Outfit ideas for Buckingham Palace OBE ceremony

[Janefx40]

Hello!

My Dad got awarded his OBE in the New Year's Honours List - we're so proud of him! It was a total surprise when he found out.

We're off to the palace to his ceremony in a few weeks and I've nothing to wear. Help!

I need a full outfit including shoes and a hat!

I'm mid 40s, size 8-10, 5'7" slim but I have a bit of a pregnancy shaped tummy as my tummy muscles never recovered from pregnancy.

I've got a medium sized bust but a little "low slung" and I've never suited high necks or strapless. Bra with straps is a must!

Happy to spend a little (ie up to £150 for a dress).

All suggestions welcome! Help!

I’m currently on another thread where we’re talking about Cabbages & Roses. If you hurry you might be able to get something suitably splendid in their archive sale.

https://www.cabbagesandroses.com/collections/sale

Congratulations to your father!

Thanks @BlossomBlossomBlossom I will have a look

@BlossomBlossomBlossom had a quick look. I am no where near cool enough to pull off those dresses!!! I can imagine someone else looking great in them tho!

For Buckingham Palace I'd say you can't be too formal really. What about Hobbs or Coast - they both do dress and jacket combos.

Here you go - quite a few dresses under £150:

https://www.hobbs.com/occasion/races/

It depends on what suits you really - could you tell us what colours you usually wear?

Phase Eight do some lovely formal occasion outfits.

I've linked you to one example (maybe with a black or dark navy jacket?)

Not sure what your preferred style is but their website has loads of options, especially with Spring and Summer here in UK

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/christie-printed-scuba-midi-dress-222115000.html#cgid=occasion&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=222115000&pos=22

I’d written Phase Eight off for a wedding, but looked again as I couldn’t find anything I liked - bought the Simara dress, and liked it so much I bought another colour for a Buckingham Palace garden party. They have different colours and lengths, and it’s lovely.

Hobbs, LK bennett (or hire one from LK Borrowed) would be good. Definitely very formal. Google what people wear at these ceremonies. The dresses in the first link are too informal.

https://www.lkbennett.com/Sale

@HornyHornersPinkyWinky thank you! I usually wear purples and pinks - even sometimes orange. I had a phase of mostly wearing dark colours but fancy a bit more fun!

I don't suit night necklines and most of the Hobbs ones I liked were high necks.

https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/dresses/midi-dresses/product.linen-midi-wrap-dress-blue.0927467008.html

I agree you need to play it fairly safe for this occasion!

This looks smart but a bit more lively https://www.nobodyschild.com/red-floral-chiffon-anya-midaxi-dress.html?queryID=72d3e4362bb91ddfbece9bfcb6f35b85&objectID=56060&indexName=nc2-prod_uk_products

Have you thought whether you’ll want to wear a hat/fascinator? They seem to be popular (though not obligatory) at investiture ceremonies.

Rent! I went to my husband’s earlier this year and there were a mixed bag of outfits from full on gowns to floaty, but the vast majority were in smart tailoring. Jigsaw and LK Bennett both have great value rentals

LK Borrowed is great and they also have a referral programme.
I recently got a month for free too. https://www.lkborrowed.com/collections/dresses/products/leonora-pink-shift-dress?eventId=cc823fc9-e4e6-43eb-b1c3-ff7afecdbb0b&collectionId=279529717966&pageIndex=1

https://www.lkborrowed.com/collections/dresses/products/nicola-pale-pink-recycled-crepe-asymmetric-dress?eventId=954fafe5-9a25-41c4-801b-df03f7ca502c&collectionId=279529717966&pageIndex=1

@daisychain01 thank you!

@Sarvanga38 thank you! Yes Simara looks like a lovely style. And loads of different colours etc as you say x

@WhatWouldYouDo25 thank you. These look great and I didn't know about LK Borrowed. Great option x

@Workingmytickettoparadise thank you! I need to try some stuff on as no idea how different styles will sit on my tummy! But this is really pretty

@TimesChangeAgain I absolutely love this. Am so attracted to this maxi dresses but not sure if I would pull them off! Thank you x

@Vermin thank you! Great idea x

@Vermin and congratulations to your husband x

Congratulations to your dad, it’s a great experience.

We went a few years ago for my dad, it was fab. I am a lot larger than you but just went to Hobbs, bought a formal dress and jacket, mid heeled shoes and a fascinator online.

You can’t be too formal as someone else said. There were some incredible outfits there and the occasional more hippy affair. Wish I had had the confidence to switch the heels but couldn’t do it!

Reiss is always good for formal occasions.

https://www.reiss.com/style/ST815649/321970?gadsource=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkJS7p6mahQMV45tQBh2RoQCpEAQYASABEgJ4jPDD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#321970

Phase 8

The staff are lovely and knowledgeable. You get to try on loads of pretty dresses. And they tend to have everything which goes accessories wise too.

Went for a dress, came out with dress, jacket and fascinator. Could have gone out with shoes too. But my feet are awkward.