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!

I like this one:
www.theprettydresscompany.com/shop-c1/dresses-c2/the-pretty-dress-company-hourglass-vintage-rose-pencil-dress-p387#attribute%5B1%5D=39

[quote Ashard20]I got married in a black Phase Eight dress which was very forgiving because it was stretchy and also had a beautiful texture. I was just idly googling and saw this - a wild card maybe, compared to the others?
www.phase-eight.com/product/kandice-fringe-dress-204981731.html?utm_source=rakutenmarketing&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=2132980:ShopStyle+UK&utm_content=10&utm_term=uknetwork&ranMID=44103&ranEAID=0RpXOIXA500&ranSiteID=0RpXOIXA500-Z_1ihyKR9VhX5xcGoSed4Q[/quote]
That's pretty - but only in a size 8. I'll have a look at Phase 8 though to see if there's anything else...

I LOVE the jumpsuit.

My only concern would be if I needed to pee.

Love the Vivian Westwood dress.

At those prices though, you could buy a beautiful dress from a bridal shop for less.

I like these Phase eight dresses but not sure they're very wedding-y:

www.phase-eight.com/product/zendaya-floral-dress-220729334.html

www.phase-eight.com/product/arya-floral-frill-hem-sleeveless-midi-dress-207664000.html

@user2908143823142536475859708

I LOVE the jumpsuit.

My only concern would be if I needed to pee.

Love the Vivian Westwood dress.

At those prices though, you could buy a beautiful dress from a bridal shop for less.

I love the jumpsuit too but apart from the fact it’s expensive it’s probably exactly what wouldn’t suit my Apple shape.

I would worry about wetting myself too!

I really don’t want to spend £££ on an outfit for one day and ideally I’d like to buy something I would be able to wear again.

You might be able to find the Westwood or similar from a preloved outlet?

@GettingMarriedAgain I’d hunt for the Vivienne Westwood dress on a rental site!

I've been looking at the Pretty Dress Company website that ilovecardigans posted. There's a few options on there.

What do you think about this one?

Get the Westwood one. It's absolutely stunning and 15% off. And you can wear it again.

Get it woman!

@Movinghouseatlast

Get the Westwood one. It's absolutely stunning and 15% off. And you can wear it again.

Get it woman!

But it's SO expensive.

And someone (I think Dozer?) said it probably won't look good on my tummy.

And when would I ever wear a white dress again?

What about this preloved Vivienne Westwood? Might be a bit of a squeeze though as it's a 12... think I'd really need a 14

[quote GettingMarriedAgain]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[/quote]
I love love love the jumpsuit.

Personally I love the jumpsuit too, it’s gorgeous and would make such a cool wedding outfit. I’d go for that.

@Bluntness100

Personally I love the jumpsuit too, it’s gorgeous and would make such a cool wedding outfit. I’d go for that.

It is really cool, isn't it?

But I fear that I am not in any way cool - in my head I'm dressing my younger much skinnier self (which I did not appreciate at the time) - I really don't understand how to dress for my 52 year old lumpier body. I don't want to end up looking like a teletubby!

I think I'm going to have to go and try some things on aren't I?

Maybe I could buy the bodice top like the top of the jumpsuit and some cheaper flappy trousers?

What about these trousers with a fitted bodice? I already have these but haven't worn them.

www.charlesvermont.co.uk/collections/dresses-jumpsuits/products/frank-lyman-dress-style-226619

@GettingMarriedAgain

I've been looking at the Pretty Dress Company website that ilovecardigans posted. There's a few options on there.

What do you think about this one?

This is gorgeous! Very elegant

Honestly? I’d go for the jump suit, the trousers,,,not so much,

bluejelly "This is gorgeous! Very elegant"

I like it. I've ordered this dress from that site today so I'll see how the fit is and if it looks nice I might order the white one too.

@Bluntness100

Honestly? I’d go for the jump suit, the trousers,,,not so much,

Fair enough!

I've taken all my measurements today and I do think the waist will be too fitted on the jumpsuit so think I'll give that a miss.

Have you had a look at the Nancy Mac website? They do gorgeous dresses and jumpsuits and will customise them for you. That’s what I’m going to get if I get married again!!

this could be good for an apple with good legs

If Vivienne Westwood suits you, it’s worth a good look around as there will be various second hand or discounted dresses available especially if you’re not wedded (sorry) to white. I have to say though, I think Westwood is made for hourglasses.

Agree Pretty Dress Company, Phase Eight are worth a good look. Chi Chi London is worth a look too as is Monsoon.

dont agree at all about the dress not looking good on a wider middle. when a dress is ruched it is much more forgiving.

anyway, here are my offerings! can you tell I love silkfred lol:

www.silkfred.com/womens/clothing/dresses/day-dresses/hoxton-gal/plated-oversized-layered-dress-in-cream

this one is great for disgusing problem areas.

www.silkfred.com/womens/clothing/dresses/mini-dresses/rag-and-doll/philippa-dotty-off-shoulder-tie-mini-dress-white

this one I just love so if you're feeling brave why not!

www.silkfred.com/womens/clothing/dresses/beryozlondon/nila-dress-in-white

again this one I think would just be flattering on problem areas.

www.silkfred.com/womens/clothing/dresses/anne-louise-boutique/papillon-maxi-dress-in-floral-print

this one is beautiful. I can imagine with the length you could worry about the frumpy side but the sheer sleeves counteracts the length as you can see skin so it's not so buttoned up if you get me.

www.prettylittlething.com/champagne-satin-off-the-shoulder-draped-skirt-midi-dress.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google_shopping&utm_content=uk&utm_term=product_target&istCompanyId=3b233929-048d-4b79-a672-b37827e7282d&istFeedId=995a7449-4b91-4f81-8010-f9c5da786479&istItemId=iqxqrqppi&istBid=tzwl&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoY-PBhCNARIsABcz7734eVv2RcoswEWVlIjoujUkwu78p53Iw59pe7HZjgluPwkyGb1ZT9waAhuCEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

lastly this one is such a flattering shape and an absolute steal

How are you getting in, @GettingMarriedAgain ? Any contenders?