Help with wedding guest dress swanky venue but comfortable and relaxed

[Chocolatey1234]

I am a guest at a very upmarket out of my comfort zone summer wedding and I need a nice dress to carry me from day to night that looks good and I feel comfortable and relaxed in and that I have made an effort. I am a size 18 to 20 and almost 6ft tall.

Criteria.
Comfortable to wear.
Midi or maxi length (not floor length or mini).
Not overly hot sweat inducing fabric
Not empire line as it really doesn’t suit me.
Either short, capped or little floaty sleeves (not balloon sleeves.
Not heavily structured fabric.
Minimising my tummy.
Not Long Tall Sally (quality shocking).
Not plain navy.

I am in my 50’s and can wear most colours except black, pale pink or yellow.

Hit me with suggestions.

I wore this https://farmrio.uk/products/watercolor-floral-blue-maxi-dress?currency=GBP&variant=47527474987322&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=d6e91d6232ff&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4cS-BhDGARIsABg4_J3-5-TuU5L_2aRWeQFRD5zAWCe5ykzSguyKwbJvR21o134vUCOdAx8aAh3oEALw_wcB to a wedding recently. I'm 5'10 and a size 18- 20. It's really long and comfortable.

Ooh, I love that!

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su343448/e16382#e16382

If you scroll to the bottom of the regular sizes they have a tall version.

Thank you@Survivingnotthriving24 I have tried the navy and cream print kew dresses already from Next.

Yes, they all look lovely on line but when they arrived the waistband even in tall fit was unfortunately too high and emphasised my tummy so looked like unflattering maternity dresses on me. Also the material was really heavy weird synthetic and I can imagine it being extremely warm and sweat inducing on a hot summer day.

@StiggyZardust I love the colours but the sleeves are a bit too voluminous and it has more of a beach cover up vibe and again a high waistband which isn’t a flattering forgiving look on me.

Quite nice but the top half is a bit too pale. Also what is the quality of NFD like?

@Britpopbaby that is quite nice in the pale blue but looks very slim fitting and unavailable in a 20 and would likely have to size up. Also might be quite sweaty to wear in the heat of summer as it is viscose with a polyester lining.

@Blingismything thank you I haven’t tried Me & Em.

@dovetail22uk although I don’t normally go for high necklines that was possibly my favourite dress so far and nearly ordered it until I saw the cut outs at the back and at my age and size I would prefer not to have these bits of flesh on show.

Monsoon has some nice occasion dresses, I think this is my favourite green dress
The fabrics don't seem to be natural, but I personally get on with eco-vera or whatever it's called.
The colour on this is beautiful too, though not sure if the sleeves are too puffy

link didn't post might be too casual anyway

Thanks @anon2022anon the green is a nice colour but not keen on long sleeves in summer and looks too warm for me and high necked/high waisted for me.

Love the material of the blue dress only things I am not keen on is the tie at waist which could be unflattering and again the bulky sleeves with the gathering and built up seams adds unnecessary bulk.

Think I might have to travel to visit a Monsoon store in person (sadly ours closed down) and or a John Lewis as we don’t have one of them either.

Does anyone know if John Lewis stocks many dresses in the shops in an 18 and 20 as just looked at the personal shopper questionnaire and the dress size option only goes up to a size 18.

That's a pain!

What about this?https://www.karenmillen.com/plus-size-satin-off-the-shoulder-asymmetric-hem-woven-midi-dress-/BKK22494.html

This is stunning if the waists not too high

They are-I’d love them myself!

lovely pattern, says coming soon
From Hope & Ivy, worth checking out the website

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/abbey-green-satin-maxi-dress-222424693.html#navAjax=true&is=true&cgid=dresses&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&prefn1=knee&prefv1=Midi%20Length|Maxi|7/8%20Length|Long%20length|Full%20Length&prefn2=sleeve&prefv2=Cap%20Sleeve|Short%20Sleeve&prefn3=size&prefv3=18|20&pid=222424693&pos=35

Sleeveless and expensive but beautiful:

https://www.thereformation.com/products/annabelle-silk-dress-es/1313396NGD.html?dwvar_1313396NGD_color=NGD

What's the budget like? These are all pure silk - including the linings - and around £300 from https://selkiecollection.com/collections/silk-dresses

This is also silk. £200 (sale) https://nrbyclothing.com/collections/outlet/products/coco-silk-blurred-paisley-dress

Not flutter sleeves, but they're very loose.

Lovely dress, but how big are the model's feet??!

A more conservative silk dress with flutter sleeves, £349
https://www.hobbs.com/product/sophia-silk-belted-dress/0125-5233-9023L00-SAGE-MULTI.html

I'm also a massive fan of Nobody's Child fan, but not of polyester. This one's mostly viscose, is green, and has flutter sleeves. £79.
https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/green-frill-sleeve-layla-midi-dress-d252099grn?

I'm including this although it doesn't have sleeves because I bloody love it and think it's very classy! It's Tencel, a really nice cotton-derived fibre that feels lovely and breathes as well as silk. £150.
https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/green-bow-back-rue-midi-dress-d250621crm

I'm a similar size to you, and wore this to a wedding. The skirt part was nice and full and quite swishy. Hid all my lumps and bumps, and I tend to suit crossover style dresses anyway.

Unfortunately, I'm only 5.4, so had to have it taken up professionally, but it would probably be a perfect length on you!

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su419863/b70179#b70179

Don't seem to be able to upload pic, but hopefully link above works OK!

This pink one is nice, and would look flattering I think, on most shapes. It's hard to think of a non-Empire line one, which skates over the stomach, as that's what is usually recommended 🤔

Not to be rude to whoever suggested it, but I'd avoid the black one for a wedding 😬

If it were me, and I wanted to feel "comfortable", I'd go for something that blends in, not an interesting statement dress either. Maybe that's just me though.

This green one is gorgeous too, and would fit the bill!