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Original poster

Struggling to find a wedding guest dress that's not polyester

50 replies

bluejelly · 02/03/2025 09:10

I need a gorgeous dress for a summer wedding, but struggling to find one not made of polyester. Ideally it would be cotton, linen or silk. Viscose is ok too if good quality.
Budget £150 new or second hand
Colour: Blue, Green, blush pink or soft grey
Not patterned (polkadot ok)
I'm 48, a size 12-14, hourglass.
Good arms, bad knees so sleeveless or halterneck midi would be ideal
Any suggestions gratefully received!

OP posts:
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6
Original poster
bluejelly · 03/03/2025 10:07

ComealongSpring · 03/03/2025 00:30

Sadly this is polyester...

OP posts:
BoeufBourguig · 03/03/2025 10:11

I love the sleeveless linen Boden ones - that's always how I imagine myself at a hot summer wedding but I don't alway hit the mark 🤣

I bought a lovely cotton broderie anglaise midi from Anyday at JL last summer for a casual wedding - worth a look.

Ilikeadrink14 · 03/03/2025 12:03

Defiantlynot41 · 02/03/2025 18:30

John Lewis have this lovely dress - above budget but very classic so could be worn again

Sorry, this is very old-fashioned and boring. How JL justified the original gold-plated price is beyond me!

dotdotdotdash · 03/03/2025 13:07

Nobody’s Child has some nice cotton dresses this season

BarnacleBeasley · 03/03/2025 13:09

I would buy this sort of thing second-hand, because people tend not to wear occasion dresses very many times, so it's one of the only categories where 'worn once' is likely to be true. If you enter 'silk dress' as a search term on ebay you can then add all your criteria (size, fabric, colours, length, sleeve length, no pattern) as filters. I find that more expensive brands (from upper end of high street upwards) tend to be more consistent from season to season with their sizing, so if you know what size you are in those brands, you can be reasonably confident about what will fit.

Misshaped · 03/03/2025 16:53

This is viscose and unfortunately the lining is polyester but it is such a gorgeous colour. I’ve bought it for a wedding this summer.
www.whistles.com/product/arie-hammered-satin-midi-dress-38838.html

AndThereSheGoes · 03/03/2025 20:35

I mean lovely to wear…might not be your style!

Tootyfilou · 03/03/2025 22:11

Just bought this for a wedding in May, its lovely quality. I am very pleased.

www.goelia1995.com/en-gb/products/original-silk-print-ankle-length-dress-1b7r4k030?variant=42635401920688

Original poster
bluejelly · 03/03/2025 22:28

Misshaped · 03/03/2025 16:53

This is viscose and unfortunately the lining is polyester but it is such a gorgeous colour. I’ve bought it for a wedding this summer.
www.whistles.com/product/arie-hammered-satin-midi-dress-38838.html

I love this! It's gorgeous!

OP posts:
Original poster
bluejelly · 03/03/2025 22:30

NeoName · 03/03/2025 21:13

There are some good bargains to be had on Vinted. For the best chance at getting something that fits - being prepared to ask questions about measurements! or checking the makers measurements online helps minimise the risk.

Pink Ghost dress for £25 - there will be longer ones available and use the rest of the budget on some Esska sandals

Nancy Mac silk dress (£123 - but could Def get that cheaper) - silk

Farm Rio (maybe a bit too bold?!)

Dianne Von Fustenberg Dress

Happy dress hunting!

Thank you so much @NeoName! They are all stunning but a bit bright for me. But I love your taste!

OP posts:
Original poster
bluejelly · 03/03/2025 22:31

BarnacleBeasley · 03/03/2025 13:09

I would buy this sort of thing second-hand, because people tend not to wear occasion dresses very many times, so it's one of the only categories where 'worn once' is likely to be true. If you enter 'silk dress' as a search term on ebay you can then add all your criteria (size, fabric, colours, length, sleeve length, no pattern) as filters. I find that more expensive brands (from upper end of high street upwards) tend to be more consistent from season to season with their sizing, so if you know what size you are in those brands, you can be reasonably confident about what will fit.

Good thinking. I need to look on eBay, I tend to only look on Vinted...

OP posts:
millypeggyandpandora · 04/03/2025 08:57

ComealongSpring · 03/03/2025 00:30

This is beautiful !

Nicecuppatea2025 · 04/03/2025 22:07

SackChute · 02/03/2025 09:36

I’ve had two of these jumpsuits from phase eight in different colours. They hang beautifully and are very flattering.

Reallyneedsaholiday · 30/03/2025 22:45

SackChute · 02/03/2025 09:36

I just clicked on this post and now I need to buy this jumpsuit 😍

jellyfishperiwinkle · 31/03/2025 11:47

Some ideas here

https://www.johnlewis.com/jolie-moi-mabruka-frill-maxi-dress/coral/p111969646

https://www.johnlewis.com/baukjen-cynthia-slip-midi-dress-black-polka-dot/p112007463

https://www.johnlewis.com/never-fully-dressed-elodie-foil-maxi-dress-cream-multi/p113416373

https://www.johnlewis.com/ghost-delphine-satin-maxi-dress/sage-green/p6136209 - I have this in the darker green in a 14 and got a lot of compliments about it at a work party. It's such a lovely and well-made dress.

They do this style in several olours
https://www.johnlewis.com/alie-street-luna-midi-dress-celestial-blue/p113115326

The one in the image is my favourite.

Struggling to find a wedding guest dress that's not polyester
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