Godmother outfit

[BottomlessPit]

Help please! Looking for an outfit for a christening. I’m in my 40s and haven’t bought any smart, weddings outfits for years! Now have mum tum, huge boobs and broad shoulders. Any suggested outfits please?! I’d like a dress and cardigan/shawl (to cover my boobs if required!) with shoes that don’t clip clop too much in church!! Thanks for any help xx

Size? Budget? Where do you usually shop? What’s the context of the christening - Eaton Square or Cold Comfort Farm?

FWIW - regardless of their dress size I’d be mildly disappointed if the friend I’d asked to be godmother to my child turned up in a … cardigan. (Particularly one chosen not for stylishness but as a cloak of invisibility.)

Budget - up to £150 for the dress. I have some Phase Eight for my smarter things. Cardigan - what would you wear otherwise?! Happy to take advice! I’m definitely a jeans, trainers and hoodie type person so pretty rubbish at matching up outfits. Context of wedding - suburban. I’d like to look smart. Just FWIW not everyone is comfortable in their own skin so cloaks of invisibility can be a godsend when stood at the front of a church and everyone is looking towar de you.

Just a thought, but what about a smart suit? I know hardly anyone wears them anymore, but I think they're due a comeback for formal occasions as they're, well, smart!

I'll have a quick look...

I've had a bit of Google but realised without knowing your size, colour preferences etc, it's a bit pointless.

Hobbs and Phase Eight do them, if the idea appeals, though you'd need to look to the sales to get something for your budget, or there's plenty of lovely second hand ones on eBay, Oxfam and Etsy.

I certainly think it would look better than a dress and cardigan, and the tailoring might help you feel more confident about your shape.

Googling has made me realise I really miss suits myself, but I have absolutely no occasion to wear one these days.

Thanks @GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal! That’s kind. I’ll have a look at some suits. I’m never sure about jackets over dresses. They end up looking a bit head teacher-y on me! I’d like to find a ‘go to’ smart jacket but never really have.
Size 12 at the bottom, 14 up top so for a dress would depend on style. Colours not too fussy. I normally end up going dark but it’s from a lack of imagination and courage! Happy to try something different. Thank you

To look smart you want a beautifully simple Spring coat, in linen or silk (or viscose at a push) preferably lined, in your most flattering colour. Probably just below knee length. With a simple, co-ordinating dress. Replace any fabric belt on dress with leather. (That sounds a bit … majestic. Perhaps with good reason; it’s an infallible outfit for this sort of occasion, and won’t make you look like the Queen unless you already do.)

Do not wear anything that splits you in half at the waist. Don’t wear short sleeves - they make any not-thin person look block-y. So either sleeveless or long sleeved.

(Having said all that, and not knowing your size, these are three example of coat wearing, with trousers, or frock, from Zara. Not suggesting the vest!)

My budget could be higher.

(Sorry, missed posts above - I’m not specifically disagreeing with GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal! I’d say a trouser suit in a Spring colour would look less corporate or … prissy than a skirt suit.)

@BottomlessPit

Thanks *@GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal*! That’s kind. I’ll have a look at some suits. I’m never sure about jackets over dresses. They end up looking a bit head teacher-y on me! I’d like to find a ‘go to’ smart jacket but never really have. Size 12 at the bottom, 14 up top so for a dress would depend on style. Colours not too fussy. I normally end up going dark but it’s from a lack of imagination and courage! Happy to try something different. Thank you

No, I would go for a jacket over a dress, I think that's a bit MOB, but a smart jacket with co-ordinating trousers or skirt would be very chic, and occasion appropriate.

Plus it makes two different sizes on your top and bottom half (I am too!) a lot easier to shop for, and you can get more wear out of each one by wearing them separately - jacket with jeans, trousers with t-shirt - for less formal looks.

I need someone to invite me to a smart I occasion now!

There are blazrs that are half way between a cardigan and a blazer so somewhat smart but not office wear or coats... jersey or cotton or knitted.

I don't think cardigans are one category to be dismissed out of hand though - the range of what constitutes a cardigan is as huge as the category of "dress" which can also be anything from a t shirt dress to a tiny mini only suited to clubbing to a floaty floral maxi to office smart to a ball gown etc etc...

There are some beautiful crocheted cover up cardigans and kimono style cover ups too...

Just for inspiration (that is - looking without intention to purchase) I’d suggest a browse here:

www.matchesfashion.com/womens/designers/raey

for a general idea of ‘grown up fashion’. Partly because they often use glamorous models who are actually past their teens, but mostly because the clothes are beautiful. The general look can be replicated, more or less, at any price point from other shops.

I meant I wouldn't wear a jacket over a dress - but actually then I saw the outfit TottersBlankly posted, and I would wear the hell out of that, had I the money or occasion to!

And Arket has a nice selection of jackets and trousers - though you may want to go and try on in person if you haven’t shopped with them before.

This jacket and trousers from Cos look pretty good. (Not my favourite shape of jacket - single breasted would be better, but the general idea might be helpful.)

(That’s enough work avoidance from me. )

Stupidly, I had a quick look at coats on MaxMara - and now I want to cry.

(Why do none of my late middle aged friends have small babies needing a beautifully dressed godmother? )

Just be warned - I was a Godmother 3 years ago and found out the hard way that churches can be absolutely freezing even in Spring.

I ended up in my leather jacket over my carefully chosen outfit!!

Everyone else was posher than me and they did wear suit jackets with skirts or dresses and heels. They didn't seem to feel the cold!!
I felt cold even at the after party!

My carefully chosen outfit that got covered up by the leather jacket unfortunately was:

A black floral Wallis shift style dress,
A rose pink little Dorothy Perkins cardi matching the pink in the flowers on the dress,
Rose gold flats from M&S as I didn't want to trip up the aisle in heels!

Brilliant, thanks so much for all taking the time to reply on this! I'll have a look. @TottersBlankly I think you may have ruined me by sending those websites. There's some lovely stuff. @SommerTen That's a very good point on the cold church! I think that may be a good excuse to go with one of @TottersBlankly very expensive coats @ThatsNotItAtAll Thank you for the support with my love of a good cardigan! I'll have a good browse online after work. I don't live somewhere that has access to these kind of shops so it will have to be an online punt and then try on at home! Thank you again

It’s a pleasure - and made for an entertaining morning!

Btw, I have scarcely been into a physical clothes shop in the last decade. Except TK Maxx - whose Gold Label selection has been an intermittent joy - particularly for coats. (I never go near the main clothing department.) I’ve found online shopping has really taken on the mantle (…) of bringing all the best of the world to my door.

@BottomlessPit yes definitely don't make the mistake of not taking a smart coat like I did

4 female godmothers. This is what the upper classes wear to Christenings these days.

Is your style slightly boho?



All of the recent christenings I've been to have taken place during Sunday morning service. You can normally distinguish between the christening party and the regular congregation because the former are overdressed and the latter are in jeans and coats to keep warm.

Just wear some nice trousers with boots and a smart top, plus jacket. Churches are always freezing!

Sorry my photo didn't attach - third time lucky.