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Silk dress for daughters wedding

204 replies

Namechangefor2026 · 02/01/2026 11:41

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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
41
MrsPositivity1 · 05/01/2026 19:20

Namechangefor2026 · 02/01/2026 14:53

Wedding isn’t until September so I’ve loads of time. I’m in NI so not near any liberty shops.
I hadn’t thought of the sweat issue with silk. I don’t tend to sweat much but mightn’t take that risk. Another thing to think about!
I don’t think I want to go custom made. I’d rather find something premade but maybe get it adjusted if necessary.
Thanks everyone! Xx

Kelly Black is an amazing dressmaker (Newtownabbey) and Mary Rose McGrath (Conway Mill)

miss79guided · 05/01/2026 19:25

All very good suggestions - but what is it that you want your clothes to say ?

This is NOT your day - you don`t want to be a disappointment - accessorise
Say it, say MORE with YOUR shoulder bag

You WILL work it out what to wear - but a shoulder bag says MORE

GarlicSound · 05/01/2026 21:23

PermanentTemporary · 05/01/2026 16:41

Seems crazy to think alterations at this price, but I love this Pucci and would get it shortened.
Pucci

Ooh, I'd forgotten about Pucci 😍

This one would look great on a beach - and with flat shoes. There's a longer version, too.
https://www.mytheresa.com/gb/en/women/pucci-printed-asymmetric-silk-satin-minidress-pink-p01132730

Silk dress for daughters wedding
justasking111 · 05/01/2026 21:28

Hot country, beach wedding. I'd be buying a parasol. Two reasons, they really are lovely in the heat, you can block out the sun when taking photos.

There's some lovely ones online. Some couples provide them for guests. I wouldn't get paper if it's a windy beach though.

GarlicSound · 05/01/2026 21:28

I know 'silk' is such an abused term that lower-price retailers now have to say 'mulberry silk', but more than half the dresses suggested here are not silk. If you think of silk as sweaty, chances are it's faux silk.

Even more ridiculously, silk dresses are often lined with polyester or acetate! Cotton or viscose linings will breathe, but not those - or nylon, which at least one dress was. Silk dresses should have silk lining.

CharlieUniformNovemberTangoYankee · 05/01/2026 22:23

owlpassport · 03/01/2026 14:42

OP I am begging you not to buy anything yet. You don't know what you want. In the OP you say you want something spectacular but then later on you want to blend in. You acknowledge you have competing priorities, but I think the first step is to really decide what you want. Why would you want to blend in? You're MOB. And why the need to look like you haven't tried? If you're not naturally stylish (by your own admission) you'll need to try, or you'll probably look a bit crap. Effortless style is rarely effortless.

You also seem to be drawn to what are IMO some of the worst suggestions on the thread. The red Saloni dress is stunning, but in the blue it seems to be shorter and frumpier. The Jolie Moi dress - I'm sorry but it's awful. It's also polyester which would be a nightmare at a beach wedding.

You're also shopping at the wrong time of the year for linen/cotton/silk summer occasion dresses. I did find one option that I think would be beautiful, but I think you'd need to come to terms with not blending in.

https://farmrio.uk/products/porcelain-garden-red-midi-dres?currency=GBP&variant=55018804707704&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=d6e91d6232ff&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22733708325&gbraid=0AAAAAqwOh7SLjiSvPEJg_br5apmHzK4BB&gclid=CjwKCAiAmePKBhAfEiwAU3Ko3LisFWcdeec7mU4AHtVQKIrL0f9qcE7HpUGH8B6rjeASa8A0Iz9LFxoCaFkQAvD_BwE

This is utterly GORGEOUS 😍

nondrinker1985 · 06/01/2026 19:50

Why not get something made?

DivorcedButHappyNow · 06/01/2026 19:52

What about this?

www.jasperconran.com/products/celia-silk-full-skirt-shirt-dress-with-belt

GlassofRosePorfavor · 07/01/2026 07:05

I came on to say the exact same! How lovely is this?!

