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Original poster

Outfit for wedding at the weekend - help!

35 replies

DottyDot · 09/09/2014 18:13

Not that I've left this late or anything...

I'm going to a wedding at the weekend and I've been asked to be an usher, so am more anxious than usual as I'll have to be on some of the official photos and really really don't like having my photo taken and am very self conscious about what I look like...

I had a quick look for a dress yesterday and couldn't find anything - all the shops seem to have moved into Autumn and I have no clue what to wear. I usually buy the first thing I try on, but I tried on about 8 dresses and none seemed to be the right one. Most were fairly dark, which I'm happy with, but what do you wear on your legs and feet..?! I've usually been to summer weddings and got away with sandals, but think it might not be right for this one? Is it OK to wear dark tights and/or boots? The bridesmaids are wearing a deep claret colour - I don't have to match but don't want to clash (but also probably shouldn't wear exactly the same colour!). It's possible I'm over-thinking all this Hmm

Aaarrgghh.... Am usually not so indecisive or bothered about outfit stuff. I'm not at all stylish, have very few clothes and even fewer pairs of shoes.

Am 45, size 18 - 20, dark hair, size 9/10 feet so very limited in shoe choice, very pale skin. Any suggestions? Am off to BIG shopping centre on Thursday so any ideas from mainstream-type shops would be much appreciated. Also, what do I do about being cold? I have no smart jacket or coat -would a throw/shawl be OK?

And breathe....

OP posts:
Original poster
DottyDot · 09/09/2014 18:22

soooo, for example... If this dress looked OK, what would you put on your feet and legs..? possibility

OP posts:
Original poster
DottyDot · 09/09/2014 18:30

and I really like this but is it too dark??! Monsoon

aarrggghh....

OP posts:
MrsLettuce · 09/09/2014 20:55

this dress could be the love child of the two you linked to. It's got enough colour for you to get away with black shoes ('nude' tights) and enough structure to be able to wear with a shawl or wrap rather than having to faf with a finding jacket or horror! shrug.

New look have a lot of shoes in a 9, and a reasonable selection of wide fit 9s. no 10 though. Might these work?

tethersend · 09/09/2014 21:56

This dress is lovely, and would work well with shoes like this

Original poster
DottyDot · 09/09/2014 21:57

Ooh Mrs Lettuce thank you for your response! The link just goes to the Monsoon home page on my phone so I'll have to open it tomorrow on the PC. I love Monsoon though so will hopefully like it.

I didn't know that New Look do big shoes - I only ever go to Evans! So this is a brilliant find - thank you and will check to see if they've got a New Look where I'm going shopping.

Thanks again - much appreciated..!

OP posts:
Original poster
DottyDot · 09/09/2014 22:02

Tethers! ahem - you don't know me but I love your posts in S&B Blush

I like that dress and the waist bit but am not sure about huge chestage - I normally wear something with a lower/v neck - but I can give it a go...!

And Dotty P's for shoes - somewhere else I've never tried! Generally I've pretty much only ever bought stuff from Evans, Debs or Monsoon...

OP posts:
tethersend · 09/09/2014 22:13

Aw, shucks Dotty Blush

Now the pressure's on to find something you like Grin

tethersend · 09/09/2014 22:16

How about this? Still a high neck, but I think the shape would be really flattering...

tethersend · 09/09/2014 22:18

ditto and a bargain...

lucyclaudeclaude · 09/09/2014 22:25

Hi Dottie it may be too late but there's a fab shoe shop in Hungerford, Berks called Ellie Dickens. She does from tiny up to about size 12! All shapes and sizes too. Think you can buy on-line tho have never tried as I'm local. The nice thing us she has really pretty/elegant shoes unlike the usual rubbish us big footed ladies have to endure!

tethersend · 09/09/2014 22:34

lace

tethersend · 09/09/2014 22:38

red

temporaryusername · 09/09/2014 22:40

Long Tall Sally do larger shoe sizes - I know because I liked some from their catalogue but they don't go as small as a 5. Might be a possibility if you have one near you or can get quick delivery, some are in sale at present.

MrsLettuce · 09/09/2014 23:38

It was the 'Omari Jacquard Dress' OP, not sure if you can search monsoon on mobile though.

kaykayblue · 10/09/2014 00:02

Hi Dotty -

I absolutely LOVE the poppy one linked to at the top of the page, and also love the lace blue one that tethersend linked to.

