Dress for 16 year old attending a family church wedding

[lavenderjune]

We have a family wedding to attend in July. I’m trying to find a dress for my 16 year old daughter. Everything I have suggested has been met with a big thumbs down. She has just shown me this dress. I really don’t think it’s right but thought I would see what others could come up with please.

I’d let her wear what she wants. It’s a nice dress. You’re only young once. Pick your battles.

This is lovely

I think the split might be a little high. Would any of these work?
Green Jacquard Backless Slip Midi Dress & Reviews - Green - Dresses | RIHOAS
Yellow Square Neck Ruffle Satin Midi Dress & Reviews - Yellow - Dresses | RIHOAS
Orange Ruched Knitted Slip Midi Dress & Reviews - Orange - Dresses | RIHOAS

I feel your pain. We had similar debates for a wedding last year. In the end we agreed on a new look bodycon dress with a much more modest slit and she looked lovely.

It’s not a nice dress but she’s finding her own style let her wear what she wants to wear… maybe suggest something for the shoulders for the church

Agree with trying Zara. She can’t wear the peeled banana dress to a wedding; she’ll upstage the bride.

No way! The wedding is taking place in a church not a lap dancing club!

Well as my much loved and fabulous Grandma used to say when I was a teenager going to church dressed in a black bondage skirt, backcombed hair and heavy eyeliner, "God isn't judging you. The Church Warden is but they're bit of an idiot anyway".

My dd wore this in turquoise with a cream jacket in the sale from next to the ceremony. She likes the jacket and has since reworn it. She obviously really dislikes the dress even though she looked stunning as it’s not her vibe (which is similar to your dd). She then got changed for the evening into a PLT dress with a big side split that she picked up on vinted.

I’d do something like this as your dd is more likely to wear something appropriate if she can change for the evening. And get your dd to trawl vinted for one or both. Could you negotiate something like that?

https://www.quizclothing.co.uk/en-GB/coral-satin-cross-back-maxi-dress-p-259579

Short green or pink dress

Pink ruffle swing dress

Yellow drop sleeve maxi dress

Dark blue printed short dress with full puff sleeve

Probably all of these will be met with a face like this 😏(been there, done that) though we can but try!

I’ve been to over 30 weddings and the majority of the brides had strapless dress without a cover up on when they were getting married.

I’d wear a jacket to a church as they’re usually cold. It’s not a reason to have a buy a dress without sleeves though!

I took my similar aged girls to Urban and we had a lucky strike they got flowery but ruched with strap dresses they were same material but slightly different. Looked fab they liked them and were just about appropriate. Wedding in Oxford college not church but would have been fine in church.

Flashback to dd2 at dhs uncles funeral. She’s nearly 6foot and gorgeous and wore a glam black dress. Was kind of appropriate but she looked like she was at a different event to everyone else. The widow and her sister were heard telling all their friends how they had looked the same at 16 so she provided some light relief at least !😀.

While the dress is definitely not appropriate for a family wedding I’m very concerned that your 26 year old daughter would be chastised for wearing that dress on a night out!!

OP, ASOS have some lovely dresses at the moment

https://www.asos.com/prd/208158997?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

https://www.asos.com/prd/206199188?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

https://www.asos.com/prd/206786179?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

https://www.asos.com/prd/208188829?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

If she continues to insist on dresses like the one you’ve linked in the OP, I’d gently remind her that this is a church wedding, not a night out, and she can wear a dress like that another time.

It’s not a nice dress but she’s finding her own style let her wear what she wants to wear

It's not about finding her own style and wearing what she wants to wear. It's about what's appropriate for the occasion. A 16yo is old enough to understand this.

Meh, I'm Catholic, they won't flinch.
Agree that it will be the order relatives who will get in a fluff.

Tell her that it's a stunning dress but that it's tradition not to upstage the bride. Personally I think it's hideous but I like her confidence!

Pick your battles.

She needs to undserstand that the wedding is not about her - the focus should be on the bride. Also looking too "try hard" is not a good look or cool. She could perhaps relax about getting this dress and just go with something she likes and will feel herself in. She is not there to upstage the bride.

Oh Polly dresses are not the vibe for a wedding. But this dress is a bit more appropriate.

https://www.ohpolly.com/products/dolcezza-sweetheart-maxi-dress-lemon-sherbet

Try and explain to DD that sbe will feel uncomfortable and self-conscious for the whole day if she is wearing something inappropriate.

How about something like these from motel?

https://www.motelrocks.com/products/dasita-cowl-max-dress-neutral-flrl-prnt

https://www.motelrocks.com/products/fayola-dress-watercolour-flower-blue

https://www.motelrocks.com/products/darsih-dress-basic-polka-flock-berry

https://www.motelrocks.com/products/darsih-dress-paisley-lace-burgundy

Still bodycon maxi’s but a bit more covered up?

On the continent you’re not even allowed into a church without your shoulders covered. Over here it’s more relaxed but it’s still considered disrespectful by many people.

Couple more really pretty floral options from Urban….

Maybe nice for a holiday but not for a wedding imo.

https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/womens-race-dresses/yellow-broderie-anglaise-midi-dress/p/923915988

This one is nice and in the same colour

I got married in a church a few years ago - a catholic church - shoulders covered is not a thing.

The Frolic exclusive sweetheart contrast ruffle trim bow detail maxi dress in yellow | ASOS

Vila satin cowl neck maxi dress in banana yellow | ASOS

Pretty Lavish shirred ruffle maxi dress in lemon | ASOS

Goddiva Pleated bardot high low tier chiffon midaxi dress in lemon | ASOS

this is a bit more grown up but not as risqué as her original choice