Favourite glamorous brands for occasion dressing in 50s

[PermanentTemporary]

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.

@EleanorMc67 thank you for every single one! I do like asymmetry but unfortunately I don’t think I want to try anything I can’t wear a bra with. I’m having a great time considering all of these. In 18 months no one will remember this thread but I will update…

Ah, so it's not until summer '27?!!

Well, that's LOADS of time to decide on whether you want to go sequinned/dramatic/flowery - & to try lots of things on!!

Mind you, I've never been married (engaged but too lazy to do much about it!!) - I'm sure others will say you need at least two years to sort your dress out, or something equally bonkers (to me)!!!

@PermanentTemporary just popping on to say I have a couple of the Norma Kamali Obie dresses and they are fabulous to wear. Great if you have big boobs like me too. Also have a look at Safiyaa and Nadine Merabi for occasion-worthy pieces.

Bridal Wedding shoe season starts just after Xmas so If you fancy a pair of Jimmy choos etc have a look in the new year. Ditto the more weddingy dresses start appearing in the new year too. Happy shopping!

Ha! I sorted my wedding reception, dress and caterers in less than a week... We had the wedding date booked and I was originally going to just have us all just party in Regent's Park but then rain looked likely so I needed to find a venue and think of alternative catering scenarios very quickly. But I do this sort of thing for a living (not a wedding planner) so sorting things last minute didn't phase me. I just looked at it like a job!

For my dress I went to Oxford Street and Regent Street and tried on multiple things in every single decent shop. Eventually I got a stunning, red carpet style sequinned fishtail dress from John Lewis which looked the part and was less than I was planning on spending. I'm a size 18 apple shape.

Sounds both efficient & relatively painless!! I'm very good (I've been told!) at helping friends find wedding outfits (especially non-trad ones). But my own is an entirely different matter!

The Marchesa is available in US14 (UK18) on the US Outernet site. Would have import duties? And may need adjusting. But if you love it…

www.theoutnet.com/en-us/shop/product/marchesa-notte/dresses/gowns/embellished-tulle-gown/46376663162872609

Firstly congratulations! I got married, a couple of years ago. I'm in my 50s and our wedding was in a fairytale woodland setting, followed by a party in the same outdoor venue. I wanted something a bit unconventional to wear, to suit the venue, but I also wanted to look like the bride and not a fabulously turned out guest. For the longest time, I thought I'd wear an ivory Nancy Mac jumpsuit but, in the end, I settled for this really beautiful, sequin dress from Needle & Thread Everybody assumed it was vintage (I went for the off white/cream). I'm an average size 14 and wore the 16 dress off the rail. No control underwear needed (just as well, it was a really hot day) and no faffing around with a seamstress. That was a definite Win, Win.

You might need to try on a few styles to work out what feels good for you. I wanted a dress I could fling on, feel special in but crucially, not be restricted by once the formalities were over. Good luck!

Oops, wrong dress! It was this one!

Dress

Links are hard work, aren't they? This one!

An aquaintance wore this very dress to get married in last year. She looked absolutely stunning. It's a fabulous dress.

Oooh - that's lovely!! As is the other one you posted! And I quite agree about not wanting to feel too trussed up or restricted ... after all, who wants to sit & watch their guests eat wedding cake & not have a slice (or two) themselves because their corset is so tight!!!

That's good to know - I'm rather in love with it ...

Oh Wow!!

I love this!

Would your budget stretch? That is a fabulous gown, a real head-turner.

I could never wear that, I’m 5ft nothing and have comedy boobs, I’d look like a pantomime dame😁

Best Wishes OP! 👰‍♀️💍💒

Maxmara, Missoni

That's lovely.

Out of stock in the larger sizes but I love this dress. I got it for Christmas and am hoping to fit into it by my wedding anniversary next year.

https://www.iconleva.com/collections/all-dresses/products/adel

UPDATE
If anyone remembers this thread… I couldn’t get this dress out of my head, plus internet marketing made sure it kept popping up. I ‘happened’ to be visiting the link again at the end of January, there was one left in stock, it was my size, and they’d cut the price to something within shouting distance of my budget. So I bought it… it arrived today and it is FABULOUS. Am set for the wedding!

It was meant to be op. Really happy for you - have a fabulous time.

Fate has lent a hand & decided for you ...!!! If it stuck in your head all that time, out of all the dresses you liked, then that says everything.

So glad it's as fabulous in the flesh - as you will be too!!!

I just really enjoyed looking at all the links to beautiful dresses that I would be completely swallowed by - I am short.

Love the one you ended up with. Have a great day

I am slightly thrilled for you, @PermanentTemporary!

(And gratified to see my own shopping methods prove equally rewarding for someone else.)

Enjoy your dress and have a fabulous day!