Is this an awful wedding guest dress?!

[Bumblingbee101]

Looking for opinions! I'm a mum of 2 little children and rarely go to events anymore, both children under 4, size 14-16, 5.3 and wanted something that hid my legs and tops of arms and skimmed over tummy so that I felt slightly more comfortable. I've always had reasonable success with Monsoon dresses and found this in the sale. I've been told by brides friends to all send photos of our outfits (unsure why!) And that I cannot wear this and will upstage her. I asked if it was anything like her dress and they said not even remotely close! I read all the reviews before purchasing and most have worn this dress as a wedding guest! Is it my poor taste?!

Just to add, that unless you're the Princess of Wales; you're unlikely to upstage the bride wearing any sort of sensible wedding guest dress.

Usually the bride is the one walking down the aisle at the start (and one of two people stood at the front). They usually have their hair and make up done especially for the day. Their name is usually on the invite as a bit of an indicator.

Maybe you should turn up in a bright red gimp suit? If you're going to upstage the bride, you might as well do it in style

Seems OK to me.

Nope. It’s blue! Not bridal at all!

Agree, but do add a bolero or shrug to that bright red gimp suit

It’s pretty but very like a bridesmaid dress. If they’re wearing a different colour, maybe it’s a similar style.

Having to send your dress to the bride is batshit but if you like the bride and want to go then choose something else I guess.

You lost me at the batshittery of guests being asked to send photographs of their outfits @Bumblingbee101.

While deciding? Wait, you're still thinking of wearing the bridal looking dress even though you've been specifically told not to?

Hahahaha! This will definitely be a follow up thread on Mumsnet.

I wore a perfectly nice dress to a wedding despite being told not to and now everyone is calling me an attention seeking drama queen 😅😃😂

Ok, ok, grabbing my car keys and walking out the door. Good luck pretending you just don't get it. 😅😁😂

it wasn't even the bride, it was friends of the bride!

It’s blue grey so not bridal. Unless the Bride is doing a blue grey look. I’m not a fan of long dresses but needs must! Of course it’s overkill to veto what people are wearing. People with good manners just don’t control in this way. It does look like an evening dress and I tend to think it’s not a day dress for a day wedding but op knows if she is expected to wear the same outfit all day and night. It’s pretty I offensive though.

It looks almost white on my phone screen.

It’s the colour that’s the problem imho.

It’s likely come from the bride though hasn’t it unless they’re seriously overstepping.

Have they asked all the men to send pictures of their outfits? I’m guessing not!

What controlling fuckery is this?? Tell them to fuck off!

It’s a really pretty and very apt dress for a wedding guest. If you have been put off by the rudeness of the ‘bride’s friends’ though, absolutely DO NOT send them anymore photos!

What is wrong with these utterly ridiculous brides and their demands these days?? 😩

Personally, I'd be very surprised if that dress flattered anybody. The material reminds me of a dress I had when I was 5, back in the sixties, and yes, it's suitable for a child, but not really for an adult. The shape of the dress is just...not shapely. The skirt needs to be fuller to work with a top like that. Maybe if you are very slight it could look a bit etheral but if not then I'm sure you could find something nicer.
Meanwhile, it's very weird, bordering on rude, to ask for photos of guests' dresses in advance for approval, it doesn't look particularly bridal to me , but if the bride is not wearing a traditional dress then maybe it is similar to what she will be wearing. But if you've been told by the bride or whoever she has appointed as wardrobe mistress that it's not suitable, then to wear it would be making a statement that maybe you don't want to make.
I do wonder, what would happen if you changed your mind on the day, eg spilled coffee down it and wore a back up dress instead. Would you need to get permission for that? Who are these people that have so much time to micro manage other people's lives?

It’s very clearly not white though…something odd with your phone settings.

Had the frock police not been demanding photos and someone turned up at the Church or wherever wearing this would you turn them away?

If you were to wear the dress along with a veil and then walk around with a bunch of flowers in your hand, then, yes, you could be mistaken for a bride. Avoid the veil and flowers and you’ll be fine.

They’ve obviously vetoed it because it’s so close to white.

I don’t agree that that’s a good reason to stop you from wearing it! And certainly don’t agree with the outfit veto in the first place! However IF you were the sort of person who cared about guests wearing white and upstaging the bride then this dress would be something you’d be unhappy about.

Would you considered a fascinator with the gimp suit?

That dress is pretty though not very exciting. It doesn't look bridal or likely to upstage the bride. Although, it could be worn by a bride who wanted a non-white, unbridal, slightly boho dress.

Unless you're in the wedding party, you will appear in a handful of photos which nobody will look at a year later! Even the bride will not regularly look at photos of all her guests. It's not clear if it's the bride or her friends who want to approve your clothing. Don't play along.

Ahh yes a fascinator. Essential for any gimp suit

It’s pretty but I agree it’s bridesmaid-y. Perhaps if it was cut to midi length it would be OK.

Might want to add a few 😅😁😂 for emphasis. You’ve been somewhat understated in your replies 😅😁😂

I’m not even going to comment on your dress (it’s fine BTW), I’m more shocked that ‘friends of the bride’ (has this order come from bridezilla herself?), are cheeky enough to be asking to vet what female guests are wearing. Have they asked all females or just certain ones? Never heard anything like it. I’ve been to many weddings over the years, and the actual brides have just been appreciative that you’ve attended their special day. In my opinion in a room full of a couples loved ones, if they are genuine friends, no one can upstage the bride - she’s the one who will get the attention whatever

It’s been described as frumpy on here so hardly a centre of attention dress.

yeah - i'd be "ktksbai" to them for that.
Policing people's outfits? bollocks to that.

The dress is a bit bridesmaidsy, but aside of that? no issue

It’s such a pale blue that in bright sunlight it’s going to look white. I’d avoid it.