Best silhouette for a 42 year old bride?

[ClapHandsIfYouBelieveInFatties]

What shape and style of dress is best for someone of 42? I'll tell you some details.

Getting married in Summer in Oz (2015)

Wedding will be either on the beach or in inlaw's garden. Relaxed affair with about 70 people.

I am currently a size 12 on top and 14 on bottom. Would like to lose weight so I am 10 on top and 12 on bottom. There is always a disparity in my dress size as I am a pear shape. Small shoulders, small bust, small waist and flat stomach but wider hips and thighs.

What style? I love vintage look things but think I'm a bit geriatric to do a full skirted 50s style dress.

I really like 40s style and 30s too....don't really want white but would if the dress was right...maybe cream though? I don't knoooooowwww! I'm not great at clothes.

DH is only an inch or two bigger than me (I am 5.6) so I don't want massive heels either as I will look clompy next to him.

Oh and I am fair skinned with dark hair. Cold colouring...you know? So deep burgundy lippy suits me but not orangey tones. Budget...not more than 300 quid for a dress.

I like this dress from Monsoon and think it would be fab for a slightly older bride (I will be too next year if I can get organised ) and summer wedding.

Also think it would suit a pear shape.

Forgot to say, IMO, would be perfect with a neat bust & flat stomach.

That is really lovely,mrsPMT.

Thanks MrsPMT it is nice but forgot to say I don't want a low cut front. I have loads of broken blood vessels on my chest...plus I have a small bust so tend to look better in higher necks....little round ones, plain...or a boat style one or halter even. But no v necks, off the shoulder or scoops.

Just throwing this in: make up for décolletage. Padded bra.

All things are possible!

I like this here from Monsoon but I suspect it's a bit much for a summer in Oz. It's very 30s looking....not sure the neck is high enough for me though.

Minkah I know...I have dermablend but it tends to melt off in Oz and I don't want it on frock. ALso re padded bra...I don't like them...I like my current size or smaller tbh...I like the way they look small.

I got married in Sydney in summer and, honestly, as nice as those Monsoon dresses are, you will roast in them. I think you need natural fibres. Maybe have a look at Collette Dinnigan for some inspiration. She is a v popular maker of Australian bridal dresses, so that should give you a pointer on what lots of other Australian brides wear.

Ha, fair enough. Melting is no good, and small ones are nice. ( all ones are nice!)

I wonder if you can get a dress made for you on etsy, out of bamboo fabric so you stay cool.

Belinda I know...all lined!

Collette Dinnigan you say? thing is I want the dress sorted before I go over there...we're relocating and I'm scared I won't find it on time! I have been to Aussie weddings but don't care what Aussie brides wear in general! It won't be traditional in any way really.

Just had a quick look and her dresses all seem long...I like long but think in the summer will it be too hot and too formal looking for an outdoor do?

I know - imagine getting married in 30C in lined polyester [wipes brow].

I just mentioned Collette Dinnigan as she is quite popular, and gives you an idea of what some brides wear, more from an informality / heat perspective, rather than suggesting you want to look the same. CD does some shorter dresses, and some brides marry in cocktail dresses. My wedding dress was a white, long, lightweight / slinky silk dress. It wasn't an actual wedding dress, but was an evening dress.

I think just wear what you like, but do aim for natural fibres if it's going to be hot. Smart to get it sorted from over here, I absolutely agree.

Here's a photo so you can see what I mean. Really, though, I hope you just buy what you love and what appeals to you and what you won't roast in

Something like that the white one?

The one you link to will need serious alteration if you are pear shape.

Thanks Brenda that's so lovely...gorgeous bodice! but I would look a right bugger in it owing to lack of boobage and red marked chest... Yours was perfect for the weather over there. I think I will look at cocktail dresses...I want to look like a bride but not traditional...so it will probably need to be white. Do you think white or cream looks better on a pale person with dark hair?

Clap - try on both and see? I tried cream, and my friend was and said "oh God, you look almost dead". White it was, then!

I see in your photo you're quite fair too....instinctively I think white will look better on me but I'm a bit about wearing white! I'm 42 fgs!

Buy a Ghost dress! They're so beautiful and have that slightly vintagey look and lots have a higher necklines.

If I was getting married again, that's what I'd get.

I was an older bride with cool colouring and I went with a beautiful silvery grey, it was fab, it really lit up my complexion. YY to Ghost as well, gorgeous, or if you don't like their colours choose your silk and have something made in a similar style, that's exactly what I did.

They are nice 2FedUp but the first one is way too heavy for Australia in the summer and the second has a low v neck which is one of my no-nos. Thanks though!

Book I did have a look but they're a bit plain! Or maybe I wasn't looking properly...will check again now!

Charlie I do like silver colours. I know that silver and grey eyshadow suits me....

Nope. Just checked and they're all very columny...I don't think I suit or want a column type dress. I just have never looked right in them...

What's your budget?

Have a look at Heavenly Vintage Brides for repro and vintage dresses. There are a couple of vintage ones and the 'Stella' dress might work for you.

Something like this perhaps?