Looking for a dress for a funeral

[atiaofthejulii]

I feel like I've looked at a million black dresses, but this forum always finds even more suggestions that I would never have found.

I have a funeral coming up in early April where simultaneously I am one of the closest people to the deceased but also there will be loads of people there that I don't know. And I feel like actually looking decent will help me feel more able to get through the day.

I'm 5'8", 54, size 12 but with not much of a waist and a bit of a tummy (I feel). Pale complexion, dark brown jaw length hair (natural with some grey). Legs are fine but I think I want a long dress. Not sleeveless, but don't mind what length sleeves. Definitely black, small amount of embellishment ok. I'm not a fan of shirt dresses.

Church service then burial. Obviously the weather could do anything from snow to 20+ degrees which is also a bit of a pain. I don't really do heels although I have some chunky heeled boots (might be totally out of style) if it's really cold. What colour tights if I need tights? Black?

Budget up to about £150, cheaper would be nice but also I'm in a very fuck it mood so would pay more for the right dress.

I've seen a couple of Nobody's Child that I liked, Boden have some as well, and a few on the John Lewis website. I'm going to go to John Lewis tomorrow.

Please send me any ideas!

I got my funeral dress from the Lipsy London website, it had sleeves and was knee lenth so it felt appropriate

My condolences.

This might be perfect:

Em & Shi

This is probably more drama than you want, but it’s a good dress:

Sister Jane

Cos has a wide selection of black dresses which might fit the bill:

Cos black dresses

Hope you find what you’re looking for and that you get through a difficult day ok x

Oh thank you -
Lipsy do have a couple that might suit, and one comes as a jumpsuit as well which opens up even more things to think about ...

The Em&Shi dress is gorgeous. Might have to try that.
I do like Sister Jane a lot as well, but that one might be a little bit too much 😁

I really like this asymmetric Cos one but again, might be a bit OTT.

Oh, oh! Em & Shi have a jumpsuit that is a twin of the dress. I liked it - and I don’t like jumpsuits - but I wasn’t sure you’d want one for the funeral. I think it’s on the Gather & See site. (The things are cheaper on Em & Shi’s own site - but it may not be wise to rely on overseas delivery for an important day.)

Cos only has an XS left in that dress. It’s another I wondered about and dismissed for your current needs.

Go conservative op, you don’t want other guests to be talking about your bold choice, also it needs to be something that doesn’t need adjusting continually which asymmetric dresses have a habit of doing.

I have a cheap but easy to wear dress I bought off amazon. Comes as an option with short sleeves too. GRACE KARIN Women 50s 60s... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07L2VV6MB?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

its knee length on me. I attend at least one a month, occupational hazard, and get compliments, embarrassing as it was so cheap

Regarding bold choice - this seems to come up quite often here. There’s a general assumption that every family must have exactly the same funeral culture. That’s a mistake. Millions and millions of British people have non-Anglo-Saxon heritage and other ways of celebrating their recently deceased. For some families a bold choice (and the most expensive you can possibly afford) is exactly the most respectful way to dress for a funeral.

We Are Not All The Same.

Oh that jumpsuit is gorgeous - think it's too casual for a funeral but I love it just for me.

I think I should probably stick with a dress - a funeral service in a Welsh Valleys Baptist chapel is going to be pretty traditional. But I do want to look good, and to yes, honour him.

Well, I've been shopping in person and online -
Real life:
A very cheap (£19!) on sale simple but nice long straight bias cut dress, John Lewis brand, no link - cap sleeves but could quite easily wear something over it

French Connection that I probably wouldn't have looked at on screen but bought in person, sized up so it's skimmy not clingy.

Online:
Aab - "modest" brand but might look good

Whistles - pretty but might be a bit flimsy

Monsoon - my daughter said I'd look like a granny

Arket - really like this but not sure whether it will suit me or feel comfortable

And I'm just pondering whether to add this Frock Tales one (I love the purple and red versions)

Thank you credit card 😂

You’ve been busy!

I quite like the Arket - it has … heft. Would look especially good if you have a significant piece of jewellery.

My best shopping companion daughter is here so I took advantage.

I like the Arket too. It's taking itself and the situation seriously.

I'll update the thread with photos when I have them all. I will have options for different weather as well which is good.

I really like the Arket , the Wolf and Badger red or purple I don't like as much, maybe it's the spare material on the model wearing them and all the waist shirring ?