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Original poster

To ask for wedding dress suggestions

58 replies

Puzzledandpissedoff · 24/01/2025 12:57

Unashanedly posting here for ideas ...

I have a very dear friend who's a senior lady (70+) and getting married, looking for recommendations about what to wear and where to get it - we live in the east midlands and ideally she'd prefer somewhere she can actually visit, though realises it may come down to ordering online in the end

Slim and very classy, she has in mind something silvery, long and straight, (definitely not a meringue, though TBH she's the sort of lady who'd look good in a bin bag Smile), possibly with some beading or whatever to make it "bridal" but nothing over the top

Not an easy endeavour which could be sorted by the standard bridal shops I know, but any suggestions would be very warmly appreciated so I can forward suitable links to her

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rrrrrreatt · 28/01/2025 21:29

IdaGlossop · 24/01/2025 18:48

This brand in particular specialises in beading www.alexandra-anne.co.uk/eliza-jane-howell-wedding-dresses

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I was going to suggest Eliza Jane Howell! I tried a few on because I had my heart set on one of her dresses. They were a bit too mumsy for me (early 30s) but they are absolutely stunning in person.

They cost a lot new but if your friend likes them, they’re cheaper second hand or from an outlet. My budget was about a 1/4 of their RRP so I tried them on in a bridal outlet in Chester but I also saw a few come up on the Still White website as well.

Frostynoman · 28/01/2025 14:45

Jenny Packham. Helen Mirren looks fantastic in her so I wouldn’t at all be concerned about it being age inappropriate. Congratulations to your friend and I hope that she has a wonderful time picking her dress

Grrrpredictivetex · 28/01/2025 12:30

@BoudiccasBangles thank you. It was perfect for what I wanted. Flowers

BoudiccasBangles · 28/01/2025 10:48

Grrrpredictivetex · 27/01/2025 08:38

This was my wedding dress from Monsoon and I'm the same age group. Felt fabulous.

That’s a gorgeous dress. Such a glorious shade.

Original poster
Puzzledandpissedoff · 28/01/2025 10:23

That's exquisite, @ItsProperlyColdOut and she'd look a million dollars in it, but I'm sure she'd consider it far too expensive for one day

Yet more fascinating insights, @BoudiccasBangles and @IdaGlossop day and warmest thanks for those too ... to say I'm glad I posted this on here doesn't begin to cover it Smile

OP posts:
IdaGlossop · 27/01/2025 23:57

Puzzledandpissedoff · 27/01/2025 22:12

Funnily enough I was wondering about suggesting that myself, BoudiccasBangles ... and it wouldn't even have to cost an arm and a leg since not all dressmakers are ££££

There'd be the issue of finding one of course, but it could work

Show quote history

Here's a suggestion for a dress maker: https://www.sildevilly.co.uk/ Sil's studio is in Sheffield, within walking distance of the station, so accessible for the East Midlands. She's a cutter by training and has designed lots of costumes over many years for Crucible theatre productions but she's happy to do private commissions. She has made me a tweed fifties-style suit and a prom dress for my DD, both amazing and reasonably priced for bespoke (lower three figures). In both cases, we bought the fabric online, with swatches being sent for the prom dress. She can work from a picture or an idea and you can design as you go along once she has made the toile. It's fun and she's a lovely woman.

Sil Devilly

As a costume maker with over twenty years of experience in both design interpretation and construction, I have had the opportunity of working on a huge variety of costumes, both in theatre workrooms and as a freelance cutter, tailor and maker. I recogn...

https://www.sildevilly.co.uk

BoudiccasBangles · 27/01/2025 22:31

@Puzzledandpissedoff my MIL (now in her 90s) used to make evening gowns for various royals back in the 50s. She didn’t design them, but she cut and sewed them. She gave me a couple of dresses she made for herself - they were ‘everyday-ish’ - wearable during the day but still 1950s glamour - but so exquisite simply because they were hand cut and sewn.

Edited because I can’t type straight tonight!

