Cardi/warm layer for this wedding guest dress?

[Sera1989]

I really need help, I really struggle putting clothes together unless the top layer is a coat!

I’ve bought this dress from Vinted to wear to an outdoor wedding. High necks suit me but I always struggle with choosing a warm layer because I end up looking quite old fashioned when combined with the high neck.

What would you wear with this in the evening/a colder day at a wedding? Would ideally love a smart and casual option as it’s a gorgeous dress and I’d love to be able to wear it somewhere other than a wedding too

It is too awkward to cover with a cardigan or jacket. A fine cashmere wrap , and I mean real, genuine fine cashmere would work. Otherwise just pretend you’re not chilly !

I agree it would be a shame to cover the dress up - but if you wanted to try it you have two options:

Either make the jacket part of the outfit:

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/textured-waistcoat-with-belt-p02132904.html?v1=452186584&v2=2420942

where you’d have to remove the tie belt from the dress and keep the jacket buttoned up, so the dress would only be visible as a skirt (with a bit at the neck).

Or, find a very oversized blazer in one of the darker colours which would essentially be worn over your shoulders. That could look quite cool.

I honestly wouldn’t cover it up and just grin and bear it, sorry!

I think a cardigan or blazer thrown over your shoulders rather than worn would look OK. Otherwise the suggestion of a cashmere wrap could work. Like most of the posters though I'd likely just grin and bear it.

Silk pashmina or faux fur shawl or mini cape or sleeveless shrug in light pink

Casual probably white cropped denim jacket or black leather jacket

Thank you for the suggestions. I know, it's such a shame to cover it up!! But when I'm cold I get quite grumpy, but as the wedding is in the summer I needed something that also wasn't too hot (I have regulation problems and can go from goosebumps to sweating in no time)

It sounds like something off the shoulders is the best idea. I think I might already have an off white shawl but an oversized blazer is a good shout too (saw a few men's ones in the charity shop yesterday). And I like the idea of a leather or biker jacket to dress it down so I can wear it more than once, I'm mid 30s and most of my friends don't want to get married!

With a blazer or jacket, would it look best with a big collar/lapels for contrast or something more minimal?

Depending on the cut of the back of the dress, could you wear a sleeveless base layer underneath? Then if it gets really chilly in the evening it would be OK to wear a jacket over your shoulders.

I did this recently with a dress that did have 3/4 sleeves but it wasn't quite warm enough without a jacket, but I thought a jacket didn't go - a friend then suggested a base layer. Perfect solution!

I agree pashmina is just the thing, especially as you don’t know how warm or cool it will be