Edgy dress for French wedding

[MyFriendsCallMeOh]

Starting my search early.... I have a wedding to go to in France this summer and I know people don't get dressed up there like they do in the UK (I got married in France) but I don't know what to wear.

I'd like a dress, size 14, short or elbow length sleeves. Not a very round neck (I'm an hourglass so am best with scoop or v neck, cinched waist). Any colour but white. I like edgy clothes but not 50s / 60s styles. I'm the wrong side of 40, dark hair, pale skin. Any thoughts on where to start?

I'm going to a French wedding this Summer! Will be watching this thread.... I was thinking some maxi dress or floaty dress and nice flip flops. I'm not in shape post baby and its going to be hot.

I know mn is sometimes anti-boden - but I was browsing through a catalogue someone gave me and I would love any of these...

www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/womens-dresses/day-dresses/wh987-yel/womens-yellow-mosaic-sophia-shirt-dress

www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/womens-dresses/smart-day-dresses/ww014-red/womens-poppy-red-pop-spot-georgia-jersey-dress

or this from toast (i'd wear with a thin brown leather belt and similar leather sandals...) If I had enough money!! ha

www.toa.st/uk/product/womens+dresses+and+tunics/c1fbi/madhuri+print+dress.htm?categoryref=%2fcategory.aspx%3fcategoryid%3dwomens%2520dresses%2520and%2520tunics%26seoterm%3ddresses%2520and%2520tunics%26&pcat=womens+dresses+and+tunics&adimage=&clr=C1FBI_Multi

I can't stand Boden, but it's the Toast dress that is the true abomination.

I'd avoid floppy florals and go for something with a sharp shape. LK Bennett are usually good for wedding stuff.

Thanks rpj, I do buy from Biden but I think I need something a bit more formal (its northern France and the wedding of dh's boss' son) and a bit more edgy or different.

Hadn't thought of lk Bennett, will take a look, thanks.

Boden, not Biden (USA phone!)

Ted baker have some lovely dresses. Eg www.tedbaker.com/uk/Womens/Clothing/Dresses/CARSYN-Ethereal-Posie-midi-dress-Nude-Pink/p/128375-57-NUDE-PINK

What about this or there's a few other nice ones on that site that I think look way better if you're a bit curvier than their models are (or at least I hope I'm not just kidding myself about that)!

https://www.baukjen.com/uk/m/shop/baukjen/dresses/lexden-wrap-dress-peacock-blue.htm

I'd go for separates- structured but full a line skirt with silk vest
ATM that would be the Boden black and white Maggie skirt with a black silk best, and brightly coloured heels- maybe whistles yellow suede courts, or a metallic court, thNks either a comfy cashmere cardi or short boxy jacket on top
Immaculate grooming- simple but perfect

What about self portrait? - the fashion choice

Not so edgy but nice

edgy if black is ok

Yup - I'm thinking of self portrait for an Oxford wedding! There is a great a line structured navy skirt there that would look cool and understated with a navy camisole or silky top (tucked in) and maybe 'ghillie' shoes - flat, small heel or high... (Check out top shop). No fascinators please! (French don't wear hats but love it when English people do - I was under instructions from two French brides to definitely wear a hat...!)

Finery? www.finerylondon.com/uk/t/dresses

Ooh Finery have some good ones. I like the one I've (hopefully) linked to and its in the sale with one size 14 left!

Finery

I've no doubt that French people would be aghast at a fascinator and would probably have you thrown on the next ferry leaving Cherbourg for such a sartorial offence but other than that how do French people generally dress for a wedding?

They dress very badly for weddings. Dont make much effort. Especially men.

Yes I have been to lots of french weddings, had one myself in 2004.. one man turned up in shorts and a t-shirt.. I was horrified. The reception was in a very special Château / winery... which also sort of dictates the dress code. A salle polyvalent in the back end of now here will probably not have the same attendance as a somewhere else, like in any country I suppose.

I find that people make much more of an effort in an English wedding, or where the majority of people are English / not french.

Of course this obviously isn't valid for all guests but ..!

I have 2 weddings this summer so looking with interest! One very relaxed - another rather more "posher" for want of a better word. I will most def. be wearing a very pretty frock (depending on weight loss)- and perhaps a hat as it will be very hot and i don't care if i look over dressed. Better over than under dressed IMO, especially for a wedding.

A lovely closet skirt and a white blouse

www.asos.com/Vila/Vila-Wrap-Front-Blouse/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=6062211&cid=11318&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=36&sort=-1&clr=Snow+white&totalstyles=590&gridsize=3

www.closetlondon.com/clothing/skirt.html I like the purple scuba one and lots of others

YY to immaculate grooming and no fascinator!

I had forgotten about Finery and like their obi wrap dress, Self Portait is good too but at the top end of my budget. The Maggie skirt is cute but the blue is a bit like a school skirt and I'm no sure how huge my hips would look in that bold horizontal stripe.

I'm a bit meh about separates, I find a tucked in top tends to look fussy and bunchy on my hourglass shape, I don't know if it's as bad as I think but it makes me uncomfortable.

I also have my eye on this from Anthropologie, any thoughts? It's more formal than I thought I would go for ....

And it's a wedding in France (with lots of French guests) but the bride and groom are American so I'm guessing there will be a range of styles.

The French guests at my wedding were fairly relaxed (maxi dresses and sandals) but the Brits dressed up - we got married in central Paris.

I do love that black Anthropolgie one.

And weddings are great when there's a mix of nationalities! I love the different outfits!

cheap and cheerful, would look great with gold heeled sandals.

Gah, link doesn't work tethers, I'm in the USA so it routes me to the USA home page..... Liking the cheap comment though....

It's this one...

Thanks, I like that, shades of Dame Viv....

Yes the anthropologie is cool - check out Vivienne Westwood for similar edgy shapes. Slightly cheaper would be All Saints.

Some affordable styles at Oasis

m.oasis-stores.com/occasionwear/dept/fcp-category/list?cm_re=Homepage--Box1--Category-occasionwear?lng=&ctry=GB

Can't get the H&M on the USA webste, maybe it will be here soon.

I can't find Viv with longer sleeves (everything is sleeveless) in my size.

Oasis has nice stuff but a bit too high street, I'm looking for something different.