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Not a wedding dress for a wedding

69 replies

Strikingdress · 04/02/2024 11:39

Hi

I have a registry office wedding , it’s early April .

After booked a private room in a nice restaurant for 20 of us .

So I want a dress that isn’t a wedding dress and a bit different , striking .

I am 5ft 6. Size 18-20 .
50s . Fair complexion .

I can be glam with make up .

I want a dress that stands out . Budget up to £300.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
29
Echobelly · 04/02/2024 12:24

You might also want to look at bridesmaid dresses there's a massive selection of styles and colours. I got married in a 3/4 length sapphire blue dress and got custom hat and shoes made, so spent the money on those rather than the dress.

Some lovely plus-size options here in various colours and shapes that could look really good

https://www.jjshouse.com/collection/plus-size-bridesmaid-dresses?pos=banner-bridesmaiddresses-plussize001-5__sale-from-list&banner=bridesmaiddresses-plussize001

Buy Plus Size Bridesmaid Dresses Online | JJ's House

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ringmybe11 · 04/02/2024 12:26

Might not be exactly what you're looking for but I got my wedding dress from monsoon. They have a really good bridal selection with a range of styles so you could find something less traditional. I ordered about 10 dresses tried them all on at home, sent back 9 and was refunded within a few days so only the money for the dress I ended up with left my account. Really easy

muddyford · 04/02/2024 12:29

I didn't wear a wedding dress for either of my weddings. First came from Debenhams and I still love it, second from Laura Ashley. Lots of lovely dresses around.

IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle · 04/02/2024 12:30

QuaterMiss · 04/02/2024 12:13

Something like this?

(Or anything else on the site.)

Edited

Great suggestion.

PragmaticWench · 04/02/2024 12:40

I've found some really striking dresses on Wolf & Badger.

QuaterMiss · 04/02/2024 12:41

This is ferociously minimalist so wouldn’t work if you want something fancy. But if you have any magnificent jewellery …

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/rodarte/dresses/midi-dress/stretch-silk-midi-dress/34344356236621520

QuaterMiss · 04/02/2024 12:43

(US size 14 is a UK 18.)

RuthW · 04/02/2024 12:52

I wore an ankle length straight silver grey lace dress with matching jacket for mine last year. I'm the same age and size as you.

QuaterMiss · 04/02/2024 13:53

Reformation has dresses for people who don’t feel the cold. I wouldn’t say they’re ‘different’ but they are perfectly nice, if skimpy, and you might see one you like.

(Though I’d rather spend my money on Rodarte.)

Strikingdress · 04/02/2024 15:26

QuaterMiss · 04/02/2024 12:13

Something like this?

(Or anything else on the site.)

Edited

They are a bit too frilly for me .

also, forgot to say, don’t want high neck. Would like a lower neckline .

thanks for looking .

OP posts:
Strikingdress · 04/02/2024 15:27

Echobelly · 04/02/2024 12:24

You might also want to look at bridesmaid dresses there's a massive selection of styles and colours. I got married in a 3/4 length sapphire blue dress and got custom hat and shoes made, so spent the money on those rather than the dress.

Some lovely plus-size options here in various colours and shapes that could look really good

https://www.jjshouse.com/collection/plus-size-bridesmaid-dresses?pos=banner-bridesmaiddresses-plussize001-5__sale-from-list&banner=bridesmaiddresses-plussize001

They are nice, but a bit ordinary . I want something that isn’t wedding , but striking . It’s hard to describe, I’ll sort of know it when I see it. I know that’s not a great help .

OP posts:
Strikingdress · 04/02/2024 15:28

QuaterMiss · 04/02/2024 12:41

This is ferociously minimalist so wouldn’t work if you want something fancy. But if you have any magnificent jewellery …

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/rodarte/dresses/midi-dress/stretch-silk-midi-dress/34344356236621520

Beige would be a no no . I’m happy with minimalist but needs to be striking .

OP posts:
Strikingdress · 04/02/2024 15:29

PragmaticWench · 04/02/2024 12:40

I've found some really striking dresses on Wolf & Badger.

I’ll take a look, thanks.

OP posts:
Anjea · 04/02/2024 15:30

Can you link to the type of thing you've seen that's almost but not quite right?

Tisfortired · 04/02/2024 15:42

I’m having a registry wedding in June and got mine frk
Rixo - there’s a specific registry section and lots of different styles.

Strikingdress · 04/02/2024 16:07

This has been helpful, as it’s helped me narrow down what I don’t want .

its hard to say what I want , but I do know what I don’t.

i don’t want high neck, frills or floaty or floral.
no beige . Preferable maxi .

OP posts:
IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle · 04/02/2024 17:36

I would have suggested Raey@Matches for their long, silky, non floral, non frilly, non high neck, striking dresses but they will fall at the hurdle of being floaty. And at their cheapest are £100 over budget.
Raey

I can think of of brands who do non-floaty, non- frilly, non-floral, maxi shirt neck style maxi dresses (e.g Colenimo and Toast) but they are utilitarian every day dresses. Maxi does tend to be either floral or floaty or both.

The only thing I can think of which meets all of non-floaty, non-frilly, non-floral, non high neck and maxi is Dancing Leopard's Dove dress in plain colours. I don't like this dress, but it ticks the boxes on everything. (Whether it's "striking is subjective)
Dove Dancing Leopard

There's also Jasper Conran, which are nicer than Dancing Leopard but they're not maxi, (depending on height) and over budget.

Jasper Conran

I don't like this brand either but I suppose there's always Bombshell. They have dresses which tick the boxes at about £100 over budget.

Bombshell

Dancing Leopard logo

Search: 26 results found for "Dove dress"

Shop the fiercest women's fashion at Dancing Leopard | Think trending leopard print dresses, jumpsuits, and more in sizes 6-18 | Sign up to our emails for 10% off

https://www.dancingleopard.co.uk/search?type=product&q=Dove+dress

Cuppachuchu · 04/02/2024 17:48

Goddiva has some lovely dresses on Debenham's website.

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