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 would 100% look at me and em, and right now I would try on some desigual. you really should try the stylish because part of looking stylish at a size 18 is not dressing to just dressing, not dressing to cover up.
this is much more stylish fashion forward than I think of desigual as usual.

www.desigual.com/en_AU/25SWVKXE5041S.html?gclsrc=aw.ds&utm_source=googleads.g.doubleclick.net&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=shopping&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20768765886&gbraid=0AAAAAowR2kVW469er7SQYI0U61Kcd8phr&gclid=CjwKCAiAssfLBhBDEiwAcLpwflxRSXzym5SL9pGR5P6UJEoK2SU-GISaHG-4gkXWUiR3hj6WBFvlaRoCx08QAvD_BwE

Sorry try the stylist, to get you to try some things on.

Thank you. This is exactly the problem! I never wear shirts or shirt dresses.

Have a look at Sahara. Their dresses are less fitted than bombshell type so maybe better for Apple body type. They are just off George Street. Toast might fit with the arty hip vibe, more likely to be natural fibres and plain colours.

What about a jumpsuit? Velvet or a thick silky sort of material? Very forgiving on an apple shape if it's sort of a deep V / wrap over type front.

Jjkjk.

If you’re going to John Lewis, try ordering in some Gina Bacconi dresses to try on - I’m an 18 with no waist, and their wrap style dresses are actually pretty good, well made.
Fully agree with you re shirt dresses - I just end up rather miss trunchbull!

Or, maybe something like this - I find the tulip type shape can be flattering and it might work if the pleating sits under the boob rather than on the waist?

https://www.johnlewis.com/james-lakeland-draped-maxi-dress/navy/p113677151?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&s_share=jlappios&size=20&_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5LkNvcHlUb1Bhc3RlYm9hcmQ=

I know I did say.

Shirt dresses don’t work for me either due to gaping , I currently don’t wear anything with buttons as I’m sick of it, but we are all different and some times a style that doesn’t normally work is ok.

I’ve got a few skirts and dresses in my wardrobe in styles i can never wear and yet each of those are fine.

I was just trying to help as I find it really hard to find any clothes that fit me so I know what a nightmare it can be.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su900746/y29295

how about this, three colours and a curve range, the waist might be ok and there’s nothing to gape. I don’t own anything by them so no idea what the fit is like.

also the velvet trousers would be lovely just depends if you can find a blouse, I really struggle with anything buttoned so if it was me I’d decide a dress might be easier to find.

I agree - Sahara and Brora (both Frederick Street) would be my first choices. Some of the Sahara dresses can be a bit... unusual... but I've got 3 or 4 from there that just hang beautifully. Really well made.

The Brora dresses I have are some of the most complimented things I've ever had - really well cut so they swish really nicely.

Scarlett and Jo dresses are great for wedding guest dresses, made to be flattering, covers arms, creates a waistline. There are lots of florals, but also other styles.

I agree definitely try Sahara.

I bought Scarlet and Jo dress for the last wedding I went to. It was floral and wafty and perfect for a summer wedding. I hadn't thought to look at what other styles they have.

Our broadband has been down for two days and our 5G coverage is sketchy. I haven't been able to look anything up.

Definitely go to John Lewis. Had a brilliant experience with a stylist there (Liverpool store) when we took my mum for a dress. We had our own huge private changing room and were given glasses of fizz while we waited for her to bring rails of clothes for my mum to try. She was really knowledgeable about what colours would suit, which styles for her body shape etc etc. She brought a dress that my mum would never have picked up in the shop but was beautiful on her. It made the shopping experience so stress free and enjoyable for everyone. Once the dress was chosen she brought accessories in so everything was bought together, no worrying about shoes, jewellery, bags etc.

A friend of mine had a stylist appointment in John Lewis before her son’s wedding in a London Town Hall. She was a similar age to you (but a different shape entirely)and looked fabulous in the jump suit she wore. It was not at all what she expected to wear but the stylist did a wonderful job. According to my friend she brought her a mix of items some of which were moreorless what she said she was looking for but others that were not at all what she expected. The jumpsuit she eventually chose was one of those and when she showed us the photographs taken at the wedding none of us were just being polite when we said how fabulous she looked, because she really did. It was perfect for the wedding venue and the vibe of the reception afterwards.
I think what I’m saying here is be open to trying on different things when you are shopping.
Have you looked at Toast or Plumo? a lot of their dresses are loose fitting and made of natural fabrics and have a good resale value if you decide you have no place for it in your wardrobe afterwards. Some would probably say they are not traditional wedding attire, and they’re not, but you are not attending a wedding that demands a more formal dress.

If you do decide on a JL personal shopper appointment, get it booked in as soon as you can. Most Spring appointments at my local JL get booked up really quickly - probably because of all the Spring weddings!

OP I think what you need is Plumo.

How about this? https://www.plumo.com/products/Asymmetric-Dress

Try the Toast shop in Edinburgh, I’m sure you could find something there, ask the helpful staff to assist

I have two suggestions, both in stock at John Lewis -

NRBY Ashlyn floral pure silk dress, wear without the belt - I think the shape would be perfect and the style would work at the type of London wedding you describe, £299. I realise you mentioned no florals but take a look.

Chesca Jardin velvet filigree floral midi dress in teal/ black £195

Personally, I prefer the NRBY and I think you would get a lot of wear out of it for many years. It would work for holidays too. I also share your view about velvet being more appropriate in the run up to Christmas / winter.

I'd go for a simple style of dress in one plain colour and then fantastic boots/shoes. I always think Dr Martens look arty and cool and they have some very pretty styles.

A wrap or throw in a coordinating colour in cashmere could be very useful.

I never usually reply to style and beauty, but looked up to see there is one in Edinburgh

Do you like this?

https://saharalondon.com/products/klimt-print-easy-dress-raga-ss26

That Klimt dress is lovely!

The material of the Klimt dress is nice, but the shape is awful. It’s like a sack. It doesn’t even flatter the model. It would be like a nighty on an Apple shape. I keep saying it, you need structure for that shape of body. I’m an Apple, I know I cannot wear loose flowy things, tent shapes, things with ruffles. You need good shoulders and a defined waist. Nothing in silk or satin or linen because of the creasing. Ponte is your friend. Geometric patterns or stripes. Looking tailored and sharp rather than loose and flowy.