Wedding outfit - please help!

[JuteWeaver]

Hello all. I'm hoping for your advice/ideas/suggestions.

I'm going to a wedding in July; I'm the groom's step-mother and am delighted to be one of the mums!

I'm 52 and don't want to wear those usual 'mother of the bride/groom' outfits that you see when you type that phrase into Google. That kind of outfit just isn't 'me.' I'm hoping to find something a bit more modern. Not trend led, just more up to date. I hope I'm making sense.

Can anyone recommend some smaller or lesser know brands, or even individual dresses?

I'm 5ft 7" and a size 16. I have quite big boobs (34FF/G). As a result of yo-yo dieting over the years, I've been left with something of a 'spare tyre' which I'm hoping to disguise with some good shapewear and clever dressing.

I'm looking for a dress with, preferably, a v or scooped neck, comes in at the waist and flares gently out over my lower belly and hips. I'd love silk or similar, definitely a soft fabric, and don't like satin, cotton or linen. I don't mind man-made fabrics if they don't look cheap, though. I would like midi length as I have bandy legs and they show with anything around knee length. Full or ankle length I think would be a bit much so I believe midi is right for me.

I'm limited to wearing flats due to arthritis, but I might be persuaded to wear shoes or sandals with a very low heel as its such a special occasion.

Lastly, the wedding is in a Catholic church so I would prefer some kind of sleeve. I would buy a smart blazer, though, if need be, then cover up. I would prefer half or 3/4 sleeves anyway as my upper arms are a bit slack. I can go up to about £300 for a dress. I'm near to Glasgow but I'd prefer online for shopping.

I'm asking for a lot I know. But I know you all love a challenge! Please can you help me look and feel fabulous? Thank you.

Because you have very clear ideas/requirements, you have a couple of choices:

1. personal shopper (free in many big dot stores or pay someone and they'll sort out your whole wardrobe as part of the service which is nice)
2. But online from a retailer with a lots of choice. Eg join Lewis, go into the dresses section and use the filters to find stuff that's in your size, in stock, and has the features you want. Because you know what silhouette you want, you can scroll quickly through to spot something that's the right shape.

Good luck and enjoy the party!

Have a look on Lyst or The Outnet

www.whistles.com/product/tropical-flower-silk-dress-30303.html?ranMID=24794&ranEAID=0RpXOIXA500&ranSiteID=0RpXOIXA500-jOJtHssbEJ_oH7KllnGJfA&utm_source=LS&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=ShopStyle+UK

If you have a look at MaxMara you’ll see several silk twill dresses. They’re considerably over your budget but will almost certainly be reduced in the sales long before July.

Dancing leopard

I posted recently as I'm mob and got some good advice.
I eventually bought a dress from Silkfred, have a look on line, you can filter on occassion, length, colour etc.
I got a dress for under £100 and now can spend a bit more on accessories.
There's loads of dresses, lots of ideas but I'd recommend getting two sizes and go up a size in one of them, the return process is easy

Thank you all for your advice. I'm off to have a look at your suggestions! X