Wedding outfit for my DM

[Ratonastick]

We have a family wedding coming up and I need to help my lovely Mum look fantastic. Long story short is that she had a near miss with her health last year and we didn’t think she’d make it to the do. The groom is a much loved great nephew and the bride wants Mum to be fairly central as there are no grandparents.

To the problem. Mum is in her mid 70s, size 20 and about 5ft4. Historically we would have gone straight to Jacques Vert but not sure about the current equivalent. She likes Gina Bacconi but not keen on mail order and wants to be able to go somewhere to try on. She’s quite keen on a personal shopper or similar to help her out. I’ve tried John Lewis who basically said they didn’t do much over a 16 in store. Things like Selfridges look a bit thin (and young).

To be honest I’m at a bit of a loss, so does anyone have any suggestions?

How about Roman Originals?
Take some pins and assume anything can be shortened if necessary.

If you want both high-end and plus-size I'd try and work out the possible brands then try and find a stockist. She could try on for style and then order correct sizes as a follow up.

I think she wants higher end. As I said, Gina Bacconi is pretty spot on but I can’t find a stockist. I wondered about Marina Rinaldi too.

There was a thread not so long ago about alternatives to Jaques Vert, although I think a lot of the suggestions might have been online. I can't look for it now but I'll try later if you didn't see it?

Have you tried any of the bridal shops thst have a mother of the bride section?

Also do a search for mother of the Bride plus size and where you live to find specialists who will probably also be able to do alterations.

House of Fraser sell Gina B, but don't know how much size 20 stock they'll have. They do a lot of other high end stuff though, so maybe give you enough choice.

DM always found lovely stuff from Eastex, and she is similar build.

This is the thread I was thinking about - a lot of the suggestions are online but not all of them:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/4332869-Similar-to-Jaques-Vert

That thread looks really helpful, thanks for digging it out. It’s all a bit of a nightmare. Eastex, Windsmoor, Jacques Vert, Debenhams, etc are all kaput. House of Fraser doesn’t seem to have much of anything. JL only do plus sizes online. I tell you, there is a niche opportunity here!

I agree Ratona. I'm only 40ish, but am a size 22 and tall. Can I find a gown for a Christmas Ball?! Nope.

Have a look at actual wedding dress shops - lots of them do MOB outfits these days.

Monsoon go up to a 24 in lots of things and at least a 20 in every item.

It's also not expensive to have an outfit adjusted by a seamstress - I thought it was out of my reach, but I had two dresses tailored at the bust for £25, so worth doing.

I find it astonishing how resistant John Lewis are to plus sizes — loads of market for them.
If you are around London you might try Beige Plus - the world’s worst name for a boutique but they carry Marina Rinaldi and other high end plus lines and I imagine can help with advice.
www.beigeplus.com/

Where are you based? Try ringing local boutiques of the type that cater for occasion wear and MOB
Big outlet stores round here such as boundary mill have great selection of plus sizes and higher end brands
I can think of lots in north west maybe others can do same near you

I don’t know where you are but a few peoples mums have got dresses from here www.comptonhouseoffashion.co.uk/
They seem to do large sizes and could be a nice day out if not too much of a trek….

These are great, you’re all brilliant! Both Beige Plus (sack the marketing guy that named it!) and Compton look like they could be just the ticket. We’re on the south coast so both are a day out but very do-able.

I got a lovely "Aunt of the Bride" dress from a local boutique.

This is beautiful www.johnlewis.com/adrianna-papell-plus-size-beaded-midi-dress-glacier/p5603625