Mumsnet Talk

Best mate's wedding this year, am wearing this: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/dress190-WHITE-50s-HALTER-FLOCK-TATTOO-ROCKABILLY-COCKTAIL-PARTY-PROM-DRESS-8-26-/110890634759?pt=UK_Women_s_Dresses&var=&hash=item19d198ce07

It arrived today from ebay and looks quite good on. Thing is, can't wear heels as DH is a bit, well, short .
Do I wear a fascinator/hat with it?

Are they naff? If they're not [crossing fingers] what sort would go with the outfit? I'm a bit of a lovey at heart and quite like alternative stuff, but obviously don't want to steal attention from the bride... suggestions please lovely MNers!

I am 5'4", big boobs, pale skin, strawberry blonde/ginger hair. Will prob have a pashmina or something too.

Thanks in advance!

Naff imho

Naffola

naffola

JINX!

Bloody awful do not go there !

I was thinking this might be the general opinion....

The dress (although lovely) looks quite classy in the pics, but is actually made from very light cotton, so it feels a bit... un-weddingy
What can I do to scrub up??? It's probably going to be a VERY smart wedding with lots of old accquaintances, so I want to look good. Any suggestions gratefully received!

Any hat fans out there?!

Find a hat rather than a fascinator - a small style that doesn't swamp your head. I think it's the fluttery feather ones that are naff.

Or you could go to someone like Sakura who has some great designs that would work really well with your dress (and the lady who makes the hats was lovely and helpful too).

What a stunning dress! I would wear it with a big black rose in my hair and red lipstick. OOh and some stonking heels in red or black. Gorgeous.

Oooh thanks ladies!
Thanks mum47 -Hadn't thought of a big flower... and it's a summer wedding (well, May. Ahem) so would tie in Dress was only 30 quid, so don't feel so bad spending on accessories ;)

Piprabbit - what an AMAZING websiste! I LOVE her stuff, thanks

Am feeling so much better about this now... I say best mate's wedding, she's only my bessie from years ago in school, and there was always a bit of downright morale-crushing friendly rivalry...

Thanks MNers, I salute you!

Anyone know of any decent (not high) shoes that might go with it? Can't do any red lippy as have chicken lips (as DH calls them)

So what if your husband is short? My man is short and I wear heels all the time. You don't HAVE to be shorter than him, you know!

Echo the above, fascinators are beyond naff. Wear a hat.

I like fascinators!!

Next have a lot of pointed court shoes in at the moment, which fit the style and aren't too high.

Yes they are naff but if you can't wear a hat (like me) they are a dressy alternative so if you like them wear one.

Am thinking will go for a big flower now...I have a big black silk one somewhere I'm sure (wonders what back of wardrobe looks like).

Piprabbit - Next have changed! I used to hate them, now they have allsorts - shoes from Irregular Choice, Fly, Lipsy

I think I'd better have a dig around in my wardrobe first, to see what I've got...

MechanicalTheatre - true, but I feel weird looking down at him! and it's an all-dayer, so lower heel probably less hellish-pain-inducing.

Flip-flops/sandals too unweddingy?

I really like big silk flowers for weddings - they're not as naff as fascinators but don't give you hat hair for the reception. What about booking yourself in for a proper updo at a salon, if it wouldn't make you feel too fancy-dress 50s? A semi-beehive would look gorgeous with that dress.

Dress is beautiful you will look fab, am very tempted to buy one myself! I'm not a big fan of heels but they are definitely needed at a wedding imo they really add to the outfit.

Wear what you want and don't worry about others thinking what is and what isn't naff. Had a look at your dress and it's lovely. I think it would go well will one of the burlesque type mini hat fascinators that have a veil if you want a bold look or a nice flower hair clip would also suit but in a subtle way.

Enjoy the wedding,

Ok people. THESE are the fascinators that will blow your mind.

Wow. I think this nautical one is my fav. Dramatic!
www.etsy.com/listing/101043389/dramatic-hot-pink-ladies-fascinator-with?

and Pearls and Swine are pretty amazing too...

Thank you ladies, you're all lovely

Boogiewoogie - I am tempted to go for a mini-thingy with netting contraption... and I do like the idea of a f**k-you-traditional-wedding-look! (see last bit of this post)

Um, not sure I'm brave or mad enough to go for the plastic-boat-on-head-look PretzelTime and CuttedUpPear. They make Princess Beatrice look stylish!! (no offence guys).

Apparently, the puffy-outy 50s style is meant to minimise your waist (she says desperately hopefully). Hippermiddleton maybe I will get my hair done and use the hair-do as my accessory. Now THAT is a good idea!

Ok, WOW-hair-do suggestions please ladies . I have long hair so can go for pretty much anything...

Not so keen on the floaty feathery kind of fascinator but you can get things that are like hats but on headbands iykwim? Better than they sound! M&S stock a surprisingly nice range.

I think that dress needs heels, sorry!!

A little hat, just to sit on the crown or side of your head is great, like these. Sometimes described as 'fascinators' or headpieces, but not as we know them a la Accessorize etc. And if you have long hair, a fulsome side bun looks fab with them

If I've got a 'hat' type event and I don't want to wear an actual hat, I go to a blowdry bar, like Hersheson's at Top Shop or Westfield and get them to put my hair up into a beehive, then stick a flower in it. It makes it look like you've gone to some effort, and as a bonus, an updo looks even better as the day wears on, and starts to look a little dishevelled for the evening reception. Most of the hairsalon chains offer a blowdry bar service now, I think - but if you're handy with a dryer, there are lots of tutorials on Youtube for French pleats, sock buns, etc.