Silk dress for daughters wedding

[Namechangefor2026]

I am 5ft 4 and 10.5 stone. I am really not very stylish but want something spectacular for my daughter’s wedding in a hot country. I have recently lost weight and will lose more beforehand i will be around 10stone hopefully. I don’t mind what the cost is as I am quite frugal usually. I would love something in bright colours and maybe for example raw silk. But open to any suggestions. Thanks in advance. Xx

Would Zimmerman or Erdem be something you’d consider? Zimmerman do some lovely prints.

I don’t really know them but I can look. I had thought of a bright plain colour like shimmery red or blue though.

Browse Liberty online dresses for inspiration as its fashion forward. I’d hate you to get trapped in a traditional ‘mother of the bride’ boring outfit.

Remember in a hot country, hot colours (yellow/orange/bright pink/electric blue - no ‘dirty’ versions of them) look spectacular. This won’t work if actually the light colours suit you, white/beige/pale turquoises- do you know what colours suit you?

Have a look in John Lewis, they’ve got some lovely silk dresses which have some huge reductions
I found this at John Lewis & Partners. What do you think?
https://www.johnlewis.com/hobbs-ann-silk-floral-print-petite-midi-dress-blue-yellow/p113606988?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&s_share=jlappios_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5LkNvcHlUb1Bhc3RlYm9hcmQ=

I definitely suit bright colours across the spectrum. Definitely not pastel, pale or dark colours.

Is it a relatively informal settling if it’s in a hot country?
I found this at John Lewis & Partners. What do you think?
https://www.johnlewis.com/nrby-x-boyd-jade-floral-pure-silk-maxi-dress-midnight-garden/p114402722?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&s_share=jlappios_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5LkNvcHlUb1Bhc3RlYm9hcmQ=

I like this but think it might be a bit dowdy on me. I need something I can wear with ballet shoes. I can’t wear heels at all unfortunately.

It will be a beach wedding with traditional outdoor reception after. I definitely don’t want a beach dress or similar. I’d like to be quite dressy with a nice material but relatively casual as well. I kind of envisage a ballet shape dress but might be a bit twee with ballet shoes.

I found this at John Lewis & Partners. What do you think?
https://www.johnlewis.com/nrby-ines-firework-pure-silk-dress-navy-multi/p114392749?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&s_share=jlappios_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5LkNvcHlUb1Bhc3RlYm9hcmQ=

I found this at John Lewis & Partners. What do you think?
https://www.johnlewis.com/hobbs-caversham-pure-silk-dress-blue-multi/p112996458?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&s_share=jlappios_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5LkNvcHlUb1Bhc3RlYm9hcmQ=

Thanks it is quite spectacular and would be great on someone a bit taller maybe?

@Namechangefor2026- it is beautiful isn’t it, I’m actually pretty tall, so maybe I should invest lol 😂

It is really beautiful but looks to me like a perfect evening coverall that you would wear over your matching dress.

I had a shimmery green silk dress made for me, strapless with a matching bolero. The dress marker also dyed a clutch bag and shoes to match. It’s a beautiful colour, but one of those outfits you can only really wear once! Too MoB. In fact, was going to list it on Vinted.

Just saw “hot country”. Mine was also for a wedding in blistering heat. 🤣 If it’s Spain or Italy, go for a block, bright colour, preferably plain. It’s not uncommon to see suits worn nowadays also in bright colours (and thin cotton) with a lighter dress in the evening. But it may be an English wedding in a hot country rather than a local one. Just sharing ideas.

i also went to wedding in the same country last year and wore a long, sleeveless Ralph Lauren dress - cowl neckline. I did look good but it wasn’t quite in place. That was in fuschia, the colour was spot on.

This one:
https://www.ralphlauren.co.uk/en/jersey-off-the-shoulder-gown-617127.html?dwvar617127_colorname=Black&cgid=women-occasionwear2#gclsrc=aw.ds&utm_subchannel=brandsearch&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_campaign=brand&utm_term=brand_plus&utm_content=cid20406269662_crid789668850674_kwralph%2520lauren%2520evening%2520dress_tidaud-2374424520908%3Akwd-1298828346_pid%257Bproductid%257D_adgroupid%3D154718395874&s_kwcid=AL!6316!3!789668850674!b!!g!!ralph%2520lauren%2520evening%2520dress&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20406269662&gbraid=0AAAAADnESOxEMM65WOLvrr9pm8N6Gmz8I&gclid=Cj0KCQiA9t3KBhCQARIsAJOcR7zasv6gGbUZq7LVUQOnMCU1ILZGLCJ-UQA_oJ5QCtP9reb55mjRodEaAo_qEALw_wcB&start=1&cgid=women-occasionwear2

It’s not suoi, but was great despite the blistering heat. They also have satin dresses on there at a decent price.

What is your dress size? I've no idea how to translated weight and height to that....

Have a look here @Namechangefor2026
They're all silk I think. I personally adore the tortoiseshell Morhav dress.
https://klements.co.uk/collections/dresses?page=1#480345835f0cf457d1b27b22544d5672

I am a UK size 12 xx

I'm looking for similar @Namechangefor2026, another worry I have is that someone else might turn up in the same dress. If you have a shape in mind, why not find a silk you like and get a dress made for you. It doesn't have to be madly expensive and you'll know it's a one off. That's what I'm planning to do.

That’s not a bad idea @outofideas2 . I have this vision in my head of a vibrant single colour silk dress in a sort of ballet shape i.e. fitted at top and flaring out. I have no idea where to find a dress maker though.

Shibumi?

I really love this!
https://www.ralphlauren.co.uk/en/cotton-long-sleeve-dress-100061279.html?cgid=women-clothing-jumpsuits#start=1&cgid=women-clothing-jumpsuits

Not sure about the material and would prefer short sleeves but it’s gorgeous.

Silk is unforgiving in a hot country. Sweat marks under the arms comes to mind. Silk is also very warm to wear. I'd look for cotton. That red dress is lovely.

I would look locally for a dressmaker, maybe ask online for recommendations? I'm lucky that I know a great one who already does alterations for me. I know she has made dresses for lots of brides so will easily deal with a dress for me. Good luck!

You can buy the fabric you like and then a dress pattern, and get a dressmaker to make it for you?

I did this for a red velvet 60's style dress with a full skirt. It was very reasonable price wise, and was made to measure, so fit perfectly.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/83287127/silk-dupioni-in-fuchsia-blue-d-109-half?ls=r&external=1&rec_type=cs&ref=landingpage_similar_listing_top-5&content_source=daf80480cc0ad3c98924fff18a3851ac%253ALT7197a40e19e912aa179b57b899b6878ccb9bfe94&logging_key=daf80480cc0ad3c98924fff18a3851ac%3ALT7197a40e19e912aa179b57b899b6878ccb9bfe94

https://jaycotts.co.uk/collections/patterns_dresses?srsltid=AfmBOoqz6wWYhjEkUwSyaO2ZoTTzHXry-o_lWiaFEu98mUZ0843oe718