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Original poster

This is too much for a wedding, right? (As a guest)

82 replies

Guestdr3ssq · 18/04/2019 20:05

I brought this out the other day, sighing and telling DH that I never got to wear it. It is a silk cocktail dress from the 19 50s.

He said "why don't you wear it to your friend Graham's wedding this July". My initial reaction was: no, far too OTT.

But now, stylish people of MN, I am not so sure so I need your help. Is this OTT for a guest? I would probably wear it with nude heels/bag, no hat and a cropped ivory tailored jacket. Discreet jewellery but a bold red lipstick.

This is too much for a wedding, right? (As a guest)
OP posts:
InterchangeableEmma · 18/04/2019 22:57

and yes, a wrap rather than a jacket.

MaidenMotherCrone · 18/04/2019 23:15

That dress deserves a special day all of it's own rather than sharing someone else's.

BearFoxBear · 18/04/2019 23:24

Wear it! I loved seeing everyone proper dolled up for my wedding!

Aurignacian · 18/04/2019 23:29

It’s gorgeous, and an ivory jacket sounds great. Pearly grey or pewter really wouldn’t go with it?

Paddy1234 · 18/04/2019 23:32

Ooooh love it and you simply must wear it!

BettyBooJustDoinTheDoo · 18/04/2019 23:34

No one can upstage a bride, all eyes are always on the bride, guests are just the (fashion) side show. I would be thrilled if everyone dressed to impress at my wedding, I’m fed up of everyone dressing down these days, go for it.

Pret · 18/04/2019 23:37

Eek I love it but I'm erring on the side of caution. I wouldn't wear it unless I knew everyone else would look as flashy.

GurlwiththeCurl · 18/04/2019 23:43

Gorgeous dress! You could also get a fantastic vintage bag to wear with it.

I have had some great bags from eBay for only a few ££, but also a site like Brand Spanking Vintage:

brandspankingvintage.com/index.html

WobbleTime · 19/04/2019 00:11

I love it. If it’s a ‘fancy’ wedding as opposed to a low key type affair then absolutely yes! Can I be very cheeky and ask if it was horribly expensive (it looks it!). Id love something like this but sadly nowhere to wear it Sad

WobbleTime · 19/04/2019 00:13

Absolutely yes, wear it I meant (not absolutely yes, it’s too much for a wedding). I think it’s fabulous. Do it!

Daisypie · 19/04/2019 00:19

I think it would look fab with a navy wrap and heels.

Daisypie · 19/04/2019 00:20

Then cast aside the wrap for the tail feather dancing.

SummerPlace · 19/04/2019 01:27

That dress is wonderful. It's a bit like a gold version of Marilyn Monroe's fabulous pink dress in "How to Marry a Millionaire."

It deserves to be seen - and seen often!

Original poster
Guestdr3ssq · 19/04/2019 06:55

Thank you, all. Lots of ideas (and I do have navy stuff somewhere too). Some mixed views so will have a backup just in case I change my mind. Will also pop to my seamstress for an opinion on the bow.

The dress was a couple of hundred pounds but the quality is superb. It even has a series of little ball weights sewn into the hem so it hangs properly! Also, the advantage of vintage is that you can often do layaway and reserve the item whole paying it off in a couple of interest-free instalments.

It will be a fancy wedding! I don't know many of the other guests going so cannot really ask what they will be wearing.

OP posts:
NewAccount270219 · 19/04/2019 07:03

It's beautiful but I personally wouldn't wear it. I think it's going to look very over the top for the day part of the wedding, but changing into it for the evening is also going to look quite diva-ish. I suppose it just depends how happy you are to stand out, though - you definitely will, but it can be in a good way!

Amore22 · 19/04/2019 07:09

Fabulous. I would have been fine with someone wearing this at my wedding but personally I would see about removing the bow...unless it is a very 'upscale' wedding. Depends how secure the bride is - and how much you want to think of her feelings...😀

matahairyy · 19/04/2019 07:25

It’s a cocktail dress. Not good for a wedding. Too revealing

NW2SW · 19/04/2019 07:31

So long as you don't go full evening bombshell with the hair, makeup and accessories, then I don't see how it's any different from the norm - even with the bum bow. It's lovely, great colour.

SrSteveOskowski · 19/04/2019 08:28

I don't like the bow, but otherwise it's fabulous.

Eustasiavye · 19/04/2019 08:40

Yes wear it.
I think a pashima would go better better with it and have your hair pinned up if it's long.

TheHoundsofLove · 19/04/2019 09:36

I think it all depends on how it actually looks on you. Like a PP said, it could either look too overtly sexy or very elegant. I could also see someone a bit 'alternative' wearing it and making it look cool and a bit edgy. I think we need to see a photo of you in it! Smile
It's definitely a fabulous dress, though. And I think it would be sacrilege to remove the bow - if you wear it, you need to do so with pride and just own that it's a bit out there as far as wedding guest dresses go!

DarlingNikita · 19/04/2019 15:32

It's nice but I wouldn't wear a jacket (ivory or not); I think it'd frump up the dress and look a bit Judi-Dench-at-the-BAFTAs. Wear it alone.

ReindeerDream · 21/04/2019 00:16

It depends very much on the wearer whether it's "too much" or not. I think the dress is fabulous on its own and OK for a wedding event. It could look a bit much depending on how it's styled.

I don't know why, and I don't think it's very wedding-y but I'd want to team that with a black bolero. I think ivory is so hard to get right - so "mother of the bride", especially in a shift dress style (even if shift dress is nothing like a "mother of the bride" look. It's just the imagery of shift dress plus ivory (or pastel) bolero jacket.

Also black ankle-strap or peep-toes shoes (or peep-toe with an ankle strap, which is very vintage - but a modern version of them) and a bamboo clutch. Or lacquered box clutch.

If a pashmina (more evening-y), possibly an ivory pashmina (not black!). The dress is a great colour but a hard colour to team successfully with a jacket - probably that dress was made to be teamed with a mink fur stole, just for the car ride to and from an event!

Or you could actually get a fake fur mink stole!

But basically I think the length (just below knee, I'm guessing from the pic) plus the fact it's very obviously vintage makes it OK for a wedding Smile

Lucked · 21/04/2019 09:40

If I could get my waist into that I would wear it!

BossyBanana · 21/04/2019 09:56

I wouldn’t wear it to the wedding but I would make DH take me to something where I could wear it.
It’s stunning and it deserves a night out.