Wedding outfit help! Ted Baker Gabie

[iamthecakefairy]

https://www.tedbaker.com/uk/p/Womens/Clothing/Dresses/GABIE-One-Shoulder-Drape-Midi-Dress-Dark-Blue/157697-DK-BLUE?cmpid=ppc~google~PLA~performance_max_uk_dresses~~157697-DK-BLUE-5~na~na~UK&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjYG86rbzggMVm4lQBh3Q0gyYEAQYAiABEgLL-fD_BwE

I bought this dress to wear for a close friend’s wedding in February, but I have no idea what to wear with it so I would love some help if anyone would have a few minutes to share any ideas.

I’ll need some sort of jacket or cover up, and some shoes, but I don’t have an eye for this sort of thing at all so any ideas would be appreciated!

Thank you in advance! 🙏🏼

Lovely dress. For February, it'll still be chilly so I'd wear a fake fur cape/stole, plus over-the-elbow (opera length) satin gloves for extra warmth. They can be taken off after the ceremony.

If it is all inside, I'd still have the fake fur stole but with short or elbow length satin gloves maybe, because it just looks good to have part of the rest of the arm covered when wearing a stole in winter months.

I think whatever you choose to wear as an over layer, it should be either short (but not cropped) or long length but not in between (ie hip length). I'd go for short personally as it suits midi lengths. If you go for long, it needs to be a quite dressy coat, not functional looking.

Shoes wise, I'd usually go for sandals for that dress but if you are outside for any or part of it then that won't be good in February, and sandals can look wrong in February anyway, so I'd go for a closed toe heeled court of some sort.

Heels don't have to be high at all (I favour low or mid heel especially for an all day event with standing around and dancing) but I would definitely have a bit of a heel to set the dress off, flats would look not as good. If you go for court type shoes, I'd choose something with a strap, as keeping courts that have no straps or fastenings on your feet all day can be really annoying, the shoes expand with heat and they become slippy and hard to keep on your feet.

Thank you so much for all the advice! Off to look at fake fur stoles!

I'd maybe go velvet blazer for Feb with that. And probably a sandal just because of the style of dress. Not to dismiss PP suggestions but I think you might look a little bridesmaid-y in a fur stole/satin gloves.

I definitely want to avoid looking bridesmaid-y! I actually have a fake fur bolero from my own wedding which I was wondering about dying a darker colour - it’s cream which I think is definitely too bridal - but a blazer is a good idea too.
I really am useless at this so appreciate all of the ideas!

Satin gloves? Very 1950s. Where would you get them from? Just don’t! Plain leather gloves if you must.

Are you going to be standing around outside @iamthecakefairy? This is what really matters. A fake fur stole will be a waste of time and money if you are. It will be cold and you will feel it.

If it’s a registry office or inside venue, just try and find a velvet coat. The problem with a jacket is the skirt of the dress doesn’t work with a jacket. It will make your front look over complicated. A coat covers everything. It’s so much neater. You could look for a tweed (think Chanel) style coat. Just add heeled pumps and a decent bag and you will look great. If you want you could add a stole to the coat and then just use the stole at the reception.

Also you can add decent jewellery to this dress. I never do sleeveless in the winter as it’s too difficult to cover up! A dress with sleeves is way easier.

I do wish I’d thought about the weather and needing to cover up when I bought it!
Really appreciate all the advice, thank you.

Just don’t be cold all day or you won’t enjoy yourself. Always think - what coat would Kate (PofW) wear in such a situation? A coat - stay warm. Celebrate later in your dress!

Satin gloves? Very 1950s. Where would you get them from?

There's this rather daring new invention called "The Internet". People say one can buy anything one desires from The Internet.

There's no difficulty in getting long satin gloves - anywhere from cheapo Chinese stuff from Amazon through to Dents through to Cornelia James. But they're evening wear and quite dressy evening wear.

Adding a faux fur sole as well is getting into cosplay / am dram territory.

Why would anyone want long satin gloves though? It’s very Audrey Hepburn. Yes - it’s like fancy dress.

I’ll probably not look for gloves then! Funnily enough though, I did get rid of a pair of elbow length satin gloves a few months ago which I inherited from my DGM and never wore. Never thought they would come in useful for anything, although it does sound like they would have been controversial anyway!
Last question if I may - what colour coat would you be looking for?
Thanks again for all your help 😊

Are you going to the whole day? To me what you've bought is an evening event dress; not a day dress for a wedding in February.

I can't think of any coat , jacket or blazer which would look right over it, other than any smartish top layer put on top to get to the venue and then discarded once you get there.

A cape coat would look fabulous!

this one is also TB

https://www.johnlewis.com/ted-baker-valariy-wool-and-cashmere-blend-cape/black/p110793687

I went to a wedding last December and several people were wearing this kind of jacket. You can spend as much or as little on this kind of thing .

https://www.hush-uk.com/rachel-faux-fur-jacket-ecru/009441-0004.html

Any faux fur coat for outside. Any chic coat that covers the dress and is longish. Preferably fitted. If you take the coat off inside then you have kept warm and can look glam for later.

@iamthecakefairy If you gave the satin gloves away, I’m guessing they were not what you would wear. I just wouldn’t buy more of what you didn’t want.