Medieval wedding guest dress - help!

[Tiredofallthis101]

Hi all,

I've been invited to a medieval themed wedding in Florence in September. No idea what to wear - suggestions welcome!

Further info:

I am an hourglass shape, size 20-22, 5ft11. I have a large bust and hips. I suit dresses that nip in under the bust/at the waist but have a bit of a belly so don't want anything too tight fitting across the stomach.

I don't want to show too much skin as it will be a church wedding but a little bit is OK. If you can suggest a light coat/cardigan/wrap to go with the dress in case it gets chilly later in the evening that would be fantastic.

Colours that suit me best are dark green and turquoise but I my complexion means I can wear any colour really and I'm not fussy.

Wrong period but right name, Italian style, you'll look like you walked out of a painting!

https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/renaissance-dress-lucrezia-red.html

What a ridiculous request from the bride and groom! I'd be tempted to wear a hessian sack with a bit of rope round the middle and old bits of cloth wound round my legs and feet and held in place with twine or rags. Authentic, but probably not what they're looking for.

Apart from anything else, 'medieval' covers an extremely long period.Wikipedia suggests anything between 5th century AD and 15th century AD. Fashions must have changed quite a bit during that time, so which period are they hoping guests will pick?

So did they give an indication of actual dress code? I'd be very wary of going all out, I'm not a "themed" dresser upper. I would look for a nod towards the theme, the right kind of cut but a modern dress and an appropriate headband or something. How close are you to the B&G?

I'd wear this one in red (they have other dresses on the site)
https://gdfb.co.uk/velvet-cotehardie-isabell--medieval-dress-35005-p.asp

Might be a bit warm for Florence in September though...

That's perfect! Good price too.

They want you to schlep to Florence and buy or makes an outfit you will absolutely never wear again unless you’re a re-enactor? I don’t think so.

If you’re setting on going I would wear modern dress with something that nods towards some aspect of medieval dress.

Something like this?

https://www.ever-pretty.co.uk/products/vintage-plus-size-floor-length-velvet-evening-dresses-epp0861?pr_prod_strat=jac&pr_rec_id=ff301e154&pr_rec_pid=4467576537182&pr_ref_pid=7891383091387&pr_seq=uniform

Not too Maid Marian, but a nod to the occasion.

What are the male guests wearing? This seems like an even trickier dress code for them.

I'd jump at the chance to waft round Florentine streets in a gown like the one I found.

I keep looking at it but would look pretty odd treking round Sainsburys in it

I know Mumsnet hates outlandish wedding guest requests but I’d bloody love this - it’s fun 🤩

Here's a whole site full of options - https://holyclothing.com/?utm_source=paid_search&utm_medium=google_ads&utm_campaign=903886079&utm_content=47904862034&utm_term=holy%20clothing&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqcO_BhDaARIsACz62vPSsYLrsYDfhw13bF6GAl7wDoI8rPks55KXz3TmVQSWtMerjUFi9EgaAhqBEALw_wcB And ethically sourced, with workers paid at least the legally set minimum wage.

So the men will be wearing doublet and hose or sporting a massive codpiece then.....?

I was just going to suggest something like this from Holy Clothing too https://holyclothing.com/collections/dresses-1/products/elinor-maxi-limited-edition-3 perhaps with a matching cloak?

I’d be tempted to “Lord of the Rings” it up!

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1389601812/?ref=share_ios_native_control

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/879430301/?ref=share_ios_native_control

That’s exactly what I was thinking, @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g . Dress as an authentic peasant, complete with mud spatters. 🤣

I'd go as a Smallpox or Black Death victim.

It's a bloody awful idea.

Etsy can really come through for this kind of thing. Here's a seller with some fabulous dresses that they make to your size specifications.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/DJmedievaldresses?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=559549236&from_page=listing
Ignore the moaners, I mean they are right really, it's a big ask, but what a fabulous experience to get to medieval cosplay in Florence. I am consumed with envy!!

Could you medieval-ise this dress? www.neverfullydressed.com/products/olive-lace-may-dress?variant=40554330914893&currency=GBP&cvg_source=google&cvg_adid=714877660748&cvg_cid=21741414171&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIir2CuKXBjAMV4JNQBh32TQa6EAQYCCABEgLKR_D_BwE

What about a modern long dress with a low belt and as headgear, a pointy hennin?

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/55239532912899164/

Hi all. So, so sorry for nor coming back to this thread until now - I got very ill and then by the time I was feeling better I'd forgotten all about it. Until I started thinking that it was probably time to work out what to wear for the wedding, and thinking maybe I should ask Mumsnet....!

Some lovely ideas here all, thank you. Especially love that green and gold one on Etsy but £900 for a dress I will never wear again for someone else's wedding feels a bit steep!

Re it being a tricky theme and a long period of time- I agree. However the bride and groom are super relaxed and whether we turned up in normal clothes or rags I think they would be very welcoming anyway. So I don't mind a bit of effort towards the theme. Particularly as DH will also be joining me in dressing up , can't wait to see what he goes for 😁

Anything empire line in a jewel colour. You’ll want to keep it light - it’ll be roasting hot still in Florence in September.

Same. More weddings where there’s a dress code and it’s practically a costume party, please.

I think with a gold belt this could be very on theme and look good.

https://amzn.eu/d/g3WArwk

or put a light cloak over a long dress

I think this is lovely, you could add a chain belt to complete the look.