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.

Totally agree. The two Hobbs dresses are so dated and frumpy.
Love the Nobody’s child and Anthropologie dresses above

The print is a bit meh but it’s mainly the cut / length. Just all of it. As I said before I hate saying a bit old as a woman of the same age as you because there’s nothing wrong with being old… but… they’re just a bit Nora.

Coggles is worth a look for more up to date labels at good prices - eg this Kitri dress.

www.coggles.com/p/clothing/kitri-leia-printed-crepe-de-chine-midi-dress/15366876/?affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&variation=15366899&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22364607316&gbraid=0AAAAADqtXEO1P9_xSA0daom9fY7ic-i5U&gclid=CjwKCAjwuIbBBhBvEiwAsNypvbLakHdULDFvtgbfTXLJjxaJruXkmSJJZf97i_URcABvW4YpMKlETxoChhAQAvD_BwE

I’ve just bought an Alemais dress for a wedding 😂

I suspect I’m a bit more fashion lead than most though. It’s quite funny that I’m now wondering if other guests will be startled by the choice 😂😂😂

Buy the dress you love, if you can afford it! It will make you walk tall and smile.

Dress A looks like curtain material. Second one is fine.

I don’t think you can go wrong with either as they’re both lovely. The viscose might actually be better for a summer wedding as it’s a bit more breathable? I think I prefer the silhouette as well!

OP, what struck me is how very strong those colours are. I couldn't wear either of them. Have you tried them on? They'd make me look ill because I'm an autumn (skin/hair/eyes) and look better in warmer yellows and ochres: that strong blue/ purple makes me look as if I've died. No point in spending £350 on an item you love but doesn't love you back!

I definitely suit strong colours, so that isn’t a worry. It’s anything too pale that tends to wash me out.

I think how they have chosen to accessorize the first dress does it no favours at all. How would you style it?

OP did state what colours suited her. Personally the colours she has chosen would suit me whereas yellow or ochre make me look horrendous.

It's actually polyester, not viscose.

I'd be tempted to go for the silk one and share the cost over the two weddings (I mean, if the guest list was similar you'd probably want to buy a second outfit). It's nicer and also will be wearable for other occasions in the future - design is classic so won't go out of fashion.

I love the first one. It has shape, drama, movement and style that the second and most of the other suggestions don't even if perfectly ok to lovely. But not this

If you're the type who doesn't buy a lot of clothes, doesn't change size, and keeps them in good conditions for years then I would definitely buy the first one. If not then something cheaper

Also for what it's worth I would wear the first one and am 37 but not the second, well not happily. Makeup would be minimal and hair down, maybe that would make it younger. But I don't see a well fitted dress in a flattering cut (which this one is) as frumpy, its more when something doesn't fit and is plonked on the figure rather then goes with it if that makes sense.

I tried on the silk option in Hobbs (I’m 26) and it was absolutely breathtaking!
The crystal detail is so sparkly and eye catching in person. I’d really recommend it and I think you’d get a lot of compliments.

Definitely pop into a Hobbs branch and try them on!

Last summer I was dress hunting for a wedding abroad, I ordered £500 worth of Phase Eight dresses online (think it was 3 or 4 dresses)

Ended up returning them all- midi/maxi length just dreadful on me (I’m 5ft3) and the billowing material just swallowed me up! The refund took weeks and lots of chasing…that’s another story

I wore an ‘old’ dress of mine that I’d bought got a wedding almost 10 years earlier and hadn’t worn it since!

Hobbs is now my general dress go to, think they do come up shorter so knee length styles are perfect/get their petite stuff.

Good luck with the hunt…out of your 2 Hobbs I much prefer the 2nd one, mainly based on loving that shade of blue

I love the silk, I could never wear it as a short round person. But if I were tall and willowy I would choose it.

So's the lining of the silk dress. I don't know why they do that.

Both pretty ... But I wouldn't buy silk as it's so unbelievably cruel (vintage/second hand silk maybe, but not new). Most people don't care, but I'll post this anyway.

If you're going to Kingston, I'd recommend trying the free personal shopper service in John Lewis there - I had a session last year and it really helped me see what suited me.
They get quite booked up so don't leave it too late - good luck!

I think they’re both really frumpy I'm
afraid! I’m 62 and wouldn’t wear either of them

I actually like the second one better, the design is nicer and a nicer style

Ooh, I think I have another for the shortlist:

www.phase-eight.com/product/lucinda-print-dress-222293000.html

@PopsicleSchtick, I wouldn't on the last one. The color is lovely, but it is polyester on polyester and you can tell. Go for the John Lewis's stylist appointment in Kingston and see what they turn up.

Both dresses imo will look way too “busy” in the photos and draw attention away from the bride.

That's a ridiculous comment. Like them or loathe them they are standard wedding guest dresses.