4FXG/ref=lp_2368385011_1_3?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1461709006&sr=1-3&nodeID=2368385011

[DesertBlossom]

Google "modest formal dresses" and you'll find a lot of stuff. I've ordered a couple cute dresses from jenclothing.com.

[momacacia]

There are tons of nice cardigans as well as little bolero sweaters. I got 11yo a white one with scalloping and pearls off amazon.

[Pippen]

We recently ordered my daughter's prom dress from Promgirl.

 

We had to wade through a lot that weren't right for her, but they have a ton of choices. They have a search feature which allows you to filter out the dresses without sleeves. http://www.promgirl.com/shop/styles_and_trends/sleeves-dresses

 

 

 

 

Edited April 26, 2016 by Pippen

[Tree Frog]

Just don't be catfished!

 

When I went to DH's senior prom, I chose a beautiful floor length bandeau type dress. I quickly learned he didn't want that much skin showing, so DH's mother "helped" me make a bolero jacket to wear. Good luck, OP.

[JFSinIL]

Those cute little short sleeve "shrugs" (what my dds call them) were made for such a use. Often sold near the formal dresses, too.

[Seasider]

You can also search for kimono jackets. These seem to come in a variety of cuts and are more flowing fabric (so maybe more warm weather geared than a sweater). A pretty patterned one could be worn loose or even belted over a solid color dress.

[KungFuPanda]

Look on amazon or dancewear sites for shrugs. They can be very lightweight, comfortable, and short-sleeved.

[Alessandra]

I have had a local seamstress make dresses for dd. the sleeves are elbow length, not puffy, not tight, with a band (not tight) just above the elbow. Very flattering. The seamstress I use grew up in Jamaica, where sewing was taught in schools. She works out of her house and charges vey little. Does it all without a pattern! Perhaps you can find someone like that.

 

Shops that cater to Orthodox Jews also have modest dresses. But you have to be near Orthodox communities to find the shops.

Edited April 27, 2016 by Alessandra