Help needed to find a non-wedding dress wedding dress

[GettingMarriedAgain]

I hope you lot can help me - I'm getting married for the second time this summer and don't really know what to wear. We're going to have a relaxed informal wedding party a few days after we get married in a registry office so I'm not looking for a proper wedding dress but I'd like to wear something special.

I'm early 50s, 5 foot 5, and size 12 - my middle is much bigger than it used to be so am a bit confused about what suits me these days. I'm hoping to lose a bit of weight by the summer but probably best to avoid things with a skinny/fitted waist. My legs are ok.

I'd like something that I feel comfortable in, that makes me feel like it's a special day and is ok for my age without being frumpy! I'll post a few pictures of things I like but I'm not sure if they'd be ok. Some of them are more money than I want to spend. Budget ideally no more than £300.

Thank you!

Beautiful Vivienne Westwood dress (but very pricey):
www.matchesfashion.com/us/products/Vivienne-Westwood-Ginnie-draped-satin-dress-1336646

I love this Catherine Deane jumpsuit but I'm not sure it would suit me (and it's pricey):
www.catherinedeane.co.uk/products/ryo-jumpsuit

I like the style of this Bombshell dress but not the colour:
www.bombshellhq.com/collections/dresses/products/dark-academia-roses-bombshell-3-4-sleeve-confident-dress

I quite like the idea of a suit but that might be too formal and I fear I might look like an old Elvis impersonator.

An example:
www.nadinemerabi.com/collections/nadine-merabi-bridal/products/meghan-white-blazer

Congratulations! That Westwood dress is amazing!

The first Vivian Westwood dress is gorgeous. Buy it, try it on and see how you feel. You can always return it if you don't like it.

Needle and Thread have a sale on at the moment with some lovely dresses.

I fear I might look like an old Elvis impersonator.

I wonder if this is better or worse that Suzi Quatro's fat nan?

@Gettingthereslowly2020

The first Vivian Westwood dress is gorgeous. Buy it, try it on and see how you feel. You can always return it if you don't like it.

It is beautiful. But it's more than £1,000!

Love the Westwood, not keen on the jumpsuit, do feel that you need to be tall to pull it off. Love the style of the Bombshell, very forgiving.

The Bombshell dress comes in various colours/patterns. Put Confident dress into the site search bar & they come up.

@HalloumiLovers

Needle and Thread have a sale on at the moment with some lovely dresses.

I think I must be too old for those as I think I'd just look frumpy!

@Ducksurprise

I fear I might look like an old Elvis impersonator.

I wonder if this is better or worse that Suzi Quatro's fat nan?

I suspect it's worse

I wouldn’t have posted this as people seem to think that 50s repro clothing means ‘fancy dress’ but as you seem to like the pencil type dress from the Westwood and bombshell sites then this:

www.vivienofholloway.com/women-c70/dresses-c10/sarong-set-c191/sarong-silver-sparkle-bolero-set-p3777

The fabric is beautiful in real life, it’s also available in champagne and white satin

Here's 3 of the Bombshell dress versions. There's a beautiful colbalt blue amongst others as well.

Get the Westwood.

@IGoWalkingAfterMidnight

I wouldn’t have posted this as people seem to think that 50s repro clothing means ‘fancy dress’ but as you seem to like the pencil type dress from the Westwood and bombshell sites then this:

www.vivienofholloway.com/women-c70/dresses-c10/sarong-set-c191/sarong-silver-sparkle-bolero-set-p3777

The fabric is beautiful in real life, it’s also available in champagne and white satin

That does look lovely but I don't think it's quite right for me - I don't think I'm glam enough for the top bit and the waist looks too fitted!

I like the Westwood and the Bombshell because I think they're both quite forgiving. I'm not especially curvy but I like the style.

@CoffeeBeansGalore

Here's 3 of the Bombshell dress versions. There's a beautiful colbalt blue amongst others as well.

The gold one is almost there. I'm just not sure I'm booby enough to carry it off.

@BestIsWest

Get the Westwood.

Oh, it is lovely. I was hoping you'd all suggest something I haven't found that looks a bit like the Westwood but costs £200!

How about something from Nancy Mac?

www.nancymac.co.uk/#

@Ducksurprise

I fear I might look like an old Elvis impersonator.

I wonder if this is better or worse that Suzi Quatro's fat nan?

🤣🤣🤣

Would you consider renting a dress from mywardrobehq

www.johnlewis.com/adrianna-papell-knit-crepe-tiered-knee-length-dress/p5885721

www.johnlewis.com/adrianna-papell-glitter-tulle-midi-dress-mellow-blush/p5559659

Rent a dress like Carrie Johnson www.mywardrobehq.com/wedding-dress-edit

@KittenCatcher beat me to it!

Also have a look at the Outnet

www.theoutnet.com/en-us/shop/product/badgley-mischka/dresses/knee-length-dress/pleated-crepe-peplum-dress/33258524072309504

Do you know a dressmaker who could copy the Vivienne Westwood dress?

www.mywardrobehq.com/