Dress for my mum for winter wedding - PLEASE help!

[LoudRowdyDuck]

Hi everyone.

Mum hates clothes shopping and isn't very confident. She needs a lovely dress for my big brother's wedding in early January. Not too formal - her style is slightly bohemian and she hates the kind of classic 'mother of the groom', big-hat and heels look.

Vital Stats:

• She's about 5'3/5'4
  
• About a size 16, size 14 in somewhere like East. Big bosom.
  
• She can't wear heels
  
• She fancied something, 'with a full-ish long skirt, fitted at the waist, maybe in blue?', but obviously this is just a starting point.
  
• no Net-a-Porter; she needs to go and try it on.
  

Price: she spends ridiculously little on clothes but could afford more. Ideally less than £100, certainly less than £200.

Please give me some ideas, we're going shopping next week!

[chicaguapa]

Ever since I had a personal shopper appointment at Debenhams, I vowed never to trawl the shops for a special occasion outfit again. I would recommend booking somewhere like Debenhams/John Lewis etc. They have lots of concessions to choose from and your mum will be able to stay in one place while someone else brings her outfits to try on. It's a free service too.

[LoudRowdyDuck]

Good idea chica, but I think she'd feel far too self-conscious.

To give you some idea of how much she hates shopping, her usual method is to peer in through the shop door, finger one rail and declare, 'there's nothing here!' and beating a hasty retreat!

[chicaguapa]

There's no-one with her. It's a private changing room and the personal shopper will wait outside if she wants and just bring clothes for her to try on. It's good as they know their stock and can bring things that will suit the occasion and her shape. It's so much easier than walking around the shop yourself!

[LoudRowdyDuck]

I know - but honestly, she would hate it. I'd just love some ideas of what's nice in the shops atm, so I have some idea where to drag her into!

[LWRF]

My MIL likes Sahara and Gerry Weber...and it lookes lovely on her.

[LoudRowdyDuck]

Thanks! Both new to me, which is good!

[tethersjinglebellend]

Too long?

Here?

Here?

Here?

Here?

[trumpton]

Are you sure I am not your mother ?? She sounds like me. I love that Fenn Wright Manson dress. Just let me have look at Phase 8 .They generally have good shapes.

[trumpton]

this?

this ?

this?
Can you tell I like Phase 8 ?

[LoudRowdyDuck]

tethers,thanks! Will just say what looks good/ less good so as to narrow down what we're looking for.

1. Might be too long, yes. Too thin fabric?
   
   
2. I love it, but I think she'll want knees/arms covered - ideally not with a separate item. Her knee is damaged and misshapen; she's shy about it.
   
   3)Pencil skirt not the best on her figure.
   
   
3. Same again, sorry.
   
   
4. This would look so nice - I will force her to try it! (She loves velvet).
   
   Thanks again!

[moondog]

This is similar ot one Tether lniked to.
Castle Dress under Casual Dresses if it doen's link (it's not really casual thoguh.)

I bought it this week but I am tall with 34B chest so maybe not good for smaller fuller shape?
It's bloody nice thoguh and better still, 25% off all at Hobbs through Torygraph.

[LoudRowdyDuck]

trumpeton - hmm - you've seen 3 dresses you admit to liking - we can safely say there is no way you are my mother!

1. I think too narrow in the skirt?
   
   
2. Lovely!
   
   
3. Nooo!
   
   Btw, it doesn't *have to be blue. She has black hair and olive skin; she looks great in rich, dark colours and cream, teracotta - not pastals.
   
   Thanks so much, it is really appreciated.

[tethersjinglebellend]

If she likes velvet, how about this?

[tethersjinglebellend]

Or this?

[LoudRowdyDuck]

moondog - lovely! See what you mean re. chest. She's about 38 D/DD, I think.

[LoudRowdyDuck]

tether

Like the first, but maybe a bit 'little girl' with the bow.

Second - um ... sorry, but to me it looks like a dressing-gown!

[tethersjinglebellend]

I thought 'dressing gown' too...

Love moondog's one.

[moondog]

Why thank you.
I am inordinatley pleased with self.
Tether is great at finding good stuff.Tat Kaliko one is gorgeous. I have a lovely frock by thrm.
The Toast one is minging though (sorry Tether-even you lapse occasionally!). Peopel will think she has come in her dressing gown.

All Toast clothes are the dried up turds of Satan.

[KristinaM]

If she looks like she has a " big bosom" and she is wearing a 34D then your FIRST stop shoudl be bravissimo to get her measured for a new bra

and you must FORCE her to go to the personal shopper in debenhams AND john lewis. its totally private, in a separate room away from all the other changing rooms. its a wonderful service, everyone raves about it, honestly

go with her, lots of women take a friend

but you need to book now as often they dont have appointments during teh sale

they will ask in advance what she likes / dislikes, colours etc

are you sure that her best colour is blue, with dark hair and an olive skin?

[tethersjinglebellend]

Arf- I agree, toast vile. Sometimes I think I've been on here too long when I think Toast and Boden is acceptable.

I'm so glad I've got you here to snap me out of it

[moondog]

Now I don't mind a bit of Boden as long as it isn't 'hotch potch' or 'fun'

Clothes aren't as well made as they used to be for the laydeeez, but the kids' stuff is great, men's shirts good and customer service second to none.

[moondog]

Yes, good underpinnings essential.

[LoudRowdyDuck]

at 'the dried up turds of Satan'.

I have to admit she has a much-loved Toast cardie, and considers it a very posh shop.

It is only quite recently I persuaded her that clothes need not all be from M&S and East, might not cost under £40, and should not be oversized and shapeless!

[LoudRowdyDuck]

Kris - she just fancied blue, I think. She is going grey, btw, so blue suits her more now.

I bullied her into a decent bra (from a C cup!). She also has a good pair of magic knickers - and a very balanced hourglass shape.

There is NO WAY she'd go for the personal shopper!

[trumpton]

this is softer in grey and below knee worn with this?or for her bohemiam side this?