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 like the red phase 8 dress, but given that it's a swanky venue, I think I would want something a bit more. On the picture at least, the dress looks like a linen style material, which doesn't scream wedding guest to me. Maybe accessories can dress it up some?

Have you tried on anything yet?

I've always found a Whistles dress good in the past for weddings although have always gone plain and dressed it up with accessories. These are two that I personally would try on perhaps.

It really didn’t work for me and my tummy and if anything the empire line and the band actually empathised my tummy.

I love that plain red Whistles dress. I visited the Whistles store in Edinburgh and found the dresses I tried on to be small fitting and or not long enough.

They have a particular cut dress which is perfect for stomachs and they have it every season. It's knee length though that's the only trouble. But if you get the right one it's hugely flattering. I attach one. Now, bear with, it does on paper look like a sack but I in the past have sized down one possibly two sizes (and I have a stomach and boobs) and it's very flattering. Having said that I haven't tried this one on. And obviously you may have already in Edinburgh?

I’d go to Zara and have a wander

Thanks the Whistles dress looks a fab colour @Thoughtsonstuff but looks far too short for me being tall and I have a vein close to my knee so would feel happier with a longer length.

We don’t have a Zara when I next visit a big city will have a look are they known for catering for tall plus sized @Outofthepan.

@anon2022anon I tried practically everything they had in Phase8 most either looked matronly, had a high neck, too high a waist (cut me in half), was showing too much leg or was sweaty polyester or itchy lace etc.

Tried a few things on in Monsoon including the coral red tea dress with a colllar which is my favourite so far (although it is more bright coral than in the photos and the material is a shiny satin, I would have preferred non shiney). I have ordered the brown chain maxi dress from Phase8 that no one liked and the warm red Phase8 linen dress (they arrived today but I haven’t had the chance to try on yet). I don’t want a floor length dress as no disco/party, no other occasion to wear it again and don’t want them thinking I am thinking I am a bridesmaid.

For a swanky wedding, the first three are a no from me, if you love the fourth and it's comfortable and fits well and you feel good in it then great.

For me, high street prints will 9 times out of ten look cheap, I would always go with a solid colour, and concentrate on fabric and cut.

shoe along these lines medium sized hoop earrings, nothing too fussy.

They’re not known for it @Chocolatey1234 but I’m tall and quite fat and have got some of my nicest items of clothing in Zara.

I’m always scared to look at shoes on wedding guest threads as they’re usually Hotter or some other monstrosity. But those sandals are lovely @GoldDuster

I actually like this colour; slightly purply navy. Although it's not red of course...

Shopping for these sorts of things are so annoying. Throughout the year you will have seen a million lovely and suitable dresses but just as you need to actually buy one the shops have nothing you like.

This is pretty from Monsoon

Apparently Esska are really comfy which would be handy for a wedding

Thanks totally love everything about those lovely useful shoes providing I could walk in them.

Maybe swanky isn’t the right term for the venue. Think maybe an upmarket expensive venue in a very rural but relaxed setting so I imagine for me the vibe is something nice but casual/low key. So searching for something that suits me, that I feel nice in, feel comfortable in, that I don’t feel over dressed in and that I can wear all day (maybe sit in the sun in (later providing the weather plays ball) and wear into the night but something I can wear again and I don’t go many places but I have some other celebrations to attend this year.

There are about 25 million dresses in the Zara very annoying website but here’s an idea

So the red linen Phase8 dress arrived its the most gorgeous warm coral red colour but it arrived crinkled to hell with a broken belt tie so will be returned. The length was perfect for me but the tie belt didn’t do anything for my shape (think a belt tie isn’t the most flattering as it draws attention to my tummy).

So the shiny bright coral Monsoon dress is still in the lead, but still not 100% sold on it. I have discounted the brown chain dress and the Anthropolgie dress.

Also checked out those lovely useful bronze sandals recommended and sadly they are out of stock in my size, size 8.

What do people think of these two Whistles dresses in terms of fit is the sizing small or generous and are they likely to cling to my tummy. https://www.whistles.com/bag/

Both more than I wanted to pay but I have a discount code.

we can’t see them @Chocolatey1234 as it links to the bag showing as empty, not the dresses

Apologies obviously would be intending to dress them up if they were flattering on my tummy and a decent length and wear them again for other celebrations or events etc.

These photos might be better. My hair is now silver shoulder length but in a good cut and both dresses would work with my colouring I think.

I love the flower one. Think that would look stylish with your hair. It looks special too.

Sorry, no idea about their sizing though

I love this one

Hobbs Carly dresses are nice (they update the colours every year):
https://www.hobbs.com/search/?q=carly

Phase 8 also do multiple dresses with different names, but they are basically the same. Jacquard Fit and Flare (with pockets):
https://www.phase-eight.com/product/jordyn-jacquard-fit-and-flare-dress-208667855.html#q=jacquard&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=208667855&pos=4

and have also worn this one to a Spring wedding (got lots of compliments)
https://www.phase-eight.com/product/esmeralda-embroidered-fit-%26-flare-dress-220083493.html#q=fit%20and%20flare&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=220083493&pos=28

They were all very flattering to my size 18.

I like dresses with a sort of swishy top layer, I feel it kind of blurs out the reality of what is underneath! I've long stopped giving a stuff about my bingo wings. Everyone can see I'm a fatty, so I don't always bother about sleeveless.

Here are some more from Phase 8 in various lengths:

https://www.phase-eight.com/search/?q=embroidered

Thanks I need a slightly longer dress to cover a vein.