Italy wedding in the summer - please help!

[DandelionAndBedrock]

I am a size 14-16 (desperately trying to lose weight, but the top end of a size 14 is probably as good as it will get by the time of the wedding). Wedding is at the start of August, in a hilltop town in Northern Italy (so there might be a breeze? ). Hourglass on a good day, spherical on a bad day. I dislike my arms immensely but I have perfected the art of putting on a wrap/cardigan and just accepting that I will be hot.

The bride is a colleague of DP (but we are going as friends rather than "invite all the office" friends). I have never met either one of the couple. I am expecting the ceremony to be quite long, and the other guests to be gorgeous and cope well with the heat).

I have this dress already for a wedding in England. But I feel like it is a bit too English for the glamour fest I have created in my head. Happy to spend up to £100 ish, but I don't want anything too awkward to pack because we are turning the wedding into our holiday and want space in my suitcase for other clothes. Hobbs dresses are generally cut well for me, but inexplicably Phase Eight never, ever fits. Please help!

lol- I know Leanne. I always say there's nothing less sedate and respectful than the frock of an Italian bride!

Do remember Dandelion, you will probably be expected to line dance!

The jersey dress sounds good- I loved the dress the woman (not the big turquoise woman, the other one on the church steps) was wearing- plain navy, long, and so simple but stylish.

(It wasn't me, I was in white skinnies and a phase eight navy tunic, they're used to me and my ways )

We were definitely not allowed uncovered shoulders and knees at the Catholic wedding we attended in Italy this year.

Where are you VP?

Arse end of nowhere, Puglia.

I think if there's a mix of guests from different countries, including the UK, your original dress is fine and won't look out of place. I've been to three Italian weddings in recent years, with one or both of the couple marrying being Italian, but with lots of guests from outside the country, and the female dress code was pretty mixed, with everything from English Rose-type wafty florals to Bavarian national dress to full-on Gina Lollabrigida-type bling.

I don't think I've ever seen an Italian wearing a floral print, so you will stand out if you wear the dress you already have. IME Italians tend to go for plain fabrics with large sunglasses and plenty of statement jewellery. Either the Bruce Oldfield or Jigsaw dresses would work. Black is for funerals, but navy or other dark shades are fine.

I don't think I've ever seen an Italian wearing a floral print

No, but I'm assuming the OP isn't the only female guest from the UK, or at least from outside of Italy, and no one is suggesting the dress code is 'try to blend in with the Italians', surely?

Thanks for the advice so far. I don't think I would ever be able to blend in with the Italians - Bavarian national dress sounds more probable .

This is the long dress I have. Like I say, I'm used to wearing something to cover my massive sausage arms so that is easy. DP has already banned my wedge sandals because I complained that they were pinching when I was breaking them in, and in anticipation of lots of standing around and dancing I will find some nice flats.

VP that looks FABULOUS.

Dandelion that's perfect. Fabulous colour. Big gold statement jewellery to go with it and you'll be grand.

Yup- Dandelion- that's the one! Fabulous!

Dandelion that dress is IT! Love the shape and the colour.

There's a big difference between north and south. I'm in the north - anything goes really. My SIL wore trousers to our wedding.

Yay! Thanks everyone - this has been an alarmingly easy process!