My son is getting married. What on earth am I going to wear?! Please help.

[bleedingheartlefty]

I have no idea what to wear, I am not good with colour. I haven't been to a wedding for years.

I usually wear black, grey, blue or cream, oh and a darkish purpley colour too. I feel like I should have something colourful and a bit floaty for a summer wedding, but I fear I will just end up looking like a tit and be uncomfortable because I am pretending to be a lovely lady. I am comfortable in smart business wear or something like jeans and a stripey t-shirt. This middle ground is a bit of a mystery to me. People will be looking at me this time, I can't just stand at the back. Oh god, I just thought about it, there will be photographs.

I am 46. Size 8-10. Quiet flat chested. 5 ft 2. Mid brownish/red hair.

The venue is a country hotel (in Scotland) and the ceremony is on the lawn.

Any suggestions would be very gratefully received.

[TattyDevine]

Oh you will be fine. Size 8-10 and flatish of chest means you can have any style of jacket you want pretty much, which you might need in Scotland, and if you are confortable in smart business wear you should be able to find a "weddingy" skirt or even trouser suit that you don't feel a tit in.

I wouldn't go with anything too flowery or flouncy - it wont cut such a sharp figure in the photos.

You need a shift dress and jacket type suit combo, hat if everyone else is and some tasteful heels with a slightly thicker heel so you don't sink into the lawn.

How does that sound?

[TrillianAstra]

<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=2.bp.blogspot.com/-bciIm9wfiAY/TbsTy7eNQEI/AAAAAAAAASc/464xDtvEDGw/s1600/Mother%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bbride%2BCarole%2BMiddleton.jpg&imgrefurl=walkthisway-bpuorto.blogspot.com/2011/04/mad-hatters.html&usg=__l_X5SF90trkG0qmpruqQ7PXdx_o=&h=453&w=583&sz=88&hl=en&start=25&sig2=tvikPQk3mm9lYSThwE5jig&zoom=1&tbnid=O-aoTVMZb6KuEM:&tbnh=150&tbnw=189&ei=eyL6TYHzI82QswaA7bgE&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dbad%2Bmother%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bbride%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26biw%3D946%26bih%3D999%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3Disch&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=385&page=2&ndsp=25&ved=1t:429,r:11,s:25&tx=125&ty=37&biw=946&bih=999" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">Something like this?

[TattyDevine]

<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=www.mother-bride.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Mother_Bride_Groom_dress_outfit_Ronald_Joyce_97745_001sm.jpg&imgrefurl=www.mother-bride.com/2010/03/ronald-joyce/&usg=__VPPPSSjhNIK7r2A9TcYg1pH5024=&h=900&w=600&sz=326&hl=en&start=25&zoom=1&tbnid=r7_S2EN0QBZ_BM:&tbnh=157&tbnw=101&ei=9CL6Tb6WLIqV8QOEnqCqCQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dmother%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bgroom%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1093%26bih%3D491%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=460&vpy=105&dur=194&hovh=275&hovw=183&tx=82&ty=225&page=3&ndsp=11&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:25&biw=1093&bih=491" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">This kind of idea

[TattyDevine]

<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=blogs.babble.com/famecrawler/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/54318PCN_Nuptuals03-190x300.jpg&imgrefurl=blogs.babble.com/famecrawler/2011/04/29/royal-wedding-best-and-worst-dresses-and-hats-photos-video/&usg=__3XdUarA-EWTm66icspyFBYIt7tI=&h=300&w=190&sz=22&hl=en&start=12&zoom=1&tbnid=1v0Wwx_w71MxnM:&tbnh=150&tbnw=92&ei=fSP6TcryA4fD8QOX3JiqCQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dworst%2Bmother%2Bof%2Bbride%2Boutfit%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1093%26bih%3D491%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=616&vpy=140&dur=159&hovh=240&hovw=152&tx=109&ty=183&page=2&ndsp=13&ved=1t:429,r:10,s:12&biw=1093&bih=491" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">But not this

[TattyDevine]

<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=4.bp.blogspot.com/_SvFGD15ASlA/TE1d9hpe5xI/AAAAAAAAAJs/CDP4-iT58S0/s1600/Granny-with-cigar.jpg&imgrefurl=notwithoutmydorag.blogspot.com/2010/07/muttonometer-would-madame-like-mutton.html&usg=__wrDFxl1jo4EjSxAQU8p1sF57Bz8=&h=281&w=400&sz=37&hl=en&start=39&zoom=1&tbnid=b6Re7UHQb08e1M:&tbnh=144&tbnw=206&ei=tiP6TfDWAY-p8APjxqGqCQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dmutton%2Bdressed%2Bas%2Blamb%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1093%26bih%3D491%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=785&vpy=192&dur=13&hovh=188&hovw=268&tx=191&ty=114&page=4&ndsp=11&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:39&biw=1093&bih=491" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">this wouldn't be so great unless he's marrying Lady Gaga

[bleedingheartlefty]

That does sound pretty perfect. I was worried that a shift and jacket might be too businessy. Good, I am relaxing already. Any links to something like that, anybody? I am looking forward to the opportunity for some hat wearing.

[bleedingheartlefty]

Ooh, slow typing, thank you.

[TrillianAstra]

Definitely shift + jacket + hat/bag/shoes.

It'll only be too businessy if you have it in black or grey or navy.

[TattyDevine]

Yep, shift and jacket need not look businessy. There are loads of weddingy versions around at this time of year. In fact, it can be hard to find anything other than weddingy racesy stuff at this time of year, its all sale shite or Wedding/races/garden party.

Right, now you've confirmed the shift/jacket combo I'll see if I can find some more helpful links!!!

[TattyDevine]

This dress

with

This jacket

Its grey, but not business grey, and the dress detail stops it looking businessy too. Dress might be a little long on you at 5 foot 2 but hard to tell online...

[TattyDevine]

This

with this ...

[TattyDevine]

This is a potentially nice look, ignore the 16 year old model

[bleedingheartlefty]

That green one is nice Tatty, if a bit green.

[TattyDevine]

Tasteful. Scroll down for "complete the look" ideas

[TrillianAstra]

Why would Hobbs have a 16 yr old model? How bizarre!

I like the sparkly-looking grey one with the heavy-looking detailing on.

[Pinkjenny]

Another vote for the sparkly grey one.

[TattyDevine]

Some nice bits here

[TattyDevine]

Noice ...

[TattyDevine]

Bit showy but you have the figure for it by the sounds of it

[KristinaM]

If you must wear black

[bleedingheartlefty]

Love the phase eight jackets. Some of those dresses look like they might swamp me a bit. I would probaly just go for a pretty plain straight shift. Love all the pale grey, I would feel fine in that and that colour suits me especially in summer. I also have a big thing with that bit of flab between the top of your bra and your armpit so very picky about armholes.

God, it is such a minefield. I so should get this done before my six year old son finishes school at the end of June

[KristinaM]

You MUST get an outfit with a jacket or coat. Do not let anyone talk you into just a dressthen trying to find soemthig to match. You cannot rely on the weather

And if you never wear floral , floaty or pastel normally then dont start now. You want a more glamourous version of you, not a whole new look. You are very young for MOB/G and slim so dont dress like a granny

[bleedingheartlefty]

No, black is not essential at all, I would only do black with cream or something.

I should just throw myself on the mercies of a John Lewis personnal shopper.

[TattyDevine]

Do it soon, I agree. Sales are beginning to start. Whilst this can mean prices are low, it can also mean sizes are sold out, and if you leave it too long, its all tatt...

[TattyDevine]

But I agree, get thee to John Lewis.