Wedding guest dress when you are a bit old, bit grumpy, more than a bit overweight?

BoldRed · 21/04/2025 10:49

Make an appointment with a personal stylist at John Lewis. It’s free, very non-pushy and they see all ages and body types

Overtheatlantic · 21/04/2025 10:50

Monsoon do some nice dresses in different styles.

Hephebe · 21/04/2025 11:37

What kind of styles and colours would you usually go for?

What kinds of weddings are they, and at what time of year?

Do you have a budget?

Allseeingallknowing · 21/04/2025 14:25

Overtheatlantic · 21/04/2025 10:50

Monsoon do some nice dresses in different styles.

With Monsoon, I find you have to go up a size or two.

Allseeingallknowing · 21/04/2025 14:26

Jynxed · 21/04/2025 10:47

I have two important weddings to attend this year, and whilst I have no illusions that anyone will be looking at me, I don’t want to let the family down. Can anyone recommend a stylish and hopefully flattering dress for a short (159 cms / 5ft2) plump (size 16, 3-baby post meno belly ) nearly 60 year old. Would like to cover up as much as possible! Cloak of invisibility would be my personal choice! 😁
That should read frumpy rather than grumpy, but both possibly true!

Try yours, Wallis, Scarlett and Jo and M&S

GhastlyGoodTaste · 21/04/2025 14:49

@Jynxed are you preparing to spend £50 or £500? (Or a dress to those values pre-owned or rented.)

I would strongly suggest you look for the best quality you can access, from any source. A Really Good Frock will rid you of all grumpiness!

Might any of these be your sort of thing, with or without hemline alteration to fit:

https://justinetabak.co.uk/collections/dresses

GhastlyGoodTaste · 21/04/2025 15:11

Rather fabulous cloak of invisibility (may need taking up):

Ditto:

These are mostly just examples of what’s on those sites - so browse everything if any appeal. They’re also towards the slightly more relaxed end of the wedding guest spectrum. And sort of middling price wise - as no idea if you want higher or lower.

(I’m in my 60’s and 5’3 and, beyond hem lengths - which can obviously be altered - I think I could wear any of these. And I would fully expect to be looked at and admired at any family event.)

Felinnefine · 21/04/2025 15:13

BoldRed · 21/04/2025 10:49

Make an appointment with a personal stylist at John Lewis. It’s free, very non-pushy and they see all ages and body types

That’s a great idea! I’d love to see a range for grumpy people - I love that, I’m the target audience too.

cumbriaisbest · 21/04/2025 15:19

Clothes for short, fat grumpy old women. I can see it working.

dudsville · 21/04/2025 15:22

I like your criteria so far "bit old, bit grumpy and a bit overweight"!!! I'm similar, and I love loose fit dresses. I see no need in pushing up my wonderful bosom, drawing attention to my waistline (I do have one - my weight is in my caboose) or having my stomach in a tense position.

cumbriaisbest · 21/04/2025 15:23

The Kemi frocks would make me look like an escapee from somewhere non too savoury.

madaboutpurple · 21/04/2025 15:56

Simply Be and Roman, JD Williams. A few years ago I got a lovely dress from Simply Be, it is a Joanna Hope dress and have worn it for a few occasions recently and got a good number of compliments. From Vinted I have a few dresses su8ch as Adrianna Papell and a Julien McDonald dress and also been told the dresses are stylish. I went to a style and colour stylist so I know what suits me style and colour wise. I am size 20 and totally believe bigger sized people can be stylish. Your comments made me smile though. All the best anyway. Oh and I have some David Emanuel dresses from eBay.

Daftapath · 21/04/2025 17:56

GhastlyGoodTaste · 21/04/2025 15:11

Rather fabulous cloak of invisibility (may need taking up):

Ditto:

These are mostly just examples of what’s on those sites - so browse everything if any appeal. They’re also towards the slightly more relaxed end of the wedding guest spectrum. And sort of middling price wise - as no idea if you want higher or lower.

(I’m in my 60’s and 5’3 and, beyond hem lengths - which can obviously be altered - I think I could wear any of these. And I would fully expect to be looked at and admired at any family event.)

Edited

I’m sorry but I think those dresses are so frumpy! I would say I am similar to you op, maybe one or two sizes bigger currently and would look horrendous in those.

I second … third Monsoon. Also Phase Eight. Who have a whole range of things I would happily wear and feel very stylish in.

I bought a dress in Karen Millen a few years ago for a wedding. It was in the sale and it always gets positive comments.

what colours do you wear and what sort of style do you prefer?

Dearover · 21/04/2025 17:59

GhastlyGoodTaste · 21/04/2025 14:49

@Jynxed are you preparing to spend £50 or £500? (Or a dress to those values pre-owned or rented.)

I would strongly suggest you look for the best quality you can access, from any source. A Really Good Frock will rid you of all grumpiness!

Might any of these be your sort of thing, with or without hemline alteration to fit:

https://justinetabak.co.uk/collections/dresses

Edited

Those are beautiful. Unfortunately they wouldn't suit me one bit, but lovely to look at

24Dogcuddler · 21/04/2025 18:03

Have a look on Live Unlimited. They have their own site also available at John Lewis.
Get some lovely colourful accessories, pop on a smile and enjoy yourself.
Maybe get your hair and make up done as a treat? Or look at some tutorials on line and get some new colours.

Sidebeforeself · 21/04/2025 18:10

Where are you? I love Snooty Frox in Harrogate

PuppyMonkey · 21/04/2025 18:10

Honestly, the dresses I see on here and in shops which are supposedly stylish these days are pretty hideous.

Go on Vinted and search “wedding guest dress” in whatever size you are and you’ll have a lot more luck and not spend half as much.

Sidebeforeself · 21/04/2025 18:11

But where do the dresses on Vinted come from in the first place?!

WednesdaysChild25 · 21/04/2025 18:14

www.chichiclothing.com/collections/wedding-guests

StIgantius · 21/04/2025 18:19

https://rixolondon.com/products/brooke-bohemia-spot-deep-navy

Brooke - Bohemia Spot Deep Navy

Brooke is a great option for bigger busts as the shirred panel feels non-restrictive and easily hides a bra. The breezy shape and wide sleeves make it perfect for warm weather or days when you want to wear something loose.

https://rixolondon.com/products/brooke-bohemia-spot-deep-navy

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 21/04/2025 18:47

GhastlyGoodTaste · 21/04/2025 15:11

Rather fabulous cloak of invisibility (may need taking up):

Ditto:

These are mostly just examples of what’s on those sites - so browse everything if any appeal. They’re also towards the slightly more relaxed end of the wedding guest spectrum. And sort of middling price wise - as no idea if you want higher or lower.

(I’m in my 60’s and 5’3 and, beyond hem lengths - which can obviously be altered - I think I could wear any of these. And I would fully expect to be looked at and admired at any family event.)

Edited

Are you me? Excellent suggestions.

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 21/04/2025 18:49

Dearover · 21/04/2025 17:59

Those are beautiful. Unfortunately they wouldn't suit me one bit, but lovely to look at

Show quote history

Why do you think they wouldn't suit you "one bit"?

Seriously , they're really wearable and easy to wear dresses.

Allseeingallknowing · 21/04/2025 21:22

The Kemi one would be very unflattering imo.

PattyDukeAstin · 21/04/2025 21:40

Sorry but are these really suggestions for a 5ft3ins woman, trying not to look frumpy, to wear to a wedding?

Hollieandtheivie · 21/04/2025 21:44

How about a Vera Mont dress? I had one from Tk Maxx and the quality was lovely.