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.)

Have a look on Etsy. There are masses.

or something like this which could be added to eg puff out the sleeves with padding . Depends how tall you are though.

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/penelope-floral-puff-sleeve-midi-dress-22056349212.html?istCompanyId=c38fe7a0-ffd0-4925-94b3-cff8df449484&istFeedId=5a41320b-c741-4d1e-b90d-1091450d147c&istItemId=ptrtixlpl&istBid=t&cqsrc=google_ads&cq_cmp=20294038518&cq_net=x&cq_plt=gp&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20294038518&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA_OetBhAtEiwAPTeQZ1ML_HTJyG-pokwadWnlojpqPVzm1DQau5YbAJ8IE_Ku4xVwLjrR7RoCe3sQAvD_BwE

Oh god I think you may be going to my friend's wedding. I've just received an invitation but must be dressed 'historical or burlesque'.

I'm kind of (overweight) pear shaped so can do a corset and petticoat but I'm not going to feel comfortable! I'd go for a flowing ankle length gown of some sort. Maybe with frilly sleeves and a high neck top for the Victorian look?

OP, I don't have any advice on the clothing, but I do love your sense of humor and I can see why you have so many friends who want to invite you to their weddings...I'm sure whatever you come up with will be fine as you clearly are a fantastic human and a lovely friend.

I love this line from a page linked above

“Women were only 5 feet tall at this time”

😁

Plenty of scope there! After all, anything before yesterday is historical so you could do capri trousers (or a bikini?) from the do 1960s, 1970s hot pants, 1980s aerobics Lycra and big hair…

(I can’t delete ‘do’, please excuse it)

An evil plan - so dastardly and Victorian! I suspect that you are twirling your moustache even as you read this.

It would so cause a stir.
I'd have to totter to the front sipping gin from an ancient bottle, stare at the groom and then mutter 'wrong wedding' as I retreated...

@Delphinium20 I want to be your friend!

I told you - there are secret Victorians everywhere.

Those are perfectly nice dresses, but not even slightly Victorian inspired.

I think wear what you like, and then add a cape/caplet and a Victorian style
brooch, and style your hair in a vaguely Victorian way. And maybe some lace gloves. Then as the day turns in to evening you can discard the layers.

Yes! Perfect.

I suspect you're right. Most people haven't a clue.

I'm on a Facebook family history group that has a lot of 'can anyone date this photo?' questions, and the spread of guesses is quite remarkable. Usually including several that are out by at least a century, and often pre-date the invention of photography.

I have the answer!
Get a Victorian style wedding dress from a charity shop and rip it to shreds. Cover your hair in talcum powder and fake spiders' webs. Carry a dried up bouquet and go as Miss Havisham!

I would simply ✨not go✨. Sounds terribly wanky! If they want fancy dress maybe they should provide the costumes!

Oh I love this!

This is also a brilliant idea

This one?
1800s Rococo Dresses for Women UK Renaissance Dress Victorian Ball Gowns Costumes Medieval Vintage Tea Party Prom Dress https://amzn.eu/d/j4OpAS0

I don’t have any serious ideas but you could go as Dr Who

Vintage Laura Ashley could be your answer - with a pie crust collar.

It's not fancy dress; you just want a nod to Victoriana surely?

Examples

https://onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk/laura-ashley-vintage-velvet-full-length-dress-dark-green-size-12/product/HD301722183?pscid=pssgglOOS+-+Performance+Max+-+ROAS+(Women%27s+clothing+%26+accessories))&crmeventtcode=20REUWWS08&gadsource=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqFv6GIhAMV75NQBh1x8wNeEAQYAyABEgIJnnD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Or this collab between Laura Ashley and Bathsheba

https://www.johnlewis.com/batsheva-x-laura-ashley-kipp-sherwood-forest-print-maxi-skirt-green/p111169524?size=12&sppc=2dxxmixedfashionnBAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&cqsrc=googleeads&cqcmp=20545660493&cqqcon=&cqterm=&cqqmed=pla&cqplac=&cqqnet=x&cqpos=&cqqplt=gp&gadsource=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqFv6GIhAMV75NQBh1x8wNeEAQYByABEgLIrvDDBwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Pick up a basque from Ann Summers, team it with stockings, lace up ankle boots and a skirt hoicked up to show your stocking tops. Go as a woman of ill repute. Carry off the look by having circles of rouge on your cheeks and swig gin from a bottle all day.

And if you have a male OH do make sure he grows the right facial hair. A twirlable moustache would be just the ticket!

www.bates.edu/news/2021/09/24/slideshow-11-great-beards-and-mustaches-of-19th-century-bates/

Gosh I want to come to this wedding!

+1

To me it is not so much the dressing up but adding an extra cost people may not want and another thing people have to organise themselves

Well the Victorians did like dressing up for Arthurian legend events!
I'd be dressing as someone dressing as...

Come shop in Lincoln. Victorian dress is still in fashion.
We don’t hold with fashion change for the sake of it.
😉😁😁.