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Dress for a wedding - my wedding - help?

40 replies

BuggersMuddle · 06/08/2017 23:00

So DP and I are finally taking the plunge and will be getting married in a simple ceremony with close family followed by a meal. No churches, dances etc. so wanted something fairly low key.

I foolishly thought I could go high end of the high street / lower end designer and pick up a nice dress that would still be special, but not a 'wedding dress' as such. Unfortunately I appear to be shit out of luck.

So S&B - can you help me with my quest?

I'm 5', about a size 10 but with big boobs (which appears to be the problem). Looking for a really nice day dress basically, but one that doesn't look like you might wear it to the office. Sort of thing you might wear to ladies day. Ideally I'd go with a just below the knee, 50s style fit & flare, but beggars can't be choosers....

I've seen some lovely stuff but nothing fits! Any pointers to shops for the small, narrow or hip but busty?

In an idea world I'd wear something like the Max Mara dress I've (hopefully attached). Given that's not available anywhere short of a plane ride away, I've been scouring the usual occasion wear places (House of Fraser, John Lewis, Ted Baker, Coast, Phase 8, Harvey Nichols). FWIW, the Max Mara one is a wedding dress, but it's the shape and length I like - the only colour stipulation I have is 'not black'.

Dress for a wedding - my wedding - help?
OP posts:
Alabasterangel6 · 06/08/2017 23:02

Budget?

BuggersMuddle · 06/08/2017 23:04

Probably up to £1000 but could stretch it for something really nice.

OP posts:
Alabasterangel6 · 06/08/2017 23:05

Is this too weddingy? The dress you linked to is very stylish, but isn't the neckline high for boobs? I'm booby. That would make me look very very boob heavy.

www.wed2b.co.uk/1207

BuggersMuddle · 06/08/2017 23:06

TBH I could spend more if I really wanted to. I accept the dress I've linked is probably way more expensive than that (no price tag). I've tried dresses ranging from about £150 - £1,800 so far.

OP posts:
livefrommysofa · 06/08/2017 23:09

What about house of mooshi? I know they are wedding dresses but they do some lovely fifties style tea dresses.

BuggersMuddle · 06/08/2017 23:09

That's really pretty - weddingy but I wouldn't feel silly at a small dinner. Like the neckline. I see they have an outlet local to me too.

OP posts:
BuggersMuddle · 06/08/2017 23:15

Oh that was a response to Alabaster's first suggestion, but I like the others too Grin

OP posts:
livefrommysofa · 06/08/2017 23:16

This is the house of mooshki I have chosen, but there's soo many to choose from.

Dress for a wedding - my wedding - help?
pieceofpurplesky · 06/08/2017 23:17

What is your favourite colour?

Alabasterangel6 · 06/08/2017 23:17

I hear good things about wed2b - price and quality wise. My niece just had her dress from there and it is lovely. They do another tea length dress there too - maybe worth a trip to try if there is a local branch?

BuggersMuddle · 06/08/2017 23:27

Kates I've always liked the shape on Vivian of Holloway, but always thought the prices a bit too good to be true. Wondered about the finishing / materials?

OP posts:
Rinceoir · 06/08/2017 23:29

I wore this dress to part of my wedding- would something similar suit?

Dress for a wedding - my wedding - help?
BuggersMuddle · 06/08/2017 23:32

pieceof Probably purple, but I can wear most vibrant colours except perhaps yellow. I'm pale, red head so really pale colours (baby pink and such) don't suit at all.

OP posts:
stickssss · 06/08/2017 23:36

I second Vivien of Holloway. I'm a big fan of the halter neck circle dresses, they are fabulous when worn with a petticoat or two. I'm a size 14 and wear a 34G bra, but with the boning I can go without a bra and still have a good cleavage. The finishing of the materials is good quality. Pop into the shop and try some on. If you're a UK 10, you'll probably need a VoH size 14.

PlainOldJosephineMary · 06/08/2017 23:51

I've worn a couple of Vivian of Holloway dresses as a bridesmaid, they're really good quality. Am also a 10 with big boobs and they are fairly modest whilst still being stylish / sexy / whatever the in word to use is!

tethersend · 07/08/2017 00:01

Dig for Victory any good?

reetgood · 07/08/2017 00:03

With that kind of style you could easily get a custom dress made within your budget..

OlennasWimple · 07/08/2017 00:10

Honestly, you might need to buy in a size that fits your bust and then go to a decent tailor and get it altered to fit the rest of you

How about silk Chloe?

Oscar de la Renta?

Nina Ricci

Oscar de la Renta (neck too high?)

Roland Mouret

Nina Ricci midi dress

Asymmetric hem

Roksanda longer dress (great neckline, I think)

Drop waist

BuggersMuddle · 07/08/2017 00:37

Yeah, I think with hindsight, I should have planned for a bespoke or alteration. Am a bit short of time - lots of reasons why, but in the end it doesn't matter, only got a few weeks to get things sorted.

Olenna you have reminded me that two of my local shops has a tailor on stand by - in that they'll measure it up before you commit to buying, so I probably should explore that.

OP posts:
nocturnalnugget · 07/08/2017 04:01

I was recently a bridesmaid at a vintage themed wedding, I got my dress from ChiChi.com

It's super cheap, really good service and quality. plus seems to have the kind of look you're going for. Only thing is that I'm not sure how great they are on plain white dresses.

(Plus- I'm also a size ten, big bust (34E!), and 5"2. Dress fit me perfectly, even better with heels on)

nocturnalnugget · 07/08/2017 04:12

www.chichiclothing.com/product_images/x/291/Geneveive_1__53921_zoom.png

just been on and this is the first one I found- your kind of style?

(sorry, still don't know how to post photos on here Grin)