Please help me find a dress to get married in/or dressmaker! In my 50s..

[Phwooooar]

I’m getting married for the second time in December. I’m in my 50s, 5’9, size 14/16, hourglass shape but a bit more around the middle these days. I don’t want a full on wedding dress, I do want long, sleeves of some sort, v or low neck, and not a big skirt - so I can actually move! I’ve found 2 completely different dresses I love on Pinterest - the white version I’d probably have to get made as I have no idea where I could buy it, the green I love but would show every lump and bump and skirt is too full I think. So, thoughts? Can anyone point me in the direction of upmarket dresses online (not the ones for proms/made in China..). Budget up to £1000 for the right dress! Would love some help!

Both of those are divine and sound perfect for your figure. Your concerns about the green one are valid but could be addressed by using a good heavy quality satin and a decent lining.

Search for wedding dresses on Etsy. You can make the search term as specific as you like. However, do set the filter to "handmade" otherwise you will end up with a ton of mass-manufacturer type ads etc to wade through. Most designers on there will be happy to send you fabric samples etc too so you can actually see the quality of the fabric for yourself.

What sort of budget are you working to?

I've had lots of things made http://www.aliceandco.co.uk , from my wedding clothes to a work suit that transforms into a cocktail dress with the addition of a embroidered belt to simple trousers that just fit perfectly.

Enjoy.

This???

Otherwise, do have a long look at the rest of the Matches site. They have a dedicated bridal section (designer dresses not necessarily 'wedding' dresses) but you might equally find something amongst the normal frocks.

Wonderful thing to be choosing!

Now I’ve clicked on this thread I’m getting wedding ring adverts popping upon my side bar . Good luck OP!

Oooh thank you for your replies. I’ve had a look at Etsy but haven’t found anything. Contacted one designer who can only alter her own designs, not do bespoke and they’re too girly and backless, frontless etc.

@Perdita - like the style of that but needs to be long and I can’t do shocking pink!

@Roses - sorry!

@Finally - thanks will have a look! Budget can be up to £1200ish I suppose - if I can wear it again as an evening dress

Can I ask which of the 2 you prefer?

What about this one?
www.johnlewis.com/ghost-salma-satin-maxi-dress/emerald/p2587700?size=m&sku=236330618&colour=Emerald&s_ppc=2dx92700053879246852&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrIf3BRD1ARIsAMuugNshZkEFL9iRiws_umtsEwQnusV8SmBd1EFka-eJPwjNPKAgRxH5HucaAhxiEALw_wcB

Or this - Ghost has nice things

www.ghost.co.uk/becky-dress-ivory-du59ca-m12

@Quentin Thank you - yes it’s a lovely dress but I don’t go wow/squirmy when I look at it. Need a v neck (big boobs) and the colour is a bit dark

I know feck all about dresses but congratulations!

Ghost dresses also seem to magically cover bumps. I have two (similar shape/age group) and they somehow work wonders, especially with decent shape wear.

The Becky dress looks a bit like a slinky dressing gown to me

I love the green dress 😍
Sounds perfect for your figure too.
There is a shop called folkster that does that style of dress. Good quality and with decent shapewear the lumps and bumps will magically disappear.

Have a browse through the evening dresses on Wolf & Badger. There are some beautiful and unusual gowns by small, independent designers, including this emerald satin beauty that is similar to the one you posted but looks less clingy.

www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/satin-long-dress-emerald/?result_index=58&query_id=d016c8cdcab115a22a4db79bc9be6d02

I love the white shirt dress style. A good dress maker could create one specific to you within your budget.

Net-a-Porter bridal and evening wear worth a browse too.

I've been beaten to it but agree Ghost is definitely worth a look at.

@Venus thank you - lovely dress but too skimpy up top - need to cover flabby uppers! Also only available in size 8/10. I’ve scoured Net a Porter, Outnet, Voox.. some lovely dresses around but not in my size

I do love Ghost dresses - and I like the Salma one in the oyster colour (the dark green is too dark), but I’m looking for a v neck and something a little bit more special/one off!

Have you tried 'Stillwhite', end of lines, sale, sample and second hand. Some great designer bargains.

Easy to filter by price, size, style and Uk (if you don't want to ship from abroad).

Something like this?

www.stillwhite.com/174830-kelly-faetanini

www.stillwhite.com/179693-jesus-peiro

www.stillwhite.com/178559-oksana-mukha

www.stillwhite.com/174998-sottero-and-midgley

www.stillwhite.com/170505-loulou-bridal

www.stillwhite.com/169941-maggie-sottero

www.stillwhite.com/115783-justin-alexander

And so many more...you get the idea (and I love wedding dress 'shopping'!
Happy browsing @Phwoooar

Ghost even do a Bridal shirt type dress

www.johnlewis.com/ghost-viola-wedding-dress-cloud-dancer/p4899531

I was in my late 30s when I got married and had a custom made dress from Village Bride in Marple Bridge. They were amazing and even came on the day to the venue to help dress me.

If you are based in the south east near Guildford you might find something with Caroline Arthur Bridal. A relative of mine who is around your age got a bespoke dress with them that sounds like what you are after. It was STUNNING but could well be £££ though.

(I should add that my relative absolutely raves about the experience as well, not just the end result)

@JesmondDene - love your name! 😉