Dress for the palace!

[MollyRoses]

Yes! I am going to Buckingham Palace - tad excited, will be on my best behaviour BUT I need a dress so please could I have some help :)

I'm about a size 10 5'3'', don't like having arms or legs on show so would either have to wear a cardi or have long-sleeves. Also, don't like clingy or red. So aside from those demands I'm open to trying things (places which have free post returns wuld be good as I'd probably need ot buy lots and try on then return)

I'm just goign to go to the shops and try on some things but thanks for any links for when I get back

[OldRoan]

Would you wear thick tights/leggings with a long-ish skirt?

Are you receiving the award, or accompanying someone?

[CatelynStark]

I'm going too in a few weeks!

The info we got through the post is that women should definitely wear a hat or fascinator.

I'm wearing a shift dress with a tailored jacket and a big fuck off hat

[sugarandspite]

Molly, forgive me for going off topic slightly but if the no legs on show is due to how you feel rather than a religious or cultural requirement, please do have a think again about this.

You're only 20 and a lovely size 10 - limiting yourself to having your legs and arms covered is such a sad choice. It so limits your choice of clothes and could be terribly bad for your self-esteem.

I'm sorry if I'm out of line, but it makes me so sad seeing young lovely women being unkind to themselves and not enjoying their youth and beauty.

[BoffinMum]

We are talking here about things like matching shoes and bag, investment purchase in excellent quality tights with built in pants, plus a couple of spare pairs, nude, black or navy plainish mid heels, and generally a very subtle but polished standard of grooming. Double check hems and buttons before putting on, and restitch if necessary. Hems of silk dresses and skirts ought to have curtain weighting sewn into them so they don't blow up unexpectedly. Carry tights, sewing kit, packets of wet wipes, comb, tampons and paracetemol in handbag. If you don't need them, other panicking women in the cloakroom probably will.

[meditrina]

Investitures are rather weddingy. 90%+ of female invitees will have hat/substantial fascinator and the rest will probably have clips or other random bits or an elaborate up-do.

Most will be in a "good suit" - or at least an outfit with a jacket.

National dress is fine.

[BoffinMum]

Oh yes, about crumpling. Wool crepe is best for avoiding rumples, whereas cotton is worst. If you do go for a lightweight fabric, if it's patterned it will show the creases less than plain will. Rumple it with your hands in the shop to see how it creases.

Lined skirts and trousers hang much better than unlined. If you buy an unlined skirt, consider wearing a silk petticoat, and if you have a light top, a silk camisole can be a good investment as well.

[MollyRoses]

Thanks for all the advice so far.

It is an investiture and I've googled pictures/dress code and it to be honest it looks like nothing I'd ever wear! It's not me getting it - I'm just going along.

29chapel your outfits sound lovely where did you get your black skinny trouser suit from?

OldRoan yes I'm ok to wear those 140 denier tights with a dress but it would have to be a last resort, I would do it because I had to rather than I wanted to iyswim.

CatelynStark I'm probably going to the same one as you! Your hat sounds good - how big is big?! Doesn't have a stuffed bird perched on it or anything does it?

sugarandspite I completely appreciate I have a problem, I don't want to show anything for personal not religous/cultural reasons. I've put on 10kg recently and am REALLY not happy about myself. The whole not liking myself is bigger than an outfit for this event but I just need to get through this then I can go back to my nice big winter jumpers :)

BoffinMum Thanks for the advice - I'd literally never think of taking anything with me apart from my phone and tissues. One of my hotel sewing kits will now finally have some use!

Waswondering Thanks, I don't think we'll have anyone waiting to take photos as my close family is all going. What did you wear when you went to your mum's investiture?

And for anyone that's been, what was the day like?!

[MollyRoses]

Ok, I can't find the exact thing on the website but how about this
www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?searchTerm=wrap&storeId=12556&productId=10928671&urlRequestType=Base&categoryId=&langId=-1&productIdentifier=product&catalogId=33057 in a dusky pink with smart trousers (the pink version is actually a jump suit but it's super short so could pass as a top)

[kaumana]

I've attended an investiture there. There are formal photos taken after the event in the courtyard.

Most women wore shift dresses and matching coats etc. Some wore hats though I didn't.

There is a lot of sitting and clapping for an extended amout of time. I loved that the band played High
Society while we were waiting for the service to start.

As we came down to London for the event we did not have a car so our taxi dropped us off at the gates. Walking in high heels over the gravel was challenging to say the least esp when tourists were busy taking pics of us! Others had cars which they had registered prior yo attending

[29chapel]

Hi mollyroses. My navy tuxedo trousers were by Paul and Joe (found in TK's clearance :-) the trouser suit was by The Kooples. You could dress up a tailored suit with a statement necklace and or fascinator?

Whilst I appreciate it's necessary to be super smart, I also wanted to look like myself and not frumpy, I love fashion.... The shoes were Zara black suede- very comfortable for lots of standing and photos.

Good luck! ps I like Covetique- its a great online 2nd hand designer shop, worth a look.

[OldRoan]

What about trousers like these Hobbs ones? With a smart blouse/top and a nice jacket?

This pill box hat is lovely, and quite autumnal.

[MollyRoses]

Wow I like those trousers! They are a bit more out there than I'd normally wear but definitely on my to try list.

Thanks 29chapel - I've just had a look at Covetique and there looks like some good stuff (I didn't realise how much Juicy courture velour tracksuits cost too!)

[CatelynStark]

Molly, it's one -I have to wear my hair in a bun at the nape of my neck so that I can keep it on

December 6th??

[CatelynStark]

*this one

Fecking iPad!!

[hermioneweasley]

You won't look out of place in a suit (whether trouser, skirt or dress) or a smart dress.

Try Coast, Hobbs, Jaeger, LK Bennett, Reiss and ASOS

As a size 10 you do not need to hide your legs, but anything much above the knee or any cleavage woukd be a no-no for me.

[CatelynStark]

Waswondering - that sounds fantastic! I'm really excited now. We're having a lunch do too which will be very welcome after dieting for two months to get into my dress!

Congratulations to your mum :)

[MollyRoses]

Thanks for all the tips and thanks Waswondering for what happened when you went - it sounds absolutely lovely! Congrats to your mum :)

It's for a knighthood and i'll see if I can get something for them for christmas. (He got given two plastic swords when it was announced so we've had the tacky stuff)

Will be sure to test out the hand cream too! Posh toilets are always fascinating

[CatelynStark]

A knighthood? Wow! That's fab!

My mum's getting an OBE for services to education in developing countries (totally outs self!)

Thanks for the tip re the hand cream - that's totally the kind of thing I do on a regular basis

[MollyRoses]

I've just looked up your mum - her work is amazing and so needed, I always so insignificant when I hear abotu the work of people getting honours!