Bridesmaid dress - practical or fancy???

[practicalorfancy]

My friend is having a winter wedding and we can pick our own dresses as long as they are navy. She is very relaxed about what we pick.

Fancy: www.coastfashion.com/lace-sleeve-open-back-wrap-maxi-dress/ACC97774.html

Practical: www.coastfashion.com/pleated-mesh-midi-skirt/ACC98462-2.html?color=148

I was going to choose a top/midi skirt combo as I'll get more wear out of them but I tried on the fancy dress today and I love it more!

Do you think that this dress could be worn again as a wedding guest or a fancy dinner dress? Or is it too bridesmaidsy? As much as I love it, I have another bridesmaids dress in my wardrobe that I love but will probably never wear again for this reason so I should try and be practical. I've asked the bride and she likes both!

Please help me decide. Currently leaning towards getting the dress and keeping the skirt (I like it more than the top) but that's probably less sensible!

Doesn't help they are both very reduced... so tempting....

Get the fancy one! It's a nicer shape I think, and it's not sold as a bridesmaid dress - would be perfect for something black tie (if you go to that kind of event!).

I don’t think the second one is less fancy than the first.

The soft midi skirt look is very on trend, which means it's going to look dated very soon, so I think you won't get loads of wear out of it. Get the dress - you could maybe get it taken up after the wedding to make it less bridal?

I like the first one but love the second. It's the sparkle that does it. I actually think the first one is something you are much less likely to wear again as it is too formal for a wedding and not partyish enough

I actually think the second one is much nicer, but it depends what top you put with it. If you get the top in the picture then you could wear the top with trousers, or the skirt with a more casual top if you want to be less dressy.

After a year of lockdowns and no nights out go for fancy. The fancier the better.

I love the second one. It's absolutely gorgeous. The first one is nice but nothing amazing . They are both very dressy but number two has the edge for me

I like the first.

My caveat however is that Coast went under a while back and is now owned by one of the online stores - boohoo perhaps?

The same one that bought Oasis and Warehouse.

I’d be wary of the quality - even at that price. It’s certainly not up to the scratch of coast back in its hey day on the high street. Bear in mind whether it will crease, bobble or wash well when factoring in future wears.

I think the 'fancy' one looks more dated. The second one more on-trend. As OP says this does mean it will date eventually.

I'd go with the one that looks better on you and the one you love more.

Love the second with its sparkle

I love both but the second one is gorgeous!

I vote for second! It's still fancy!

I like the second much more.

Please be really careful with Coast. They have been bought out and the quality is shocking, not like Coast used to be. My daughter got married just before the November lockdown and her best friend had a current Coast dress and the zip wouldn't do up so she had to hold it together for the photos. Such a shame.

I think the second one. I do tend to favour comfort though! I hate being uncomfortable and weddings are all day long.

I think they're about equal in terms of future wear potential though, so I'd honestly go for whichever you like the best.

Both are lovely but I would try them both on. I am tall and slim but skirts the length of the second one somehow make me look dumpy so think you need to order both and see.

Did you put the links the right way round? Surely the second is fancier??

I much prefer the first one (wrap over top).

@sararh

Did you put the links the right way round? Surely the second is fancier??

I was wondering the same thing!

Much prefer the first, and you prefer it too which is reason enough to go for it. Pleated midi skirts are very trendy right now but it can't be long before people start to realise how unflattering they are.

Thank you for the responses!

Probably bad phrasing - they are both quite fancy but I think I was calling the first one fancy because floor length is more formal? I can imagine wearing the midi one to a Christmas house party but not the floor length.

Here are some pictures. The long one would need a steam first!

Still prefer the long one. The sequin/tulle one looks like it is a big version of a toddler flower girl dress.

Also thank you for the warning about the quality!! I’ve never bought from Coast before so no idea of previous standard but the material feels nice for these dresses. Maybe I got lucky!

As they are very marked down in price I think I will probably risk it but will be very careful either zip. 😬

Having said that, there are so many brands with formal dresses marked down and in all sizes. Makes me feel for everyone that should have had a wedding or celebration last year that has been cancelled.

I really prefer the midi one but that's because of the top not the skirt. I think the longer one looks a bit boring (sorry!) but maybe not in different lighting or with accessories.

Also I'd be wary of the crumpled skirt on the long one, if it did that on the day it wouldn't look very good.

I still prefer the shorter one on you. Not helpful, as someone just said the opposite, sorry!