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Original poster

Dress for Italian winter wedding

39 replies

Serenissima90 · 14/08/2023 16:52

Hi everyone.
I'm attending my Italian friend's wedding in Northern Italy in January, with my toddler in tow.
All my occasion dresses are either for summer, or black, so not appropriate.
I'm looking for something fitting for the occasion, warm, modest (it's a Christian service), and easy to move around and bend over in (as I'll be seeing to my toddler all day).
I'm tall and suit either bright/bold or dark colours. Not pastels. I like clothes that are either simple and classy, or a bit romantic.
I'm in my late 20s.
Also I don't have much money! So ideally under £70 as the whole trip is costing rather a lot.

Thank you for any ideas! :D

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
HappiDaze · 14/08/2023 20:50

Something with a graphic pattern along these lines

Dress for Italian winter wedding
Dress for Italian winter wedding
Dress for Italian winter wedding
Saunaandsteam · 14/08/2023 20:54

I attended an Italian wedding a few years ago. Most of the attendees were wearing black, it is not at all frowned upon as it is in the uk - it all looked very classy.

BinkyBeaufort · 14/08/2023 20:57

Ooh, that jewel-coloured Warehouse dress is stunning! I wish I was 6 inches taller and 30 years younger.

OP posts:
Original poster
Serenissima90 · 14/08/2023 21:02

Saunaandsteam · 14/08/2023 20:54

I attended an Italian wedding a few years ago. Most of the attendees were wearing black, it is not at all frowned upon as it is in the uk - it all looked very classy.

Good to know!

OP posts:
Original poster
Serenissima90 · 14/08/2023 21:03

waltzingparrot · 14/08/2023 19:50

Gorgeous but I think my thighs are too wide

OP posts:
twilighteaser · 17/08/2023 11:03

I live in North Italy and have been to several weddings. I'd they don't really do flowery dresses, hats, fascinators etc. Clothes should not have a pattern unless it's a very informal wedding but avoid animal prints totally. Plenty of women I've seen at weddings here wear trouser suits, but not business like. You could wear a really nice pair of wide legged trousers with a blazer for example, but I've seen plenty of people in jeans too! It will be very cold in January so don't try to dress like it's summer with open toes and bare arms. You should avoid white, red and purple. Black is accepted these days but usually for an evening do and has other colours with it. Dresses above the knee are usually not worn.

Original poster
Serenissima90 · 17/08/2023 12:01

twilighteaser · 17/08/2023 11:03

I live in North Italy and have been to several weddings. I'd they don't really do flowery dresses, hats, fascinators etc. Clothes should not have a pattern unless it's a very informal wedding but avoid animal prints totally. Plenty of women I've seen at weddings here wear trouser suits, but not business like. You could wear a really nice pair of wide legged trousers with a blazer for example, but I've seen plenty of people in jeans too! It will be very cold in January so don't try to dress like it's summer with open toes and bare arms. You should avoid white, red and purple. Black is accepted these days but usually for an evening do and has other colours with it. Dresses above the knee are usually not worn.

Wow this is really helpful, grazie tantissimo :)

OP posts:
ilovemydogmore · 17/08/2023 13:01

Those warehouse dresses are fabulous, don't think I can top that!

Sgtmajormummy · 17/08/2023 15:01

I’d take inspiration from Princess Katherine and go for a seriously smart coat (borrowed/investment) and high heels. Then a patterned jersey wrap dress (ASOS?) underneath.

Your toddler will also be expected to be well dressed. Cords and a fair isle jumper and shirt for boys with leather shoes not trainers. Smocked party dress and woolen tights for a girl.

UnctuousUnicorns · 17/08/2023 15:15

A word of caution, one or two of these dresses look a bit see through, so I'd make sure you have a full length petticoat to wear underneath if need be. Have a wonderful time, it all sounds very glam!

ChaliceinWonderland · 17/08/2023 19:05

N Italy v cold In Jan, think ski resort cold.
You'll need scarf jacket tights etc.
Also... Italians never do hats etc.
I got married in Italy , remember to have money as a gift, actual presents aren't really done.

