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Original poster

Invited to an A list wedding- need an outfit!

205 replies

Alsogoingtogetslated · 01/08/2023 23:33

I’ve been invited to a very high profile wedding. I had planned to lose 2 stone to fit into my outfit.
I didn’t.
So now I have a few weeks to find a stunning outfit (online) but my searching just keeps pulling up the same old shops- Reiss, Karen Millen, SHEIN/boo hoo etc. I’ve looked at needle and thread, Nancy max, the OUTNET.
What great websites can I look at to find-
Budget up to around £500
i suit red/cobalt blue/deep pink/green- jewel colours
I suit jumpsuits/ midi and maxi dresses/high necks if they are high cowl/structured, one shouldered and halterneck things and wide leg trousers and blazers
I like structured clothes but it doesn’t have to be
I don’t suit short dresses or anything wafty or round necks or pastel colours.
I'm size 16, fairly big boobed.

Bonus points if you can find me something!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
61
AngryBirdsNoMore · 02/08/2023 17:28

InAnyOtherLife · 02/08/2023 15:13

This comes in a few colours - you could use the rest of the budget for some amazing shoes.....

https://goddiva.co.uk/products/goddiva-waterfall-sleeve-wrap-midi-red

Has anyone used this make, Goddiva? It looks amazing but wondering if the fabrics are actually rubbish or it’s SHEIN-esque given the prices are very reasonable and there’s so much choice?

Lentilweaver · 02/08/2023 17:29

It's 100% polyester @AngryBirdsNoMore.

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 02/08/2023 17:44

You should join this group on Facebook. The dresses are amazing. Lots of designer dresses and loads of fantastic support from the women in the group.

Invited to an A list wedding- need an outfit!
InAnyOtherLife · 02/08/2023 17:54

AngryBirdsNoMore · 02/08/2023 17:28

Has anyone used this make, Goddiva? It looks amazing but wondering if the fabrics are actually rubbish or it’s SHEIN-esque given the prices are very reasonable and there’s so much choice?

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I have. It's not fabulous silks or anything like that, but anything I have bought for occasions, I've been very happy with the quality for the price.

NatashaDancing · 02/08/2023 17:55

Blossomtoes · 02/08/2023 14:19

Thank you for the introduction to Stine Goya @NatashaDancing. I’m on need of a very elegant dress for my stepdaughter’s wedding and the Elizabeth fits the bill perfectly. I’m most grateful.

As it happens I was browsing in Harvey Nick's on Sunday and saw that dress. It's very pretty in real life and lined. I didn't buy it as I really couldn't justify it, but it is lovely.

NeverKnowinglyThunderRolled · 02/08/2023 18:07

BrookNoRivals · 02/08/2023 08:53

@NatashaDancing is a great poster on this board. Always has interesting ideas- not always to my taste but that's beside the point. So much more interesting to have a bit of variety rather than us all just recommending the same old brands to each other over and over again.

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Agree wholeheartedly.

Even when a link's perplexed me a little (occasionally, a lot!), she's opened my eyes to appreciating at least the artistry/design skills/textile quality behind certain pieces.

Or got me wondering what provocative statement or challenge to the fashion 'norm' a designer of the more outlandish styles might be trying to convey.

Keep doing you, @NatashaDancing 🙂

Blossomtoes · 02/08/2023 18:11

NatashaDancing · 02/08/2023 17:55

As it happens I was browsing in Harvey Nick's on Sunday and saw that dress. It's very pretty in real life and lined. I didn't buy it as I really couldn't justify it, but it is lovely.

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Thank you. It’s definitely a front runner. I really like your recommendations too. It’s lovely to see some ideas for clothes that are different. I don’t want to be an identikit (bonus) mother of the bride. Particularly as her real mum will be doing that.

NeverKnowinglyThunderRolled · 02/08/2023 18:13

@CoraDora
That Bella Freud green jumpsuit is gorgeous. The back detailing especially.

Lentilweaver · 02/08/2023 18:16

NeverKnowinglyThunderRolled · 02/08/2023 18:13

@CoraDora
That Bella Freud green jumpsuit is gorgeous. The back detailing especially.

It's incredibly gorgeous, but would it be good on a large bust? It says it's worn by president's wives ( Carla Bruni?). Because I do not see it on Jill Biden.

gogomoto · 02/08/2023 18:18

@Lentilweaver

Some of the £500 dresses suggested are not wedding suitable, price doesn't necessarily dictate how good it looks on you, at least past a certain point. Plenty of very nice dresses on the high street at the £120-200 price point far more appropriate.

I was browsing a few sites a couple of days ago looking for smart dresses and was shocked how cheap and tacky many of the £500 dresses were, they looked like SHEIN dresses

Fannyfiggs · 02/08/2023 18:19

https://www.thehouseoffoxy.com/vintage-style-dresses/30s-siren-evening-gown-rust-satin

If you like vintage style this company should have you covered but this dress in particular is beautiful.

gogomoto · 02/08/2023 18:19

For a larger bust v neck generally is the answer and I've never seen a jumpsuit look good on anyone over a size 10 - structured dresses smooth out the lumps and bumps I find

NatashaDancing · 02/08/2023 18:23

Aw shucks, HoneyIShrunkThePizza, BrookNoRivals, NeverKnowinglyThunderRolled, Blossomtoes and anyone I've missed, thanks for the nice comments.

Several of the links I posted were originally recommended on here - so thanks to the original finders.

This is another Marmite site but I think there are some great dresses here- again discovered on here.

Sister Jane

Dresses

Explore our women’s dresses for all occasions, from everyday wear to party—whimsical eccentricity with a distinctive signature style.

https://sisterjane.com/collections/dresses

billydilly · 02/08/2023 18:23

@NeverNeverKnowinglyThunderRolled I second your appreciation of @NatashaDancing, an inspiring poster who truly knows her stuff.

Lentilweaver · 02/08/2023 18:23

@gogomoto I am very over the baggy pastel floral dress trend with frilly yokes and puff sleeves, even if they are trendy. They look horrible on most women over 30. But there were some nice jewel coloured dresses upthread from Phase 8 and The Fold.

NatashaDancing · 02/08/2023 18:27

Lentilweaver · 02/08/2023 18:16

It's incredibly gorgeous, but would it be good on a large bust? It says it's worn by president's wives ( Carla Bruni?). Because I do not see it on Jill Biden.

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I'm sure I've seen Carla Bruni in similar. It's very Alison Goldfrapp from her 1970s disco glam period. I like it. I wouldn't/ couldn't wear it but it's certainly A list wedding.

fgswhywouldIdothat · 02/08/2023 19:26

Are you wearing a hat? Personally, I would start with that, and work the rest of the outfit round it.

fgswhywouldIdothat · 02/08/2023 19:31

And I would go for an independent designer, rather than the high street, so look at Wolf and Badger

eg with a fabulous hat

https://www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/designers/divalukky/