Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

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
UnicornStarfish · 02/08/2023 20:05

@Lucyh999 Obviously! And I'm not saying they're bad either, they're great. But her price point limits the shops and many others will be in the same situation. It honestly wasn't a comment meant to trash British designers, it was more about not wearing the same dress to a fancy wedding.

Winterscomingagain · 02/08/2023 20:23

https://www.janeatelier.com/emma-wool-tunic-dress-berry
I love this brand, the colours are fabulous and the dresses really suit my 38f bust.

Emma Wool Tunic Dress Berry

https://www.janeatelier.com/emma-wool-tunic-dress-berry

Mytholmroyd · 02/08/2023 20:34

@Winterscomingagain oooh thank you for that link - a new make to me!

Winterscomingagain · 02/08/2023 20:48

Mytholmroyd · 02/08/2023 20:34

@Winterscomingagain oooh thank you for that link - a new make to me!

The colours really glow, you may remember the make as 'Goat' previously.

Stravaig · 02/08/2023 21:43

So many lovely and interesting suggestions!

OP, how are the celebrations structured; what is the dress code; and what do you feel the expectations are for your outfit? I assume A-listers have a stylist on speed dial for landmark events. Are you closely connected, or more on the periphery of this glossy social circle?

Sd352 · 02/08/2023 22:30

I would think the Jane Atelier and The Fold dresses, beautiful and well-made as they are, are mostly dresses to wear to the office, not to a fancy wedding.

Thebirdhouse · 03/08/2023 00:09

I haven't looked at all the suggestions but the silver TVW dress is stunning.

Thebirdhouse · 03/08/2023 00:12

The Blonde and Wise dresses are also stunning. I've never even heard of this brand and would never in a million years have somewhere to wear this - nor could I - I'm 5ft 2 and a size 12 but I love looking at them. They are so beautiful.

MarciaSaysANumber · 03/08/2023 05:34

@Thebirdhouse - what are you on about? I’d never heard of Blonde and Wise either (awful name but whatever) so I had a look. They’re just dresses. And tops. It says quite clearly on the site that their standard sizes go up to size 18, but they also make to measure.

Whyever would a size 12, 5 foot 2 woman not be able to wear this dress?

https://www.blonde-and-wise.co.uk/products/black-anna-dress

Or this?

https://www.blonde-and-wise.co.uk/products/teal-riva-dress

Or one of the tops? In their sizing you are a Small to Medium.

I’m often guilty of somewhat hand-wringing self deprecation in my working life, but I find it weirdly distressing to read a post by someone claiming they couldn’t wear a perfectly ordinary frock. Because of course you could. If it’s possible to get dressed at all, even if someone were housebound they could wear a nice dress at home for a celebration or when they had visitors or for a zoom call with distant friends or relatives. For anyone able to leave the house in a normal way, the knee length black dress I’ve linked is little more than a glorified t shirt dress with a tie waist - one could wear it almost anywhere.

They’re not particularly my style, but I think the designers would be astonished and puzzled that you feel excluded from their work, when they’ve gone to some effort to make their clothes wearable for as wide a range of women as possible. (Costs aside, but I daresay they’re available on pre-owned sites, too, for a fraction of the original price.)

Black Anna Dress

Romantic ruffles, a waist-defining self-tie belt and pretty tucks at the skirt makes this dress the perfect pick for any upcoming occasion.  The light crepe fabric is non-restricting, leaving you free to move comfortably wherever you wear it.   Love th...

https://www.blonde-and-wise.co.uk/products/black-anna-dress

Rjh76 · 03/08/2023 08:12

Try Kevan Jon and Bombshell

NatashaDancing · 03/08/2023 08:21

MarciaSaysANumber · 03/08/2023 05:34

@Thebirdhouse - what are you on about? I’d never heard of Blonde and Wise either (awful name but whatever) so I had a look. They’re just dresses. And tops. It says quite clearly on the site that their standard sizes go up to size 18, but they also make to measure.

Whyever would a size 12, 5 foot 2 woman not be able to wear this dress?

https://www.blonde-and-wise.co.uk/products/black-anna-dress

Or this?

https://www.blonde-and-wise.co.uk/products/teal-riva-dress

Or one of the tops? In their sizing you are a Small to Medium.

I’m often guilty of somewhat hand-wringing self deprecation in my working life, but I find it weirdly distressing to read a post by someone claiming they couldn’t wear a perfectly ordinary frock. Because of course you could. If it’s possible to get dressed at all, even if someone were housebound they could wear a nice dress at home for a celebration or when they had visitors or for a zoom call with distant friends or relatives. For anyone able to leave the house in a normal way, the knee length black dress I’ve linked is little more than a glorified t shirt dress with a tie waist - one could wear it almost anywhere.

They’re not particularly my style, but I think the designers would be astonished and puzzled that you feel excluded from their work, when they’ve gone to some effort to make their clothes wearable for as wide a range of women as possible. (Costs aside, but I daresay they’re available on pre-owned sites, too, for a fraction of the original price.)

I'd never heard of them either but they're aiming for a toned down, don't scare the horses Vivienne Westwood.

I suppose the difference between being influenced by and downright copying is a fine line.

MarciaSaysANumber · 03/08/2023 08:31

You might want a chat with Philip Pullman. Grin

“I have stolen ideas from every book I have ever read.”

DivineLillith · 03/08/2023 09:25

Really on S&B the size though relevant is difficult to actually say what is great due to body shape, leg length, bust size. My friend and I wear the same size clothes but we are very different shapes, we are both 10 but very different .Do you know your body shape?

Spend some of your budget on a great bra if you don’t have one and wear it when you try on dresses. So many women wear crap underwear and ruin the line of a dress.

Yajebbend · 03/08/2023 09:31

I’m very shallow any clues to who the A lister is 😂

Orrieonko1 · 03/08/2023 09:32

Dancing Leopard do lovely jump suits and I saw someone the other day pictured in a Michael Kors dress which was stunning!!
of course a large chunk of the budget must go on FAIRFAX & FAVOR shoes and coordinating bag!!

Dingdong90 · 03/08/2023 12:33

Have you tried local boutiques ? Does it need to be online? We have a local boutique who stock gorgeous one off peices that you just wouldn't find anywhere else in the local area

Doone21 · 03/08/2023 15:45

Have you looked at those places that rent out high end designer dresses?

Doone21 · 03/08/2023 15:47

Take a trip to the big city. Put yourself into the hands of a competent department store.

LaRevolution · 03/08/2023 16:04

Yajebbend · 03/08/2023 09:31

I’m very shallow any clues to who the A lister is 😂

Same, and can't believe we've got this many pages in without speculation 😂

In all seriousness though OP it would narrow things down a lot of you could give even
some vague detail about b&g/venue/style/influences etc?

I always enjoy the wedding write-ups in Vogue.com - some absolutely stunning outfits, locations, and decor there - and really interesting in terms of trends. Maybe some inspiration to be had there?

MarciaSaysANumber · 03/08/2023 16:19

Seems the OP is long gone …