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!

[taybert]

The first one is lovely but is quite long, it's mid calf on me, it also has a mesh underskirt so it's quite full and I'm not sure if it's a bit much-as if I'm trying to be a bridesmaid or something?!

The second one is too sparkly and puffy.

I'm not sure what to do- I could get the first one altered but if it wasn't right it'd be a waste. I may ask the bride's opinion.

[taybert]

Yeah, I prefer the first one but they don't do it in a petite length so was worried it might be down to my ankles. There are some nice ones on that website too. I'll try the Chi Chi ones first and see how I get on. Thanks!

[dibly]

Ooh the first a ChiChi dress is lovely. Have you tried here www.theprettydresscompany.com/fashion/New-Arrivals-p1.html? Not sure on fabric but wide selection.

[whatwoulddexterdo]

Same problem here. I have found a couple of dresses I like on the John Lewis site, women's special offers. A phase 8 dress and a hobbs one. Very much reduced. I am getting them delivered to my local waitrose tomorrow for free delivery. I am same size as you. Hopefully one of them will do.
Am not very good with this sort of shopping, much prefer jeans and boots! + I really really do not want to go to this wedding 😞😞😞
Good luck with your search

[taybert]

I've ordered a couple from ChiChi but I'm not very convinced-think I need to try a couple on so I can exclude styles and move on to the next one. I do get the styling service thing and I think it would be good - I think I probably need a fresh pair of eyes as the idea I have of what suits me is not right now. I dunno though, there just isn't much that's getting me excited when I look.
Here they are:
www.chichiclothing.com/products/Chi-Chi-Binky-Dress.html

www.chichiclothing.com/products/Chi-Chi-Jaime-Dress.html

[Ilovetorrentialrain]

Fair play readyfor I can imagine once you start trying on previously ruled out items a whole new wardrobe can open up. I won't ever be able to wear polyester though and it's very restricting at the moment!

The JL personal shopper service sounds OK if it's genuinely no obligation.

OP how are you getting on?

[readyforno2]

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.

[Jmangel]

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

[Jmangel]

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!

[Ilovetorrentialrain]

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!

[readyforno2]

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?

[annielostit]

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

[Ilovetorrentialrain]

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.

[superbfairywren]

Hobbs in house of fraser is normally good

[missmeg3leg]

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! :)

[taybert]

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

[taybert]

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.

[polyhymnia]

Have you checked out L K Bennett?

[Ilovetorrentialrain]

Do you ever look on ASOS?

[taybert]

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.

[readyforno2]

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.

[Ilovetorrentialrain]

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!

[Ilovetorrentialrain]

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.

[taybert]

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).

[PennyHasNoSurname]

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?