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Original poster

Could this work for a wedding?

162 replies

Rugbyterms · 16/02/2025 07:28

I have a hotel based wedding, late April. I have one dress and would really like not to have to buy anything new for it. Do you think with some accessories it could work or, is it too summer holiday, white trainers and denim jacket looking?

I have jewellery and a cream clutch bag. Not sure on shoes though.

It’s a hotel wedding but not a big 5 star grand wedding.

dress

https://www.next.co.uk/style/st642603/t49322?item=specialoffer

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Hercisback1 · 16/02/2025 07:30

I have this dress, it's not really weddingy. It's a nice dress and suitable for other less formal occasions.

DustyLee123 · 16/02/2025 07:30

Personally I think it’s a bit too summer holiday, but if you put a belt on and some nice shoes and jewellery, I think it could work.

Original poster
Rugbyterms · 16/02/2025 07:36

Thanks. I think I knew it wasn’t smart enough if I am being honest!

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 16/02/2025 07:40

I wouldn’t pay out for something you won’t wear again. That will be fine with some accessories if it needs to be.

ColdHenrietta · 16/02/2025 07:41

There is nothing to prevent you from wearing it - and it obviously could be dressed up with appropriate accessories. Good jewellery, leather shoes with absolutely no straw wedging. No belt as the waist is far too high for that. Even so I suspect you may feel underdressed. Whether the bridal party or other guests would privately have an opinion or not would depend on the milieu; if they’re all very dressed up any variation from that might imply some indifference to the event.

A dress isn’t compulsory as a wedding guest. Do you have any other relatively smart and simple clothes that might work? If not - could you possibly acquire something in the two months between now and late April? I gather Tu @ Sainsbury’s is doing really well with clothes right now.

But if you’re going to buy something new, choose something that you’ll want to wear for the rest of the year at least. I agree that buying something for a single event is needlessly wasteful - and leads to people buying cheap and nasty things rather than something beautiful intended for continued use.

Pinkpillow7 · 16/02/2025 07:45

It’ll be fine with the right accessories

Hercisback1 · 16/02/2025 07:47

I think you'll feel uncomfortable and under dressed in it. It is a truly nice dress and I've worn it for nice meals out on holiday and birthdays etc. It will look odd with a heel due to the length.

Original poster
Rugbyterms · 16/02/2025 07:48

ColdHenrietta · 16/02/2025 07:41

There is nothing to prevent you from wearing it - and it obviously could be dressed up with appropriate accessories. Good jewellery, leather shoes with absolutely no straw wedging. No belt as the waist is far too high for that. Even so I suspect you may feel underdressed. Whether the bridal party or other guests would privately have an opinion or not would depend on the milieu; if they’re all very dressed up any variation from that might imply some indifference to the event.

A dress isn’t compulsory as a wedding guest. Do you have any other relatively smart and simple clothes that might work? If not - could you possibly acquire something in the two months between now and late April? I gather Tu @ Sainsbury’s is doing really well with clothes right now.

But if you’re going to buy something new, choose something that you’ll want to wear for the rest of the year at least. I agree that buying something for a single event is needlessly wasteful - and leads to people buying cheap and nasty things rather than something beautiful intended for continued use.

Edited

Thank you. I don’t have anything else but I am trawling various websites. I don’t really suit dresses. The one I linked miraculously looks ok on me. I just don’t seem to have proportions that work for some weird reason. I have a cobalt blue silk blouse/shirt but everything else is fairly smart/casual. Jeans, tops, blazers etc. Workwear is corporate provided and mainly safety boots and high viz jackets so nothing that can be styled up. I have a navy trouser suit in the attic just in case it’s needed for an interview.

OP posts:
SheridansPortSalut · 16/02/2025 07:50

It's very casual. I'm not convinced that accessories could ever make it look less casual.

Could you borrow a dress? I agree it would be a shame to buy something new for a one day event.

sageGreen81 · 16/02/2025 07:53

What size. Shape, colouring are you OP? Let us look.

ColdHenrietta · 16/02/2025 07:55

Well this is no way to live … Essentially you never, ever go anywhere where you might dress up even a little? A restaurant, a party, a date? I hope there isn’t any troubling reason for this?

