Wedding attire woes

[VeryGoodVeryNice]

I’m attending a wedding this weekend as a guest, and I have precisely one day to get something sorted to wear. In my defence, I’ve been working/busy non stop for weeks and haven’t had the opportunity to go shopping.

What the fuck do I wear? I know this is ridiculous but I haven’t been to a wedding as a guest for over 20 years, my friends aren’t the marrying kind I guess!

It’s a catholic wedding in Ireland if that makes any difference. I’m heading into town tomorrow to see what I can find but I know panic will set in and it’s going to be traumatic.

I’m 41 (but look younger), size 10, quite tall. Would like to look up to date, classy but not like someone’s nan.

I never go anywhere smart so I need everything, including shoes, accessories etc. Also, do I need some kind of jacket or something in the church? What’s the done thing?

Please give me some starting points.

Covered arms were never a thing in my lifetime. Maybe in the 1950's.

There’s a branch of Toast in Bath, I’m sure they could sort you out with a summer dress that could be dressed up . Some lovely dresses this season . Size down / try on what they have , sizing a bit odd , don’t just go by the label .

Don't worry about arms covered etc. There are no additional requirements for modest dress in Irish churches, just normal appropriate attire. Here in west of Ireland today it's 17degrees overcast and showery so I'd get a light jacket or very dressy cropped cardigan just for your own comfort. Churches are always cold! People in Ireland do tend to dress up a lot for weddings, but I'm talking Phase 8, Coast etc. you don't need to spend the mortgage!! Younger women especially go full on glam for hair & makeup.

Make a plan.

Do a list of shops to visit. Go to the most likely ones first.

Do a bit of research on line. So you know what's around.

probably Dress plus Jacket . Headgear not necessary but something might catch your eye.

Shoes

Bag ( you can go cheap here - just to match )

Hopefully you can at least wear the jacket again. I hate buying stuff I'll only wear once or twice. If not clean it and put it straight on ebay when you get back.

Oh and I've been to tons of Irish weddings and never worn headgear.

Ha, well a little update to amuse you all.

I knew this would happen because it always does. I was out and about earlier which took me only 20 mins away from Yeovil. I thought it might be worth popping into there, there’s a big Next and if all else fails then there’s a Monsoon. My cunning plan was in and out in and hour, then back home by lunchtime with a wedding outfit sorted.

So I get to Next and wander up and down, and it’s all really casual, beach type stuff. I thought I must be missing something so I asked a shop assistant if they have any wedding guest type dresses. She laughed at me 🤣 and said no it’s all online.

Never mind, I thought, I’ll go into town and try Monsoon. Well Monsoon is closed, permanently, it turns out, along with just about every other shop in Yeovil. I even went into M&S but I was honestly the only person below pension age who was browsing the rails, and I thought no this isn’t the one.

Other than H&M and Primark, I don’t think there are any other clothes shops here. Just boarded up shops and charity shops.

That will teach me for trying to be clever. Bath here I come. I have just had a nice pasty though so it’s not all bad. Panic hasn’t set in yet, I’m still seeing the funny side.

Charity Shops you say?

You may laugh OP but I've managed to get my last three wedding outfits from Charity shops. All Monsoon pure silk and £20 a pop. However I wouldn't recommend it if you just had a day to do it as I have a choice of about 4 charity shops in a naice area.

Enjoy your pasty !

I did have a look in my local charity shop the other day but there was nothing, it was all a bit 10 years ago. And yes I don’t think my time constraints allow for charity shops today 🤣

If you are 41 and size 10, I would look at Reiss and whistles rather than phase eight (which is much older IMO). Reiss always have some gorgeous wedding stuff. Maybe look at Sandro or Maje if they have stores in Bath and you are willing to splash out.

I agree with Verity1, you're too young for Phase 8, Anthropologie have some lovely dresses too and self portrait if you're willing to splash out.

Anthropologie in Bath may well be worth a look as they often have beautiful dresses.

Ok in Bath and parked! I’ll head to Reiss first and see what they’ve got.

How are you getting on @VeryGoodVeryNice?

I hope you are having a successful trip!

Mission complete. I got a really nice dress and cardigan in Hobbs. The sales assistant was Irish which was quite helpful and she scared me into going to Accessorize and getting a fascinator because she was insistent that it was necessary 🤣.

It’s a navy dress and cardigan, and I got silver sandals, silver clutch, and a new necklace and earrings. And the fascinator of course. I’m out and about again now otherwise I’d post a pic of the dress but I’ll see if I can find a pic online.

This is the one. Have a million and one things to do tonight but when I get home I’ll try it all on and hope it doesn’t look shit as an ensemble. I’m not convinced by the shoes I got but it was near on impossible to find some silver strappy sandals!

You definitely don't need a fascinator here in Ireland. The last wedding I was at was last summer and only the mother of the bride and groom wore fascinators. I think they are gone out of fashion here for weddings.

Lovely dress. Glad your mission was successful.

The dress looks gorgeous!
Against fascinators or headpieces are not out of style but it's a personal choice.
I adore them!
Delighted you go sorted now it's just enjoy the wedding time.xome back and tell us all the craic!

Well done!

Oh god now I’m worried about the fascinator. Don’t want to look like I’m trying to be above my station if no one else is wearing them! I’ve never even met the people getting married. It’s my bf’s friends. Maybe I’ll have it in the car and make a decision as we get there 🤣

I'm in Ireland at the moment. Weather has been odd this week. Very warm all week but overcast & showery too. Still it's been about 21 degrees all week most of the time.

Dress is fab and hair pieces are hit & miss at weddings here. You won't look out of place with or without one.

Well done OP. Looking good.

Fascinators are always divisive. 🤷‍♀️

If you’re going to wear a hat, make it a hat, and not a fascinator. They are so fucking twee.

Your dress is lovely, dressy enough on its own.

Oh god so I’ve just been messaging my bf’s brothers’s gf who is in Ireland, and she said that most people get their hair and make up done, so that bit’s true! I’m going to have to do my own, we’ll be in the arse end of nowhere and I’ve nothing booked in. The thing that is troubling me most about this is eye make up. I can do a semi reasonable Smokey eye thing but would that be a bit much for day time? If so what colour eyeshadow do you reckon for navy dress, silver accessories, hazel eyes?