Help! I've lost my wedding mojo

[Ginmonkeyagain]

So - I've been invited to 2 London weddings this summer - one just the evening do in a trendy taproom and one full wedding with the reception in a West London pub.

I've not been to a wedding since 2015 and all my go to dresses either don't fit or look too formal/old fashioned (I did a series of weddings with a fifties look - fit and flare vintage dress to the knee, pill box hat, little bolero jacket).
Post covid I seem to have lost the skill of occasion dressing.

So me - mid forties, size 16, 5ft 7, pale olive skin and dark brunette hair. I tend towards midi/maxi dresses or skirts these days.Can wear fitted waist stuff, braless not an option. I like bold colours and bold prints - not too many (or any) ruffles. Am picky about fabrics. Can go up to £200 for the right dress.

Hit me up!

What about Justine Tabak? Quality midi dress, nice and bright www.justinetabak.co.uk/products/cherry-cotton-crinkle-midhurst-dress
There is a smidge of a ruffle but you said you wore midi dresses and there is almost no escaping them these days?

Phase eight

Rixo

https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/dresses/midi-dresses/product.drawstring-midi-dress-yellow.1205950001.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw0_WyBhDMARIsAL1Vz8uiNDmI9TsfftBhVqw79oJAl4xca_f49cCcdCQxwlbAXmfTEbhI3WwaAoeMEALw_wcB

What about a maxi dress from Joanie?

The Fold and me+ em are my go- to brands for this kind of occasion these days- beautiful, practical, flattering dresses. Only problem is their dresses are mostly more than £200 but you could try the sale sections or vinted

@SparrowFeet love the colour of that one - definitely the type of colours I like to wear.

@Garlicnaan beautiful dress - lime is not a colour that does me any favours but may see if they do more colours.

I'd echo The Fold or Me +Em if I was looking for something really lovely. They are usually really flattering and good quality. The Justine Taback dress while a gorgeous colour did slightly give me dressing gown vibes on first look.

I'll take a look at those places. I could up my budget a bit more ( I live in London so no accomodation and minimal travel costs for both weddings).

I could do with investing in an ongoing special occasion dress - covid and more casual approaches to dressing means I have not had much cause to dress up for a few years now so that part of my wardrobe no longer fit well or look a bit old fashioned so perhaps time for a new piece.

This one is fab although a bit over your budget a bit, which is typical of Me+Em. All my favourites are the too expensive ones

Although now I think of it, it's got a few ruffles!! But pretty ones??

It is within the acceptable ruffle boundaries.

Often with ruffles the trick is in the tailoring. Cheap ones can make you look like a loo roll cover.

Would you consider renting a dress rather than buying - something like this Olivia von Halle dress might work?

https://hire.girlmeetsdress.com/collections/wedding-guest-dresses/products/aureta-silk-cheetah-dress

Hmmm, not something I had considered. Mainly cos I can be a bit of a klutz when drinking (sad memories of a gold silk Ted Baker dress forever ruined by a white wine spill).

I found a really nice dress in SilkFred for a wedding this summer, no ruffles in sight and I'm a 16 (some of these suggestions won't look attractive on a larger frame) that one is sold out but they get new stock in. Opt for a style that works for larger sizes so not too clingy nor extra stiff material that makes you add bulk. I have a dress from Isabel London too that punched way above price point. Another suggestion is to get a stylist appointment at John Lewis, they are usually good at finding pieces as long as it's not end of season

I've never heard of Silk Fred. Will take a look.

Sezane is my go to and they do some really flattering shapes for size 16 x

https://www.sezane.com/en

Karen Millen has some really lovely dresses.

https://www.karenmillen.com/womens/dresses?start=40&sz=40&_gl=1y4kjli_up*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9vqyBhCKARIsAIIcLMGP5eiEuOMY-e6OqsMFHiaUwDpSr27c6eAd5t9nMEtlsc6PMaRlkKEaAlg5EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Though i think you might be pleasantly surprised by Silk Fred and much cheaper! I recently had my 50th and various celebrations lasting over the month (apologies to mumsnetters who disapprove of celebrating adult birthdays but I had a blast!) I treated myself to several new dresses from SF and I was delighted with all of them.

Hobbs.

www.hobbs.com/occasion/

Thanks all - lots to investigate.

Self portrait has a sale on!

Man - that is a lot of pastel lace.

One hundred stars

I've seen loads of beautiful looking dresses at Yumi.co.uk that I'm looking at for my Mums wedding. I'm a huge fan of kimono/ wrap style dresses as I'm a size 14 hourglass.