I don't think that crinkley fabrics are flattering on ANYONE, so not so keen on the red one.

Will the wedding be indoors? Will the reception?

If you will be inside, then you really only need a wrap in a plain colour that matches your dress. If you went for the poppy dress then I would go for a dark red to prevent it from being too dark.

You want to avoid wearing thick tights with formal wear - you could either go for very sheer black tights with the poppy dress, or sheer nude tights with the blue lace one.

Shoes wise - to be honest, I think ballet flats are acceptable as formal wear these days, and they come in a huge range of sizes. If you can get them in patent or some other slightly unusual fabric then all the better. You might want to reconsider heels if you are an usher - you might need to lead people to seats, run around with last minute chores...etc.

For the photos, just make sure that you give your hair a good blow dry and find time to do your make up properly. Don't worry too much about them - everyone will be looking at the bride anyway!!

PS, My vote still goes for the poppy one!

Original poster
DottyDot · 10/09/2014 08:44

oooh back online at work so can have a look at all the links!

Thank you so much - haven't looked at them yet but am going to take a sneaky 10 minutes now Grin

The wedding and reception are both indoors - separate venues so a bit of outside stuff in between and I'll be outside the church (or just inside??) handing out orders of service and stuff.

Really appreciate thoughts and ideas - thanks again...!

OP posts:
Original poster
DottyDot · 10/09/2014 08:55

Right then - love the Monsoon black/flower dress you linked to Mrs Lettuce - thank you! Hope they have one in the shop tomorrow to have a try on.

Tethers I love the black and white Mary Portas dress - not sure there's a House of Fraser where I'm going but will have a look. I think the blue would be too in-your-face blue and I love the crinkly red dress but I think that's the exact colour of the bridesmaids dress and I don't want to look like a wannabe bridesmaid Grin

Am happy with the idea of sheer tights -although have never bought or worn them - I only possess 40 denier.... Blush. And can I wear sandal-type shoes with very thin tights or is that a complete no-no?

OP posts:
AllMimsyWereTheBorogoves · 10/09/2014 09:02

I'd say yes, but I am no fashion guru. I loved the poppy one too! Hope you find something you like tomorrow.

FelicityBennett · 10/09/2014 09:06

PRobably a total fashion no-no but I have happily worn M andS 7 denier nude toeless tights with sandals and I thought they looked ok! Broken several rules though - nude and sandals! Just beware they can make shoes a bit slippy

Amandaclarke · 10/09/2014 09:34

No no no to sandals with tights...

I bought this dress BOX RED-10&refpage=dresses

in both colours initially as work dresses but they are so lovely I am going to wear one to a wedding this weekend. Can't quite decide yet what colour!

You could wear with courts and sheer tights and dress up with silver or gold accessories. It comes in an 18 and I would say is a generous fit, I had to have the top part of both taken in a wee bit as slightly big. Although fairly plain I think the dress is so easy to dress up or down for other occasions.

Amandaclarke · 10/09/2014 09:38

Also there are lots of courts in Dotty P's in your size that would work with a lot of the dresses linked, black kittens, silver lower courts, even the grey suede ones are quite nice...I love the snakey ones that Tethers linked to but could not see them working with tights AT ALL Grin

kaykayblue · 10/09/2014 09:43

I agree with no to sandals and tights!!

OP - I think you will be fine, temperature wise, this weekend, providing you have a pashmina or something. You will only be spending a short amount of time outdoors, and it's only mid September, so it's not going to be snowing or anything.

If you wanted, you could get a pashmina wrap in 100% pure wool (or lambswool), which will be warmer than synthetic fabrics. Silk woven ones are nice too - look pretty and shiny, but might not be as warm.

Original poster
DottyDot · 10/09/2014 15:02

OK, OK, no tights not even thin ones with sandals...! Grin

Will go hunting in Dotty P's for shoes. I can only shop for a couple of hours before losing the will so I might need to list the shops to target for dress, tights, shoes and wrap (Aaaarrgggghhh). Going tomorrow lunchtime so aiming to be back home with everything (ooh and bag!!) sorted by mid-afternoon - will report back with fashion update Grin

OP posts:
hellsbellsmelons · 10/09/2014 15:56

You can wear closed toe sandals like THESE with tights.
Just no open toed sandals.!

Original poster
DottyDot · 10/09/2014 16:48

oh yes definitely - I'd assumed they were shoes, not sandals...! Grin

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