Wedding guest - please make me over!

[Mamaohana]

Going to brother’s wedding this summer. As I am a close family member and we’re a very small family I’ll be sitting along the top table, and I’ll be the only female who is not a bridesmaid or mother of the bride/groom. I’m a bit stuck on what look to go for though. I don’t want anything too long or floaty that looks as though I’m competing with the bridesmaids, yet I don’t want to look to ‘matronly’ in mother of the bride style clothes. However I want to look as though I’ve made a massive effort for the occasion. Any suggestions please? I’m size 16, late 30s. Wedding is large country house hotel.

I know M&S get bad press on here but I was pleasantly surprised to see some of their clothes this year like this

www.marksandspencer.com/jacquard-floral-print-skater-midi-dress/p/p60156290?image=SD_01_T42_3083U_E4_X_EC_90&color=BLUEMIX&prevPage=plp

I think that M&S dress is really dowdy...

What about Reiss? This is pretty www.reiss.com/p/knife-pleat-midi-dress-womens-alicia-in-aquamarine-blue/

Or LK Bennett for something a bit 'older'. Or Maje or Sandro for something 'younger' and edgier.

Yes definitely go to Reiss, they have great dresses for weddings and you won’t end up looking matronly. Love the one sunday linked to and if you go to a store they will have loads of good options to try.

What is your body type like in terms of dress style? Or would you prefer separates? Also - colouring? What colours do you think complement your skin and hair tone?

Oh and don’t go to Maje/Sandro, it’s cut for that particular breed of French woman who hasn’t made eye contact with a charbohydrate since she hit puberty. Their largest size is probably about a UK size 12.

My SIL found her dress that she wore to my wedding from Reiss, it was fab. Also have a look at Coast.

I actually really like the m&s dress . The shape looks quite flattering but I’d prefer it in a different colour/pattern, I’d look a bit washed out in blue and white. I might take a look at what else they’ve got.
I love the Reiss dress but it only goes up to a 14 and I think it would cling too much to my lumpy bits! I’ve got large boobs and bit of a tummy!

So would a shift dress or A line be a good option?

Have a look at chichi dresses. I have a few lovely ones.

Ha @TroubledLichen you're probably right! (I have no boobs or bottom )

I was going to suggest Anthropologie for a more laid back, summer holiday vibe (example: www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shop/breanna-polka-dot-wrap-dress) but it might get rejected for the same reason.

If you like M&S, maybe try Boden or Laura Ashley for similar (but a bit fresher, I find).

Not sure about the colour? But love this style. I have accentuated(!) boobs, stomach and hips and I think this would be flattering...

www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0118-5104-9081L00&productvarid=0118-5104-9081L00-IVORY-MULTI-12&refpage=dresses/shift-dresses

Bridesmaid colour pending...

www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/elise-ryan-lace-dress-with-bell-sleeve-detail-and-chiffon-skirt/yq926/product/details/show.action?pdBoUid=7205#colour:Dusky%20Pink,size:

I think this looks lovely!

sunday I love that anthro dress! Definitely going to buy for the summer. I think we share similar tastes as I’m also a huge Maje fan but just conscious that as a size 8 with boobs I would usually buy a dress in a medium which is the second largest size!

(sorry OP, back to your wedding guest dress search now)

Boden have got nice lace dresses. Or the Betty is amazing in real life. They had this in a 16 earlier
m.boden.co.uk/en-gb/clearance/womens-dresses/special-occasion-dresses/w0100/womens-rhiannon-lace-dress
Phase Eight will have something suitable too.

The simply be dress is beautiful