Coat for wedding: is this good or terrible?

[DusterCoatRabbitHole]

I have a navy dress for a friend’s wedding at the end of September in the UK. Yeah, it might rain. But I only have a full-on winter coat or a boring raincoat which is the wrong length anyway.

So I have been down a duster coat rabbit hole and cannot decide.

This is the dress.

https://www.hobbs.com/product/romina-fit-and-flare-dress/0223-5591-9045L00-NAVY.html#navAjax=true&imageType=model&is=true&sz=60&start=0&cgid=clothing-dresses-blue&isSecondPage=false&pid=0223-5591-9045L00-NAVY&pos=24

I love this burnt orange coat. Not available in my size, but if I can find something like it, is it an ok combination?

https://www.debenhams.com/product/nasty-gal-premium-herringbone-duster-coat_bgg11279?colour=burnt%20orange

It's a bit shiny for my taste. The dress is very much my thing, however.

Yes, too shiny.

The dress is beautiful. The coat looks cheap and fast fashiony

Awful, sorry. The dress is very tasteful; the coat is just wrong. How much of the wedding is outside, anyway? Perhaps all you really need is a wrap of some kind. I'm sure someone on here will suggest a blazer (and personally, I hate them), but that'd also be something you could whip off quickly once you're inside.

Thank you! I have lost all sense of discernment. Nothing I’ve seen really grabs me. If the weather demands a coat, I’m not keen on wearing all-over navy.

What sort of thing would you look for?

It’s public transport (including a 10-15 minute walk at the start) to the church and then to the reception, though a taxi might be feasible between the two. Maybe I should just look for a massive umbrella.

Could you go for a soft jacket like this? https://www.nancymac.co.uk/collections/shrugs-jackets-and-coats/products/lilliana-jacket-in-deep-red-velvet-1

Or just a lovely scarf/shawl to wrap over your shoulders in a hurry?

I just think that a standard coat, unless it's made from a really obviously 'luxury' fabric like velvet, or obviously made beautifully, tends to detract from the occasion.

Much easier to buy a nice umbrella than a nice coat!

@SarahAndQuack You’re not wrong!

What I really need is a carriage. Drop me at the corner and the bride can’t object.

What about something like this? Is you swipe through the photos the seller does them in loads of colours!

m.marketplace.asos.com/listing/coats/winter-wool-fashion-cape-coat-white-cape-jacket/6507227?affid=23853&WT.ac=redirect%7c6507227&mp-mobile=1

I realise the dress is longer but I like a shorter coat with a long dress!

Nice dress!

I would be minded to look for a wrap in case it's a bit cold and an umbrella if it's likely to rain

I hadn’t thought of capes or wraps. Good idea

I'm sorry but I think that is awful.

You dooooo? What a shame. Definitely don't buy it then babes x

Hang on what even is a wrap? It’s the same thing as a shawl, isn’t it? Would you go for a different colour or try to match the dress?

It is bloody awful. I won't be buying it either 😂

@cardiganboo All suggestions gratefully received

So for me, the thing that's maybe attracting you to the coat is the colour - navy and orange are a fab combination. But the coat (fast or otherwise creds aside) is a bit of an edgy cut, whereas the dress is quite classic. I think the coat will drown the dress. That said, a wrap or whatever is so dating and part of my mindful buying thing is to always buy things you'll wear again and again. If you're not a wrap/shrug/whatever type person, you're basically buying one thing for one occasion that won't get worn again.

So. There are loads of tweedy double breasted blazers around which I think you'll get loads of wear out of. Or even a cropped bomber. Think of it as just a piece of outerwear, it doesn't need to 'match' that much but essentially just cover you a little bit while you're travelling. Whip it off in the service and no-one will even see it at the reception.

Glad you're not buying that coat. It has absolutely no shape to it, it's just a rectangle with sleeves!

Nasty gal from the vibe of the shop is pitched at 20 somethings. Maybe you’d find the odd thing there and I bought and returned a pair of cheap (fun) boots in the sale as they were too small. Clothes not so much.

I actually like the cape idea. I prefer something with a little more shape. Maybe this? https://nrbyclothing.com/products/esme-wool-cape-coat

Really pretty jacket. I do think you're completely right about a standard coat detracting from a dress like OP"s, and especially for an occasion. A texture like velvet and a splash of colour would be ideal against the material of the dress.

That's lovely. Shame it's not lined, but it's elegant.

I like the colour pairing of your original choices OP. If you would wear the coat regularly could you look for a similar version in wool?

They are pricey, but I would go to Reiss and buy one of their coats. I have a camel coloured tench and long white blazer from there which I bought over 5 years ago and wear both all the time. They have literally cost me about £5 per wear. They were expensive, and are formal so are perfect for weddings and important work functions. But they also look great over jeans - or anything really. Buy cheap, buy twice. Or worse, buy cheap, wear once and don't even feel good!

www.reiss.com/shop/gender-women-productaffiliation-coatsandjackets/isort-score#1_17