Black dress for funeral

[hungryKat]

I need a black dress for a fairly formal funeral, (certainly colours wouldn’t be expected). I’m 5’9 size 10, nearly 40 with mousy brown hair and pale skin. I look pretty terrible in black so don’t buy it.

I want it to be at least knee length on me (so probably longer on the models) and have at least capped sleeves (no shoulders showing).
Budget is around £60-70. In terms of my style, I buy a lot at seasalt/ white stuff for casual and Hobbs for work, but Hobbs is a bit out of budget for something Im hopefully not going to re-wear.

We’re off on holiday for a fortnight tomorrow so don’t have time to go to the shops so I’ll need to order online.

A black sleeveless dress and wear a white shirt underneath?

I wore a version of this dress to a family funeral. I find Boden runs small so this is a 12.

https://ebay.us/m/7SizEw

I’m not the seller btw!

https://www.roman.co.uk/square-neck-asymmetric-tiered-midi-dress-14239508

https://www.roman.co.uk/34-sleeve-maxi-drs-14169508

https://www.roman.co.uk/broderie-puff-sleeve-cotton-midi-dress-14398508

Any of these any good? All under budget!

https://www.roman.co.uk/cotton-broderie-tiered-smock-dress-14518908

https://www.roman.co.uk/button-linen-mix-midi-dress-14704408

https://www.roman.co.uk/button-through-midi-dress-14180708

Some more.

Puff sleeve with pockets
V neck jerseyV neck black pattern

Next have quite a selection and it’s easy to filter on their website

Unless you are an immediate member of the family no one is going to expect you to dress in black, much less purchase something specially for the occasion. Any dull or subdued colour is nowadays considered appropriate. Dark blue, purple, dark grey etc are completely acceptable. Clothing should be conservative and respectful so as not to draw attention and in keeping with the formality of the occasion.

https://www.whitestuff.com/p/5725/rua-broderie-shirt-midi-dress/DARK_NAVY

I've just bought this in dark navy for my FIL s funeral in 10 days. It's really comfortable and can be dressed up as needed. My skin colour is drained by black.

Does it have to be black?
Could you wear dark navy.
I will be attending the funeral of a close family member in a few days.I don’t own a black dress or skirt so I plan to wear black trousers with a white short sleeved round neck blouse and a black jacket with ruched 3/4 sleeves and black loafers.DH doesn’t have a black suit so will be wearing a navy one.
I wore aubergine to my Mum’s funeral and navy to my brother’s funeral after my SIL had said she didn’t care what I wore and wouldn’t be offended if I turned up in my gym gear.( I don’t possess black gym gear either).

Unfortunately it is an immediate family member, it is a church service. The individual was a senior member of the armed forces before they retired and the army are sending an officer to attend on behalf of the regime.
Im not sure what rank, but when granddad died they sent a colonel as he was the last most senior officer to serve in Burma. There is an expectation that we will all be in black and I will therefore need a new dress . Fortunately DH has a black suit and tie already.

I was wondering about this dress, but I’ve never heard of the shop. Does anyone know what the quality is like?
https://ashfordclothing.com/collections/dresses/products/sarah-cotton-shirt-dress?_pos=18&_fid=e22b7d014&_ss=c&variant=55446203498761

@hungryKatthats a lovely dress and could be dressed up at a later date with a bright belt or scarf or jumper. It's a similar shape to the one I posted from white stuff. I was going to say you don't need to wear black these days but then read your update and can see exactly why it's important. Quite a big ceremony. Hope it goes as well as it can do.

If black washes you out, would you consider a contrast collar so the black isn’t right next to your face? www.next.co.uk/style/su685352/f93640#F93640?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organicshopping

Never heard of them. They seem to be based in Germany. I wouldn't buy anything from a retailer who posts this misleading and inaccurate nonsense.

How to Start a Return:Email us at [email protected] with your order number and reason for return.If your return is approved, we will send you the Return Adress and instructions.Please do not send back any items without prior approval — unauthorised returns will be refused.

Also it doesn't say what it's made of

Whisper-soft cotton-style weave for next-to-skin comfort

Presumably cotton- style isn't cotton?

This is Marks and Sparks filtered to black, knee length, midi and midaxi.

There are several nice dresses from Finery and Nobody's Child in your budget.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/l/women/dresses/fs5/black?filter=Categories%253DSubCategory48480837%257CSubCategory48481324%257CSubCategory50966102

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-embroidered-v-neck-midaxi-tea-dress/p/clp22609857#intid=pidpg2pip48g2r5c2%7CprodflagOnline%20Only

https://www.marksandspencer.com/crepe-textured-midi-shirt-dress/p/clp23019624?color=BLACK#intid=pidpg3pip48g2r3c2%7CprodflagOnline%20Only%7CprodflagplptsQP8

https://www.marksandspencer.com/crepe-collared-midi-tea-dress/p/clp23017255#intid=pidpg3pip48g2r10c1%7Cprodflag50%25%20off

https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/ashfordclothing.com?page=2

As I suspected "Ashford London" is a scam site selling Chinese rubbish

Similar to the Ashford one, but from a genuine retailer Community Clothing

Not read all comments, but if this funeral date is not too soon, you may find just the thing in a charity shop.
Doubt you’ll pay more than £8 for it, and you can donate it back to the charity shop afterwards .

You may not like using charity shops, but it would solve a short term problem, if you’re fortunate to find your size, and fits your needs.

I hired a Nobody’s Child black dress for my daughter to wear for a similar military family funeral.

There are a fair few hire companies that do this. I used Hire Street UK and it was really easy.

I don’t know if the COS sale is still on but it’s my go to funeral shop!