Wedding guest dress - splash out on silk or stick to budget?

[PopsicleSchtick]

I have two weddings to attend this summer (a cousin’s and a friend’s) - both similar in style (country hotel) but with completely different guest lists, so thankfully I only need one dress for both!

I’ve fallen in love with dress A from Hobbs. It’s definitely over budget, but it’s also pure silk, and part of me is thinking “You get what you pay for”.

https://www.johnlewis.com/hobbs-ann-floral-pure-silk-dress-multi/p113606997

However, £350 is a hell of a lot. So I’m also looking at dress B - also from Hobbs, but viscose, so significantly cheaper. I don’t think the quality will be quite as great, but on the other hand, anything from Hobbs isn’t going to be your standard Primani viscose:

www.johnlewis.com/hobbs-carly-floral-dress-blue-multi/p113526626

What would you do? Also open to other suggestions! I’m tall (5ft 10) and a size 12, with dark hair; I find bolder colours and prints tend to suit me.

I think the silk one because it looks definitely re wearable for summer parties etc. whereas you’ll want to get rid of the second as soon as you’ve worn it. I’d say keep looking. There’ll be a compromise out there.

OP have you looked at Monsoon?

Silk will last a lot longer, be nicer to wear, and basically - it looks like silk.
(I can usually tell the content of a fabric just by looking at it - long-time home sewist).

Viscose is OK for the office (better than polyester, at any rate) but for an "event" dress, if you only have one, why economise with a cheap fabric which won't last as long?

Viscose crumples and really doesn't wear well.

As you’re only 45/46 go for the second one.

Omg, I'd love to go shopping with you 💖

I have just bought two Nancy Mac dresses, one in blue and one in green, and they are beautiful for weddings. I bought them both on Vinted, new with tags for £80 each. They should be c£300 each. The company is in liquidation now, so there are bargains out there.

All of my Hobbs dresses are beautifully made, great weight to the fabric and a good sillouette no matter the fabric. You could hold out and see if it goes in the sale before the wedding but if not the cheaper one will still look lovely

These are twice the price of the dress OP considers too expensive! And more vintage styles are popular now and not considered dated.. they’ve come back around.

I like Hobbs but just my opinion and I'm 48, that silk dress looks like something I wouldn't wear for another 20 years.

God, really? If I saw a woman of nearly 70 in that, I’d wonder why she was wearing her daughter’s dress!

Really!
I think it's incredibly old fashioned and no one in my peer group would wear it. Let's split the difference and say 10 years.

OP have you tried looking at silk Hobbs dresses on vinted? There will be tons on there and much cheaper. I never buy new for occasionwear as the price per wear is silly. Also that way it's not so devastating if you spill something on it.

I second Vinted. Got my last two wedding outfits from there.

I saw that you’re 5’10” and immediately thought Phase Eight. Best to see them in the flesh though. Normally I prefer Hobbs but you can find some P8 gems. Is there a department store or Westfield-type shopping centre near you?

The first Hobbes one is much better. I only buy natural fibers now, so would just rule the viscose one out. But the pattern on the viscose one is less sophisticated, more standard, whereas the first one is more elegant. I would not style it in the way Hobbes had, with the little blazer and the matching hat.

I second the pp who recommends Nancy Mac, their hydrangea dress is sublime

The silk one is beautiful and classy.

I have tried on the second one and it looked awful. I'm not 5'10" though.

Honestly @PopsicleSchtick I'd have a look at Nobody's child. Simpler, more comfortable and you'd get some wear from them.

Some of Hobbs stuff is ok, but a lot seems staid and a bit frumpy. There are better, and cheaper dresses out there!

Prefer B

How about this? (New on EBay, really expensive make) would probably have been £600+

I'm in my 60s and wouldn't wear any of those dresses...but we're all different.

Hobby don't suit me as they aren't cut for my body. Agre you really need to try them on.

Have a look on the Liberty site. There's £100 off a £300 spend ages the moment.

I like the silk one. It's a bit different and not old at all.

However it's too much for the high street at £350 and will end up in the Hobbs Outlet store come August.
You will be have to keep it until next year and you'll be lucky.tk get £40 on eBay for it. If £150 a wear sounds ok go for it.

I agree you should keep looking

I really like the silk one and the colours are perfect for a wedding