What to wear for summer wedding?

[Snowfairyxx]

I need help finding a dress for a wedding in the summer. I am a size 12, could do with toning up a bit so don't want anything too short but I am not very tall so not too long. Also not too strappy or strapless as would be better for to be able to wear a normal bra.
I have mainly looked at Next so far.

Is this dress nice? I like it but not sure if I should go for something more trendy or plain. I am late 30s if that helps.

Lipsy dress

I like it! On me, I prefer to cover my upper arms, but yes, its nice and would suit a summer wedding IMO.

I would usually prefer to cover the tops of my arms as well, maybe why I am not 100% sure.

pale green

green dress

patterned dress

First one is really nice. The other three are a bit boring, sorry, just imo.

I like the first one, think the other three are a bit frumpy, for want of a better term!

Yes they probably are a bit boring and frumpy, think I was looking for something safe but don't love them. I don't often wear nicer dresses now so bit out of touch with what to wear and I am not as slim as I would like so maybe tend to wear something that covers more. I definitely don't want frumpy as want to feel good.

Anyone got any recommendations? What are other people wearing to weddings or parties?

The Next dress is a bit overly fussy, and not nice material - it would do if it cost £45.

I find it impossible to believe anyone of any age, out of all the dresses in the world, would pick those Debenhams monstrosities.

Why are you even looking there, @Snowfairyxx?

I was just looking at this dress earlier that I really liked - not in my size unfortunately but M is a 12. It feels a bit more current than one you suggested and covers the upper arms. Although your first one is still nice and good for a wedding.

www.abercrombie.com/shop/uk/p/the-a-and-f-emerson-poplin-puff-sleeve-midi-dress-56377868?categoryId=84562&faceout=model&seq=06&afsource=social+proofing&pagefm=navigation-grid&prodvm=navigation-grid

Not sure, just wanted somewhere I can order a few dresses to try on. A lot of the shops fairly close to me and not very large and don't stock dresses suitable for weddings. I will travel to the nearest city if I need to. This is why I have posted here as need some ideas!!

Assuming a budget limit of around £100?

3 from Mango:

https://shop.mango.com/gb/en/p/women/dresses-and-jumpsuits/dresses/linen-pleated-midi-dress_87004784

https://shop.mango.com/gb/en/p/women/dresses-and-jumpsuits/dresses/strapless-polka-dot-dress_87096351

https://shop.mango.com/gb/en/p/women/dresses-and-jumpsuits/dresses/short-sleeved-floral-midi-dress_87007202

Around £100 ideally, i would spend more if I found something really nice.
Thanks for the ideas, maybe something more casual would be better although not too much as the groomsmen are wearing tux's which has also thrown me a bit as fells like I need to dress up more.

Some of the Zara dresses are adorable (though they take careful picking):

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/woman-dresses-l1066.html?v1=2420896

And Sister Jane is worth browsing for a style re-set, even if it’s not quite your thing. (Not always the nicest fabrics but their shapes are outstanding.):

https://sisterjane.com/collections/dresses

Do you actually want to wear a dress, @Snowfairyxx? Because you could choose a linen blazer and tailored shorts (or trousers) in a beautiful candy colour if that would be more comfortable for you?

Like this:

https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/shorts/product.linen-shorts-orange.1263229002.html

Or alternatively, like this:

https://sisterjane.com/products/buoy-jacquard-jacket?variant=55014817005950

Your first dress and the long sleeved 'patterned' one are both 100% polyester! If its a hot day, it might cling and be very sweaty. The 2 green ones have polyester liners and some cotton in the dress. Just something to think about, depending where in the country the wedding is, if its outside in a garden/marquee or inside etc.

I liked your first choice , the blue Next dress. I don’t see that as fussy. I wasn’t a fan of any of the Debenhams ones, nothing wrong, but just a bit dull. I also liked @GhastlyGoodTaste 3rd* Mango *choice. None that you’ve shown or been shown, would be wrong for a summer wedding, it just depends on your style and what you feel comfortable wearing.

Yes think a dress is best for me. I don't think the sister Jane outfits would suit me.
I agree with Zara, you need to pick them out. I might be best going to the shop.

Well, you might - but often the best Zara things aren’t stocked in most physical shops. I find it’s best to scour the website - sorting from highest price down, and then if I like the look of something, check if it’s in stock in store. If it’s not, I order a size up (because they’re mean with fabric) and if necessary have the thing altered to fit.

Ok good tip, yes that is the problem with shops now. They don't stock a lot of options.
Good point about polyester, might just look at nice summer dresses rather than wedding guest dresses.

Let me know if anyone else has any ideas.

Very knock off Erdem (that's a compliment)

Apart from that one I don't like any of the other dresses suggested. They're a bit mail order catalogue from the last century. [Edit, posted before the Sister Jane suggestion- Sister Jane is always worth looking at]

Nobody's Child has a great selection of dresses. Any of the Anya, Birdie, Starlight , Nova or Elizabeth Scarlett's would be great.

Nobody's Child
Nobody's Child
Nobody's Child
Nobody's Child
Nobody's Child

Re physical shop v online even brands with physical shops don't carry their whole selection in store.

Are you anywhere local-ish to a John Lewis?

I had great experiences with their personal shoppers for a variety of reasons and they are great working with a budget.

That's helpful, think I have been looking at the wrong type of dresses. I usually go for a more relaxed style but I feel that is not the style of the wedding. My husband will be wearing a tux and very shiny patent black shoes so feel I need to be quite smart as well.
I do like the nobody's child dresses so will have another look but some would be too casual.

Yeah fairly near a John Lewis. There is one in the nearest city which I may go to anyway soon to see what is in the shops. I will either find something or get some ideas hopefully.

Karen Millen has a really good occasion wear sale right now. They keep changing which items are getting the big discounts so it's worth keeping an eye out if there's something that grabs your eye. I got this dress for less than £100 a couple of weeks back although it is at a higher price now and it is really nice on, I plan to wear it for an end of summer wedding

www.karenmillen.com/floral-jacquard-corseted-woven-maxi-dress/BKK22696.html

That dress is 40% polyester
Second & other stories or how about Free People? https://www.freepeople.com/uk/dresses/?countryCode=gb&price=50-100&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADmlMfmrHogYV2f-0U5tlS6hGnaGj&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_JzABhC2ARIsAPe3ynqEos5Y7dCED6kzF-CHub1hZmOCHhpenlmMgkQ-RvLGnauEaC15u9IaArVoEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I have looked around and tried some on, I have found a lot of dresses are too long for me. Some of the midi ones are like maxi ones and don't look right.
So trying to look at petite ranges which narrows it down a bit.

I like this nobody's child dress which I think was suggested somewhere above and it is in petite.
I do like a lot of the other nobody's child dresses but some are too casual as it is more of a formal wedding so swaying more towards the occasion ones.

Also like the love and roses dress from next and it does for well.

Which do you guys prefer? I am going to order the nobody's child one and maybe some others once I have looked again.

https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/blue-watercolour-floral-anya-midi-dress-d250605mlt?cjdata=MXxZfDB8WXww&variant=53961272361345&cjevent=ebf064ab2b7611f081b500a10a18b8f6&utm_source=CJ&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=Genie+Shopping+CSS

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su500707/al4533

The Nobody's Child suggestion was mine. I prefer it over the Next dress.

I like the Karen Millen dress LittleGuinea posted