Is this dress okay for an autumn wedding?

[MotherMary14]

I'm having a total 'mare wedding guest shopping. I'm 53, 5ft 8, a curvy 16-18 and I rarely wear dresses. On the rare occasions I do am forced to, I go for navy but guests have been asked not to wear that particular shade because it's 'reserved for the bridal party'. 😶So I don't want to spend loads on a dress I know I won't wear again. I do like subtle animal print though, so what about this dress? And should I size up to an 18, just to be on safe side? Please help me, wise Style MNetters!

I think that will be fine. Why don’t you order both, and return the one that doesn’t fit?

The shape of the dress is nice but leopard print for a wedding? It’s far too Bet Lynch.

It's hardly Bet Lynch! The print is subtle enough for a semi-formal wedding.

Good idea!

I think it’s ok but that style might not be too flattering if you’re big, imo. It could be nicer with a coat of the same length in the same colour Plus 100% polyester would make me sweat, but that’s just me.

It looks ridiculous with those boots they’ve styled it with.

I suspect it will look underwhelming in real life. £39 isn’t much to cover design, fabric, labour and profit on a size 18 dress. (And they probably planned to sell it at the lower price, so …)

Up to you, but if I didn’t like wearing dresses I would probably buy a trouser suit of sufficiently decent quality to be incorporated into my regular wardrobe.

@Sagaciously I agree, these boots are not a good look.

Wasn't planning to wear it with boots!

I'm also not worried about wearing it as a curvier woman – wrap dresses are the most flattering style when you're bigger.

And while I recognise the wisdom of buying a trouser suit, I don't want to buy one in a colour that I wouldn't wear normally – navy is my go-to and that's off the table at this wedding.

As for the dress/material being cheap, I think there's some privilege kicking in – a £40 dress can be a lot for many women on MN.

It’s fine

I like it and think it will be fine for the occasion.

I agree OP that this style is flattering on curves.

I had no idea Dorothy Perkins were still going! I’ve still got a few of their dresses in my wardrobe from years back - they’re good quality.

It's lovely. However, don't feel you have to wear a dress. You could wear trousers.

I thought about trousers but I'm not sure separates are appropriate for a wedding? As I mentioned in an earlier post, I don't want to invest in a trouser suit in a colour I wouldn't normally wear. If navy was allowed I would!

I like the shape but not the colour - bit dreary for a wedding. Also agree that it's likely very thin and unlined so will look cheap.

Of course you can wear separates to a wedding! Just wear a pair of wide leg trousers with a fancy blouse (silk/satin pussybow maybe?)

I dont think it's suitable for a wedding, the colour is fine, it's the leopard print I think and I do occasionally wear it myself. I just think it would stand out, not in a good way, sorry.

I think that you could wear wide leg trousers and a top, especially if they're the same colour so they kind of look like a jumpsuit. Unless you already have something in your wardrobe, buying two pieces will be a more expensive option but you might be more likely to wear them again seeing as dresses aren't your thing.

I think it's fine and wrap dresses flatter a curvier figure, not everyone has hundreds to spend on a new outfit so those saying it looks cheap, please stop

I also agree that it's fine to wear separates for a wedding

Thank you for saying that. It's easy to say something looks cheap when you can afford to pay more for a dress, but many posters on MN can't. I don't want to spend the wedding worrying that I'm not oozing enough wealth.

It's not a judgement. Totally get that most people don't have loads to spend and that's why the OP would be better off wearing something she already has or spending a little more on something she'll wear many more times. Buying a £13 dress is a false economy!

I like it. Agree the shape should flatter curves. For an autumn wedding I would maybe pair with a rust coloured shawl if that would suit your colouring. And I know head-dresses are contentious on here, but for weddings I still like some sort of thing on my head or in my hair. I would look for a rust / burnt orange hair clip.

Where does it say the dress is £13?

And it absolutely IS a judgement. Disingenuous to pretend otherwise.

It's great and will do the job very well for you. As long as it fits well and you feel good in it (no gaping or clinging etc.) you will look good.

If you have any accessories that would brighten it up a bit, I'd try for cerise or pale pink bits to go with it. You can pick some great bits up in (shhhh) places like Shein and Primark. Just take the labels off lol!

When you click on the dress it’s on offer.

i think it’s a nice shape, i like the ruched cuffs and it’s not in the least ‘bet lynch’. Absolutely fine for a wedding guest.

And what kind of wanker tells the guests what colour they can and can’t wear ffs!

It's gone down in price since this morning!

And yes, don't get me started on the colour rules. I didn't know it was a thing at weddings now.

It says it's £13 on the link you've posted 😂

Ok take it as judgy if you want - you asked for opinions and my opinion is that the dress might look cheap IRL. I'm not saying YOU are cheap. I understand being on a tight budget and offered an idea for an alternative.