Misspiggy1012 · 17/08/2023 19:21

TEMU and everything for five pounds app both of them sell really nice clothes and shoes you could look and see what you think I just bought a three piece woolly suit in light grey and it's really good I think it would be worth a look at. You may have a big budget but my suit cost twenty pounds and I think with an expensive bag and shoes I could wear them to any wedding party or night out. They are a bit warm for this time of year but would definitely work in winter. There's tons of different things to choose from. Just a thought 🤔

MatildaTheCat · 17/08/2023 19:41

Could you rent? I’m just back from a trip to Northern Italy and the majority of adults just going about their day were seriously well put together. I’m guessing for a wedding they will be very smart indeed.

So1invictus · 17/08/2023 20:41

Also in Italy and agree with @twilighteaser

Don't even think about wearing practically anything you'd wear to a British wedding.

Black is definitely perfectly fine.

Doesn't have to be modest in any way (though for a winter one it's more likely to be) Think more the kind of frock you'd be looking at for a black tie dinner or what a girl would be looking for for a prom or ball. Long dresses more common than short and dresses would tend very much to be "occasion" dresses and not something you could then wear to anything everyday.

Weddings are serious business here (bloody hate them, I'm a jeans and T shirt kind of girl) and it's kind of impossible to overdress.

The last one I went to I wore a wide legged jumpsuit thing from Reiss and was about the scruffiest there. My SIL had a frock with a train 😳 (bit like the one Princess Diana wore that night at the Serpentine Gallery)

Matching bag, matching heels. No prints anywhere.

Also true about giving money as a gift (and big money at that - there's an unwritten code about how much you give depending on how many people on your invite and how close you are to the bride and groom in the hierarchy) That is dying out now a bit so check first.

There are some low key weddings. DH,'s nephew had one (everyone is still tutting and they've been married for over a decade 😅) but not many.

So1invictus · 17/08/2023 20:44

waltzingparrot · 14/08/2023 19:50

This one would be fine, matched with heels, bag and coat.

Original poster
Serenissima90 · 19/08/2023 11:40

Ok now I'm panicking 😂

OP posts:
LoobyDop · 19/08/2023 15:03

Misspiggy1012 · 17/08/2023 19:21

TEMU and everything for five pounds app both of them sell really nice clothes and shoes you could look and see what you think I just bought a three piece woolly suit in light grey and it's really good I think it would be worth a look at. You may have a big budget but my suit cost twenty pounds and I think with an expensive bag and shoes I could wear them to any wedding party or night out. They are a bit warm for this time of year but would definitely work in winter. There's tons of different things to choose from. Just a thought 🤔

Please don’t do this- TEMU and similar Chinese companies are having a devastating effect on British and European businesses, and they’re terrible from a sustainability perspective as well. It would be better if none of us bought from them, so they gave up on Western markets.

SadlyACupOfTeaDoesNotSolveEverything · 19/08/2023 17:29

Don’t panic. Now is the time to pick up a winter dress in the sale. I would definitely go for something in black but with a feature like lace, sequin, feathers etc.

https://www.debenhams.com/product/coast-lace-sleeve-v-neck-pencil-dress_bcc02692?colour=black could be lovely with a nice coat.

https://www.debenhams.com/product/coast-one-shoulder-bow-pencil-dress_bcc05333?colour=black a little over budget but stunning.

https://www.debenhams.com/product/warehouse-sequin-tweed-double-breasted-blazer-dress_bww04641?colour=black alternative and down to £30!

https://www.debenhams.com/product/coast-diamante-trim-feather-cuff-midi-dress_bcc02910?colour=black 75% off.

piercedears · 19/08/2023 18:58

Firstly don't worry.
I'm in north Italy. As others have said, it will be cold. Italians may do a longer skirt/dress, obviously with tights, and closed shoes or leather boots, but many will be in smart trousers/ trouser suit type thing, in darker shades.
Italians ( especially those over 40ish) tend to think that bare skin in winter isn't the done thing due to the weather, so most will cover legs and at least up to elbows on tops. Hats don't have a special connection to weddings, neither florals.