Arghhh I am to be a size 14 50 year old bridesmaid! Help!

[FatCatSkinnyRat]

Hi there, I am set to be a 50 year old bridesmaid for my best friend who is the same age and getting married for the first time.

I am size 14, pale complexion and drown hair, and quite tall at 5'9.5". I have a generally OK and in proportion shape. I don't want frills or froth - I am too old for that kind of stuff, and please don't recommend me satin as I know it would look awful on dimply old me. I'd prefer not to show my decolletage due to lines but my arms are OK.

My friend does not care at all what I wear and I am the only female in the bridal party so don't need to coordinate with anyone. She also doesn't care about colour. She wants me to get something I will wear again, which I do too.

This is the only thing I have found so far that I like - it's probably top end of my budget as I'd wear it again:
thefoldlondon.com/product/ultimate-wool-melrose-dress-english-rose/

Any ideas? I've trawled through the pages on here ref bridesmaid but everything seems aged at twenty-somethings or mothers of the bride.

Thanks stylish people!

Oh, spring wedding - April, if that helps.

That’s a lovely dress.
Just a thought - I have found the ladies in Johb Lewis very helpful and honest. Maybe book a style appointment there? Even if don’t get anything they might make suggestions that would be helpful for other shops.

I love that dress, very classy!
I wore a similar shade as an older bridesmaid once, it felt feminine and muted and the bride approved it beforehand!

The dress you've posted is beautiful. Hobbs might be a good shout, too. I found this one on sale but I think it might still be a touch early for the spring/summer colours, unless you want to look at ebay or vinted for second hand. Maybe give it another month and see of more appropriate colours and sleeve lengths are available?

www.hobbs.com/product/alva-belted-dress/0222-5052-9845L00-LAGOON-BLUE.html#isSecondPage=false&start=0&sz=60&is=true&cgid=clothing-dresses&prefn1=dressType&prefv1=Shift&pid=0222-5052-9845L00-LAGOON-BLUE&pos=36

The dress you have chosen seems perfect

Dress you’ve chosen seems perfect - no need to doubt yourself!

Sounds as if it’ll be a gorgeous wedding.

That's a great choice, and you will wear it again!

This dress comes in lots of colours . There is also a sleeveless similar dress.
The one you have linked to from the Fold is lovely though. Green dress

I only add this because you asked for alternatives. It’s pretty much the same, but long, and sleeveless.

www.matchesfashion.com/products/Raey-Cowl-back-seam-detail-silk-maxi-dress-1503930

Thanks so much everyone for your vote of confidence in the dress I selected. I was worried "wool" would not be bridesmaidy enough. I can't tell you how many dresses I have looked at over the past few weeks. I'll get it ordered and try it on to see how it looks - and what my friend thinks!

Just also to say I would wear every single one of the dresses you have all linked to, so will save them us backup options. Thanks for remotely styling me so well and understanding what I am looking for.

OP, perhaps all of us are thinking of Harriet Vane’s wedding? Her bridesmaids are academics from her old Oxford college in their Sunday best and furs. (Guardian.)

I love the thought of something restrained and sober - it’s exactly what I’d want in a bridesmaid (if I ever felt the need for such a thing).

That's a beautiful dress op

My goodness OP, I thought you were my bridesmaid for a minute (but my wedding is in May). Following for tips for my dear friend too. I hope you find something you feel good in.

Love the dress you've chosen. Let us know how you get on with it

The dress you're looking at is gorgeous, but wool in April, might that be tricky?

Have you looked at Nancy Mac? Or Ghost?

I have that dress in navy for work. It’s beautifully made with a good lining and sits incredibly well. I’m a chunky shortarse so if it works for me, it’s definitely going to work for you! It’s quite heavy fabric, so I would say perfect for an April wedding without a coat.

Is the wedding in a chruch or registry office / hotel etc. With it being an April wedding, I wondered whether, if it was a registry office / hotel etc. wedding, you could incorporate a coat, maybe fur collar, as it may still be chilly.