Is this dress ok for a wedding?

[squashyhat]

I am 60 and bought this from Joe Browns for a wedding in August. I love it but am unsure about the depth of the neckline. I probably won't wear a jacket but do have a silver/grey wrap. Too young and/or revealing?

To be honest I wasn’t suggesting the op should buy any of the dresses i linked I was more trying to show the difference between a smart/more formal dress and a casual day dress that the op is wearing. I made them all different because I knew someone would miss the point and say “ oh I hate them” 😂

The ops dress is the sort of thing you’d wear some flip flops or trainers with and pop to your mates sat afternoon bbq, or go to the school play in. Even go to the supermarket in. It’s a casual summer dress, wedding guest attire is dressier unless it’s a casual affair and this doesn’t seem to be,

The op should wear what she wants, and feels happy in, but in my experience when you feel under dressed or over dressed it can mar the enjoyment of the occassion. You end up standing out for all the wrong reasons and can feel self conscious.

Hi @squashyhat I also think you look fab, my only contribution is to say it looks a wee bit big. Could you go down size? Some fab accessories including a bright red bag would be perfect nd perhaps tan sandles with a wedge heel.

@MayIDestroyYou. I don’t have any wedding chiffon in my wardrobe either. I love the suggestions you make. I ordered a Hobbs dress, hoping it would be an improvement on the Gina Bacconi type stuff, but I hated it. Dress currently on order is from Whistles, which may also be on your hit list of emporia, I’m not defending it, haven’t tried it yet!

I'm a similar age, similar colouring and suspect similar size. Also like wearing Joe Browns as they're usually a good fit and comfy. That one I'd wear as a general day dress but don't think it's smart enough for a wedding. The linen one linked to earlier I have in the green and it looks much better on, it's also the kind of dress that you can 'dress up' but wear afterwards very easily. I would suggest, though, that you should have a look at those ladyV dresses. I have a number in a similar style and they really work well - wore one to a wedding a couple of years ago in fact

Yes totally fine, not the most glam but nice in a sweet boho/cottagecore way.

It's not too young or in any way revealing (what are you revealing your lapel and arms?).

I like it

@tinkywinkyshandbag

I'll bet the people posting saying it's not dressy enough are young and super slim and would wear something like a bodycon dress and vertiginous heels. I am a similar age/shape to you OP. If you are not one of the main wedding party/close family, I think it's nice especially if you bling it up a bit on the day, as you say you can wear it again. It doesn't scream "wedding" but I suspect that's the whole point.

I'm young and slim and would prefer OPs dress. I find the high heel, body con, blinged out look very 2000s/2010s.

Soft, feminine, almost boho is quite in right now.

I find the high heel, body con, blinged out look very ... 1980s. Or 90s.

Oh yes, I remember it well.

@MayIDestroyYou
Love love your choices on this thread — modern, easy to wear and confident. I would be very happy for you to style me!

Hi op - that dress really looks very good on you - I don’t think it’s weddingy enough either but I also think it’s about wearing what works for you. I would get a wrap that picks up the red in the flowers and defiantly a fascinator or a posh “do” at the hair dressers. I would also get a really nice pair of heels - again prob up match the shrug and a really fancy bag. Job done?

Sorry, I don't like it. I think it's frumpy and shapeless and not really suitable for a wedding unless very casual . I'm 58 and wouldn't wear it . I don't really do the ' too old' thing very much . I wouldn't wear something short(apart from shorts in summer ) as I do think that's a step too far , but I think at any age you should dress to suit your shape and height and I think that dress is an attempt to cover everything up rather than show anything off.

This thread is so depressing. It’s abundantly obvious why well dressed wedding guests are so rare.

What do you think about the comments op?

@Alsohuman

This thread is so depressing. It’s abundantly obvious why well dressed wedding guests are so rare.

It is depressing that weddings are now no longer about committing to a lifelong relationship and more about what guests wear

I couldn't tell you what half the guests at my wedding wore and if I thought any of them were worried about their outfits I'd be mortified. They were invited as people who would support me and DH in our marriage over the next 50+ years (hopefully).

The dress is perfectly fine. As a PP said people look better in things they feel comfortable in.

