French wedding

[EmpireBiscuit]

I'm going to a posh wedding in France at the end of the month. I want something fabulous to wear.

I think I want a long dress/maxi but not 100%. I'm 5'3ish but love a heel, size 12 on top, flabby mum tum, broad shoulders but slim-ish hips. God I don't sound attractive written down.

In a bad place 17 month post baby and still carrying the excess!

If you don't want to stand out too much I would avoid patterns.

French weddings can be quite understated, with a lot of grey/ navy/ black / beige. A lot of the female guests will probably be wearing skirt suits, and there probably won't be many hats/hair accessories.

English weddings are more fun to dress for, and I say this as a proud French woman!

This being said, every time I have worn an English style dress in France although I have attracted attention, it was a positive sort of attention and I think people secretly envy you for daring to be different.

But if you want to blend in, definitely go for understated.

You will need weights in the hem of the Ted Baker dress.

Or your bum will be out all the time.

It's not bad as bums go but not needing to be out all the time.

Well, I've just received the navy during dress from Me&Em, recommended by carrie. It is a perfect 'dress-up/dress-down' item, a great dark navy, in a gloriously springy jersey. It skims
and flows unbelted, but can be belted at empire height as well as at waist. I love it, Empire!

It would look good with heels, a piece of statement jewelry/pashmina draped on one shoulder and a snazzy clutch, but stylishly casual with flats/sandals, maybe a great silk scarf and tote bag. Thanks, carrie, it's perfect for my late summer break and for Italy next year, ^super for a French wedding^.

'during dress' ??? How did 'sun' become 'during' ffs?

ohmymimi so glad you like it. I've actually bought it again, as I know if I don't and mine starts to look worn (I wear it a lot in summer and it's already a couple of years old), I'll be kicking myself. It's one of my favourite things, and I always feel amazing in it - whatever I wear it for I feel appropriate.

I suspect I'm going to love it as much as you do carrie

I've just spotted the me and dem dress - it's beautiful! How's the sizing? Only 12-14 left.

Frenchies are a bit more dressed down than us Brits and have a little something extra that gives that delicious French twist.

The me and em dress is perfect.

The Ted baker dress is a non!

I have the XL/14-16, Empire and I am a 16, verging on 16/18 and it fits me beautifully, drapes away from tum and hips, without looking tent-like and doesn't cling anywhere, or bind at the armholes. So I'd say the sizing is generous. Length is just below knee - I'm 5ft 5ins. Hope that helps.

Bugger. The L won't fit me. Like the understated elegance of it. Something it look out for.

I'm the same height/size as you and have a problem tummy too. I'm wearing this to a wedding at the end of the month. In reality it is actually a much brighter pink and more fitted than on the model, has little pockets and feels lovely and soft to wear. I got some wonderful heels and a raffia clutch, sounds weird but it does work!

It's free returns at Me&Em, Empire, so you could give it a try?

It's worth a try on the Me&Em, I wear the S, which is 8-10, and am a solid 10, and there's still loads of room - I reckon the XS would also fit me perfectly. And keep an eye on returns - I thought I'd buy it again but found it OOS. Happened to look again a few days later, and S was back in stock.

I think a maxi would swamp you, and not 'fit in' at all in France (disclaimer: I have never been to a french wedding ), just feel the maxi is a very British look.

This monsoon dress is the type of thing I'd go for, with a little cardi or jacket in a lighter colour, plus maybe wedges (pale pink/nude to lengthen legs) & maybe some shaper pants for tummy.

The last wedding I went to I tried on almost everything in my size in monsoon to find something flattering

What about this?

Pic isn't me btw.

I wouldn't.

Whistles have some lovely dresses and they cut well for shape. at your height most would be knee length which looks good, but then I'm not so keen on long for weddings myself.

That's not so great.

That last dress is a bit shiny and potentially sweaty, OP

Two pages of help and still no clue - off to John Lewis I go.

this