Wedding Guest Outfit Ideas for Women in Their 40s – Help Needed!

[ProseccoAndParenting]

My younger brother is getting married in May and the dress code on the invitation says 'casual chic', so anything goes really. I haven't been to a wedding for years, my body has changed a bit since having kids, so I would love to buy a new dress for this and have a decent budget. I'd love to find something that is more towards the chic side, not the casual, yet I can get more use from than just one wedding. I don't know what's 'in' to wear (long/short, strapless or not, which materials, which colours) and usually don't care much, but the majority of guests will be 5-10 years younger than me and I don't want to stand out too much either. I've been searching online, but just can't figure out what I want or should wear.

Some dresses for inspiration that I liked (but not enough to order or I wouldn't be here!):

• https://www.johnlewis.com/omnes-millie-bow-strapless-dress-magenta/p112835984
• https://www.next.co.uk/style/su494807/ak8241#ak8241
• https://www.asos.com/forever-new/forever-new-one-shoulder-pleated-maxi-dress-in-blue/prd/207707017#colourWayId-207707027
• https://www.jjshouse.com/a-line-asymmetrical-one-shoulder-floor-length-chiffon-bridesmaid-dress-with-ruffle-007288282-g288282?filterColor=dark_green&pos=nav-wedding-guest-wedding-guest-dresses-all-wedding-guest-dresses&country=GB&currency=GBP
• https://www.next.co.uk/style/su552664/k78429

I am 5ft7, size 8/10 at the top (S) and 10/12 at the bottom (M), very small chested... which makes this search much harder...

What do you think of the above dresses? Do you have any other/better suggestions? Oh and please do include shoe recommendations if you have any!

OP the Reformation dresses you've shared are gorgeous, trust yourself and choose on of them rather the others that have been shared :/

Honestly, step away from the prom dresses and the notion it will be hot enough for anything strapless or sleeveless

Totally agree that you are veering toward plus size shapes and don’t need to. Reformation is a great shout but if I had your height this is what I’d wear: https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/red-sqaure-neck-jumpsuit-d250638red?variant=53946196033921&utm_source=NMPi&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PaidSearch&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADQCJIVm1KX5wiyK1EJOk-vh891on&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4f3Uue_4iwMVAZZQBh2HoApdEAQYAyABEgLmKvD_BwE

With a slightly oversized black blazer over the shoulders, some nice gold jewellery, black strappy heels and then a contrasting bag - hot pink, emerald green etc.

Very elegant! I like it @Rellotello

I think chic will be different things to different people. I wouldn’t go for strapless or one shoulder I’d think not chic & to me chic means stylish. What about something like this
www.jigsaw-online.com/collections/dresses/products/draped-tie-detail-dress-navy?_gl=17gnamn_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIx-aSvq_6iwMVE5lQBh2buQZMEAAYASAAEgIxwfD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAAD4Q9mT0YYJA4_r33BJSI4c6Obc7q

Or mint velvet?

https://mintvelvet.com/collections/occasion-dresses

In the eye of the beholder, as you suggest, @kkneat!

To me the Jigsaw dress looks as if the AI assistant read about draping and asymmetry and decided to attempt them …

And the Mint Velvet stuff is almost all so ungainly - wrong prints, wrong proportions - again, poor imitations of designs other places have done earlier, better.

Of all of yours OP I like the Scarlett and Jo one the best. The off the shoulder/strapless ones look too dressy. I might be old fashioned but I’m not keen on the cocktail dress wedding guest look but I think this is especially true if invite says casual chic, they’re too dressy. A couple of the others are almost veering into looking like a bridesmaid dress.

Have a look at Wolf and Badger…. I liked the royal blue broiderie anglaise dress (can’t remember name but £87 in sale) but loads of brands and styles.

https://mintvelvet.com/products/red-full-skirt-midi-dress

https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/dresses/midi-dresses/product.smocked-puff-sleeve-midi-dress-blue.1266243001.html

https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/dresses/midi-dresses/product.linen-wrap-midi-dress-white.1217686002.html

https://www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shop/by-anthropologie-sleeveless-poplin-smocked-midi-dress?category=clothing-wedding-guest&color=049&type=REGULAR&quantity=1

https://www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shop/damson-madder-saffy-midi-dress?category=clothing-wedding-guest&color=060&type=REGULAR&quantity=1

https://www.boden.com/products/carla-linen-midi-dress-pink-peony

https://www.boden.com/products/colourblock-halter-jumpsuit-rich-emerald-abstract-dot

I don't understand the love on here for Mint Velvet.

@ProseccoAndParenting Jump suits are a bit yesterday. Such a faff in loos! I noticed Red Magazine says floral shirt dress. Or floral dress. Don't wear linen. It will crumple in 5 mins. The Anthropologie dress style is fine. Rixo do perfect casual chic dresses. Above your price but loads of copies around.

The evening wear you posted is not casual chic really. Think day wear and, I know it sounds corny, but look at Princess of Wales off duty. She wears perfect casual chic dresses. I'm a huge fan of the polka dot Rixo dress as well. Just perfect for any day wear occasion where you need to look chic!

No offense, but the latter looks dumpy and shapeless, and hard to wear for a lot of people. I'm sure some can pull it off, but let's not forget that they did say chic. That doesn't look like wedding wear to me.

I’m not in the least offended!

Oh wow, lots of gorgeous ones from Reformation that you linked. You've got nicer taste than a lot of the people who have commented, I think! Please don't wear a Cos pajama set

My favourite that you posted was the Jaelyn. All the colour choices it comes in are absolutely lush! You could easily style it up or down, too.

Reformation seem to lurch from body con to strapless to clubbing wear. Not much that's chic. Chic must have a hint of being classically smart, I don't think the Cos clothes are that either. Think of a dress you could wear with elevated espadrilles if you needed to, it's effortless style and many dresses are trying way too hard!

Following as similar age and also have my db wedding coming up.

I’m finding this super interesting! My outlook has completely changed, but equally good to remember since some posters are having opposite views that everyone is different… hope this has helped you as much as it has me! 😍

What do we think of these ones from Me+Em?

https://www.meandem.com/fluid-crepe-volant-statement-maxi-dress-spring-green?_gl=11d2zaap_up*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoJC-BhCSARIsAPhdfSjFFDLAqaBUgmpYkqt030B2vonoUwwalpXv8O6XtZepdlSRQlL6hjoaAppgEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAADtaHAKxMBbbzSaEjyWWACmCETDD8

https://www.meandem.com/creaseless-linen-paisley-print-maxi-dress-light-cream-red-multi?_gl=1djcvdf_up*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoJC-BhCSARIsAPhdfSjFFDLAqaBUgmpYkqt030B2vonoUwwalpXv8O6XtZepdlSRQlL6hjoaAppgEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAADtaHAKxMBbbzSaEjyWWACmCETDD8

Not too brides-maidy, bit more classical, can wear for other occasions.... Still quite loose ones though!

Had a quick look through the suggestions, and on first glance the Reformation Camella dress is gorgeous, lovely colour and it just seems to flow and sit very well.

That's my contribution 😊

@ProseccoAndParenting Me&Em are very good. I really like the green dress but the other one works too. Rixo has similar.

Op...I loveeeeee ❤ the red reformation dress you posted 😍I just wish I had the figure and somewhere to go in it!! 100% you picked it, so it caught your eye, go for it and look fabulous 👌 x

...oh and as others have suggested, a pair of wedges could make it a little more casual..but still fabulous 💗