@squashyhat

Thank you! It's very much my style and although it may not be very weddingy I don't want to spend £££ on something I'll never wear again. The wedding is in a posh hotel in Surrey but will be full of beautiful 20 and 30 somethings so hopefully nobody will be looking at me! I'll bling it up with jewellery, the wrap and some comfortable low heels.

This is not a wedding dress for a posh hotel -sorry! You don't need to spend massive money on a dress but you are only 60 😬 You talk as if you don't matter . I'm older than you and I will be a stunner at a wedding next year 😂 Be kind to yourself !

@Alsohuman

This thread is so depressing. It’s abundantly obvious why well dressed wedding guests are so rare.

It's a peculiarly British patriarchal thing. Women (particularly once married) are strongly discouraged from spending money on themselves - while their husbands swan around in £50k cars. In order to justify their state some women rejoice in tearing down any woman who dares to shop for clothes anywhere other than the supermarket, in the sales.

I know this sounds mean - but I was honestly deeply surprised, when I first found MN, to realise what a huge proportion of women in Britain have no idea whatsoever that there are clothes to be had beyond their crumbling High St. Even online (after the carping about how difficult online shopping is) most women still only use a tiny handful of dated, poor quality shops. Only environmental concerns seem to prompt any wider curiosity or impetus to find other sources.

Of course it's great for the greedy, lazy, been around forever clothing brands. Imagine a woman of 60 thinking she need not bother to dress up for a wedding because no one will be looking at her. Imagine a woman of 40 (millions apparently if MN is anything to go by) plaintively asking if she's too old to wear ... jeans, or trainers or a certain colour coat.

I do feel slightly grateful that heritage meant I had a different perspective, growing up. I'm the same generation as the OP; I thoroughly expect to be noticed when I leave the house.

It is depressing that weddings are now no longer about committing to a lifelong relationship and more about what guests wear

I agree that would be very depressing if it were true.

I loved the fact that people dressed up for my wedding. I’m divorced now but still love looking at the photos of my guests from time to time. (I loved my dress too of course.)

Sorry it’s a no from me. It’s too everyday and casual for a wedding. You don’t have to spend ££ to find alternatives that are comfortable.

I think it looks lovely, and you can dress it up with jewellery, hat and nice wrap.

Neckline is fine but I don't think it's suitable for a wedding unless it is very informal. I'm sorry, I think it's a bit frumpy, shapeless and not a flattering length.

It reminds me of a nightdress. But if you feel comfortable and confident in it, go for it. It's not offensive, just a bit too casual.

My boss came to my wedding in a cotton beach dress. All the other guests were dressed up. She didn't appear to be self conscious and I was glad she was there and joining the celebration.

@squashyhat - While the dress you have shown us in the OP is lovely, it is too casual for a wedding. It looks well on you but I would agree with the other posters who have said that it would be too casual for wearing at a wedding.

Do you mind me asking the following questions -
What size do you normally take?
Do you normally wear dresses or trousers & a top combinations (even in casual wear)?

The reason that I ask the second question is that you could find a lovely pair of trousers and a top and be so comfortable in them and then your confidence will shine through. However if you only wear dresses for special occasions, you may be fidgeting while wearing it and feel very self conscious and you won't relax while wearing it no matter how comfortable the dress happens to be. (Of course this train of thought also works in reverse).

Can you come back with the answers to these questions please and we will have a good old browse of the internet for you

I'm thinking something like this would be a better style on you - it nips in at the waist and you could have your wrap or cardigan to wear with it and is a lovely length:
www.hobbs.com/product/carly-floral-dress/0121-5675-9022L01-NAVY-IVORY.html#cgid=occasion-wedding-guest&is=false&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=0121-5675-9022L01-NAVY-IVORY&pos=14

Or to add a splash of colour while still not being too out-there:
www.hobbs.com/product/petite-carly-floral-midi-dress/0120-5675-9022L04-BLACK-PINK.html#navAjax=true&imageType=model&is=false&sz=60&start=59&cgid=occasion-wedding-guest&isSecondPage=false&pid=0120-5675-9022L04-BLACK-PINK&pos=80

For a trousers & top combo - this is gorgeous:
www.hobbs.com/product/lalena-wide-leg-trouser/0121-8042-3786L00-POPPY-RED.html#isSecondPage=false&start=59&sz=60&is=false&imageType=model&cgid=occasion-wedding-guest&pid=0121-8042-3786L00-POPPY-RED&pos=93 (the first picture)