Need help deciphering dress code!

[Rituals1]

I have a wedding next weekend which has quite a complex dress code; from what I can surmise it is ‘American black tie’ (the bride is American) however the venue is outside in Scotland so this is also stipulated in the invite. The bride has requested only satin, silk, crepe or taffeta.

Can anyone please help me decipher the dress code and suggest a suitable dress? I’m pregnant, 16 weeks but showing as it’s not my first baby. I don’t want to spend much at all if I can help it so will happily trawl vinted but I don’t even know what style of dress I’m looking for! Everything long and in chiffon or satin looks bridesmaid-y to me.

That Seasalt dress is really nice!!

Just ignore this prescriptive dress code, and wear what you feel comfortable wearing, especially as you are pregnant.

@Rituals1 excluded from photographs - are you concerned as they aren't personal friends? I think I'd risk it but I'm old and always dislike seeing myself in photographs! 😀

@Rituals1 you'd save yourself a lot of money and stress too!

invite then says ‘It’s the type of black tie for toasting champagne in a country garden or being thrown around the dance floor’

Well, they think they’re special, don’t they?

I’d be tempted to go with a re-wear and a big coat.

Drag something from the back of your wardrobe and crack on.

Ridiculous.

https://www.asos.com/asos-maternity/asos-design-maternity-frill-wrap-detail-pleated-midi-dress-in-baby-blue/prd/207698496#colourWayId-207698497

https://www.asos.com/tfnc-maternity/tfnc-maternity-bridesmaid-flutter-sleeve-ruffle-detail-maxi-dress-in-sage/prd/202953613#colourWayId-202953615

Sorry, no suggestions but I’m gobsmacked that some people can care so much about what other people wear. The entitlement of suggesting the material used?

I’ve seen this one all over vinted but it looks so much like a bridesmaid dress, I wouldn’t usually dare turn up as a usual guest in that!

If you can, get something cut on the bias. It's much more forgiving of variations in body shape. I have a bias-cut slip dress I bought for a wedding, which I never attended as I went into labour the day before the wedding. I've since worn it on a variety of dressy occasions, both when pregnant and not, so it was not a waste of money.

Anything here appeal?

Quite frankly, though, unless you love the dress and will wear it again, I would not accede to such daft and controlling demands. Either wear something that works for you, or don't go and wish the couple well but let them know why.

I used to work for an American company. American wedding guest clothes are more like our idea of evening/bridesmaid dresses.

Adrianna pappell is an American company and if you search weddings and black tie ending it shows some examples , the link won’t work for me don’t know why

so anything like that. John Lewis stock some of their dresses so have a look there.

personally though I’d ignore the dress code and wear either something I like or trousers and a pretty top as I’d not like to be told what to wear….but that’s me.

https://www.adriannapapell.com/collections/black-tie-wedding-guest-dresses

https://www.johnlewis.com/brand/adrianna-papell/dresses/_/N-1z13u5hZ1z13zt3?sortBy=priceHigh

I dont agree with it but I get a dress code. I kind of get colour requests.
But specifying the fabric as well? 🤣 I would genuingely be declining that.
I guess they think those fabrics look expensive?
I won't wear silk. Satin makes me sweat so I cant wear that. Crepe is really unflattering and creases as soon as you look at it. As for taffeta?!

My sis got gorg dress for the races and it was £14 but gorgeous

That Seasalt dress is lovely. I wouldnt say it was completely in line with the dress code but it is lovely and I think you do get a pass being pregnant too.

Try New Look or J L for a maxi dress in satin

With a dress so restrictive the bride can’t complain if she’s upstaged.

This without the belt

This also comes in an olive green

With a little bit of lace

I love that!

”the type of black tie for toasting champagne in a country garden’?

With regret I’m booked in to have the drains cleared on that day.

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/6623428132-blue-dress

New Look do these types of dresses- I don’t think they look as bridesmaidy as some and the back is ruched/elasticated which I find comfy with pregnancy boobs growing.

I wore something v similar for a black tie even when pregnant. This is £5 so I would wear then donate to the charity shop or sell it.

This one is lovely! And I wouldn’t worry about looking like a bridesmaid since that’s pretty much what the brief is.
I hate dress codes anyway but to specify material 🤮 Craziness!