Stlylish wedding guest dress help! 50year-old, but young at heart!

[Goodenoughisgoodenough]

Help! I feel like I really don't know where to start with looking for an outfit for a family wedding. Here's the details - Scotland, September. Fiancee is Scandinavian, so lots of relatives in uber-chic Scandi lowkey-but-beautiful style. Small-ish, smart wedding. I don't want to look like the frumpy English SIL in a John Lewis floral... (if that makes sense) I reallly want to be 'chic/elegant'. I'm 50, size 10 (or 12). 5 ft 6 in. long dark hair. I suit bright colours, but think on this occassion I might like something more pastel colour. Wraps and v necks suit me. No spagetti straps, or too much skin on show. Midi length. Budget up to £300. I really don't even know which shops to look at. Style-wise, I love clothes by Wyse and Ba&sh ( got a few dresses from Vinted). But most other online High Street brands (Phase 8, Hobbs, Whistles) all seem very uninspiring. There must be some more stylish options out there? Recommendations of where to look please!

I was surprised how not dressed up the Scandinavian contingent were at a recent wedding, not really Uber chic at all. I wouldn't overthink.

I would have thought Hobbs but you say nothing suited? Reiss maybe? John Lewis have some options in their "wedding guest dress" filter that might suit, not floral!

It’s a shame you decided on 50 year old, but … as your title. Slightly distracting to have to wonder what you imagine other 50 year olds are like.

Anyhow … Some of these brands might appeal. (Worth browsing whole sites rather than focusing on any linked dress you might not like.)

https://uk.ajeworld.com/collections/dresses/products/madeleine-belted-midi-dress-lilac

https://uk.realisationpar.com/shop/dresses/

https://rendez-vous-store.com/category/women/women-dresses-rendez-vous-store/

https://www.adolfodominguez.com/en-gb/

https://louloustudio.fr/en/durion/#/1-size-s/240-couleur_loulou-silver_grey

https://klements.co.uk/collections/all/products/solstice-silk-dress-pre-order?variant=42997926461598

https://gb.weekendmaxmara.com/p-we5221174206007-giambo-green

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/clothing/dresses

Though you could always hire something wonderful by Zimmermann or Erdem or Cecilie Bahnsen. (I’d go for the last of these. Am much older than you.) Hurr and other dress rental places might be worth a look.

Small bump …

Jigsaw, Reiss and Ted Baker are a bit less staid than Hobbs and Phase 8, so give them a look. Unfortunately most of what's in the shops at the mo will be too chilly for Scotland in September.

I would add Alémais and Batsheva and Faith Rowan to your list.

Like you I'm a bit puzzled by the emphasis on "50, but..."

I wouldn't touch Reiss, Phase Eight or Ted Baker with a bargepole.

Jigsaw's latest collaboration with Roksanda has some interesting stuff but over the budget set.

If it were me, I'd go with a Klements Dusk dress- which are dramatic and like nothing anyone else will be wearing.

Jigsaw Roksanda

Ha! I left out Alamais because it’s over budget new, but somehow not so impossibly expensive that I’d put it in the ‘hire’ category. Hesitated over Batsheva. I’ve never come across Faith Rowan … Hmm … Would appeal to people who want carefully made but quiet clothes?

Faith Rowan depends on what material they have available. That is not a very exciting selection at the moment