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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:
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shmivorytower · 19/08/2023 21:26

Some good advice here. I used to live in Italy. I just want to reiterate. Definitely no florals or prints, definitely no hats, definitely modest. I personally don’t think full ball gown is necessary (not at weddings I was at). However, I would go for something warm (fine wool), formal, timeless and simple perhaps with a statement pop of colour in accessories.

TopoChico · 20/08/2023 01:02

I like the second look in this video. You could easily layer it with a much warmer sweater/jacket etc for a winter wedding. If it may be cold trousers are the way to go and you can wear tights and boots if it’s super chilly. I went to a winter wedding and you definitely don’t want to be cold, you can still be glam but warm.

https://youtube.com/shorts/ToPMx_siaQw?feature=share

Before you continue to YouTube

https://youtube.com/shorts/ToPMx_siaQw?feature=share

Serenissima90 · 20/08/2023 18:17

Thanks everyone. I actually don't really like jumpsuits. I find them really annoying to go to the loo in. Sorry to be finickety. But this has given me good ideas. Will look for something unpatterned and very warm and smart.

OP posts:
TheLadyofShalott1 · 21/08/2023 05:04

Serenissima90 · 20/08/2023 18:17

Thanks everyone. I actually don't really like jumpsuits. I find them really annoying to go to the loo in. Sorry to be finickety. But this has given me good ideas. Will look for something unpatterned and very warm and smart.

Or you could wear layers in something that you love and feel great in - you might be going to an Italian wedding (I bet the views and the food will be amazing!), but if you are British why not dress in something that you love?

We British (sorry if my assumption that you are British is wrong, but apart from that I still think you should wear something you love) might not be known as elegant and enthusiastic followers of fashion, but we can look just as stunning as our Continental neighbours!

Of course I can appreciate a tall, slim, elegantly dressed woman, but with my measurements not only would I look ridiculous in the sorts of clothes they wear, I would be going against my own taste in clothes, and if I didnt feel great in myself it wouldn't matter if I was wearing a €3500 cashmere dress suit in an understated dark colour with matching accessories, and a fine 22 carat gold chain around my neck with tiny matching earrings, I would still just look like someone who was trying too hard, but had no idea what looked good on them!

So, you will have a toddler with you, and you will be somewhere that will in all likelihood be very cold outside, but heated inside? Unless you know that you are going to be in a marquee for most of the time after the church wedding, you really will need to be dressed in layers, as will your toddler. When you are inside at the reception you will probably spend an unreasonable amount of time chasing after an over excited toddler (hopefully most Italians live up to their reputation and adore children, if so you might get some help entertaining/running after your delightful toddler!) Therefore, as you are no doubt well aware, you will need to be wearing something with a lot of 'give' in it, that will not have any embarrassing body part accidents, and yet can be stripped down to the bare minimum (without the bare 😁) when you get far too hot, but can be layered up again if you go out into the gorgeous gardens for photos, or just for some fresh air!

Sorry OP, I have no actual clothing suggestions for you (and embarrassingly I don't know how to do links anyway), except for your tights (I presume with a toddler in tow that you won't be wanting to spend some "quality time" with a gorgeous young Italian stallion whilst at the actual reception, as otherwise tights might not actually be the way you want to go... 🤭). I suggest Snag tights as they come in a wide range of sizes, have loads of different colours, and most of them come in at least two different weights. I think 80 denier might be a good compromise for where and when you will be there, and they are made in Italy!

Whatever you end up wearing Serenissima - layers, relax and have a great time with your toddler. If you feel happy and confident in yourself then I think you will look stunning, and if any of the other guests look down on you - and I doubt very much that they would - that would say loads about them, and how shallow (and probably uncomfortable) they are, and nothing about how amazing you look! 🍾

shmivorytower · 21/08/2023 07:25

As someone who once went to a British wedding in an outfit that would have been great at an Italian wedding but completely inappropriate for a British wedding I disagree with the previous poster. I am absolutely not vain but I still cringe at the memory of sticking out like a sore thumb. And it was 20 years ago. Yes, absolutely you have to feel like you. But find something that feels like you and is socially acceptable in the context.

