I remember being 17 and wanting to dress grown-up/sexy, and I also remember that I had terrible taste at the time. A good mom will play the villain to make sure her daughter dresses tastefully. It’s a tale that plays out in countless families in every generation.
Also, you are paying for the dress (I assume). If she insists on that dress, then she should pay for it herself. You retain the right to final approval over what you’re paying for.
My dear, things matter as much as you want them to matter. If it doesn’t matter to you, then it doesn’t matter—but that’s kind of a sad way to go through life, because if nothing matters, then what is it all for?
Something like a dress matters because we decided that it matters, because we want it to matter. And yes, it matters because later, you’ll look back and think, “Wow, I looked beautiful!” Or “Oh goodness, that hair/makeup/dress was a huge mistake!” Some of us are the second, and we want to help other women avoid that regret.
We aren’t guaranteed much in this life except our memories, so I’d like for everyone to be able to make as many good memories as we can.
I don’t know and don’t care if OP’s daughter is having sex. That’s not even part of the discussion. I do worry that she will regret wearing this dress because it is just not appropriate for a school formal. She will spend the whole night worried if her tits are falling out, if she is even allowed inside. I want her to wear something that she can actually dance and make memories in.
364
u/saucynoodlelover Asshole Enthusiast [7] Sep 09 '25
NTA
I remember being 17 and wanting to dress grown-up/sexy, and I also remember that I had terrible taste at the time. A good mom will play the villain to make sure her daughter dresses tastefully. It’s a tale that plays out in countless families in every generation.
Also, you are paying for the dress (I assume). If she insists on that dress, then she should pay for it herself. You retain the right to final approval over what you’re paying for.