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Original poster

Dress heartbreak - can you please help me find something similar?!

45 replies

User415373 · 13/08/2025 09:53

Hi all,
I've got a wedding coming up and have absolutely fallen in love with this dress (AJE) but, I can't stand the sleeves! Can anyone help me find anything similar, or suggest anything else?!
About me, I'm mid 30s, size 8 with, 5ft 1 with short legs. Narrow shoulders. Pale but will fake tan a bit, dark blonde hair.
Even a mild puff sleeves looks ridiculous on my small frame so they're out.
I am trying desperately to avoid the floral effect that you get at weddings, and am known to my friends as being slightly 'out there' with fashion but by no means wild. Last year I wore a lilac suit to a wedding which went down very well but it'll be the same venue and many of the same people, so I'm keen to try something different but lilac is an option.
Budget is small so I'm looking for something which I can buy for under £100 or rent for the same. So happy with designer suggestions I can then search for. Or find on vinted of course. I like pleats, stripes, tie dye, ombre, blurry prints or no prints at all. I love pink and yellow but open to others. Oranges and dark reds wash me out but I'm open to a pop of red. The bridesmaids are in green.
If you have any brand suggestions I'd love to check them out!

Dress heartbreak - can you please help me find something similar?!
OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
Ihearyoubarkingbigdog · 13/08/2025 14:01

I wonder if you could get the sleeves removed by a tailor? Nobody’s child have similar button down dresses minus the massive sleeves. Sister Jane also worth a look

Gettingbysomehow · 13/08/2025 14:02

You could get a seamstress to take the sleeves off. I get a lot of my clothes altered by a local lady because my waist is so small and things that fit my hips bag out on the waist. They could also make new sleeves out of the old ones or just alter them.
I don't know how I managed before finding Rachael.
It's a beautiful dress.

Original poster
User415373 · 14/08/2025 09:03

@SoScarletItWas ooh thanks, I had looked on next buy hadn't seen that one, thanks! Is an option. I think the new look option is a bit casual yes.
@Ihearyoubarkingbigdog and @Gettingbysomehow , I absolutely would if I could afford to buy the dress (my next door neighbour is a fab seamstress too!) but I would be renting and unfortunately the owner might notice!

OP posts:
Original poster
User415373 · 14/08/2025 13:24

Some fantastic options thanks so much everyone! I really like the one shoulder ombre effect ones actually, I'd need something for my shoulders as I'm doing a reading in the church.
Next favourite option is to hire the skirt and then find a top to go with it.

OP posts:
Original poster
User415373 · 14/08/2025 13:25

@Bulletproofmama2021 I really like that bit I've not used cider before and don't know what the quality is like. Might look into their returns process! Thank you

OP posts:
Londonmummy66 · 14/08/2025 13:38

Phase 8 https://www.phase-eight.com/product/henrietta-ombre-dress-221569302.html#q=ombre&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=221569302&pos=12

Roman https://www.roman.co.uk/ombre-print-sweetheart-neck-stretch-dress-14577864

Quiz https://www.quizclothing.co.uk/en-GB/multi-blue-satin-ombre-pleated-maxi-dress-p-264076

My DD bought something in a similar colourway to the Quiz at TK Maxx which was French Connection and it was a double layer of a very fine cotton fabric - it is absolutely stunning.

LastKnownSurvivor · 14/08/2025 13:51

I was expecting a thread where you'd spilled indelible ink on your favourite dress 😆

It looks like it wouldn't be hard to remove those sleeves TBH.

Londonmummy66 · 14/08/2025 15:10

LastKnownSurvivor · 14/08/2025 13:51

I was expecting a thread where you'd spilled indelible ink on your favourite dress 😆

It looks like it wouldn't be hard to remove those sleeves TBH.

That was my first thought but its a rental so she wouldn't be allowed to.

PremiumPrice · 14/08/2025 15:14

User415373 · 14/08/2025 13:25

@Bulletproofmama2021 I really like that bit I've not used cider before and don't know what the quality is like. Might look into their returns process! Thank you

My daughter uses cider all the time. The quality is fine and no problem with returns.

MadKittenWoman · 14/08/2025 15:38

Get the sleeves removed.