expert help please - received invitation to "posh" wedding - outfit advice needed

[katiewins22]

hello. A good friend of mine who i shared a flat with nearly 20 years ago - from solid working class background is getting married to her titled partner. Luckily she has stayed the same grounded Newcastle girl who used to eat toast with me in the middle of the night - when crying over boyfriends. In fact she has managed to soften her partner around the edges too. When I first met him he was a bit pompous and I felt he just tolerated her friends but now he seems to take himelf less seriously and having got to know him - he is a really good guy - we are pleased for them.

Well - postie came yesterday with invitation - for all of us - so lovely that she has invited children too. It is the 9th JUne. The wedding is going to be at an old church where all her partners family have been christened/married and buried . Then back to the family home (his family) with a marquee and string quartet greetingpeople and the whole high society thing.

WHAT AM I GOING TO WEAR? partner will be ok - he has some expensive suits and can get him a good tie and shirt etc. Then again - I had best check the invitation whether there is a dress code for him. Children will be easy to sort out - I hope. I AM THE PROBLEM. Not lost as much weight as I have been hoping for in recent months and really cannot spend a fortune on outfit.

I would like something that I might wear again (not essential though). I do not want anything body hugging but at the same time do not want to look like I am 20 years older than the bride. I could spend £100 - any ideas of great wedding oufits.

My style is casual .. I confess I wear a lot of Boden. I do not do floral. I like simple, stylish, ageless but I don't know where to start. Please help me. I am excited and pleased that she is getting married and invited us but I could end up gettting anxious about my outfit and don't want to spend time worrying or panic buying. PLEASE HELP. WILL BE SO GRATEFUL. oh - this could be important as may exclude some outfits - I am currently wearing mainly size 16 :( Katie

Is Hobbs a no-no? They can be quite a good option for wedding outfits - lots of dresses which look a bit like the Monsoon one you liked (at least they used to...!) Don't despair!

misty B - yes you are right. I am off at the end of next week so maybe i should try that. My friend didnt intend to make me feel like that but maybe having somebody unknown is easier. I have a bit of a girl crush on my friend so i dont think that helped either

suiledonn1 - thank you so much - i will look at the measurements - dont want it to be too baggy around the boobs but it looks lovely. Can I ask how tall are you and where does it come to on you? Also does it have quite generous amount of fabric? I like the idea of a fullish skirt on the dress.

Feeling bit better now - maybe the glass of merlot has helped too.

I am 5'2 and it came to well below the knee on me. Mine was green with chocolate and sort of nude colour spots. I had a chocolate silk little jacket over it. When I look at photos of myself it is the best outfit I ever wore to a wedding.

It does reveal quite a bit of cleavage though (not a bad thing in my book).

The skirt is quite full but the dress is nicely fitted below the boobs with a wide ruched section. Because it is silk it doesn't stretch so gives good structure.

joules

boden

evie

tiered

Have sent you a PM OP

how about this

www.monsoon.co.uk/lorton-short-dress/invt/15346525/&bklist=icat,5,shop,women,dresses,newwomandress

I would go to Debehams or John Lewis, whilst I appreciate your friend maybe uber stylish she is used to one type of style, skinny models!

A shopper in debenhams will have seen it all and be much more used to different shapes and sizes.

how about this? gold shoes and Basket Weave Clutch Bag? Maybe a pashmina for warmth? Turquoise, cream, pink or orange would probably work.

This is a maxi, but meets all your other requirements. I have a similar one in a different fabric, and it definitely has boob clearance IYSWIM. And as it's discounted, it leaves plenty in your budget for a shrug, hat and heels.

Sorry, I've just realised that one is possibly too floral, but if you look here at the others on clearance, there might be something you like. Maybe the coral ruched jersey dress?

I also think a personal shopper would be good and wouldn't be at all like going with your friend.
They are there exactly for the sort of situation your in to help you find something flattering not judge you or give you unsuitable things which aren;t your style!
I keep recommending this to people but this link takes you to a site where you enter your measurements and they show you which shops cut closest to your shape. It might help you focus in on a few places where you'll find things which fit and flatter! darkgreener.com/introducing-what-size-am-i

I can't point to a specific dress, but I do recall the outfit that a friend who sounds a similar shape wore to an equallly upmarket wedding.

It was a mostly chiffon dress. The bodice was had thin straps and a top with a deep v. The dress had a seam directly under the bust and then the skirt flowed out from there to knee length. It looked great because the lightweight skirt covered any lumps and bumps, she wore a nice pair of heels so her legs looked good and her best asset was highlighted in the form of her ample bosom.

I don't think you should over think/shop this. You'll end up too stressed and paranoid to enjoy the wedding. It is only one day and at truly posh weddings there is that "secret dress code" thing anyway to which half the women all look the same and look fabulous.
Find something nice enough forget about it and have a lovely day being pleased for your friend and getting soppy with your other half!

I feel your pain for dress shopping katie as I am also a 16 with large boobs. I've just seen a lovely dress on the Hobbs website I am going to order. Can't link as on iPad, but google Hobbs Tabitha dress. I think it would look great with a large navy hat and red/nude shoes

This is in pink or yellow

Reiss reduced

Planet

Lots of good ones at Oasis: Cowl, Pink drape, Crystal buttons, Metallic peach, Wrap shift. Remember the models are tall so the dresses look shorter than they actually are.

John Lewis: Pink or violet lace, Kaliko, In 18 only, Bird print