How long has the suit been in the attic? If it’s not mouldy or moth eaten there’s a danger it might be in that awkward space between fashionable and vintage …

What size and shape are you and how much could you spend on something new?

It is still possible to dress up without wearing a dress.

Original poster
Rugbyterms · 16/02/2025 07:56

I am a 12/14. Big boobs, 34gg. Carry my weight over my stomach/mid section. Short body and long legs. Suit cool colours. Definitely no black. Navy is good. White and cream are alright as long as not next to my face. I am 50. Thank you for helping me

OP posts:
ColdHenrietta · 16/02/2025 07:58

There must be other colours that suit you beyond navy and cream??

Tell us your budget?

doitwithlove · 16/02/2025 08:00

My thought is it will be fine, dress it up with cream accessorises.

coolcahuna · 16/02/2025 08:01

Have you tired looking for something in a charity shop? Vinted would be harder if you find dresses dont tent to suit you.I'm sure you'd be able to get a nice dress for about £10.

There's lots of lovely things out there and would save buying something brand new that you'll only wear once.

mitogoshigg · 16/02/2025 08:02

All depends on the wedding, they are aren't all that smart! I had a huge range at mine from dressed up to the nines to dresses very like that (church wedding so fairly formal). Putting on proper shoes and perhaps a blazer will elevate it from holiday looking I think, but I don't think it matters either. Couple of the youngsters were in trainers for my wedding despite the despair of their mother (they travelled straight from their universities so their mum didn't have input except sending them money for outfits, which were very very short!)

Willyoujust · 16/02/2025 08:03

It is far too casual

Original poster
Rugbyterms · 16/02/2025 08:03

ColdHenrietta · 16/02/2025 07:55

Well this is no way to live … Essentially you never, ever go anywhere where you might dress up even a little? A restaurant, a party, a date? I hope there isn’t any troubling reason for this?

How long has the suit been in the attic? If it’s not mouldy or moth eaten there’s a danger it might be in that awkward space between fashionable and vintage …

What size and shape are you and how much could you spend on something new?

It is still possible to dress up without wearing a dress.

Edited

Navy trouser suit is from John Lewis. Bought 3 years ago and when last checked about 3 weeks ago was fine. Just needs a dry clean. Hmmm, when we go out, I will wear jeans, a blouse or a top and a blazer. Sometimes heels or wedges, sometimes trainers. I thought that was smartish?

DH and I tend not to do dinner if we go out together. Mainly due to where we live and getting home so we will go to the city during the day, have lunch and a few drinks so we can get public transport home so no other dresses or smart/wedding type clothes in my wardrobe. Our last date was at Murrayfield for the 6 nations last weekend and we have a fish supper on the way home!

OP posts:
Original poster
Rugbyterms · 16/02/2025 08:05

ColdHenrietta · 16/02/2025 07:58

There must be other colours that suit you beyond navy and cream??

Tell us your budget?

Edited

Thanks. Cool toned so pale pink, blue, green. Ideally no more than £100 and I would really want to be able to wear it again at that price.

OP posts:
Original poster
Rugbyterms · 16/02/2025 08:05

Willyoujust · 16/02/2025 08:03

It is far too casual

Yep. Thought as much. Just needed to hear it I think!

Thank you all for helping.

OP posts:
Musntapplecrumble · 16/02/2025 08:07

Cobalt silk blouse with navy trouser suit? 🤔

Original poster
Rugbyterms · 16/02/2025 08:07

coolcahuna · 16/02/2025 08:01

Have you tired looking for something in a charity shop? Vinted would be harder if you find dresses dont tent to suit you.I'm sure you'd be able to get a nice dress for about £10.

There's lots of lovely things out there and would save buying something brand new that you'll only wear once.

Charity shop is a good idea. Might take a look next weekend.

OP posts:
sageGreen81 · 16/02/2025 08:12

Size? Have you look at Vinted?

ColdHenrietta · 16/02/2025 08:18

This with the corresponding trousers?

Nobody’s Child jacket