Momrage · 09/01/2026 02:43

Have you had a look at Reformation? There are loads of great dresses ATM and they do a petite size. Classic shapes but still quite modern and would be easy to get the length adapted, so it sits perfectly on you.

Here's a nice one in red but they have quite a few others which could work too: https://www.thereformation.com/products/petites-bryson-dress/1313399CHR.html

They have some absolutely gorgeous silk dresses which would look amazing at a beach wedding

Petites Bryson Dress

Wear the dress. Shop the Petites Bryson Dress from Reformation, a midi dress with short, cap sleeves, a sweetheart neckline, and back smocking.

https://www.thereformation.com/products/petites-bryson-dress/1313399CHR.html

Melarus · 09/01/2026 08:11

RobinEllacotStrike · 05/01/2026 18:34

not silk but I have several of their dresses and they use a beautiful quality fabric - swishy, cool, light, gorgeous to wear. I expect they will launch spring/summer styles soon

https://tallulahandhope.com/collections/signature-wrap-styles/products/dorothy-wrap-double-georgette-copal-print

Help, I love every single thing on this website. HOLD ME BACK

cathyandclaire · 09/01/2026 11:19

Momrage · 09/01/2026 02:43

Have you had a look at Reformation? There are loads of great dresses ATM and they do a petite size. Classic shapes but still quite modern and would be easy to get the length adapted, so it sits perfectly on you.

Here's a nice one in red but they have quite a few others which could work too: https://www.thereformation.com/products/petites-bryson-dress/1313399CHR.html

They have some absolutely gorgeous silk dresses which would look amazing at a beach wedding

Edited

I have this dress. I wore it to the races and it was very flattering. It isn't silk- but it was great on a very hot day and not sweaty at all.
Following this closely- I'm also MOB this year and looking for a very similar summery evening/cocktail dress ( although we'll be in Yorkshire in June so may need fleeces!!!)
I love the Victoria Beckham Posy - hope they bring it out in summery colours. I also love the Jasper Conran green wrap dress with the hat, not sure it's right for me or for you on a beach though. It would be perfect for Ascot < tries to justify an extra purchase even though I'm not going >.

OP posts:
Namechangefor2026 · 09/01/2026 21:46

nondrinker1985 · 06/01/2026 19:50

Why not get something made?

I am not wanting to get something made.

OP posts:
Namechangefor2026 · 09/01/2026 21:47

cathyandclaire · 09/01/2026 11:19

I have this dress. I wore it to the races and it was very flattering. It isn't silk- but it was great on a very hot day and not sweaty at all.
Following this closely- I'm also MOB this year and looking for a very similar summery evening/cocktail dress ( although we'll be in Yorkshire in June so may need fleeces!!!)
I love the Victoria Beckham Posy - hope they bring it out in summery colours. I also love the Jasper Conran green wrap dress with the hat, not sure it's right for me or for you on a beach though. It would be perfect for Ascot < tries to justify an extra purchase even though I'm not going >.

of the back of this thread i ordered up a red dress. It is awful. Far too long. Far too big and not nice material.

OP posts:
Namechangefor2026 · 09/01/2026 21:48

I am stopping looking online.

OP posts:
EleanorMc67 · 09/01/2026 21:56

Namechangefor2026 · 03/01/2026 18:23

I do agree and I am very conflicted and confused on what I want. I adore this red dress. All of the models are very flat chested and I unfortunately am not. It makes it hard to assess how they would look on me. But I totally agree. I need to not rush into anything. I want to be beautiful but understated - a contradiction in terms! My ex will be there with his new wife so I need to feel very in control and definitely comfortable in what I wear.

OP, @owlpassport has given the best advice on this thread. And she's right about the Jolie Moi dress - sorry ... It's also not just polyester, but polyester mesh! And is very dowdy IMO ...

Also, you said you're quite short but big-busted - & some of the dresses posted on here I think are the worst possible styles/patterns you could wear!!! Some are decidedly frumpy, some are only suitable for graduation balls ...

