Wedding dress for 50 year old, second marriage, not keen on fussiness

[Scrabblingabout]

Not even sure about white/ivory versus a bolder colour.

I know people will say wear whatever you want but I don't know what I want!!!

I don't want to look like mother of the bride but equally don't want to be all trussed up.

In normal life I like tailoring, dark rich colours or pale blue, and nothing fussy or frilly/girly.

Wedding would be very small, during winter and either in a nice small hotel or registry office tbc.

Thoughts and ideas please! Especially about white vs not!

Look at Bridal maxi dresses, at 5"2 you could
always get alterations. I got married in my mid 50s and wasn't trussed up in ' the meringue dress'
Good luck!

Hi @Scrabblingabout i’m 53 and also just got married for the second time recently.. I didn’t want a ‘bridal’ dress but wanted something glamorous. We got married in a registry office in London in the evening then had a dinner for close friends afterwards. It was a relaxed affair but everyone got dressed up so that was lovely. I chose a long ivory sequinned dress from Nadine Merabi. They don’t do it in that colour at the moment but you might find it on vinted. They do however do a gold version which is lovely. I’m 5’5” and still needed to get it taken up. I’m a size 8-10 with big boobs and wore a s/m. The dress does create the illusion of height regardless of how tall you actually are. Have a look at their website for other ideas - some lovely jumpsuits and velvet blazer/trousers on their website. Beautifully made and efficient delivery. You can get an added discount buying via their app. They have a pop up in south molton street atm if you fancy trying anything on.

https://www.nadinemerabi.com/products/jennifer-gold-dress?variant=41415239073888&currency=GBP&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21692584762&gbraid=0AAAAACdagiOODwZHqb3lGP8UGPI_ZimBw&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzt_FBhCEARIsAJGFWVlAk4zZDKYkNRJ_p0Fn3hnpU5WNn5E1TxUj06V0YEgZtwyz-WesRPIaAoTtEALw_wcB

I’d also second self portrait. I’m looking for a reason to buy this dress…

https://www.self-portrait.com/products/aw25-green-metallic-tie-neck-maxi-dress?currency=GBP&srsltid=AfmBOopZiUBA3vWpXu4uUREf-6aFQNPlM4yoRMf4870_wPoJtRy6lIWfeoo

I rented a Sophia Webster ‘wifey for lifey’ clutch from by rotation rather than having a bouquet which was also quite fun.

Have a fab time! So much more fun second time around, no pressure and we invited only the closest friends and spent money only on things we actually wanted..good food and good wine. Was a fab day.

@magictits That is perfection.

I wore one of these to be a bridesmaid. I was 51 and felt great.

Love that NM @Secondtimebride the perfect grown up wedding dress, with long sleeves and strategic ruching! Thought the clutch bag instead of a bouquet was inspired too, especially as it fulfilled the ‘something borrowed’ bit too.
As an aside, don’t know if any of you watched the new BBC Davina love island dupe show last night, but the blue Loeffler Randall shoes with the shorty wedding dress were very cute!

Love this! They have a size 6 left!
https://www.sezane.com/en-en/product/silvia-dress/khaki?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=UK%20-%20Achat%20-%20Purchase%20-%20DPA%20-%20Fil%20Rouge%20-%20Septembre%20-%202024%20-%20Pixel&utm_content=UK%20-%20Pixel%20-%20RTG%20-%20Interactions%20-%20Carrousel%20-%20Anglais&Audience=Prospection&utm_id=120214524284100387_v2_s45_e281&utm_term=120214524311810387&fbclid=IwdGRjcAMmDWJleHRuA2FlbQEwAGFkaWQBqyM0eepOwwEeH7qLoEFFbAtR4d2uMBwrcjGrtD42pwynQbI-0nWaQWA-evbztHGYyhSUqD0_aem_T1ol--bifZ1xj_jGmOqm6Q

@Scrabblingaboutthink that AD one could be easily altered

The gold dress is lovely. Nice neckline for a possible necklace.

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/saloni/dresses/maxi-dresses/celeste-cape-effect-embellished-velvet-maxi-dress/46376663162946060 - this is lovely

This is stunning;

https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/shop/product/dima-ayad/clothing/gowns/metallic-plisse-tulle-gown-and-cape-set/1647597326434884

That sounds glorious! Congratulations!

Wow that is.

I love some dresses posted but think they would swamp someone quite short and be way too long - OP I would go for something tight, knee length or trouser suit , jewel colours and velvet/ satin - off to have a look round

I’m thinking something like well made expensive version of something like this ( this is a cheapie)

Have you thought about having something made?
I would suggest velvet in a rich navy or burgundy or one of the lovely Shibumi silks.
Were I ever to remarry, I have 25m of shot silk (navy/green) which I would have made into a design I developed, jacket, top and skirt (tulip shaped with a split). My design wouldn't be your cup of tea as the feature is a frill running around the neck of the jacket (think longer Edwardian look) and echoed in the tulip split of the skirt.
Another alternative is to look at hiring an outfit.

What do you mean by way too long @Crikeyalmighty?

I have no investment in what the OP chooses - but I’d be sorry if S&B persuaded women under say 5’4 that they can never wear a long dress. Because of course we can! Other than a placed print pretty much anything can be altered to fit all one’s proportions, not just length at the hem. Dresses can be shortened at the waist or bodice, frills and furbelows can be moved. Shoulders and collars are more tricky and thus more expensive, but essentially, if a garment has been made, it can be re-made. And if a dress from a bridal shop can be altered to fit, so can a dress from a mainstream shop.

@PrimevalStomp fair enough, I’m only 5ft 4 and wear long dresses too but I do find that some are just way too long , like dragging on the floor long, - guess you can always shorten them though - I personally thought many shown look better if you are reasonably tall and hang somewhat better -

Nope. A dress hangs well because it fits well.

@PrimevalStomp I do see your point and I think it comes down to price and fabric too - I’ve got 2 dresses from phase 8 and one from Anthropologie that are long but work well and I think it’s because all were over £100 and are better heavier fabric and just seem more well made. Rest of wardrobe is more at the under £60 level and is a bit more hit and miss.

I’m 5’3. I have a good idea of my own proportions so try to choose things that work with them. The only dress I’ve ever had to send back for being too long was a ribbed knit silk and wool mix that genuinely could not be shortened by my alterations service.

There’s a link to an impressive dress above with a black square placed on the front. That would be troublesome to alter for someone much shorter in the body, if you wanted the square to be in exactly that place, as you’d have to pull it up at the top! But mostly …

Think about what you feel best in when you go out then find the very best version of that that you can.

I liked the Falconetti dress until I saw the Hobbs one and I think that is gorgeous (apart from the tights issue)

Gorgeous!!!

You might like this OP - several colours, liberty has the forest green

I love it especially in that colour!