Serenissima90 · 21/08/2023 09:11

Thanks so much, everyone!

I took much of your advice on board and decided to go with this... https://www.roman.co.uk/ruched-glitter-midi-dress-14304178?istCompanyId=2c7d42bf-c86e-4126-852a-34976c2accf2&istFeedId=2671bd7b-958a-4180-b178-22e89d93d179&istItemId=rixwqilmm&istBid=t&gclid=CjwKCAjwloynBhBbEiwAGY25dH9RWUzGsqqYJWwyRDVJU6TMp5uaCP5S6bFyvjbJS5i7f1IS_1HGchoCHx0QAvD_BwE

It's my favourite colour, and it looks easy to move around in, modest and warm. No pattern as instructed! Some might think it's a bit boring, but I'm hoping I can dress it up with accessories...

Ruched Glitter Midi Dress in Red - Roman Originals UK

Ruched Glitter Midi Dress - Free UK Delivery - 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 - Stand out from the crowd in this ruched, glitter midi dress. Cut from a stretch jersey fabric, this piece is covered in shimmering glitter that twin...

https://www.roman.co.uk/ruched-glitter-midi-dress-14304178?gclid=CjwKCAjwloynBhBbEiwAGY25dH9RWUzGsqqYJWwyRDVJU6TMp5uaCP5S6bFyvjbJS5i7f1IS_1HGchoCHx0QAvD_BwE&istBid=t&istCompanyId=2c7d42bf-c86e-4126-852a-34976c2accf2&istFeedId=2671bd7b-958a-4180-b178-22e89d93d179&istItemId=rixwqilmm

OP posts:
Serenissima90 · 21/08/2023 09:29

Just realised, I see this dress as pink but people in the reviews are saying it's red! IS it a hard and fast rule that you shouldn't wear red to a wedding in Italy?

OP posts:
BlueBlazerBlack · 21/08/2023 10:11

Serenissima90 · 21/08/2023 09:29

Just realised, I see this dress as pink but people in the reviews are saying it's red! IS it a hard and fast rule that you shouldn't wear red to a wedding in Italy?

I think that shade of red is fine for a wedding, it looks more like a burgundy/plum colour to me. Pair with tights and closed shoes (Italians never have bare legs or open shoes unless it's summer).
I definitely think long sleeves is the way to go for a winter wedding in Northern Italy. It will be cold in the church but it also might be chilly at the reception venue, especially if it´s an older building. And in my experience, it´s always colder indoors in Italy, restaurants and bars and even peoples home´s are often cold in winter. When I moved to England from Italy I was shocked by how warm it is inside compared to Italy, where people are just used to wearing more layers and dressing for winter.

user1471523870 · 21/08/2023 10:55

Another Italian here. I think the dress you picked is perfect.
Remember to wear tights and closed shoes as Italian ladies don't do party shoes/bare legs look as in the UK, and it will be cold!
Also, your shoes should match your bag. And you are expected to use a clutch/small/elegant bag. In fact we keep special bags just for weddings and it's quite common to borrow them off each other between friends/family members!
Last, you might want to think about your coat. It will be cold and you will wear it over your dress for the whole ceremony....
As other said, no hat or fascinators.

SometimesNine · 21/08/2023 16:52

I've been to an Italian/British wedding in Umbria years ago. The British side of the family were wearing hats and fascinators, but none of the Italian guests did. Also the flowery prints are considered more of a grandma-style clothes. I remember buying a beautiful silk with a floral pattern once in Italy (to make a dress for myself), and the shop owner asked me if it was for my mother or grandmother.

LemonadePockets · 21/08/2023 18:23

vinted might be your friend on this occasion x

piercedears · 21/08/2023 21:17

Italian here. That dress is perfect . Remember tights, closed shoes, coat etc.
Hope you have a lovely time😊

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