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.)

Go as a member of the Rational Dress movement. Then you could try to find something more like this.

Hat probably essential. That should do a lot of the work for you, as it will draw the eye!

Dress as a chimney sweep. You'll bring them luck!

I might look at a cape, something like this, and hat. You could wear it over a long dress or shirt/skirt that you felt flattered your shape. It gives the effect without going full on cosplay.

I'd be wearing something Oscar Wilde. Ooh and a tash!

I would go completely Woman In Black and stand in the church graveyard to give everyone the heebie geebies!

Yes, I doubt there was much change in chimney sweep fashion between the 2 eras!

You don't have to have a wide skirt. Late Victorian could be a full length, A-line, plain skirt with a white or striped long sleeved blouse. Wear a large brooch or a bow at the neck. Buy a hat from a charity shop and cover it in ribbons, bows, fake flowers, feathers etc. Wedding guests might decorate their outfit with fresh or fake flowers eg a corsage at the waist or just below the shoulder. Wear white or black gloves and if you have (or can borrow) a long umbrella with a handle, even better.

Although the fashion plates all show tiny waists, plenty of Victorian era women were more full-figured.

https://m.lightinthebox.com/p/women-s-skirt-swing-long-skirt-maxi-yellow-blue-gray-skirts-ruffle-layered-fashion-gopi-dress-holiday-weekend-s-m-l_p9336862.html?sku=1_737%7C2_286&litb_from=paid_adwords_shopping&utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=17753222330&adword_mt=&adword_ct=&adword_kw=&adword_pos=&adword_pl=&adword_net=x&adword_tar=&adw_src_id=3516490533_17753222330__&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA_OetBhAtEiwAPTeQZ9Wt-tJmoSWbecEBc6JEBN8lZHg8Yw4fdLJhl_hMmvjO8ah3ZYas-xoC338QAvD_BwE

Any long skirt, like this one? Just type in plain long/maxi boho skirt into Google.

https://m.lightinthebox.com/p/women-s-skirt-swing-long-skirt-maxi-yellow-blue-gray-skirts-ruffle-layered-fashion-gopi-dress-holiday-weekend-s-m-l_p9336862.html?sku=1_737%7C2_286&litb_from=paid_adwords_shopping&utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=17753222330&adword_mt=&adword_ct=&adword_kw=&adword_pos=&adword_pl=&adword_net=x&adword_tar=&adw_src_id=3516490533_17753222330__&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA_OetBhAtEiwAPTeQZ9Wt-tJmoSWbecEBc6JEBN8lZHg8Yw4fdLJhl_hMmvjO8ah3ZYas-xoC338QAvD_BwE

Leg of mutton blouse, like this one?

Thick belt and button up boots?

https://m.lightinthebox.com/p/stand-collar-elegant-shift-top_p8717135.html?sku=1_36%7C2_36724&litb_from=paid_adwords_shopping&utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=17753222330&adword_mt=&adword_ct=&adword_kw=&adword_pos=&adword_pl=&adword_net=x&adword_tar=&adw_src_id=3516490533_17753222330__&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA_OetBhAtEiwAPTeQZwlWH28jqcJvU3wwpNDPFtIGDn1IIR5w52Gn_azQDBd9BBd5Kt6RsRoCTKcQAvD_BwE

Sorry wrong link on first post for blouse

I think the suggestion of a high neck blouse with a brooch on the neck, plus a full long skirt is a good one.

And given that the average Victorian family had (according to Google) 5 or 6 children, I think you're worrying too much about your waistline.

I like this style!

They are aiming for mid 1800s. When was the Rational Dress movement?

Perhaps I could go as a naughty Georgian great-aunt - with old fashioned love of the empire line high waist.

@DrLucyVanPelt I do love that cape.

I think it was getting under way in the 1870s but you could be an early pioneer. They were mainly keen to get away from tight corsets and get women into much more comfortable, practical clothes.

Go for full on dressage style - so a jacket like this in whatever colour you prefer plus a longish tailored skirt or trousers in whatever style suits you best https://www.cordings.co.uk/navy-velvet-hacking-jacket.html?currency=GBP&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIp5CDq-iHhAMVM4xQBh3CzAQIEAQYBiABEgIBn_D_BwE

I'd accessorise with a top hat with veil https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/843358481/mini-top-hat-mourning-veil-glamorous?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_uk_en_gb_a-accessories-hats_and_caps-fascinators_and_mini_hats-fascinators&utm_custom1=k_EAIaIQobChMIyfTZkemHhAMVSpRQBh0jdgpVEAQYCiABEgIaIPD_BwE_k&utm_content=go_12604674702_125447449408_508772732854_pla-316236541125_c__843358481engb_469701020&utm_custom2=12604674702&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyfTZkemHhAMVSpRQBh0jdgpVEAQYCiABEgIaIPD_BwE

and Victorian style lace up boots https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/386251147489?chn=ps&_ul=GB&var=653794597063&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=653794597063_386251147489&targetid=1405282543879&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9045894&poi=&campaignid=17218284410&mkgroupid=142217514411&rlsatarget=pla-1405282543879&abcId=9300867&merchantid=5307600461&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuJqEtemHhAMVAZNQBh3Dhw2GEAQYCyABEgLkBfD_BwE

I would suggest that a riding crop would be optional - you know your friends better than I do..................................

First of all, Victorian is a HUGE span of time and fashions changed a lot so I'd be finding out what approximate year they're aiming to replicate. You can then rent a costume in your size from a place that hires them out (there are loads on the internet).

I can't wear skirts - because they all finish at my widest point... and I have to have a double layer there too due to needing a blouse. (Think skirt on football.)

The wealth of knowledge (and style) here is impressive!

The era chosen is mid 1800s.

I would definitely go as a man! The option of wearing a smoking jacket would be wonderful.

if you can’t go as a man, definitely have a cape. It is the only time in your life that you can wear a cape.

I’d decline on the basis I had consumption.

Pioneering lady cyclist?

I would go in a men’s costume too - preferably an army General where I get to wear an amazing hat! Or an Admiral!

I'd go as a time traveller who'd just arrived in Victorian times, i.e in my normal clothes.

I don't know what you could put this with, but it feels vaguely right and is available in large sizes. https://www.johnlewis.com/monsoon-maya-embellished-military-jacket-midnight/p110777544?size=22&s_ppc=2dx_mixed_fashion_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=20480471915&cq_con=&cq_term=&cq_med=pla&cq_plac=&cq_net=x&cq_pos=&cq_plt=gp&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA_OetBhAtEiwAPTeQZ3OmannzOOtlUpuHCRSjYwY1pMPfA-G9gbA3gKM1f1aIfUBnL3g1yxoC7acQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

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

You could go as Mrs Bridges 😁

I reckon a dress like enough to this
https://maggiemayfashions.com/1850s-work-dress-in-wild-berry-print/
could be found on eBay in your size
e.g. this
Then go big on the shawl, crossed at the waist for coverage. Plus big decorated hat PP suggested.
Sounds fab.

Something like this strikes me as Victorian-esq. without being costume -

www.marksandspencer.com/cord-v-neck-button-through-midaxi-tea-dress/p/clp22581426#intid=pid_pg2pip48g2r16c1|prodflag_Online%20Only