I would look for high-quality but ready-made, which you can have tailored perfectly to fit. I have rarely (never?) seen something made by a dressmaker that doesn't look it, unless it's at couturier-level.

Why don't you, to get yourself started:

  • Find out what colour the bridesmaids will be wearing asap. You don't want to find out they're all wearing, say, azure chiffon when you've just bought a dress in ... azure chiffon 😬
  • Get your colours done (I know you said you suit bright/primary colours, but a lot of people - unless they know their own colouring very well - are surprised by the outcome);
  • Book yourself an appointment with a stylist to get an idea of shapes & lengths that suit the new slimmer you (not necessarily dresses, I mean clothing overall - sleeve lengths, skirt lengths, neckline shapes etc - it'll stand you in good stead for your future wardrobe purchases!). Not sure where in NI you'd go to these days (it would have been Anderson & McAulay when I was still at home!!). You could post a separate thread asking for recommendations?

If you're petite & busty, ditsy florals will fade into the background/look too casual or frumpy. But large florals will swamp you. I think you're best to go with a single colour of dress (or suit/separates, which others have suggested & would work well - but I think you're set on a dress, aren't you?!!).

A September wedding on a little Greek island ... it'll (almost certainly) be blue skies & sea & sunshine & a bit of a breeze. So something in a single (not necessarily primary, unless you're sure it won't overpower your skin/hair colouring) maybe bright/rich or what I'd call a strong pastel, like coral, colour - & something that's not stiff (like some of the ballgown-type dresses posted) but silky/floaty? No hat!!!

And in a colour that won't get you confused with the bridesmaids! Doesn't have to be a stark contrast - it could just be a stronger version of the colour they're wearing, say emerald green if they're in pale leaf green. Mainly - think of how you want to feel as much as how you want to look? Carefree, relaxed & happy????

Creases do show up more obviously in plain not patterned fabrics, so I'd choose something that either doesn't crease too much/where any creases fall out easily, or it doesn't matter too much because of the shape. Unless you're wearing a really tightly fitted silk dress with tight sleeves, I don't think sweat should be an issue at all (Mitchum extra-strength stick, not roll-on, is your friend!)?? Lots of sleeveless/halterneck dresses posted - personally I wouldn't go for that unless my arms were quite toned (mine used to be, but aren't now that I'm fully menopausal - & shockingly lazy!!). But there are lots of short floaty/puffy/angel sleeve options that will look light & airy & be comfortable.

Finally - start a mood board of what you think you like & might suit you! And if you do get your colours done/see a stylist - take it along/send it to them so that you can come to a mutual agreement about how you want to look & what suits you.

Good luck!!! And keep posting!!

Namechangefor2026 · 09/01/2026 22:01

EleanorMc67 · 09/01/2026 21:56

OP, @owlpassport has given the best advice on this thread. And she's right about the Jolie Moi dress - sorry ... It's also not just polyester, but polyester mesh! And is very dowdy IMO ...

Also, you said you're quite short but big-busted - & some of the dresses posted on here I think are the worst possible styles/patterns you could wear!!! Some are decidedly frumpy, some are only suitable for graduation balls ...

I would look for high-quality but ready-made, which you can have tailored perfectly to fit. I have rarely (never?) seen something made by a dressmaker that doesn't look it, unless it's at couturier-level.

Why don't you, to get yourself started:

  • Find out what colour the bridesmaids will be wearing asap. You don't want to find out they're all wearing, say, azure chiffon when you've just bought a dress in ... azure chiffon 😬
  • Get your colours done (I know you said you suit bright/primary colours, but a lot of people - unless they know their own colouring very well - are surprised by the outcome);
  • Book yourself an appointment with a stylist to get an idea of shapes & lengths that suit the new slimmer you (not necessarily dresses, I mean clothing overall - sleeve lengths, skirt lengths, neckline shapes etc - it'll stand you in good stead for your future wardrobe purchases!). Not sure where in NI you'd go to these days (it would have been Anderson & McAulay when I was still at home!!). You could post a separate thread asking for recommendations?

