To think it's impossible to find classy dresses?

[Snegle]

Looking for a dress to wear to my brother's wedding this summer. Formal-ish, smart casual.

I just can't find anything classic or classy? Unless it's black or white and don't fancy wearing either colour to a wedding. All the options are either tacky looking body con style dresses more suited for clubbing in Liquid circa 2005, or floral midis, which aren't really my style. I know that's the fashion now but I'm 35 and want something a bit more sophisticated. Anyone else think the same?

Any suggestions for where to find nice dresses? Budget around £100-£250 (I plan to wear it to a few other events/weddings coming up).

I’d start with Hobbs then search the John Lewis website as they bring a lot if brands together.

For Hobbs would this work with your colouring?
https://www.hobbs.com/product/viviana-silk-dress/0123-5426-3793L00-BLUE-MULTI.html#cgid=clothing-dresses&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=0123-5426-3793L00-BLUE-MULTI&pos=0

Have you looked at Phase Eight?

Hobbs, Phase Eight, and Ted Baker. Or head down to a John Lewis and have a look there.

Some of the suggestions here are way too frumpy for a 35 year old. Phase Eight is more mother of the bride style.

I like Hope and Ivy, there is a lot of floral stuff but I think they would have some dresses that would fit the bill.

Anthropologie

Ghost.

Pricey but beautiful. https://www.thereformation.com/bridal/wedding-guest-dresses

I got this Ghost dress in grape for a wedding recently. 50 quid from Ashford outlet. Lots of other options there too.

Whistles
Reiss
Lk Bennett
Rixo if happy to stretch budget and really love the dress
Alternatively would you consider rental?

Reiss- classy and lots of semi formal outfits

Whistles

Karen Millen (but can be a bit too much on the body con style)

Have you thought about hiring OP?
You can get some amazing designer dresses for not that much.

All the brands listed. Also Oasis - you might get the odd non-floral number.

For a slightly higher budget, I like The Fold: https://thefoldlondon.com/dresses/

About 90% of Hobbs is frumpy but you might get a nice dress in the other 10%.

You could try the style and beauty boards but if you stay on AIBU then give us a clue as to what you like.
Animal print? Pastels? Jewel colours? Lace? What kind of length?
As you said you want a classy dress assuming no spaghetti straps, very plunging neckline or thigh split.

Also, Omnes and Pretty Lavish

I feel your pain! I find it nigh on impossible to find classic style clothes 🙈 I like forever unique but I wouldn't say they're especially "classic" styles!

Mint velvet? Monsoon?

Self portrait?

What about something like this? ASOS have some lovely wedding guest dresses if you search for that in the search bar ☺️

Nancy mac? Love their jumpsuits and (some) of their dresses

Phase Eight

Does it have to be a dress? I wore black trousers and a tailor-made Chinese-style jacket/tunic to my sister's wedding.

One of those stylish jumpsuits?

https://www.jjshouse.com/ has a large variety and can be ordered in almost any color, plus custom sizing. I have a short plump dumpy shape and the try-on dress off the rack actually fit me and looked good.

Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll have a look at all. 30s are a hard age because all clothing stores seem to be aimed at teens/20s and then take a big jump to more middle aged clothes.

Basically I hate animal and floral prints.
I don't want anything super figure hugging.
I don't want cheap fabric, eg. that horrible clingy, plasticy polyester etc.
I don't suit pastels at all but those colours seem really in at the moment.

Some of these dresses are lovely, thank you.

Try the Pretty Dress Company - great quality and they have a sale on too

Nancy mac

I'm not in UK but my go to shop for a classy dress would be Forever New. They are Australian but a quick Google I see some of the range are available at House of Fraser and Fenwicks.

If you are near to a store it may be better to try on. Firstly the pictures don't do the items justice, and as they are Australian, the sizings are a bit different to UK sizings.