Help me find a lovely outfit for my mum!

[sarahbanshee]

My lovely mum is going to Buckingham Palace at the end of November to receive an honour (yay!!)

She is worrying about what to wear and I'd love some inspiration to help her feel fabulous. The dress code is "day dress, trouser suit or two piece suit, hat preferred".

She's 72, 5 foot 5 and a size 18. She used to be very hourglass but has got a bit thicker round the middle in the last ten years which makes her sad - she generally suffers from quite poor body image although I think she's lovely :(

She's got dark brown hair and looks nice in jewel tones, really likes navy and white, any kind of dark red/purple, or dark green. Would prefer a long sleeved dress or a dress and jacket, could go for a skirt suit but I don't think she'd want to wear trousers.

Ideally budget up to about £200 although I could probably persuade her to spend more for the perfect outfit - she's got money now although grew up poor so remains frugal especially when it comes to treating herself!

I agree @Barney16 . It's likely to be a dress and jacket occasion and I'd be thinking the Camilla or Carole look might be nearer the mark.
This has some photos
Advice on what to wear to an Investiture (joyceyoungcollections.co.uk)

Op not sure where you live but Boundry Outlet have several uk stores, they have a massive amount to choose from (think Debenhams size stores) really great brands at fab discounts and 100% certain your Mum would what she wants within budget, we'll worth a day out .. I live near one and its a well known stop off for anyone that needs anything for a posh do ...would go soon before all the glitzy christmas dresses come in https://boundaryoutlet.com/

I do agree and would have suggested Boundry Mill myself but there's a limited number of outlets and not knowing where the OP is in the country I went with John Lewis on this occasion. Personally, it has been the first of point of call for me, my friends and family for many special events.

However, if other posters feel John Lewis is old fashioned and unsophisticated I dread to think what they would think of Boundry Mill with it being an outlet and stocking last season's styles. 🙄

I've reported you. You derail every single S&B thread with your opinions. There is no need to be so argumentative or confrontational. People like different styles, not just your suggested garments. Back off for a change.

@CheerfulBunny , did you have any suggestions to make or did you just want to have a pop at someone?

Think the ghost,
me and em and jasper con tan dresses are worth a try on. Some lovely options there.

Because as you said, people have different tastes. For example, I think the Conran dresses are overpriced and generic, while the Palava ones are just ugly!

The Conrad dresses are very samey. If you like shirt dresses and are tall they are fantastic but if that's not your style the whole range is out.

I'd personally take her for a personal shopper at a large John Lewis or one of those 'mother of the bride' or 'day at the races' type shops, like an old fashioned ladies boutique.

Those Conran dresses are shockers.

She can’t go to the Palace dressed as a sack of spuds! (Palava ones to clarify - the Conran just bizarrely look cheap).

Congrats to your mum OP.

I like this dress, maybe with a hat/fascinator and no jacket?

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/kendall-pleated-midi-dress-221652351.html#cgid=mother-of-the-bride&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=221652351&pos=45

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/navy-fascinator-705790351.html#navAjax=true&is=true&cgid=hats&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&prefn1=color&prefv1=Blue&pid=70579035100&pos=0

Really like that one too.