Need a dress for a wedding in Austin Texas

[puddycat1]

Hi
Hope someone can help. I need a dress for a wedding in Sept. it's going to be warm and I'm not quite sure how dressy. The men are wearing suits. I'm 5ft8 size 14 with a wobbly tummy age 55.

Can anyone help. Tia x

Bump

I think just because men are in black tie doesn't mean the same dress code for women, so you could wear a normal summer dress.

Where is the wedding being held?

Hi puddy, more info needed! Is the wedding inside or out? What's the typical weather around that time? What style dress do you feel most comfortable in?

Please be aware, depending on how formal the wedding/how close you are to the family, you may need a couple of dresses.
I've attended several weddings in Texas and Alabama where I've needed a dress for the rehearsal dinner, the wedding and then the separate drinks/party later.

Go dressy and potentially slightly conservative (again depending on the family - Austin is a bit hippy but Texas can still be very Bible Belt). But they don't do hats like we do in the uk.

I think 'warm' is understating the weather in Austin. Hotter than hell, with nasty bitey flying things is more the case.

But if its inside, then the aircon will mean you can wear what you like. What time of day is it?

Yes to separate dress for rehearsal.

No to tights if you can get away with it.

They don't do hats but you will look very British and give them much laughs with a fascinator.

I

Don't wear a hat and if you do, take it off in the church or ask if it is acceptable to wear it in a church. Some people consider hay wearing in church to be disrespectful - mostly it applies to cowboy hats and baseball caps but some in Texas extend that to women wearing hats as well.

And I agree, you may need a few dresses. Is it a religious wedding/ceremony?

Where exactly is the wedding? If it's outside it could easily be 100 degrees! I've been to a couple of Austin weddings and people really dressed down to both but it will depend on exact venue etc.

Hat wearing even. They don't wear hay to weddings even in Texas.

And I agree with conservative- if you aren't certain that it is a "secular" wedding then bare arms/ shoulders, fitted/tight or short dress could be frowned upon. Sad but true.

Could this do?

www.phase-eight.com/fcp/product/phase-eight/shop-all-dresses/zoe-swing-dress/204052250

What the others said about heat. Omg Austin in September can be hot. You will die in tights! BUT having said that, I do tend to find American AC is very aggressive so if you're indoors, it's a different situation (I always take a wrap with me).

Everything is air conditioned - car to valet /carport to hotel or church all air conditioned. No bride in their right mind would have an outdoor wedding in Austin in September- unless it is at night in a barn - not in the city.

Dress is pretty but might be too hot, depends on the fabric/ lining. Agree checking on formality degree, possibility of needing multiple frocks and would also check out degree of humidity.

Air con in my neck of the woods is set normally between 65 and 70 c but this feels like a fridge when you step in from outside. Do have a nice cosy wrap! Pure Collection also cater the US market and I have a couple of their things that I do wear here as they are light enough. Mostly my UK/ Europe summer stuff is too warm. Classic example was today I wore a lined Laura Ashley cotton skirt, all cotton. Walked the dog, between the humidity and the temperature it was soon uncomfortably hot, it wasn't a particularly hot day! Hope that helps!

US weddings I've been to tend to be more of an occasion than UK ones, often you'll find the bridal parties in black tie and formal dresses similar to evening gowns.

Guests usually go smart. I'd avoid strappy tops or bare shoulders and tights will be way too hot.

Boden usually has a nice line in dresses suitable for this sort of thing, or phase 8

Ruching around the middle is a godsend for a wobbly sum, imo. Post kid its been a lifesaver

Depends very much on time of day. If at night, attire will likely be more formal. No tights. Pantyhose are still very out of fashion in the US, especially in the South. Thank God.

I'm in Texas (though not Austin) and it was 36 degrees today.

Even with air con I haven't worn tights since a visit to the UK last summer. Although I do echo suggestions that you carry a wrap.

Don't buy anything tight or uncomfortable, it'll be unbearable in the heat - even if all the celebrations are indoor you still have to travel and walk between buildings.

In my experience crossing a parking lot in Texas can be enough to have sweat running down your back and your make up sliding off your face.

Try and find out from a local attendee what the dress code will be. In general I find that Texas is quite casual but conversely evening events can be very formal.

Having said all that Texas is wonderful and Austin is a great city to visit. Texans are generally extremely polite and friendly.

Ps if you want recommendations for other things to do/places to eat in Austin - just shout!

Also, if you don't know, you should wear make up. Don't go all "Emmanuelle Alt" style - think more TOWIEish. Many women in Texas wouldn't be seen at the petrol station without full slap on.

Sally Hansen's airbrush legs is a good alternative to tights, I've worn it with white dresses and shorts whilst living in Arizona and it never transferred, even when sweat was literally streaming off me.

A tip I was given was to buy the Mitchum spray deodorant and spray yourself liberally all over, particularly torso and anywhere you might sweat. It really does help a lot, not nice for everyday but good for events. I spray my face lightly too, after makeup with breath held and eyes closed though!!!

We visited Austin a couple of years ago as we have friends there. It's really hip with a great live music scene. ( their motto is Keep Austin Weird). So I wouldn't necessarily assume that it's going to be black tie etc ..... although you know your friends/family anyway. It was only when we got out of Austin that we started to see the rhinestone and the big hair. I would have thought September would be hot....we visited in early June and it was hot as hell ( we just avoided a massive week of hurricanes). I loved it and would go back in a heartbeat.

To be more helpful where do you normally shop?

Hi everyone thanks for the all the advice. It's suits for men but not black tie. It's being held at The Plant at Kyle if anyone knows it. There's been no mention of a rehearsal dinner. We are from Northern Ireland as is the groom so I don't think it's going to be really formal. For weddings etc here I would usually go to Phase Eight. I have a dress from there in mind but as it's going to be hot I think it will be too warm for it.

What time of day is the wedding? If it's at night,even if the men are not in black tie, the women may be in cocktail type attire.

I'm not sure about clothes but I'm quite jealous as I've always wanted to go to Austin.