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Original poster

How do I cover my shoulders for church wedding?

229 replies

RedheadInARush · 22/07/2023 03:37

Guest at smart wedding next month.

Sold a kidney and invested in this beauty.
https://rixolondon.com/products/sandrine-blue-leaf-jacquard

What cover-up would best suit it for the (very conservative, I'm warned) church part?

Maximum budget £40. Size 12.

Sandrine - Blue Leaf Jacquard

Sandrine - Blue Leaf Jacquard

Slinky and sophisticated, the Sandrines jacquard weave and bias cut are inspired by thirties vintage but have timeless appeal. • Exclusive to RIXO• Jacquard with leaf weave• Deep V-neckline• Lined bust• Conceals a strapless bra• Empire waisted• Conceal...

https://rixolondon.com/products/sandrine-blue-leaf-jacquard

OP posts:
Thread gallery
22
Original poster
RedheadInARush · 22/07/2023 03:45

To add:
I'm wearing strappy gold heeled sandals.
(But definitely not the gold coin belt they've styled it with...!?)

I already have a gold embellished bag, and a deep turquoise one. Which do you think best?

OP posts:
BananaBunches · 22/07/2023 03:53

I'd go with a blazer for the church- if you Google slip dress and blazer there's loads of ideas.

Gold shoes and bag (but not coin belt 😂)

dudsville · 22/07/2023 04:03

I loathe the idea of choosing what to wear on my body based on another person's beliefs, but i get that's not the question in your post. Blazers are in, but a bolero would easily align with the silhouette of the dress.

sashh · 22/07/2023 04:03

I'd go for a shawl / wrap - but then I have a huge collection of shawls / scarves.

As you are wearing gold shoes then a gold bolero would also work.

Lovely dress.

GarlicGrace · 22/07/2023 04:07

Something like this, perhaps?

I think a bolero / shrug / capelet would be best, because it won't spoil the line of your dress.

https://www3.next.co.uk/style/ST437246/D75560#D75560

How do I cover my shoulders for church wedding?
GarlicGrace · 22/07/2023 04:21

Not sure if this is what you need, I was just attracted to the discount!

https://www.johnlewis.com/adrianna-papell-petal-beaded-cape-biscotti/p109617265

How do I cover my shoulders for church wedding?
MichelleScarn · 22/07/2023 04:23

How conservative? Is it a heads covered too?

5thclassstamps · 22/07/2023 04:44

A shawl- a mean a nice one, not one your granny has been using for 50 years. Go to a charity shop, they usually have loads. And remember (and I mean this kindly) most people will be looking at the bride, not you! I gave up breaking the bank for wedding outfits years ago. I think I wore the same Coast dress to the last 2 and it was £5 on eBay.

Somewhereovertherainbowweighapie · 22/07/2023 04:48

GarlicGrace · 22/07/2023 04:18

Ooo I vote for this one.

SpringIntoChaos · 22/07/2023 04:58

I have the Roman shrug in black, gold, cream and silver/grey 🤣🤦‍♀️ They are honestly lovely, and an absolute godsend to add as a cover up over a strappy dress when you need that 'little bit extra'. Then when you take it off it just slips into your bag so you don't lose it 👍

determinedtomakethiswork · 22/07/2023 05:05

Of all the things in the world that a vicar or priest should be concerned with, a woman covering her shoulders should be last on the list. I would just wear the dress. It's very pretty.

NatashaDancing · 22/07/2023 05:27

BananaBunches · 22/07/2023 03:53

I'd go with a blazer for the church- if you Google slip dress and blazer there's loads of ideas.

Gold shoes and bag (but not coin belt 😂)

A blazer would look awful with that dress.

There will no doubt be the usual shrieks if I say pashmina but honestly a shawl or wrap will do the trick in church, won't overwhelm the dress and will be easier to carry once your out.

