Another wedding guest dress one

[Thedew]

SIL is getting married in a Scottish castle next month; the men in the wedding party (including DH) are in navy tuxes.

What's the verdict on any of these dresses? Or does anyone have any other recommendations? I am also thinking about tulle skirts, but struggling to find tops that would work with them.

I'm early 40s, size 8 mainly (sometimes 10), 5'4, but completely carrot-shaped - wider shoulders and my hips are totally non-existent 🤣

So the v-neck, A-line/skater style is very much the style that suits me best. Pencil or shapeless dresses do absolutely nothing for me.

Would like long sleeves and I'm also quite petite so maxi and dresses with lots of excess material completely drown me.

How about hope and ivy? They aren't too expensive.

https://hopeandivy.co.uk/collections/sale/products/the-suri-frill-sleeve-thigh-split-open-back-maxi-dress

https://hopeandivy.co.uk/collections/sale/products/the-gemma-embroidered-long-sleeve-front-button-midi-dress

https://hopeandivy.co.uk/collections/sale/products/the-grace-embellished-flutter-sleeve-maxi-dress-tie-waist

https://hopeandivy.co.uk/collections/sale/products/the-ingrid-embroidered-frill-sleeve-button-front-midi-dress-ladder-trim

https://hopeandivy.co.uk/collections/sale/products/the-naomi-v-neck-midi-tea-dress-peplum-waist-ruffle-skirt

https://hopeandivy.co.uk/collections/sale/products/the-cornflower-v-neck-midi-tea-dress-peplum-waist-tiered-ruffle-skirt

There are lots of others on the site also all in sale section.

They might be appropriate for a wedding but so aging and frumpy.
I suggest something more fitted

This is lovely

Aging, and frumpy ? The models in them are young and definitely don't look aged and frumpy god forbid a 40 something looks her age.

OP the reason you are getting some negative responses to the dresses you posted is that they are dated. Anything around knee length is not a current look. Most dresses now are either mini or midi/maxi. That’s the difference between what you posted and the suggestions you are getting on here.

If you don’t mind (why should you?!) then go ahead with what you have already selected. The colours and styles of all of them are good and they are obviously the kind of thing you would feel comfortable in. Just to let you know what some people think when they look at your choices.

The reviews just imply you need to size down, but fair enough if you don’t like it you don’t like it! I don’t think people are necessarily just recommending things that would only suit themselves though- from your description I would think that style would suit your body shape. Obviously you know if it wouldn’t but I think it was a fair suggestion based on what you’ve said!

Thank you... I am a bit confused though as the second, fourth and fifth pictures I originally posted state that they are midi length (and at 5'4, they're not going to come to my knee if they don't on the model). The last one I posted is a maxi one.

And I have also read from some stylists that knee-length is back in this summer!

That is true... But as a size 8 (and I find that Monsoon tends to be on the larger side anyway), that would be tricky :)

I'm 52, size 8 and 5ft 4 and going to a wedding in August. I've bought this gorgeous dress in the Navy from AXparis.

https://www.axparis.com/products/navy-off-the-shoulder-draped-top-midi-dress?variant=41866584883290

They have a good selection of Wedding Guest dresses.

Relieved to see the push back on these flammable looking items.

For me the frump is radiating out of the crispy fabric and garish print.

What about getting something secound hand ( nice fabric etc) and having it tailored?

I can't answer for others but I don't tend to just post suggestions that I personally like. I read the OP's brief carefully and try to find things that match it. Of course they won't necessarily like what I post but at least it gives them a wide choice around their specifications of size, style, colour and price.

If we only post things we like personally or that suit us, we're not helping the OP if those things don't meet her requirements. It doesn't matter if we think something looks frumpy or dated as long as the OP likes it.

Less floral

I was going to suggest Hope and Ivy too. I wore a beautiful dress of theirs to a wedding last year, although from their maternity range, and I felt so lovely.

I also have larger shoulders and narrower hips (although I’m a lot taller and a larger frame overall) so I know what OP means about all the puff sleeves on this thread, but I would definitely wear lots of the hope and ivy options.

I feel you're wilfully confused then, because in my first post I clearly stated that the reason they look dated is because they're knee length and/or floral and/or skater style. None of these things are particularly in style, and the combination is even worse. PPs have also posted similar reasoning. I think it's rude to say people are just posting things that would suit them, I don't agree that's the case, the vast majority of suggestions meet your brief or come very close. It's okay for people to try to broaden your search too. Anyway, I don't think you actually want suggestions, I think you've already decided on the kind of dress you're going to wear because you're obsessed with your body type/being teeny tiny with broad shoulders and anything will swamp you. I'm shorter than you and also a size 8 and petite. I can still wear oversized styles, it's all in the styling.

Agree with all that but would add that it's not just the length or being floral being not currently in by themselves but the dresses are simply "meh". The PP who said they look like dresses in a free catalogue was spot

Palava for example have 99% of their dresses at that length and many are florals and I'd happily wear anything from Palava because they have a bit wit, style and originality.

They may be described as midi, but they are shorter than most consider midi, which most of us would think of as a few inches above the ankle, not a few inches below the knee.

You’ve got the right idea of having a wrap to narrow the shoulders and a fuller skirt to widen your hips and produce more balance. But at your age and size, I would have thought you could wear something more attractive. I have lost weight and wore these Jolie moi dresses when I was a size 20 / 22. I really think the styles you’ve chosen are frumpy and dated and I’m a decade older than you. I don’t mind the red and navy short dress so that would be my choice.

This is a great post, not that I have checked out PPs in your name on this thread after reading it.

I love some of the brighter and darker colours that suit me, but OP says her colouring needs softer colours. The long blue dress she chose worked for both of us, or at least me, in terms of having definite colour but also a soft hue or tint.

It does seem many are choosing V necks, defined waists and soft skirts that should work for OP.

OP, I am also not aware of knee length being a thing right now?

The second one is lovely. Number 3 I think is frumpy and 4 a bit like a nighty

This one from Hope and Ivy is good as the embroidery would make you look more curvy (if that’s what you want).

I think all the choices are nice and suitable for a wedding.

Stunning dresses!

https://www.debenhams.com/product/coast-placement-stripe-organza-puff-sleeve-shirt-dress_bcc06132?colour=navy

From the description you’ve given I think this would look nice.

It’s a little more formal than some of the other dresses.