Hello all,
Looking for any recommendations that any fashionable Mumsnetters can suggest!
Background context – my BIL and his fiancé (SIL 1) are getting married and his sister (SIL 2 for ease) will be a member of the wedding party as a groomsmaid / bridesmaid, she is his half-sister which is relevant. My BIL and SIL are having more of a ‘combi’ wedding part where both sides ‘maids and mans’ on the day will be grouped together but the organisation of clothing etc. is being generally sorted by each specific side. SIL 2 I has grown up in a different country and will be flying to attend the wedding in the UK. My BIL and SIL 1 will be purchasing their wedding parties outfits and my BIL and SIL 1 are having a little trouble finding something for SIL 2 so I am trying to help!
SIL 2 comes from an area and background in her home country which is generally very conservative and she will need an outfit that reflects this, SIL 2 is not religious at all but her dress sense reflects the norms of the country and culture. For ease BIL and SIL 2 will be buying her outfit here, she will be coming over for a holiday before the wedding anyway and the outfit can hopefully be sorted.
Any suggestions would be very helpful to start researching! The wedding will be both ceremony and party in a very lovely (and pricey) historic venue with a big party and dress code will be formal but also quite glamorous. If relevant SIL 2’S style more secular and ‘Western/ European’ rather than maybe other modest style dress based on religious restrictions. SIL 2’s outfit needs to:
· Not be fitted at the waist AT ALL– this is where we are stuck as so many dresses that cover the other criteria are 1950’s style with a very fitted waist or ‘skimming’. The ideal shape is a big triangle or very A- line so fitted at the shoulders with lots more fabric and volume going down. Other styles like tea dresses, bias cut gown, skimming slip dresses etc. are still too fitted.
· Have a collar that comes to the neck
· No cleavage, back or shoulders showing
· Be at least knee length
· Arms on the dress to at least the elbow, if the dress is sleeveless BILs mother is an excellent sewer and can add arms to a sleeveless dress
Budget is negotiable really (any suggestions at the moment) and any colour as long as not white or brown! Luxury fabric or colours are all good! We have founds some dresses from brands like Bernadette or Molly Goddard but my BIL or SIL 1 don’t dress like this generally so have no idea of what is ‘good’ or not.
Disclaimer - I know that the above criteria is quite specific so just to say SIL 2 is fab and not causing any issues. BIL and SIL 1 are very excited to have her in the wedding and for her to have an outfit that she is comfortable in. SIL 2 won’t, and doesn’t, wear clothing that doesn’t match above but looks great day to day and for events in her home country, it’s just quite different from experience of the usual wedding gear that BIL and SIL 1's family have.