“Tenue formelle” for a Paris wedding at the end of the summer?

[Passerillage]

So I gather this is formal suits for men rather than black tie, but what is the most chic style for women at the moment? Cocktail length? Full length?

Could anyone in Paris give me an example of what a typically chic wedding guest might wear? The wedding is in a very upmarket church and the reception is on a boat, with dancing til the wee hours. I can cover my arms with a smart jacket at the church.

I am 5’6” and slim, flat chest/no hips and early 40’s but look younger. I’m reasonably cool. My budget is around £300 but I’m good at replicating looks and digging stuff up on eBay. I love one shouldered looks.

I like this style - is it too basic? I feel like this template but a bit more oomph might work?

https://www.mintvelvet.co.uk/products/navy-one-shoulder-midi-dress

And is this too dressy? It looks like it would be wonderfully comfortable to wear for the 12 hours!!

https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/jenny-yoo-cybill-one-shoulder-stretch-velvet-gown_R03983415/

I've just posted similar on the thread about an Italian/French wedding, but it really comes down to how comfortable you are, potentially standing out.

The French are competitive under-dressers and it's uncool to overdress. The ideal is to look ravishing, but also as if you spent 5 minutes getting ready, and "I just threw on the first thing that came to hand" (that just happens to fit like a glove and be the perfect colour for me). So, if you want to blend in, I would go with a short (as in not long evening wear) dress in a neutral colour. But, as a foreigner, you also have the option of standing out and showcasing British fashion eclecticism.

If you do want to blend in, the dresses you have found are lovely, but I would consider the long one tenue de soirée. The shorter one - maybe - but the formal church might push me to something that is more day wear. Depends a bit on the time of day though. If it's mid afternoon onwards, and the reception is an evening do, I think it would be OK with shoulders covered in church.

Agree with the underdressing, what that looks like is only doing about half of what you would normally do for a wedding. So for example if you would normally do hairdo/fake tan/full make up/dress/ jewelry/nails/bag/shoes, in France it would be nice dress (the one you've picked is lovely), hair loose and simple, or messy tied up, elegant bangle, simple shoes. Skin polished and looking perfect, nails natural, low key make up with maybe strong lippy if everything else is low key. I would look at your strongest points and emphasise them.

Yes, definitely no fake tan unless it's so subtle as to be undetectable and you must be able to walk in elegantly in whatever heel height you go for. Nails - anything other than Chanel Ballerina is illegal on the Île de France 😉

@MissLucyEyelesbarrow "The French are competitive under-dressers and it's uncool to overdress." Yes - I suspected this and it's good to have the reassurance - and good to know that long is a step too far. The ceremony is at 3pm and then all the various things, with dancing til 3am. I'll be coming back from a long summer in the sun, so I'll be looking more healthy than usual, so natural look hair/makeup/nails will be absolutely fine.

I don't suppose flat shoes are acceptable? Are heels de rigueur, do you think?

https://www.matchesfashion.com/products/Norma-Kamali-Asymmetric-dropped-shoulder-jersey-dress-1374667 Would work with a pale blazer in church.

In that case, I think the shorter dress is fine - it's lovely - because it's more of an evening do. But definitely shoulders fully covered in church.

Shoes - just as in the UK, it's perfectly normal to take a pair of ballerina flats for when your feet start hurting. Personally I don't wear heels because of a disability but most women would start off in them (low-mid height, not skyscrapers) , then change as needed. I've never been to a wedding on a boat - sounds amazing - but I know some boats don't allow stilettos, so another good reason to have emergency flats to hand.

Sorry if this is teaching you to suck eggs but, in case you don't know Paris very well, the weather is quite like the south-east of England, so it could be really hot or quite cool, and there are usually a couple of thunderstorms in August. So take an extra layer for the 3 am queue for the cab, and an umbrella. And have a wonderful time!

That’s gorgeous!! Thank you.

@MissLucyEyelesbarrow Thank you! We actually know Paris really well, and I had been thinking about tricky weather, but luckily we’re staying on the boat! Good to know re heels vs flats.

I’m so excited about a weekend away without the kids!

Staying on the boat sounds amazing! I love weddings where I can just crash from the party to my bed. I hope you have the most wonderful time - I'm sure you will.

I think the Mint Velvet one with a jacket of some kind would be perfect for that type of wedding - it's understated in a good way.