Garden party dress ideas please

[notreallyintothisbutgottago]

Didn't know where to post this, but hoping for traffic! Can anyone help me find a reasonably priced outfit for a royal garden party?! Am really not that into fashion so not sure where to start but needs to be affordable as I can't see me wearing it again. Says day dress required. Apparently need to wear a hat or fascinator too...annoyingly have recently put on a lot of weight, now size 16, so don't have anything remotely suitable. Dressing up is not my forte, not that keen on shopping for clothes so if anyone can suggest anything they've seen recently, I'd be really grateful!

@notreallyintothisbutgottago cross posted - that pretty kitty dress looks lovely

Thanks Tillygetsit - will have a look.

Thanks everyone, am def getting more into the mood. I dread this sort of dressing up!

www.joebrowns.co.uk/sp+bountiful-bouquet-dress+wd683?coloursel=A

Scrap my idea , this suggestion by petronellas is awesome!
m.boden.co.uk/en-gb/womens-dresses/special-occasion-dresses/w0339-blu/womens-ultramarine-carnival-floral-isabelle-midi-dress?utm_content=mumsnet.com&awc=1669_1555364538_c593d096bfdacdb217e313d4a22da860&code=6T2C&cm_mmc=AWUK--78888--Affiliates-_-text

I like the Boden dress and could see myself wearing that again but is it formal enough? Nannyogg, sounds like you've been? What do you think? And could you wear a hat /fascinator with it?

Can i just ask...are bolero cardys still fashionable?? Ive got lots but want sure if they were dated?

@Crabbitstick - I like joebrown stuff but am early 50's and not sure it's aimed at my demographic

I love the Boden one too. I definitely think it's formal enough, if you add a fascinator.

I also like this pretty kitty one - similar style to the one you liked plus has sleeves for bingo wing coverage:

prettykittyfashion.co.uk/products/vintage-sage-green-floral-slinky-wrap-3-4-sleeve-dress

@CharlotteUnaNatalieThompson ooh yes! Love that one even more than the other one...

Actually tempted to buy the Boden one myself, although I haven't the occasion to wear it (not that that usually stops me!)

Don't discount Amazon for affordable dresses. Could be a mile away from eat you have in mind but here is one example I found in a few seconds:
www.amazon.co.uk/Bright-Deer-Halter-Backless-Chiffon/dp/B07GWP3S1F/ref=mp_s_a_1_21?s=gateway&crid=1P6443INNFSR9&keywords=formal+dress+for+women&sprefix=formal+&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1555366071&sr=8-21

Good luck in finding something, you'll look lovely x

I bet Roman Originals will have something suitable too.

Love the Boden dress, I'll wait for the sale for that. I don't have an occasion to wear it to yet unless I persuade my dsis to get married!

I hope you find something OP. Get this thread moved to style & beauty where you'll get more suggestions.

www.popsyclothing.co.uk. I discovered this site by accident but have found some beautiful dresses.

No idea re dress as I dont do dresses.

Heels wise, if you wanted to wear heels, forgetting about the grass for a few seconds.

Can I recommend Clean Heels? Pop them on the bottom of the heel and it stops them sinking and keeps the heels clean for future use, the protectors come in a small bag which when you are done with them just pop in your handbag.

This is what I wore last year. Size 16 also! It was all off eBay and the whole outfit altogether cost less than £50. I started with the dress then took my time finding the different matching accessories etc (very restricted budget so price was a huge consideration!). No need to spend a fortune, particularly if you don't think you'll wear it again. Good luck and have a wonderful time!

These are your friends,
Heel protectors/ EBay about £1 a pair
Can’t really see them when walking on grass , won’t sink no matter how wet it is ( it poured the whole day we went )

British Heart Foundation shops sell fascinators for about £8. I've bought a few.
As for dresses I'd go for a floral print 50's style dress. Dolly and dotty sell nice ones.

@ChanandlerBongsNeighbour
Was your outfit second hand on ebay or new?! Looks fanatastic - can't believe you spent so little. What were most women wearing or was it a mix? I always tend to choose things that are more informal than most but don't want to spend the whole day worrying about what I'm wearing.

@annielouisa - thanks for the tip, there are some lovely dresses on there

@HomeEdRocks18 - great tip for fascinators, will definitely have a look in the charity shops, hadn't thought of that.

@Moorfields How do I get it moved? I've been a lurker on mumsnet for ages but not posted much

If you like the 50s swing dress look then these two shops are great.
And I think a. 59s dress with a bolero cardi is a good look.
It’s a bit different. I think it’s very hard to pull off a lot of floral patterns without a structured dress. The boden one is lovely. But hard fo wear I would think

If you get a net under skirt on a swing dress it will look fab

www.vivienofholloway.com/women-c70/dresses-c10

www.collectif.co.uk/

Everything was second hand off eBay. The dress is a vintage Berkertex which was about £6 (I've worn it to a few events now!), jacket was Wallis, fascinator and bag were Accessorise. I kept the jacket on all day too (bingo wings!)

If you like swing dress style then look at Lindy Bop, they sell a lovely dress and matching jacket called 'Marianne' which is perfect for the garden party, full price it's £65 for the set but they often do new customer discounts etc.

@ChanandlerBongsNeighbour
Thanks for that - love the Marianne. The colours are all quite bright, from your experience would black be too...black for a garden party?!