NatashaDancing · 22/07/2023 05:33

GarlicGrace · 22/07/2023 04:18

Each to their own but that's awful. The OP has spent several hundred pounds on her dress. Why would she want to put a cheap, nylon shrug over it?

I agree with 5thclassstamps a shawl is the way to go. Can be silk, cotton, organza, light wool or cashmere.

NatashaDancing · 22/07/2023 05:47

GarlicGrace · 22/07/2023 04:07

Something like this, perhaps?

I think a bolero / shrug / capelet would be best, because it won't spoil the line of your dress.

https://www3.next.co.uk/style/ST437246/D75560#D75560

That's nice. It won't swamp the dress the way a blazer would.

Or a shawl/wrap. Various options.

Shawl 1
Shawl .2
Shawl 3

Cotton Scarf Pashmina Shawl Wrap Fair Trade Wholesale UK

Want a cotton scarf? Click through to York Scarves, the UK's only registered fair trade scarf specialist for a fantastic range pashminas, shawls and wraps.

https://www.yorkscarves.co.uk/cotton/#items

peachgreen · 22/07/2023 05:47

Longline blazer with the sleeves pushed up would be the most currently fashionable way.

How do I cover my shoulders for church wedding?
How do I cover my shoulders for church wedding?
Whataretheodds · 22/07/2023 05:47

determinedtomakethiswork · 22/07/2023 05:05

Of all the things in the world that a vicar or priest should be concerned with, a woman covering her shoulders should be last on the list. I would just wear the dress. It's very pretty.

Whether you agree or not, it's disrespectful to go into someone else's place of worship and stick a metaphorical finger up to their customs. Would you wear a tshirt with a pig on it in a mosque or a synagogue?

Whataretheodds · 22/07/2023 05:48

OP do you have a blazer or wrap in your wardrobe already that would work? Or could you borrow one? It seems a shame .to cover that dress with something cheap

StampOnTheGround · 22/07/2023 06:48

Why would you need to cover your shoulders for a church wedding?

StampOnTheGround · 22/07/2023 06:49

To add, I had a church wedding and had a strapless dress and been to many where it hasn't crossed mine or anyone else's mind.

Peony654 · 22/07/2023 06:51

Just wear the dress - I’d say it’s conservative’ enough. If someone told me to cover up for their wedding I’d probably wear a bikini

HarvardHarvey · 22/07/2023 06:53

It could be cold inside the building and later in the evening. I would wear some kind of shoulder wrap. The dress doesn’t look revealing to me. Having been to church weddings where guests were almost wearing belts for dresses, acres of goose pimpled flesh in the pews doesn’t look lovely.

sashh · 22/07/2023 06:54

determinedtomakethiswork · 22/07/2023 05:05

Of all the things in the world that a vicar or priest should be concerned with, a woman covering her shoulders should be last on the list. I would just wear the dress. It's very pretty.

It's about showing respect.

If you look at the link the dress has a V back, something else not approved of in most churches.

Some churches will stop you going in if you are not in appropriate clothing.

The bride should be the centre of attention not a guest turning up inappropriately dressed.

I'm an atheist but I wouldn't go into a church in a strapless dress any more than I would attend a job interview in a bikini.

Some places have dress codes, if you want to go to those places you stick to the code.

catin8oots · 22/07/2023 07:03

Peony654 · 22/07/2023 06:51

Just wear the dress - I’d say it’s conservative’ enough. If someone told me to cover up for their wedding I’d probably wear a bikini

You rebel, you

mostlydrinkstea · 22/07/2023 07:07

I can't see anything inappropriate in that dress. I've done baptisms, weddings and occasionally funerals where guests were dressed for the nightclub which looks out of context for the formal setting of a church. Also churches can be very cold so I've seen bridesmaids and guests turn blue when they don't have anything on their shoulders. The bride is usually so pumped with adrenaline that she glows. Not so much everyone else.

In the more formal setting of a church have a wrap, pashmina or similar to slip on during the indoor bit and ditch it for the photos. Then you stay warm and it ups the formality a bit.