Fabulous wedding in Chicago - outfit needed!

[yesitis2]

I'm going to a fabulous wedding in Chicago in May but have nothing to wear and I'm short on ideas.

Considerations: it's going to be quite a fancy, society type do though no dress code announced. Weather?! No idea about Chicago in May.
Me: I'm early 40s but pass for younger. Lost weight recently so my existing stuff doesn't fit.
I'm size 6-8, 5'2", pear shaped with a great small waist. Used to pass as hourglass but since the weight loss my tits are like small spaniels ears (I wear 32C but that's probably not right anymore). I no longer have bingo wings and much less cellulite which is a plus.

I really want to treat myself so budget is quite flexible. I don't want to look like a Phase Eight/ Coast clone. I have shopped at Outnet/Net a Porter/Matches fashion before but there are so many outrageous styles on there I can't see anything good.

Ideas anyone?!

Chicago in May is getting warmer, June is quite humid and May can be at times, especially later in the month. It's a bit cooler than the UK and if you are going to be lake side then you'll need something for the breeze.

Thanks for the reply Humid?! Oh great, that's Monica from Friends hair for me then! (It's the last weekend in May).

Cover up wise, I think I'll look for a base outfit first, don't really want a pashmina or shrug as I was wearing those to weddings 15+ years ago.

I'll try most colours, I'm on the cusp between spring and autumn in HoC and another colour consultant had me down as a 'warm mute' (lovely!) I can do yellow, coral, the bluer end of turquoise and tomato shades of red. Cerise and teal look awful as does anything in cool tones.

I don't have a single thing on my shortlist! Help!

What time of day and what is the venue?

I don't have exact details yet but if they are only released the traditional 6 weeks before I'm cutting it short to find an outfit! Wedding will be close to the lake (not lakeside) rather than downtown. Not sure of start time but it will be afternoon and all evening I think.

I don't have outfit advice, but you definitely need a new bra. Google boob or bust and use their size calculator. To give you an idea, I'm a size 22 and I wear a 38 back! Getting the bra right will make a huge difference to your outfit.

The time and venue are important considerations. Evening receptions in the US are often formal, with long dresses.

Ok it's suggested I start by trying a 28DD!!! It's so hard to find bras with a back size lower than 32! I'm not in the UK which makes it even trickier, esp for online shopping. Will see what I can find.

Bravissimo and figleaves both have a large selection of bras in a 28 back, and do a good online service shipping to abroad. A well-fitting bra will make al the difference!

I'll try to find out more about the wedding itself before I shop....

In the meantime it's new bra time!

How about Diva Catwalk? Admittedly I'm a larger size but I like the cut of many of the classics rang, you can dress them up for weddings and you don't risk duplication as much. Some of the fabrics travel really well too.

I’d be tempted to message The Lady’s Maid on Instagram - she does a Sunday advice clinic I think instagram.com/theladysmaid?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=d0gibf16k37v

You could also check out some previous posts, she’s a former royal stylist and is often pulling together looks for weddings.

I don’t think you can do much until you get dress code info though, when are you expecting that info?

Fancy weddings in America are more of a cocktail dress style than here. Lindy Bop do loads of beautiful dresses pretty cheap

Wedding guest attire in the US is considerably different than in the UK, but you wouldn't wear a cocktail dress to an earlier daytime wedding. The ones that are tricky is when the wedding is in the later afternoon which means that the reception is at night. If any part of the wedding is at night, it will likely be more cocktail type attire, including long dresses.

And there are no bifurcated guest list type events. Everyone who goes to the wedding goes to the one reception, which usually follows pretty shortly after the wedding.

Also no hats, and thank the merciful heavens, no fascinators.

Ok, more info! It's late afternoon into evening/night and it's cocktail dresses dress code.

Please help!

I like the style/shape and general idea of this (and would wear red shoes and bag) but it looks grubby/dirty coloured so it's a no:
VW dress

Also this but it's polyester and I don't think I can do all evening in what is effectively a plastic bag...:
allsaints

Please can someone style savvy help me out...

Oh and I do have an LBD that fits but I think I want colour or print...

If you like VW, what about this:
www.viviennewestwood.com/en/women/clothing/dresses/vian-dress-lead-lead-1101003610552P401.html

(Sorry, just saw your colour / print comment!)

Tomato red?
www.viviennewestwood.com/en/women/clothing/dresses/vian-dress-blue-navy-1601000620862K401.html

^ I did actually link the red dress!

No black or white, but your colour that suits you and makes you sparkle. I wouldn't rule out places like Phase 8 and Monsoon. The other guests won't shop there if they live in Chicago, but I'd guess that posh cocktail dresses are going to be the dress code. Best jewellery, nice minaudiere bag and very thin strappy naked shoes, with heels and your best ever pedicure and manicure will make a flattering simple shape (one colour, or lace, or floral -- not all at the same time) frock rock. Different tones of the same colour is on point this summer. Do wear tights, very sheer nudes. The thermometer needs to be above 95F before they stop being required.

Thank you ladies - I do like the VW Vian dress - I think the 'lead' colour is too edgy with the belt and the colour would not suit me. The red is better but I'm a bit 'meh' about it - I might need to try it on, VW can go either way until you wear it. Red isn't my best colour but I look ok in it. I do suit coral (which is pantone's colour of the year so I'd expect to see more about) and also yellow.

There will be other UK guests hence me not wanting to do the usual high street suspects if I can help it.

Sorry but I think that dress is really awful for a society wedding. It’s mkre nightclub. Look at Sandro and Maje - they have some elegant stuff. What’s your maximum budget?

Holy cow those VW dresses are bloody gorgeous - effortless and still stylish - you will look super cool. I want them all! The AS is beautiful too but could do with being a smidge longer.

Wow you lucky thing! Have you looked at Rixo London, a bit out there but very hip at the min. www.rixo.co.uk/shop/clothing/dresses/

I think the Rixo stuff would 'wear me' at 5'2" unfortunately.

I wear lots of Maje and Sandro actually but everything I've seen so far is more work orientated than cocktail dress.

I don't really have a maximum budget so long as it's not too ridiculous

There is so much 'oversize' about and I just can't wear any of that. And most of the fitted stuff either looks like something I'd wear to the office or is a high street floral that I really don't want.

Thanks for the suggestions so far, keep em coming!