February Wedding ,, I need help ,, I am a pathetic shopper !

[Schlep]

Evening all ,, I am getting married in February next year, and I am struggling to find a dress that I actually like 😑
I am 51, 5'11" size 8, the dress needs to be long sleeved and I would like it to be full length, but midi would also be fine.
Because I am not a shopper, I have not got a clue about brands, I have spied a long Ralph Lauren dress that I like but I'm not blown away enough by it to buy it at full price. I will be keeping an eye on whether it comes into the sales in January.
www.ralphlauren.co.uk/en/twist-front-stretch-jersey-gown-648376.html?dwvar648376_colorname=Lighthouse%20Navy&cgid=women-clothing-jumpsuits&webcat=women%2Fclothing%2Fwomen%20clothing%20jumpsuits#webcat=women%7Cclothing%7Cwomen-clothing-jumpsuits&start=1&cgid=women-clothing-jumpsuits
I would love a dress in velvet , my favourite colour is navy or blue, I suit a wrap dress but nothing with too much flare in skirt. My other half is wearing a kilt.
I am throwing myself at your mercy, any brands that might suit that I wouldn't have a scooby about?

Have a scroll through their social media pages - they post a lot of customer pictures. I was a bit sceptical when I ordered mine as I’ve got a large bust was worried it would drown me elsewhere (and I’m short). It did when I pulled it on but once belted and gathered it was perfect.

I got married in a Ben de Lisi which I bough in Harrods evening wear department .. so not inflated wedding dress prices but definitely designer and stunning

At 5.8 I was a bit amazed that it needed taking up by 4 inches... I was told "he designs for tall women".....

I ordered this in green a few weeks ago, the slit isn’t as high as it looks on here, although I’m only 5”2… you could get it adjusted?

Ellodie - Deep Navy Feather – RIXO ⋆ (rixolondon.com)

I can't find anything online, but sounds perfect on the length 😁

Love the feather but too shapeless for my figure but thank you

https://www.debenhams.com/product/goddiva-square-neck-gathered-waist-velvet-maxi_p-73100d9a-e9c9-42a6-911d-2f840135a059?colour=Navy&istCompanyId=76f7277d-6e78-4dc2-aaff-1eb77fae16b0&istFeedId=258a4886-8f3c-47ef-9369-d1eda8d84501&istItemId=lmiwtatmw&istBid=t&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAg9urBhB_EiwAgw88md15DNSHNsuyMvF8y9RCNsunqyhLXGxB94uFEwbyW8OLTLs8r8h5rxoCmRkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/799472846/navy-blue-long-sleeve-velvet-maxi-dress this is wrap and long sleeve

I don't know your budget, but for a big splurge a dress from The Vampire's Wife might suit you. https://thevampireswife.com/collections/dresses
With a more realistic budget, Phase Eight is also great and Monsoon too. Both comfortably accommodate taller figures (I'm the same height as you).
You've already spotted the Ralph Lauren dress, but you might also want to look at brands including Hobbs, Max Mara and Mint Velvet. I think all are stocked at John Lewis. I can 100pc recommend their personal shopping service. Their stylists are so knowledgeable and take the pain out of trawling the various brands.
In my experience, what you'll struggle with most is long sleeves. However, if you find a great dress that you love and is a good price then a half decent tailor/seamstress can add sleeves fairly easily to most designs.
Following on from that, if you know pretty much what you want (and it sounds like you do, and the design sounds pretty simple) then don't discount having a dress made to measure. You'll need to get your skates on, if so, but a good tailor or seamstress should be able to create a simple gown for a competitive price. There are quite a few in my area - mostly women from Eastern European - and they work at lightning speed and to such a high standard. They're worth every penny.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1112760042/black-wedding-dress-bridesmaid-train?ref=share_v4_lx

You could always get something like this h the en see a seamstress about altering it to fit and flatter you?

Although love the blue velvet cape idea.

They are amazing dresses, but even if budget wasn't an issue I would struggle to choose one.
Appreciate all your suggestions and great advice, however no personal shopping on the go where I live and not a hope getting something altered by February, so it has got to be off the shelf.
I will look into the others you have mentioned, thank you

Or browse Etsy, they often have loads of stuff on there:

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/799472846/navy-blue-long-sleeve-velvet-maxi-dress?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_uk_en_gb_-weddings&utm_custom1=k_EAIaIQobChMImN-ugK-IgwMVYpZQBh1ObgjNEAQYAiABEgJ6GvD_BwE_k&utm_content=go_11073922980_109610251118_462914649514_pla-298195655715_m__799472846engb_560062900&utm_custom2=11073922980&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADutTMcf4tu24Pr1qZBwhcAe-psqq&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImN-ugK-IgwMVYpZQBh1ObgjNEAQYAiABEgJ6GvD_BwE

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/946208585/dark-teal-velvet-off-shoulder-maxi-dress?click_key=468ce49424d7c2f29f0b6d74622778366f5f38ba%3A946208585&click_sum=7ba3da20&external=1&ref=pla_similar_listing_top-1&pro=1&frs=1&variation1=1752441672

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1106857275/wedding-guest-dress-formal-dresses?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=velvet+dress&ref=sc_gallery-1-2&edd=1&sts=1&plkey=ba11c23daef40c10a2bc672d06ae7b0e38636463%3A1106857275

This is bloody gorgeous 😍

anyway just search velvet dress on Etsy and there are loads

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1265231733/velvet-dress-velvet-bridesmaid-dress?click_key=61173e83e243b06ab12d676d1028699ce0dd931f%3A1265231733&click_sum=ab084c02&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=velvet+dress&ref=sr_gallery-1-7&organic_search_click=1&pro=1&frs=1&bes=1&edd=1&sts=1

This is a definite contender, let me go and look properly to see if it is a thing, thank you

Hello congratulations!

Sorry this doesn't tick all of your boxes, but just in case.

https://www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/lila-dress-teal/

https://www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shop/hutch-long-sleeve-floral-velvet-wrap-maxi-dress?category=party-dresses&color=041&type=REGULAR&quantity=1

Thank you all , the Ralph Lauren has just been reduced so I have ordered and decide whether it's the one. If not it will definitely be one of the one's suggested 😁

Ooh I like the Anthropologie devorée, and it looks better quality than some of the other velvets.

Personally I think you're looking too early. All the winter collections - which will include velvet evening dresses - will be out in early / mid August onwards. That's the time to look. Right now you're getting the dregs of last year