Original poster
Puzzledandpissedoff · 27/01/2025 22:12

BoudiccasBangles · 27/01/2025 19:41

If budget isn’t a concern, would she consider a custom made dress?

Funnily enough I was wondering about suggesting that myself, BoudiccasBangles ... and it wouldn't even have to cost an arm and a leg since not all dressmakers are ££££

There'd be the issue of finding one of course, but it could work

OP posts:
BoudiccasBangles · 27/01/2025 19:41

If budget isn’t a concern, would she consider a custom made dress?

Original poster
Puzzledandpissedoff · 27/01/2025 13:14

BoogieBox · 27/01/2025 12:26

Go more evening wear than bridal, and something to cover arms

She intends to, BoogieBox, because the usual "bridal" stuff isn't going to work ... too young, too OTT and often much too expensive

We've found another fruitful search has been "mother of the bride" clothing, but the more suggestions the merrier Smile

OP posts:
BoogieBox · 27/01/2025 12:26

Go more evening wear than bridal, and something to cover arms

poppymango · 27/01/2025 10:42

MsWintertowne · 24/01/2025 18:21

Firstly it would have been more sensible to post this on the Style and Beauty board. Very odd to instead create a thread on a board dedicated to argument.

Generally it’s helpful if the woman seeking advice gives an indication of her clothing size and budget.

There was a beautiful long silvery beaded dress posted on a S&B thread yesterday, but I don’t remember where it was from.

It's not unusual to post on this board for more traffic. You can be waiting ages for a single reply otherwise. So no, not "odd" at all.

Original poster
Puzzledandpissedoff · 27/01/2025 10:34

Yet more lovely ideas, and I can see anotther set of links for her will be necessary

Thanks so much folks Smile

OP posts:
Grrrpredictivetex · 27/01/2025 08:38

This was my wedding dress from Monsoon and I'm the same age group. Felt fabulous.

To ask for wedding dress suggestions
Onetimeonly2024 · 27/01/2025 08:30

If you’re in the east mids, go to Dressini in Market Bosworth. You need an appointment but she will definitely find something there.

WatchOutMissMarpleIsAbout · 27/01/2025 08:11

Something like this? I nearly wore it for a relatives wedding
www.johnlewis.com/gina-bacconi-caitlin-sequin-fit-and-flare-gown-silver/p111093205

mrssmiling · 27/01/2025 08:02

Hope she has a wonderful day, and fun choosing what to wear! Lots of good suggestions. Having suggested Shibumi earlier, Beatrice von Tresckow might be another site to browse. Similar long stylish coats, although possibly a little too colourful for your friend if thinking of silver. This silver top is glamorous, and could look lovely with a long skirt.
Will post link below…having problems inserting into text!

Also, Jane Young in Newark used to be great for occasion wear - I went years ago though, so not quite sure of the range now.

veggie50 · 26/01/2025 21:21

I like Pronovias' dresses, something like this is simple and elegant.

To ask for wedding dress suggestions
LivelyHare · 26/01/2025 17:34

This one seems suitable https://www.zalando.co.uk/goddiva-occasion-wear-silver-g0x21c0fa-d11.html

PemberleynotWemberley · 26/01/2025 17:08

Puzzledandpissedoff · 26/01/2025 16:51

Just wanted to pop on to pass along my friend's thanks to everyone who was kind enough to make suggestions - she's delighted and very grateful, and what's more it's given her a real boost as regards what to go for

That's so nice! I really hope she has a brilliant day (in a dress that makes her feel wonderful).

Original poster
Puzzledandpissedoff · 26/01/2025 16:51

Just wanted to pop on to pass along my friend's thanks to everyone who was kind enough to make suggestions - she's delighted and very grateful, and what's more it's given her a real boost as regards what to go for

OP posts:
PemberleynotWemberley · 26/01/2025 00:04

Women's Clothing – Shibumi https://search.app/sUkCKbMcsRcewUq47

Shibumi specialise in wonderful silks and dress a lot of elegant older ladies. Beautiful tailoring and clean lines with ravishing colour and pattern. Not a meringue in sight.

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