Where to shop for wedding guest outfit

[taybert]

So, my brother is getting married at the end of March and I'm looking for a dress but having no luck at all. I just can't seem to find anything I like in all the usual high street/department store places. I've not bought an occasion dress for a while and not really sure what I like or what suits me any more but it just all looks a bit the same. Anyone got any good shops to look at? I'm 5'3, 10-12 (hopefully a more definite 10 by the wedding) and it's a single venue hotel wedding.
I'd be very grateful for ideas, thanks!

What's your budget range?

I'd go up to £150.

house of fraser and john lewis both have loads of dresses to choose from. i spent ages looking and then bought one from esprit

I sometimes do very well on The Outnet (because I love a bargain). Might be worth trying Uterque, Finery London, Winser London. I'm guessing you've already done Whistles/Reiss/LK Bennett/ASOS etc.

Watching with interest as I'm in the same boat. All the usual shops seem to be filled with dark and murky colours, scratchy polyester or frump.

Yeah, looked in all the normal places. Seen a couple of ok ones in reiss and Coast but a lot of money for something "ok". Esprit has a couple of nice ones but they are quite plain and colours aren't great but I guess I'd have plenty in the budget for nice shoes and accessories. Anywhere else?

I usually see a few nice things in Phase Eight when I am looking.

Do you know what sort of look you are goi g for?

Well the things I've liked have been lace and floaty or more 50s style but I'm not sure either are quite right. I think I'm likely to look a bit girly in floaty stuff and i think the 50s stuff will probably accentuate my arse somewhat (though I did used to wear a lot of that style, I had better boobs then though ). I think probably something more fitted but without a high neck or a floral print (a lot of that around too).

Know what you mean OP. I'm thinking maybe go for a plainer, good quality dress then look for nice accessories (jewellery and shoes) to customise.

I'm considering this - would I suit you too?

www.frenchconnection.com/product/woman+collections+sale+dresses/71DZQ/Georgie+Cotton+Dress.htm?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=comparsionshopping&utm_campaign=googleproducts&gclid=CMXezqqq5coCFasEwwodKCEP7A

May have a slightly too high waist seam, I'm trying to scrutinise the picture!

Book yourself in with a personal shopper in John Lewis. It's a free service, you fill in a wee questionnaire and the have some things picked out waiting for you. They don't work on commission so aren't pushy at all.
What I liked the best was that she had the accessories too, I'm no good at that.

That french connection one is nice, there's a lot of that sort of style around but I'm just but sure it's me. I had considered the John Lewis thing but our nearest one is a couple of hours away and it'd be a faff with the kids. I'm wouldnt usually be that bothered since no-one will be looking at me (not my wedding after all) but it's the first wedding I've been to post babies and it's a rare chance to dress up so I'd like to look nice.

Do you ever look on ASOS?

Have you checked out L K Bennett?

There are a couple of nice things on ASOS but mainly their own brand stuff and I've not found the quality great in the past. That said it's a while since I've bought anything from there and it's not very expensive (and I'm not going to be wearing it often anyway) so I might order and see what they're like.
Alas, £150 doesn't buy much in L K Bennett and as I don't have any more weddings coming up I can't really justify spending more.

Oo, just thought, I'm not far from a Boundary Mill, think they have LK Bennett and maybe Hobbs. Might give that a go.

I've had a few dresses from www.yumi.co.uk lots to choose from!.... & good quality..
Sizing a little bit on the small size, I'm a 10/12 & 5'3" their size 12 is a perfect fit & not too long despite me being short! :)

Hobbs in house of fraser is normally good

Yep ASOS own brand quality is bobbins. Sometimes good branded stuff in the sale. You have to be very choosy.

Fab idea about the outlet.

Coast is good for wedding stuff. Should be some sale stuff going on too, as your the smaller end of the scale.

Debenhams do a personal shopper service too. You could give some biggish stores a call to see if they offer the same kind of thing?

With the personal shoppers though don't they just select items from the shop they work for? So if the OP has already tried JL and Debenhams this won't bring up anything new...

I'm in the midst of looking for an outfit myself and the sea of polyester in both of those places is awful. Coast too. Overpriced polyester.

I'm grumpy!

I saw a gorgeous bonded navy blue and flesh midi dress in Zara last week - think it was the 70ish mark I have a wedding this weekend and if I didn't already have a dress sorted I would have been ALL over it!

Sorry forgot the most important detail - it was lace all over, quite fitted and pencil midi - stunning.

You're right Ilove, but you would be surprised at the amount you might have missed or overlooked... I ended up buying and loving a jumpsuit that I had to be talked into even trying on because I thought it looked like a tea towel. Honestly, it's worth a try.