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.)

Also, making an actual replica Victorian dress to fit would be quite tricky for even experienced seamstresses with a lot of time and patience! SO much fabric, so many underlayers, so many buttons, etc.

It's really not that hard :D I use Truly Victorian patterns and the instructions are really comprehensive.

...Or maybe I'm more skilled than I think I am? 🤔

You are most definitely more skilled than you think you are! There's so much work involved if nothing else. Pattern placement on the fabric design, cutting layouts, so many pieces to deal with, linings, fastenings, fitting tweaks of waists and bodices and shoulders.... there's a lot to do, even if the instructions are good.

@TheBirdintheCave you are far better than you think!

I can knot the threads with an unwise glance and have never been able to line up paper patterns with fabric weft and weave -despite the very best efforts of (now) despairing teachers😁

This Magic Wardrobes site looks brilliant. Doesn't say if they ship overseas. Sale ends Monday.

Maybe something like this? I was thinking of something like Rose wore in Titanic. (And though I realise that's actually more Edwardian than Victorian, I think the empire style is a more flattering shape to wear than full blown Victorian).

www.mayadeluxe.com/maya-red-berry-all-over-embellished-maxi-dress-with-frill-detail-pl1-3023-sqrby?gclid=CjwKCAiAlJKuBhAdEiwAnZb7lSSrptnKkzaxFJNlkxcixuw6My-EeE265kgnrPKEv6Ply9YLAf0HkxoCOpQQAvD_BwE

@ArielManto43 - that is pretty.
(Still a bit waisted for an Apple (pumpkin).
I am continuing to lose weight and hope at least some comes off my middle😁

I was going to say something like this - for example, Dame Clara Butt was 6 foot 2 and not willowy.

I haven't RTFT but here's also Victorian menswear, which might be more comfortable. The OP can channel Vesta Tilley for inspiration.

Gilbert and Sullivan costume is a good idea... so long as it doesn't drive anyone to ask me to sing.

(An A&E full of distressed Victorians all holding their ears would be a worrying sight for other arrivals. Just think what it suggests about waiting times! )

I played the duchess of Plaza-Tora in a school production of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Gondoliers. We actually highered in costumes, which was unusual for us. I became known as the bird shit duchess because my gown looked like, well, it was covered in bird shit. I didn't care, I bloody loved that costume!

I'd go with a modern dress with Victoriana vibes op:

https://www.johnlewis.com/white-stuff-ayra-velvet-tiered-midi-dress-dark-plum/p110899556?size=8&sppc=2dxxmixedfashionnBAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gadsource=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzcfPpKOghAMVOjcGAB1sjwgoEAQYBCABEgJixvDD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Or

https://www.nobodyschild.com/plum-starlight-midaxi-dress.html?glCountry=GB&utmsource=NMPi&utmmmedium=cpc&utmcampaign=PaidSearch&gaddsource=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzcfPpKOghAMVOjcGAB1sjwgoEAQYCiABEgJZPvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

This with a velvet jacket?

https://www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/victoria-midi-dress-in-winter-pine/?utmsource=google&utmmmedium=cpc&utmcampaign=-&adgroupid=&utmmcontent=&utmterm=&gaddsource=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzcfPpKOghAMVOjcGAB1sjwgoEAQYDSABEgK0JDDBwE

If there's a waist bit that fits you right, it could be flattering op:

https://www.asos.com/asos-tall/asos-design-tall-textured-lattice-detail-midi-dress-in-rust/prd/204816058?currencyid=1&browsecountry=GB&affid=28289&EAIaIQobChMIzcfPpKOghAMVOjcGAB1sjwgoEAQYJiABEgJ3ofDDBwE&channelref=product+search&ppcadref=20553242360%7C%7C&gadsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAADqFjOAGn9t8ffVjnK1vGMHOrCk3j&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzcfPpKOghAMVOjcGAB1sjwgoEAQYJiABEgJ3ofDDBwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.johnlewis.com/boden-tulle-ruffle-midi-dress-onyx-green/p109595803?size=12&sppc=2dxxmixedfashionnBAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gadsource=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9NH7gqWghAMVH1BBAh3g4wZDEAQYByABEgKDOvDD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

There's actually quite a lot if victorian influenced dresses out there you could wear op without going full on fancy dress...

velvet, lace, high neck, ballon arms, layered skirts....

https://www.wyselondon.com/products/harri-silk-velvet-dress-umber?variant=40611550855257&gadsource=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8YmQr6WghAMVjz0GAB1lsgg9EA0YByABEgKaYDDBwE

I see @AnnaBegins has already mentioned Bernadette Banner - see her video here on how Victorians faked tiny waists

If everyone turns up in mega hoops they're gonna need a bigger venue (plus how do you sit down without the whole thing flipping up and showing off your bloomers? I do seem to remember Laura Ingalls Wilder covering this in a more decorous manner in one of her books). On the other hand, surely you will never get another chance to hoop up so this is the way I would go.

Alternatively, you might want to take some inspiration from her Victorian Mob Boss look -

Sharply tailored skirt, pin tuck blouse, maybe waistcoat a la classic Anne of Green Gables?

Swooshy cape could also give a very Victorian vibe over a more modernish dress:

Not an actual suggestion as Cathy has been making this for years but possibly for inspiration - fabulous velvet embroidered coat:

This is a reproduction of this beauty. https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O110232/coat-marshall-and-snelgrove/

@tribpot I remember that in the Laura Ingalls Wilder book. She got told off for giggling in church - there were kittens climbing around inside her hoops 😂

Ah @tribpot I see we've been down the same YouTube wormholes!

Great wormholes!
Thanks for these suggestions.
Even a pumpkin might look waisted 😁

I did think about men's costume but don't want to be Mr Pickwick and would need a very long watch chain.

In hoops I keep seeing myself as a Mrs Tiggywinkle ...but your ideas might make me appear more glamorous.

I always wanted a French Lieutenant's woman cloak - this might be the excuse.

That V&A cloak is amazing. If only they would lend it out for the weekend :)

i got my beautiful restoration wedding dress on Etsy

Simple black dress or trousers with this on top
https://www.heartsandroseslondon.com/black-victorian-velvet-jacket

That's not bad at all. I'd be tempted to go with it in purple with a very simple full skirted midi dress underneath, perhaps lilac.

I have a wonderful victorian style coat from Joe Brown's. Laced backed everyone loves it.