Favourite glamorous brands for occasion dressing in 50s

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Any tips?

Thinking about wearing something non bridal for my wedding dress. Am 56, 16/18, usually a John Lewis dresser at most. Id like to increase my range of brands to look at. Probably up to £1k.

I wish I visited London more often these days - Liberty is the only department store left that has something special about it. Used to love Fenwicks, but alas ...

What’s Harvey nicks like these days? That’s where I got the outfit for my first wedding [riffling through marriage licences like a deck of cards emoticon] and I’d assumed I could go there if needed? Or Selfridges?

You might like Sara Roka, an Italian company, but wait for the ss26 collection to arrive. A shop locally stocks them and there are invariably some really glamorous but wearable-ever-after dresses for weddings and occasions. They have been very popular with mature brides so my friendly retailer tells me.

When this was in stock in Whistles a few years ago, I thought it would make a fab wedding dress - it's not dissimilar to the sequin Needle & Thread one I posted above. I did end up buying the top version of it (in silver, champagne & green, courtesy of eBay!) & what I would say about wearing silver/pale gold sequins is that they're the equivalent of a brilliant foundation/airbrushing/botox combined, as they reflect light upwards & give you a really soft radiant glow ...!!!

https://www.whistles.com/product/arabelle-sequin-midi-dress-30610.html

As someone who was a 34B until I hit the menopause, I used not to have to think of such things! Nowadays I've no idea ... a dress you'd need to try on & see if you feel comfy in it - but you're tall so it might not be super-low on? I think it's a really gorgeous dress though - love the sleeves!

Instead of the traditional delicate wedding jewellery, it could look fab with several long gold & pearl lariat-type necklaces that would draw the eye more than the cleavage area?

I was admiring GHOST dresses in John Lewis today. Some bride worthy dresses there.

Made the mistake of looking at long pearl & gold necklaces & now I want this!!! A bargain ...

https://www.tiffany.co.uk/jewelry/necklaces-pendants/paloma-picasso-18k-yellow-gold-freshwater-pearl-necklaces-pendants-60572305.html?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18076151986&gbraid=0AAAAApuFSuy6vNG7fdILY0AYFWAPqheJk

More drama for your neckline! https://www.viviennewestwood.com/en-gb/women/jewellery/necklaces/felicity-necklace--gold-creamrose-pearl/6301014E-02R107--GOLD-CREAMROSE-Pearl.html

Ah these dresses are great.
Most of the brands I like have been mentioned already. I tend to look in the sale for dresses then shop the brands I like on that basis. I'd trawl through HN, mytheresa, netaporter and selfridges.com and go from there. Rixo, self portrait, erderm, needle and thread, isabel marant, toteme, staud, farm rio, alemais 😊. Happy shopping OP :).

Vivienne Westwood is always a classic (though I hate how this is styled!).

https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/product/vivienne-westwood-long-fond-draped-woven-maxi-dress_R04466589/

And the photo ...

That Kamali green dress is stunning. Or I’d sell a kidney and get the Jenny P one!

How about something from Saloni? I love this one..

I love that. The lines are simple, it looks flattering on a variety of body types, and the colour is gorgeous.

I'd sell both for some dresses!!! 😁

This is a Belgian design brand that definitely does "gowns"!!! I think this is rather fab ... On their own website there are several other equally dramatic (yet simple) styles.

https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/shop/product/bernadette/clothing/gowns/george-gathered-taffeta-gown/46376663162917263

More from Bernadette.
Less dramatic than the George dress above. This reminds of 60s Audrey Hepburn gowns.

https://bernadetteantwerp.com/en-gb/products/dress-colette-ivory

Quite a few more on the Bernadette website that would make fab wedding dresses. There are white/off-white or embroidered versions of several too.

And this.

And this.

A handmade kaftan from Fumbalinas?
https://shopfumbalinas.com/collections/frosted-fable/products/ice-queen-sequin-v-neck-kaftan-gown-copy-2

This one is actually quite similar in feel to the very first Norma Kamali one you posted? No need for Spanx with this one though!!

https://bernadetteantwerp.com/en-gb/products/dress-minnie

When I was wedding dress searching I had Eliza Jane Howell and a saved search on the resale sites. They are actual wedding dresses, but awesome ones, with personality.
https://www.stillwhite.com/shop?designer=2168&search=2e87049e001411ef8aca02ffec65b5dd&subscribed=1

This is my fave, and I actually had a cape/ veil added to my asymmetric wedding dress 😁

If you do visit Selfridges, OP, I thought this elegant.

https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/product/malina-marisa-asymmetrical-satin-maxi-dress_R04462421/

I know some people dislike asymmetry though ...

Out of stock in the largest size right now, but I like the simplicity with the sequins.

https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/product/rotate-birger-christensen-kaisa-long-sleeve-sequin-embellished-maxi-dress_R04483733/