Menopausal winter wedding guest dress

[Amithatbad1]

Wedding in December and cannot find the right dress!
Size 14 with big boobs and hips with disappearing waistline due to menopause but was once an hourglass.
I don't like high necks but definitely not strapless.
My legs are OK so not maxi or midi.
I was thinking velvet for its warmth as I feel the cold easily but also thinking not good for hot flushes - sweaty?
I want to try and create a waistline and also hold in my mum tum so maybe a wrap style?
I'd love a wrap lace dress but in my price range the lace always looks cheap.
I suit bright jewel colours so looking for red - not wine or burgundy or green or blue, again bright tones of these colours not dark or pastel.
And also, if possible, I want to look elegant not trashy or frumpy!
Please help!!!

I'm sorry, but when I read the title I legitimately wondered what a menopausal winter wedding theme might look like. 😉

The velvet looks high quality in the image, it looks well-made [edit: I'm not sure if they have the size conversion right from US sizes, though 😕]: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/145569647515

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/387427243256

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335599280998

This one seems available in a few different colours and sizes, it looks like it would create a waist very nicely:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/326207933684

[Can't edit previous post] On second thoughts, I don't know that I like any of the dresses I just posted, though the draping of the last one would probably be flattering. Maybe it's something to consider in another dress? And the material of the first one looks a grade above the usual offerings when you search.

This is difficult 😅

Phase Eight sale, & an extra 10% off (I think!) if you're a new customer online:

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/priya-lace-frill-dress-220944452.html#isSecondPage=false&start=58&sz=60&is=true&imageType=model&cgid=sale&prefn1=clothingType&prefv1=Dresses&prefn2=size&prefv2=14&prefn3=color&prefv3=Blue|Green&pid=220944452&pos=80

https://www.riverisland.com/p/red-wrap-belted-midi-dress-915776
Fits your description of what you're looking for...

Have a look at the rental area on monsoon website. Very reasonable prices (from £6 per day) and some beautiful dresses.

www.monsoonrental.com

https://www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/long-sleeve-midi-wrap-dress-_-green/

https://www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/latica-midi-dress-in-autumn-glaze/

https://www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/sunset-midi-dress-neon-pink/

All within budget and with sleeves and a cinched in waist.

amoreoamicizia that blue Calvin Klein is close to perfect, looks like it would give me a waistline, long sleeve, lovely blue colour but... a size 10?!?! 15 years ago maybe 😄

https://www.hotsquash.com/warm/occasion-dresses/blouson-sleeved-scuba-fit-n-flare-dress-red.html

https://www.hotsquash.com/warm/party-season/velvet-ruched-midi-dress.html

https://www.silkfred.com/womens/clothing/dresses/day-dresses/closet-london-1/burgundy-velvet-wrap-a-line-dress

The same seller has it in a green in size 14

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/326185016608

Though I’m not sure if it is an American 14. In which case - you can will need the size 10 after all!

Such a nice post.

I think it's a US 10, which is a UK 14 ish

@Amithatbad1

This one is the colour I think you are looking for, it's not velvet though.

https://www.johnlewis.com/adrianna-papell-crepe-tailored-dress/red/p109248731?size=14

What is that in reference to?

Well done for finding something that actually looks classy for under £100 (I thought that was impossible!). It's so close to the brief and I think it's gorgeous, but in her fifth post OP wrote "..... long sleeves but not flappy, bell or lantern sleeves." 🤔

www.ever-pretty.co.uk/cdn/shop/products/EG01964DN-R.jpg?v=1700624224&width=900

Red sequin.

https://closetlondon.com/closet-kimono-wrap-over-dress/

have you tried closet ? I have a couple of their kimono style pencil dresses and they are very flattering ( am a perimenopausal, apple shaped size 12)

im also going to a winter wedding and have bought this……https://www.marksandspencer.com/crepe-button-button-detail-mini-shift-dress/p/clp60690244#intid=pid_pg1pip48g2r24c1
its surprisingly flattering on and am wearing it with cream boots

£90 in the sale & great reviews.
https://www.monsoon.co.uk/reyna-lace-dress-blue-20000310007.html

@Amithatbad1 Coast has quite a decent selection of select dresses. They regularly have sales/offers on and they tend to be good quality dresses.

www.coastfashion.com/search?text=velvet+dress&page=4

I would also say don’t completely rule out sequins. I attended a winter wedding as a guest all through the day and night and wore this dress from Coast. If done tastefully, I can look lovely and is one of the great things about a winter wedding vs a summer one where you probably couldn’t get away with sequins as a daytime guest.

Edited to add link

https://uk.dvf.com/products/dvf-astrid-dress-in-akane?variant=45654151463086&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADmngYrUg4aZRa1aIsDuZdUEMteBp

If you're completely at a loss, I'd recommend a personal shopper.

Years back, I was attending DH's cousin's wedding and needed a dress that I could feel confident and comfortable in. I was at a complete loss, so undertook the services of a personal shopper at Debenhams.

The dress I bought in the end was one that I would never had taken off the rail if I'd been shopping and I didn't like it at all when she brought it to the changing room!