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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think it's impossible to find classy dresses?

47 replies

Snegle · 03/04/2023 23:36

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).

OP posts:
secretllama · 05/04/2023 06:51

Chi chi London has beautiful dresses

toddyhum · 05/04/2023 07:04

www.thandth.com/gowns/camilla-in-tea-rose

ginnybag · 05/04/2023 07:16

Have you looked at Debenhams online?

They have some lovely Royal Blue tea dresses which might work?

egfd2557 · 05/04/2023 08:40

Whistles, Cos, Jigsaw, All Saints, M&S. Those are all the places I'd look!

nosyupnorth · 05/04/2023 08:47

i always recommend eshakti.com for stuff like this, their customisation options mean you can play around with neckline skirt length etc to suit your prefered style and make a dress a bit more formal or youthful or whatever

WillowtreeHouse · 05/04/2023 08:50

I got a lovely dress for a wedding last year from Roman originals. Not a 'high end' brand I know but it's lovely. Think it was about £90, may be worth a look?

changer121 · 05/04/2023 08:50

Me&em

Original poster
Snegle · 05/04/2023 14:33

Thanks everyone, really good suggestions here! Much appreciated. Looking forward to dress shopping a bit more now rather than dreading it.

OP posts:
Mercurial123 · 05/04/2023 15:12

YABVU there are so many options. But I think you already know it.

gogohmm · 05/04/2023 15:18

There's lots of non frumpy dresses in the shops, yes many are floral due to it being spring but I just a lovely formal dress from phase 8, plain green

purplesky18 · 05/04/2023 15:38

I highly recommend Roman also, my mum did get her mother of the bride dress from there but when I was looking there was lots of lovely formal but not dated options that would be perfect for 30somethings!

Madamecastafiore · 05/04/2023 19:37

Me & Em

JMSA · 05/04/2023 23:18

I love Phase Eight!

Silk Fred (online) would also be a good shout.

kenadams86 · 05/04/2023 23:28

Reiss
Asos
Quiz
Silk Fred
Chi chi London
Next

You have to scroll through loads but there are so many options. Also Vinted!! I've just got a lovely dress from Vinted for my father in laws wedding.

grivelling · 05/04/2023 23:33

Rixo

Defiantlynot41 · 05/04/2023 23:49

The Fold
Winder London
Finery

All potential sites?

L1ttledrummergirl · 06/04/2023 00:00

Some of these look good:

https://www.bombshellhq.com/collections/dresses

Eyerollcentral · 06/04/2023 00:04

Snegle · 05/04/2023 05:07

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.

I have no suggestions OP except look for any independent little boutiques in case they may have something different or hit up Vinted. The high street is DIRE at the moment for any kind of special occasion or even just going out clothes

Verite1 · 06/04/2023 00:16

I would suggest Me and Em, Outnet, Reiss, Sezane and reformation. They are generally my go to.

bittertwisted · 06/04/2023 09:40

Me and em
Reformation
Rixo

MrsSkylerWhite · 06/04/2023 09:42

Does Fenwicks in Bond Street still exist? Used to buy every occasion dress there years ago, lovely stuff.

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