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Original poster

Wedding guest outfit for a hot country

27 replies

BatshitCrazyWoman · 07/02/2020 13:58

I'm going to a wedding in southern Europe in July - it's going to be hot ...

I'm looking for a dress - I'm 5ft 3.5 ins, size 8 to 10, biggish boobs, and an 8 shaped hourglass rather than an X shape (if you're a reader of Imogen Lamport-s Inside Out Style blog!).

I'm thinking something skimming as it'll be hot. But my natural style is fitted dresses. I don't want polyester, too long (as I'm short), frilly (because it doesn't suit me) or excessively flowery because I hate flowery things! I also don't do fit and flare or A line shapes or fullness around the upper hip as it doesn't suit me. I've got soft colouring, orange and yellow look vile on me!

I'm hoping for some suggestions as I feel like I've looked everywhere. Budget is £150-£200. Help!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
BatshitCrazyWoman · 07/02/2020 14:02

I quite like this shape but am not sure about the stringy belt thing Hmm

Wedding guest outfit for a hot country
OP posts:
EdinaMonsoon · 07/02/2020 14:05

Could you opt for a linen/cotton blend shift (the cotton will stop it from becoming too creased and/or stretching in the seat as linen is wont to do when worn in humidity)?

EdinaMonsoon · 07/02/2020 14:06

Yeah the belt on that FWM dress is rather meh. You could replace it with a tan leather belt though?

Original poster
BatshitCrazyWoman · 07/02/2020 14:16

I look awful in shift shaped things. I need to have shape at my waist, which is small.

OP posts:
okiedokieme · 07/02/2020 14:30

Check out what is in bravissimo, excellent for those of us with larger "assets". Take a wrap/shawl if it's a church wedding as most require you to cover your upper arms especially if it's strapless/spaghetti straps (also protects from sun!) there's lots of clearance items online not in store

Original poster
BatshitCrazyWoman · 07/02/2020 14:36

But thank you Edina! I'm spectacularly fussy, so it isn't going to be easy to find something! It was a revelation discovering that the 8 shape was A Thing - I can't do shapeless or fullness or a-line as it looks so appalling! I'm not keen on stringy belts but I rarely belt stuff as it doesn't look great - the shaping needs to be in the dress already.

I have a dress (black and not suitable) from Oasis which is similar to the FWM dress and is wildly flattering, but also flowy and quite cool to wear. I'm looking for something similar to that but more wedding-y!!

OP posts:
Original poster
BatshitCrazyWoman · 07/02/2020 14:38

It isn't a church wedding. I did look at Bravissimo but nothing 'special' enough there unfortunately.

OP posts:
Original poster
BatshitCrazyWoman · 08/02/2020 13:42

Bumping to see if anyone has any ideas for shops/online to try.

I'd have no issues if this was a UK summer wedding - it's the pretty much guaranteed scorching weather that's making it hard!

OP posts:
goose1964 · 08/02/2020 19:36

Would this be any good. I have recently bought a couple of dresses from them and they are so soft, they're also designed for women with curves. m.patra.com/products/RPD/pure-silk-jersey-printed-dress

Srictlybakeoff · 08/02/2020 19:47

I tried on that dress and thought it was beautiful. I wish I had an occasion to buy it for. Belt was barely noticeable

greenflamingo · 08/02/2020 19:50

I like the shape of the all saints cancity dress and they tend to do it in an array of colours for summer. They had coral last year and it was great.

Srictlybakeoff · 08/02/2020 20:10

I’m also 5 ft 4 - size 8 and with a small waist . It was a good fit for me and showed my figure to advantage

BookMeOnTheSudExpress · 08/02/2020 21:55

Depends on the country and the type of outfit expected really.
Italian weddings will expect full length evening gown style dresses for the reception for example if the wedding ceremony is in the afternoon. Plain colours, no patterns. I believe Greece and Spain are similar in terms of formality.

Original poster
BatshitCrazyWoman · 09/02/2020 06:04

Strictly which dress did you try on? goose I don't like the prints the Patra dress comes in, or the shape. It would look very frumpy.

The wedding is in France, all English people attending. Not in a church. The invitation was incredibly vague! I'm my newish partner's plus one - he's been told men don't need to wear suits .... I'm trying to find out more!

Will look at the All Saints dress ....

OP posts:
Original poster
BatshitCrazyWoman · 09/02/2020 06:06

The Cancity dress is a good shape but 100% polyester so that's out.

OP posts:
HelgaHere1 · 09/02/2020 06:36

Wait until the summer range comes into the shops/online. I'm not too sure when that is - maybe March?

Original poster
BatshitCrazyWoman · 09/02/2020 06:41

I will be doing that Helga but there are a few more summery things available now. I don't have loads of time and I'm very fussy so I'm starting early 😂😂

OP posts:
Pajamagirl · 09/02/2020 07:02

Could you ask a dressmaker to make a copy of your favourite dress ?
You get a summer version favourite and no chance of ever bumping into anyone with same dress . ...
Off to google 8 shape

stormchiaraiscoming · 09/02/2020 08:41

Have you looked at cos, toast etc they tend to be more natural fibres.

stormchiaraiscoming · 09/02/2020 08:42

Ghost?

Pinkyyy · 09/02/2020 08:45

If you like that one, why not just wear a different belt?

mnahmnah · 09/02/2020 08:54

Something like this? Lots of lovely dresses on this website

Wedding guest outfit for a hot country
Srictlybakeoff · 09/02/2020 09:13

It was the Fenn Wright Manson one I tried on.

Original poster
BatshitCrazyWoman · 09/02/2020 10:04

I don't wear belts and I don't like floral prints or 100% polyester - I'm a fussy moo!! I would like a classy dress, and can afford £100 upwards so would prefer to actually spend around that.

I'm not sure where there is a dressmaker near me - I might look into that. I'm going to try the FWM one on - I might be able to just not wear the bit of string/belt.

I'll take a look at Cos, Toast and Ghost although I think things will be too long ...

OP posts:
stormchiaraiscoming · 09/02/2020 10:09

I have just ordered this for a wedding, it's viscose: www.johnlewis.com/ghost-meryl-satin-button-dress/rifle-green/p4393240?size=m