If you're petite & busty, ditsy florals will fade into the background/look too casual or frumpy. But large florals will swamp you. I think you're best to go with a single colour of dress (or suit/separates, which others have suggested & would work well - but I think you're set on a dress, aren't you?!!).

A September wedding on a little Greek island ... it'll (almost certainly) be blue skies & sea & sunshine & a bit of a breeze. So something in a single (not necessarily primary, unless you're sure it won't overpower your skin/hair colouring) maybe bright/rich or what I'd call a strong pastel, like coral, colour - & something that's not stiff (like some of the ballgown-type dresses posted) but silky/floaty? No hat!!!

And in a colour that won't get you confused with the bridesmaids! Doesn't have to be a stark contrast - it could just be a stronger version of the colour they're wearing, say emerald green if they're in pale leaf green. Mainly - think of how you want to feel as much as how you want to look? Carefree, relaxed & happy????

Creases do show up more obviously in plain not patterned fabrics, so I'd choose something that either doesn't crease too much/where any creases fall out easily, or it doesn't matter too much because of the shape. Unless you're wearing a really tightly fitted silk dress with tight sleeves, I don't think sweat should be an issue at all (Mitchum extra-strength stick, not roll-on, is your friend!)?? Lots of sleeveless/halterneck dresses posted - personally I wouldn't go for that unless my arms were quite toned (mine used to be, but aren't now that I'm fully menopausal - & shockingly lazy!!). But there are lots of short floaty/puffy/angel sleeve options that will look light & airy & be comfortable.

Finally - start a mood board of what you think you like & might suit you! And if you do get your colours done/see a stylist - take it along/send it to them so that you can come to a mutual agreement about how you want to look & what suits you.

Good luck!!! And keep posting!!

I so wish you were my sister xxx

OP posts:
EleanorMc67 · 09/01/2026 22:06

Namechangefor2026 · 09/01/2026 22:01

I so wish you were my sister xxx

Ha - I don't think my sister would agree ... she thinks I'm a bossy cow! (I say decisive with a good eye 😁!!)

lessglittermoremud · 09/01/2026 23:00

A little pricey and perhaps not quite bright enough but otherwise fits your brief.
https://marysofenfield.co.uk/product/kristina-candy-pin-kevan-jon/
There are a lot of beautiful bright options on there.

EleanorMc67 · 09/01/2026 23:03

Namechangefor2026 · 09/01/2026 21:47

of the back of this thread i ordered up a red dress. It is awful. Far too long. Far too big and not nice material.

Which one, OP? And what kind of fabric was it? I think you might have to accept that quite a few dresses will be long on you - especially makes like Me + Em. Also, it's a good idea to check against each label's size guide on their websites - as they can vary SO much! I have favourite clothing labels that I know will fit my shape better than others, but if a label is new to me I'd check the sizes pretty carefully & even do a Google search about opinions on a label's sizing. Also, always check the info about fit & fabric & so on (you might have already, so I'm sorry if I'm telling you what you already know!).

EleanorMc67 · 09/01/2026 23:12

Namechangefor2026 · 09/01/2026 21:48

I am stopping looking online.

Please don't be disillusioned just because one dress was wrong!! The beauty about online shopping is that you can try on at home in a good mirror, with good lighting & make-up, decent undies on & a few different pairs of shoes/sandals - & a friend or two (whose taste you admire!) to give their honest thoughts.

You can put a few on your credit card - & then send them back if they don't suit - all from the comfort of your own home!

And you'll have a much bigger & better selection available to you than in Norn Irn!!!

EleanorMc67 · 09/01/2026 23:20

Also, I know I said that you should take your time, but I did spot this on another thread ... It's the same make as another dress posted above (which I agree with you was a bit baggy & shapeless), but I think much nicer? And a colour that is good on blondes, brunettes & redheads I also think?

https://www.loragene.com/the-paris-dress-in-silk-satin

Silk dress for daughters wedding
Silk dress for daughters wedding
Silk dress for daughters wedding