Wedding challenge

[Pluvia]

I'm in my 60s, 5' 6" and somewhere between a 14 and a 16. I may be able to drop a size in the time. Narrow-hipped, no waist to speak of since menopause. B-cup. Long body, short sturdy legs. Since breaking my leg/ ankle in an accident a couple of years ago and having a skin graft on my shin, I've been left with an angry red patch and scarring a couple of inches up from the front of my ankle that nothing seems to calm. I'm also inclined to have some swelling in that ankle as a result of the metalwork holding me together. So I no longer have the shapely ankles and legs of old.

I've been invited to a church wedding in September. It's a 40s/ 50s style wedding: bride and groom are both vintage fans and so are all their friends. Dress code is tea-length dresses or dress suits. What's a dress suit?

I have to travel there and back on public transport (2 hours each way on trains) on the day (it's a 4pm wedding) and really need something that won't crease or look too outre. I can't book a hotel and change there or stay over: it has to be a day trip because I have a long-standing an important engagement the following day.

I'm stumped. I spend my life in jeans and jersey sweats in the winter and linen/ cotton trousers in the summer: boots and flat shoes. Haven't been able to wear heels since the accident.

My partner told me laughingly that I should go as the cleaning lady, in floral wrap apron with a big scarf wrapped round my head. I was thinking about an all-in one, but they seem to suit women with waists — and I'm going to be on trains for hours and can't imagine struggling in and out of one for the loo.

Is there are solution? I am more than happy to be the invisible, quietly dressed older woman, rather than trying to style it out with the youngsters.

Could you wear a jumpsuit? You can buy long or short sleeved ones and a full length leg. Lots of shops selling them: M&S, Wallis, Next, Roman, M&Co to name a few. There are some beautiful ones around. You could wear with flats, heels or wedges.

I did think about that: if I could find something with a vintage vibe it might work. Only thing is travelling on trains and having to take off a jumpsuit for the loo...

I’m not understanding the problem? It’s a dress code, not fancy dress, yes? So you just find a nice seasonal midi dress, or dress and jacket, that looks good on you. And a nice pair of shoes. As it will be September you can easily wear tights or stockings, too. Though I wouldn’t worry too much about how your ankle looks if it actually functions.

You don’t give a budget but John Lewis actually lists ‘Tea dresses’ as a thing - and this is rather pretty:

Tea dress

Obviously you could spend ten times that amount if you prefer. Happy to help you look.

(Ignore the automatic JL link. The dress link takes you to it.)

Have you considered travelling to the destination the previous day? Would that make things easier for you?

Phase Eight have some quite dressy jump suits which you might like. I see JL has been mentioned, if you live close to a branch, you could try their personal shopping service, which is good for ideas and unexpected combinations.

I would opt for a tea dress. Similar style to this

If you want something more self consciously retro have a look at

Palava

But I honestly don’t think you have to search out something historically exact - unless the invitation makes that a clear requirement.

I have to travel there and back on public transport (2 hours each way on trains) on the day (it's a 4pm wedding) ..... I can't book a hotel and change there or stay over: it has to be a day trip because I have a long-standing an important engagement the following day.

If the wedding is 4 p.m when is your last train home ? Tbh, the time tabling looks awful. Is it really impossible to get the first train the next morning? If the next day event is so important I think personally I might not go to the wedding. When you say "trains" is that one train there and one back? Or connecting trains?

If you're still determined to go, Palava is a good shout. Their dresses will stand up to all day wear and sitting on a train. They're vintage inspired rather than pastiche.

From GhastlyGoodTaste's link. This is would work too and should travel well.

might like this at John Lewis: www.johnlewis.comnull?s_share=jlappdroid Monsoon tea dress

"Dress suits" means your husband should wear a lounge suit - if he's going too.

You could do a wide leg floaty trousers and top co-ord, like a faux jumpsuit. https://www.howtodofashion.com/no-7-vanloese-frontpage

No, there's a separate section describing what men should wear. As I've said, they live life entirely (work and leisure) in vintage/ period style. I think I'm going to have to look at something genuinely from the 40s or 50s, which is difficult when you're a bit chunky.

Oh, that's fantastic! And it's photographed on someone who isn't a size 6 and 6ft tall, so it's easier to imagine me wearing it. I could combine that with one of the jacket patterns and wear with flats and a turban and lipstick. Thank you so much, I think that is probably the direction I need to go. Will probably need to invest in some shapewear to hold my tum and bum in and up, but this may also inspire me to do more crunches and lose a stone. Great set of patterns. Thank you.

Try
https://www.vivienofholloway.com

theseamstressofbloomsbury.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOoo_qN1QEq0jlG8n-6wWU5MExwAPdgDldnVcUy0x-XajOdVAz90n

https://www.rocknromancevintage.com/en-nl

https://www.thehouseoffoxy.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopyjpiaxsZuv9Dq3bWeat-zR9QZ4v9YeGr4GJAqi3W3zUTPjfDB

Glad to help, I also saw this whilst browsing https://www.howtodofashion.com/blog/2018/08/09/2018-8-9-my-dandy-look
In for a penny, in for a pound!

Now I can imagine getting myself into a fancy dress frame of mind and actually carrying that off for the day! I'd have to get a good tailor to make the jacket. Several of the people going are in the bespoke/ Savile Row crowd and a skew whiff placket would spotted at 100 paces.

And I can't tell you how wonderful it feels to see women of normal shapes and sizes carrying off these looks.

Great suggestions from @Chocolateisameal there. Make sure you check their sizing - Vivien of Holloway certainly uses vintage sizes so you’ll need to go up at least one.

I will also add What Katie Did, they have some lovely dresses and also beach pyjamas (jumpsuits).

Also take a look at Heyday for separates and dresses.