Outfit for wedding at the weekend - help!

[DottyDot]

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

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....

I say no to those too actually...if the shoe is not closed in do not wear tights but each to their own

If you are going to wear tights splash out a bit so as not to look too obvious - nothing more aging that a hideous "nude" tight.....I buy falke 12 denier but they can barely be seen, they just take the edge off a bare leg and smooth everything out. They do a wide range of nude shades to be sure you get the exact match for your skin tone. Yes a bit pricier that M&S et al but well worth the extra couple of pounds and if you look after them they will last and last.

eek - OK will have a look. No tight less than 40 denier has ever lasted past being put on though, which is why I don't wear them... Will buy quite a few pairs I think - at this stage the budget is whatever it takes to get an outfit together

If you wear a 40 denier nude with your outfit I will personally hunt you down

Yes you could buy a couple of pairs but then again that could be a whole heap of money wasted and you get home and realise they are all wrong or feck even worse you don't realise they are wrong. Just go to a reputable department store - House of Fraser, Fenwicks, Selfridges, John Lewis etc and then try the samples on your hands and ask the shop assistants which ones - that's what they are there for (as a rule I would ask the oldest most stylish woman in the department as she knows her stuff far more than the young ones). The tights need to disappear to the point you can hardly see them on your hands and then you know you have the right colour. You buy one pair (although I always buys another for a special occasion as a back up) and you treat them with kid gloves whilst putting them on, sit down and roll them down right to the foot, carefully place over foot and carefully slide up your leg, no hoicking, janking or pulling required...they will look the business and take you from "oh what happened" to "shit I can't work it out but she looks good" believe me.

Hurrah! Mission accomplished I ended up panic buying 2 dresses but have settled on one which annoyingly isn't on the Debenhams website so I can't link to it, but it's kind of like the Mary Portas dresses Tethers linked to below - with a twisted waist thingy and fairly high neck. It's black with red/pink big flowers on and looks very smart, so most unlike me... I got a gold-y shawl thing from Accessorise and a furry small handbag from Next which I will be stroking all day and plain black shoes will a small heel.

And oh my god I got 7 denier tights and they're like tissue paper . Thank god there were two pairs in the packet - so that'll be one on and one in the furry handbag

Thank you all for sorting me out - was proper panicking this morning but will look almost presentable on Saturday...!

aha! Have found the link to the dress: Phew!

Fantastic choice! You will look (and hopefully feel) a million dollars. Remember to go easy on the tights and they will be fine.

Have a fun time - we are off to a wedding too and I agonised over my outfit just as much

Thanks! I'm not normally so dither-y about outfits but being an usher is a pressure gig!

(and I might also have bought some 20 denier tights for just in case... )

Now don't start me off again, I was just relaxing....

Some higher deniers can be deceiving so I am not going to comment too much, however if I was going to up the denier as far as 20 I would rather switch to black. It might be a bit warm this weekend for black though.

To be honest I don't think anyone would even notice, the dress is absolutely stunning they won't be looking at your legs!

Nice dress.
Great choice! Have a lovely time and.... smile for the photos!