Victorian themed wedding... guests need Victorian themed clothes

[LiesDoNotBecomeUs]

I'm not sure if this is the right place (I might be 150 years too late for this style advice).

I'm invited to a September wedding with a Victorian theme. (The family celebrating are Victorian society members in a city with proud Victorian-heritage.)

I need a 'Victorian-ish' outfit for the occasion but am mature, apple-shaped (tall -but size 16 and mostly belly).

I can improvise for children's book day events and things like that but this is a serious adult occasion - in a church - and my sewing skills are poor to appalling. (I'm known for messy injuries with sissors and stitching my -several years in the making- apron to my own skirt.)

Worst of all, I've a horrible idea that Victorian-ish means tight waist (I've never seen mine) and ballooning skirts.

I'm going to look like an appropriately themed traditional boiled pudding aren't I?

Can anyone help on how I can go about this? What style could pass for Victorian and not get me placed on the desserts table with custard?
(I've even considered arriving as a ghost.)

No advice but this did make me smile!

If the family belong to a Victorian group (that sounds quite intriguing) do they not have access to costumes you can borrow?
(don't go as Queen Vicky though......you don't want to upstage the bride 😂)

Do what the kids always do at school, and go dressed as a street urchin!

Does it have to be a dress? A velvet smoking jacket and little hat with tassels would be glorious.

I would send my apologies...

What about steam punk or victoriana gothic ? You can probably order outfits online.

Have a look for steampunk clothing. There is a lot which carers to plus sizes too.

I would look at hiring a costume, see if your local theatres have anything or check online. We used to have a lady who hired out costumes for our local Dickensian Market. Failing that and dependent on how much you would like to go to the wedding, a local dressmaker might be your best option.

Wow, is this a very small wedding, surely no one would ask lots of guests to do that.

I'd ask the bride's advice.

Could you wear a high neck lace blouse with a brooch at the neck and a wide skirt, use a sash to give you a bit more coverage at the middle? Ankle boots (with buttons?)

I don’t think it needs to be literal, I would go for dresses like these. Something midi length with sleeves and lace.

Dress 1
Dress 2
Dress 3

I know little but that the reaction of true Victorian-re-enactors to steam punk would be much fainting and need of hartshorn or laudanum. There would be fluttering lace hankies everywhere.

Victoriana Gothic sounds promising. I will look and see if that would work.
A waist is still something I'd lack though.

That has been considered but they are lovely people.

There's a surprising amount of Victorian fancy dress outfits for women on Amazon.

I'm always taller and wider than people who are allowed on stages.

I'd be on holiday that day

There's often posts on here about gorgeous white cotton nighties.. I'd wear one of those (with petticoats for modesty) and a mop cap.

Someone needs to do the link for the nighties but they were gorgeous.

What about something like this? They have all sizes.

www.morphsuits.co.uk/womens-old-time-bathing-suit-costume

There are an amazing number of secret Victorians in the country!

Blimey, that’s one invitation I’d be declining.

Something like this with a full length skirt and perhaps a cropped jacket?
blouse feels like it is in the spirit without being a “costume”

https://www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350227753.aspx?dim1=2&dim2=6&cod=Google-PPC-Shopping-20485265419-&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA_OetBhAtEiwAPTeQZ92C-ByFtJaYTi5wQHXhhDQORbKtN7F2a0-jB1Z8GtMqdfWlYiI-GRoCes8QAvD_BwE

No advice but send photos lol

Go as Sherlock Holmes 😂

Can you get a T shirt printed with the Horrible Histories "wee are not amused" cartoon ?

I was on another thread about weddings and was (along with a few others) called miserable because we said we didn't enjoy them..... however this one I would go to 😂