This is going to sound awful, but I’m probably going to need a funeral outfit soon…

[CurlewKate]

Just as the title says. The funeral will be for someone who would want a traditional dress code, and I want to get something so that I’m prepared and won’t have to think about clothes at a time when I’m expecting (and wanting) to carry a lot of the load for other people. I’m not young, short, size 20 and have never worn black in my adult life. My normal style is hippyish and bright or jeans and a sweatshirt. I don’t know where to start looking. HELP!!!

Do you want trousers or skirt/dress?

I'm sorry for your forthcoming loss

Would this work? I guess it's a starting point to know what you might like/not like.

https://www.roman.co.uk/stretch-crossover-midi-dress-14606408

I'm a size 18 and I find Simply Be dressed comfy and smart. I love this one and it has pockets for tissues.
https://www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/p/uf913

I love the Roman one-but I think it might be a bit clingy for me? And I also like the Simply Be, but it might be a bit informal. Also because I’m short- maybe a a bit overwhelming? Sorry!

A black jumpsuit if you are usually more comfortable in trousers? Pockets, belt and comes in petite. https://www.popsyclothing.co.uk/products/declan-black-cotton-culotte-leg-jumpsuit

There are various other black dresses on the same website but the cotton ones are sold out in your size and not sure how you feel about polyester fabrics.

Sorry that you're having to go through this.

I'm sorry you are having to think about this, how short are you and would you be wanting a dress or trousers?

Also look at other sombre colours like grey, chocolate brown.

I have this dress from H&M for work. It would work for a funeral too with a black blazer.

Waisted maxi dress
https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1277395002.html

The last funeral I went to I wore a black maxi with a small white polka dot. I wore a black blazer over it. You could wear a wrap/ scarf / shawl over a dress.

I have a funeral coming up soon and I will be wearing a dark navy dress and blazer. Both I already own but don’t normally wear together.

I would go with something you will wear again and it doesn’t have to be black, just dark. Don’t worry about it looking informal (unless it is a sundress) by the time you wear tights, shoes, blazer / smart cardigan it will look appropriate.

And honestly, in all the funerals I have been to I can’t remember a single outfit anyone was wearing. It just isn’t the focus of the day. So wear something that is comfortable (especially shoes) and allows you to move freely.

Yes navy of course.

I’ve got a funeral uniform - large family with lots of elderly members - so needed surprisingly often. I’ve gone for a not too structured black velvet blazer and straight leg trousers (even managed to get them with a half elasticated section at the back of the waist, so very comfortable) and a black silk blouse. The blouse has lost a bit of colour so I just replaced that with one from Boden. There are lots of options for these items, in all sorts of outlets - someone’s always got black velvet, whatever the time of year. Then it gets dry cleaned and returned to its suit bag.

Possible blazer https://www.whitestuff.com/p/424/olivia-wool-mix-jersey-blazer/GREY_MLT
Grey trousers and then a neutral top? https://www.whitestuff.com/p/5419/Belle-Tweedy-Wide-Leg-Trouser/BLK_MLT?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17434335532&gbraid=0AAAAACZTmvZ9d2WmtjrZytCKUlMjM4s8f&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxdXBBhDEARIsAAUkP6hynF8kifVkVjxzDKsdKm2nNPy7ZoWSnFHH6LlF69B_i62jBOdFQuMaAtHIEALw_wcB&Length=Regular

Navy dress https://www.hobbs.com/product/emilia-ponte-dress/0224-5447-1185L00-NAVY.html#isShoeProduct=false&navAjax=true&is=true&cgid=sale-clothing-dresses&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&prefn1=refinementSize&prefv1=20&pid=0224-5447-1185L00-NAVY&pos=10

To my shame, I have been distracted by the Popsy website-I would wear practically everything on that. Perhaps not the unicorn print to a funeral, but…..

No shame - go with one of their plainer patterns. It is really important to be comfortable.

I also have a funeral uniform black trousers grey blouse and either a cardigan or trench coat. We had an aging family a few years ago sadly now gone but it made sense to to buy something.

I’m sorry you’re in a position to have to be thinking about this. I wore a The Pretty Dress Company dress for a funeral recently, their Hepburn style in black. The shape is absolutely beautiful (and it has pockets!) and it felt suitably formal for the occasion.

Op, I recommend waiting until the dress code is announced. I have found that most funerals now have turned into, "no black" or "wear something bright" or "let's wear navy instead of black". Basically every funeral seems to require buying an outfit you don't have...but you don't know in advance what kind of outfit.

You can't go wrong with navy, most funerals are more relaxed these days.

Can I be permitted to ask a personal question, just curious, as you say you're 'old' in your words, have you never been to a funeral before? I'd say I was getting older in my late 50's and have been to a fair few unfortunately. Great if you haven't had to yet though of course

@CurlewKate I've worn their Mercedes jumpsuit to a funeral- I've got it in navy, but it comes in black. Also worn one of their dark green prints with flowers on it to another funeral with a blazer, tights and loafers.

It's definitely important to be comfortable, although swerve the unicorn print!

I got a black linen mix dress in TKMaxx at the weekend for a funeral I'll be leaving for in about half an hour. It can be hit and miss in there, but worth looking. I'm size 18-20. It is something I will wear again, but even if I wasn't going to, at £30, I wouldn't feel too bad st passing it on to a charity shop.

I looked at some in M&S but I either didn't like the fabric or it wasn't my size or didn't cover the shoulders enough.

If I hadn't found something, I'd have probably worn navy.

I don't remember what anyone wore to either of my parents' funerals, just that they were there. I might have noticed if someone came in something really bright, but most were muted shades of all sorts and black and navy and grey.

I wore their navy snowdrop dress to my Nanna's funeral, and a plain black one (can't remember which) to my Grandma's more traditional one. Both with a black jacket. They are really comfy to wear.

I’ve never heard of anyone buying an outfit for a funeral, surely you just wear something dark? And yes I know not helpful!

I’ve sadly been to many-but I haven’t been to a proper Requiem Mass one for a very long time, not since I was slim and could wear anything. I actually wore a yellow jumpsuit to my father’s funeral! And a flowery summer dress to my mother’s.

Thank you all! For clarity, this will be a proper posh Requiem Mass with loads of people there-I really do need something pretty smart. If it was lower key I would just go more like me. I’ve got lots of ideas now- but more than happy for more!