Another wedding guest help needed.

[ApolloandDaphne]

I am going to my nephews wedding in London at the end of March. They are a stylish artsy couple. It a town hall type wedding with food afterwards. My usual wedding attire won't do. I am used to Scottish barn/ceilidh type weddings.

I am 63, 5'6", size 16/18, apple shaped. I would like something with long or 3/4 length sleeves, longish (but not maxi), no floral prints. I like natural fabrics. Will need dress and shoes. I can't wear high heels due to a hip issue.

I prefer to go to actual shops and i can get in to Edinburgh easily. Where should i be looking?

I guess it might but I would never buy bronze or gold shoes. I struggle to get comfortable shoes so I would probably go for brown or tan so I could wear them again. I don't have a gold shoe sort of life in general. I have a retired woman living in the Scottish countryside sort of life. Mud features highly in my daily life!

Just to throw the argument out there - you probably won’t wear the dress again either. There’s nothing inherently more wasteful about a pair of shoes than a dress! Both can be sold on or donated after.

I think the stylist appointment is a good idea. They’re free and not a hard sell. Much better sometimes to borrow someone else’s eye.

What time of day is the wedding, and how fancy/posh/wealthy is the setting?

I know you said no to trousers, but natural fabric straight leg, with a loose tunic top and a duster jacket could be a more relaxed, stylish look, with a chance that you'd wear the individual parts again.

It's at 3pm with food after. Food in a north London pub. Dress code is wedding smart. Artsy crowd. Not posh and not wealthy. It middle class probably.

Separates would be amazing but thus more pieces to find. I've attached picture of my favourite summer outfit. Stretchy long skirt, simple top. I wore it with a cream denim jacket and either sandals or trainers. An outfit like this but for a wedding would be perfect.

Another skirt and top combo I love. Just to get an idea of my style.

I've also got black velvet trousers which I love but associate with Christmas. Is black velvet good for a wedding?

Look at Kit & Kaboodal, they have some lovely dresses

https://www.kitandkaboodal.com/products/florina-flower-patch-needlecord-dress-mocha

Just to let you know there’s a Wyse pop up on Frederick St for the next few months. If you’re in Edinburgh I’d really recommend a JL stylist appointment, have done one myself and she pulled out things I’d not have looked twice at but I loved when I tried them. Also I know you have some reservations about Cos but I think it’s worth going in as they have a mix of dress shapes. Hobbs, Jogsaw, Whistles, Me&Em are all in town and it might be worth trying places like Biscuit and Ohh Ruby in Bruntsfield perhaps. I’d wait a few weeks for the dregs of the sale to be gone and the spring stuff to come in.

Thanks @EverythingIsComputerI will try and get to the Wyse pop up. I was planning to wait until into February before shopping so the new stock is in. I am very familiar with the main Edinburgh shops. Maybe I should look at some of the boutiques you mentioned. I have a stylish friend who lives in Edinburgh. She would maybe come with me. She accompanied another of her friends to a JL appointment recently.

Yes I can see some nice slouchy dresses on there. I'm going out now so will take a closer look later.

I wear a lot of Kit and Kaboodal but wouldn’t consider them dressy enough for a wedding.

<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=<a class="break-all" href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71sWsYk48VL.UY350.jpg&tbnid=7rz5wRLiPiM6vM&vet=1&imgrefurl=https://www.cholsamaj.com/?l%3D114966111041830&docid=vS2BlG2CUC0AFM&w=233&h=350&itg=1&hl=en-US&source=sh/x/im/m6/4&kgs=473d7ca37129c1e9&shem=bdsle,epsdc,isst,shrtsdl&utm_source=bdsle,epsdc,isst,shrtsdl,sh/x/im/m6/4"" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71sWsYk48VL.UY350.jpg&tbnid=7rz5wRLiPiM6vM&vet=1&imgrefurl=www.cholsamaj.com/?l%3D114966111041830&docid=vS2BlG2CUC0AFM&w=233&h=350&itg=1&hl=en-US&source=sh/x/im/m6/4&kgs=473d7ca37129c1e9&shem=bdsle,epsdc,isst,shrtsdl&utm_source=bdsle,epsdc,isst,shrtsdl,sh/x/im/m6/4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://share.google/LdR6QlpdjVeEHUgvy

Something like this, for the style, not necessarily the color, pattern etc.?

OK I know you said you want to try things on in a shop but I'm going to suggest things anyway just as an ideas thing. From your pics of your favourite outfits you like a-line or slightly gathered or flared skirts. You like natural fabrics (viscose counts as natural for me). You like brown but don't want floral. Artsy couple so I'm thinking abstract if not block colours. Based on all of that I've found this skirt, and I'm going to look for a top that could go with it. Just ideas!
https://www.roman.co.uk/abstract-print-belted-a-line-skirt-17063408

Something like this with the skirt? It's silk.
https://www.next.co.uk/style/su699385/h11907

https://www.jasperconran.com/collections/skirts

maybe have a look at Jasper Conran , they do dresses and separates which would be easier to rewear, and some are still in sale.

Baukjen dress but there are several that would work on an apple shape.

North London pub, 3pm, not posh, not wealthy, dress and a pair of boots from Gabor if that's what you like and you'd be fine. Stick on a silk scarf or some beads if you want to lean into the artsy vibe.

Coat. Done. Heels are out. Low key is in. You're sorted.

I was going to suggest Seasalt as late last year they had some beautiful one colour velvet dresses. Very unlikely their usual patterned stuff. They have a sale on at the moment I think.

I'm another waistless 60-something, and if I was trying to look stylish at a fairly casual London event, I'd head for COS and be prepared to try a lot on. It might also be worth looking for the more minimalist end of Toast or possibly Whistles? I've bought dresses from COS in particular and not felt out of place at events full of younger London-y types. In terms of footwear, if you're ok with wedges, it might also be worth looking at Fly of London who specialise in slightly quirky but incredibly comfortable shoes?

I bought a dress from this designer for a wedding last year. They use a heavy stretch twill silk and they hang beautifully. Sizing is generous and they are effortless to wear. They do styles in lots of different patterns unlike some designers. It’s frustrating when you love the print but the style is wrong.

I bought another one off Vinted and have worn them with boots and a long cardigan during the winter. So not a one off dress.

They are not cut in the bias so don’t cling like a lot of similar type dresses. They design for the more mature woman.

https://deakudibal.co.uk/collections/dresses/products/helgadea-bloomsbury?_pos=136&_fid=39a14caef&_ss=c&variant=55180932252025

But you're not dressing for your daily life, you're shopping for a special event!
You have specified that you want to look stylish and in keeping with a 'stylish and artsy' London wedding, not the Scottish countryside...?

You have all given me a great deal of food for thought. Some retailers I haven't heard of which look interesting. Thanks.

Have you heard of One hundred stars? I love their kimonos.
You could wear your favourite colour tulip/ empire style / dress (whatever under bust style is called now) in a lovely fabric and have one of their short kimonos instead of a jacket?
I heard of One hundred stars on here last year and have since bought 3 or 4 items, some for presents.
They do dresses too although they look unstructured and a bit "flowy " for me.
Good luck!

There’s a shop on Stafford street at the west end that looks like it has lots of natural fabric and floaty type clothes in it. I’ve never been (bit scared how much stuff might cost!) but could suit. https://gb.oska.com

ME+EM is worth a look - something like this? www.meandem.com/fit-and-flare-cheesecloth-intricate-detail-midi-dress-navy