Please help me find a "Not a dress" outfit for a wedding..or ideas please..

[MyFirstName]

I have wedding-outfit dresses galore in my wardrobe. Some (not many) have worked. Mostly not. I have generally felt a bit "meh" on the day. Mostly have felt too "dressy/dressed up". Often a bit frumpy. Always hating the required shoes to go with the dress. And I now have another family wedding to go to in August. I don't want another dress. I don't want to wear any I have again. (Aso I have put on a dress size due to health problems...I may lose some in time but it is unlikely).

So please, suggestions. Something a bit different - but not really fashionable/trendy. I really am not that way wired. Classic with a twist maybe. Elegant. Stylish. A bit of something funky - but not all funky Iyswim. I am not sure if I am making sense....

So about me
*Size 12
*Broad Shoulders and big norks (32ff/g)
*Not much of a waist at the moment - may improve a bit but never been really wasp-waisted
*Hips/Bum OK. Never worried about it being overly large down there in proportion to the rest of me.
*Thighs OK.
*Legs - probably could be described as "shapely" - big calf muscles and slender ankles. I hate showing them off in dresses though

Colouring. Pale, slightly freckly skin. Blue eyes, brown curly hair in shortish bob.

Colours that suit me coral (good atm I know) navy, creams. I look dead in black. Or silver. Seriously dead. Corpse like an extra in Silent Witness.

So ladies....can you suggest something....that will not make me to depressed about my more flabby than normal body. Not make me look dead. And make me feel special but not over smart.

[TheOneAndOnlyAlpha]

Not a dress? I'd go with a twist on a tux type theme. There are lots of tux style blazers out there, which could be matched with straight leg trousers and a smart blouse. Add some heels in a bright colour and you have smart and weddingy but a bit different. Accessorise with a clutch. Check out the blog 'does my bum look 40 in this' for ideas. (This blog was a mn recommendation and I can't get em ought of it)

[MyFirstName]

There are some lovely looking blazers on there! I was thinking of getting myself a cheap/cheerful pink jersey blazer for the school run...may have to have a good look.

I quite like the idea of the tux idea...but just not sure if I can pull it off...my lovely SIL always wears trousers and a jacket to weddings but it never quite looks put together IYSWIM.

I did try a jumpsuit on in Phase Eight today - think it was that that go tme thinking/realising that I didn't want the dull dress thing again.

I liked the jumpsuit (though was far too long) but it was a bit eveningy/shiny for a day wedding www.phase-eight.co.uk/fcp/product/phase-eight/jumpsuits/Amanda-Jumpsuit/202524702

Hmmmm....

[Thurlow]

I'd go for a suit, a really nice, well-cut suit, like a women's tux?

[trixymalixy]

Warehouse have a lovely jumpsuit at the moment that I thought looked very elegant. Will try to link.

[PolkaSpottyDotty]

Not a place I'd usually shop, but TopShop have several monochrome jumpsuits. Must be a nightmare going to the loo though?!

A well fitted trouser suit can look really sharp. I'm not a dress girl at all, but wore this to a wedding and it was lovely on, I got loads of compliments. The shape hides a multitude of sins, and has enough length to be able to move properly without over exposure.

[PastaandCheese]

I have just bought Boden's Bistro trousers in navy and the short sleeved ivory lace top for a christening.

I'm really pleased with it and am planning to get a navy shrug to go with it. It's a really flattering combination.

[PastaandCheese]

Here

www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-Tops-T-shirts/Short-Sleeved-Tops/WA391/Womens-Lace-Top.html

www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-Trousers-Jeans/Trousers/WM352/Womens-Bistro-Trouser.html

[MyFirstName]

Too many choices...arghh.. Is this the sort of thing John Lewis personal shopping thingy could help with? Never used it - but have a feeling that my hatred of shopping/crapness with style could make it go horribly wrong without some strong guidance. Do not want to end up like I am wearing a work-suit!

AM liking the thought of some wonderfully elegant (pale?) trousers and lovely top with blazer. And whoo hooo could get wear out of separates for years.

Am going to dump the jumpsuit idea I think....I kind of like the slight qwerkyness of wearing a jumpsuit...but tbh it would just end up like another dress in the wardrobe.

[bouquetofpencils]

Blazer might be a bit uncomfortable wear all day.
I would go for smart cigarette pants, maybe 7/8ths length with a lovely silky elaborate top. Maybe a bright colour for the trousers? And go to town with the accessories, a big statement necklace or a chunky bracelet or a fancy bright beaded clutch.

[MyFirstName]

Good point about the blazer. I was mooching around online last night to see if I could find any blazer/trouser ensembles that caught my eye and tbh there were lots of lovely ones but nothing felt summery enough for an August wedding. It may be something I get as an afterthought as a cover up for the evening...but that could just as easily be a shrug/pashmina depending on the top.

So ladies...any beautiful top suggestions please? Will spend up to £100/150 maybe. I am, as above, biggish of work and shoulder. I also do not think I have bought anything more exciting than a vest top and cardigan for years top wise

[trixymalixy]

this was the one I had in mind, but looks like you have changed your mind. It looks nicer irl than in the picture.

[HolyDrinker]

I like the look of MULTI-10&refpage=trousers&view=2&searchpage=1&pagesize=150 these Hobbs trousers for a wedding. They're smart and a bit different. If coral suits you then they'd look fab with ORANGE-10&refpage=tops&view=2&searchpage=1&pagesize=150 this blouse and a blazer.

[MyFirstName]

Holy your links didn't work.. please could you retry as would love dome more suggestions. Thank you.

[FamiliesShareGerms]

Lovely full skirt and separate top?

[LadyMud]

I wonder if Holy meant this top with these trousers ?
That would have been lovely, but the top is sold out.

[MyFirstName]

ooooooooo I want! I WANT. Stomps foot....they are lovely. Humph though that sold out!

[Ladyface]

It's in stock on the john lewis website. www.johnlewis.com/hobbs-invitation-foxglove-top-ivory-multi/p1161167

[LadyMud]

Ooh reduced in John Lewis. I want one, too!

[MyFirstName]

Just found and ordered from John Lewis. Got the orange trousers too. And a selection of white/cream/neutral trousers to try with it too...am liking this glad DH cannot see the cost of the basket - though at least most will be going back

[MyFirstName]

X-post

[MyFirstName]

So, they arrived. This is the lovely top with some cream Mint Velvet trousers. And with orange Hobbs ones.

Firstly, is it smart enough for a wedding?
Secondly... Do I look OK...or a bit porky?
Thirdly.. Am I right in thinking the cream trousers look better?

[MyFirstName]

And please/thank you posting in a rush... Sorry...

[Thurlow]

I prefer the white trousers, but I think it's definitely smart enough for a wedding - it's lovely and bright and cheerful. What cardigan, shrug or wrap would you wear with it if it's a little cooler?

Also if it were me I'd be tempted to get some shoes that were more orangey to compliment the top.

[MyFirstName]

Yes, def need new shoes (shame eh ). Was going to be my next request for help....

[PolkaSpottyDotty]

Cream trousers - smarter and more flattering.

Ooh new shoes :)