Wedding guest outfit - something special

[Helpineedtoswimandwanttohide]

My little sister is getting married in July, and I’d really like a special dress for the day. It’s been a while since I’ve been to a summer wedding and since having a child, so feeling a bit lost.

I’m 37, a size 16 and tallish at 5’8, with G cup boobs. I have dark hair and suit jewel tones - no pastel colours please! Really worried about ending up looking frumpy in some of the more classic ‘wedding guest’ outfits. I do like the idea of a maxi dress.

Any help gratefully received! Budget up to £300.

Love the 70s vibe of this - & being both floral & with transparency from the chiffon sleeves, I think it's still lovely for summer (ex teen goth here!). But some might find it too dark. The pink accessories are good.

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/mikael-aghal/dresses/maxi-dresses/ruffled-floral-print-georgette-maxi-dress/46376663162972201

Totally different, over budget, & you'd need to size up for your boobs - but it's a lovely dress that would suit your colouring too?

https://rixolondon.com/products/emory-antelope-spot-black

These silk NRBY ones (from John Lewis) have been posted on other threads. Not my thing, but they are striking.

I think something a bit brighter seeing as it's a summer wedding

https://www.lyst.co.uk/clothing/monsoon-kara-kimono-satin-midi-dress/?reason=feed-product-image&link_id=1149667621&previous_page_type=feed&previous_page_sub_type=designer_category_colour&is_track_overlay=true&origin_feed=%2Fshop%2Fmonsoon-designer-dresses%2Fpink%2F

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/beatrice-puff-sleeve-a-line-midi-dress-pink-1000929727.html?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=rakuten&utm_campaign=2523611_Lyst+UK%2FEU&utm_content=15&utm_term=uk_network&ranMID=45117&ranLoyalty=0&ranEAID=gcdL%2FATRVoE&ranSiteID=gcdL_ATRVoE-pISYX_PaKi78_I27BKlb_w&LSNSUBSITE=LSNSUBSITE&nb_offer_id=1257217&nb_publisher_sid=2523611&nb_creative_id=451171000929727

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/saira-embellished-sleeveless-satin-midi-dress-pink-20003930117.html

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/ester-satin-ruffle-midi-dress-green-20002360140.html

Wow these latest ones are stunning!

The Astrid dress is beautiful 💚

I wore a Needle & Thread dress to a wedding and I found it very flattering (I am a G cup too). This one is over your budget (the do a 10% discount on the first order), but maybe worth trying it on and see if it comes down in price if you like it. They have a few on sale now but mostly pastel colours.
www.needleandthread.com/products/carmen-ruffle-ankle-gown-emerald

Only the last ones I posted are darker prints - but still have bright colours in them. I'm tall & broad-shouldered & a size 16, & don't like pale or very bright colours as I feel too dominant. Towering over people in unbroken fuchsia or lime green is my idea of hell!!

Whereas rich colours, or darker but with a brighter print & bright accessories, are what I prefer for my size, shape, height & colouring - including for summer weddings.

Also, lighter-weight fabrics make a huge difference to how darker colours are perceived in summer. Navy chiffon, where the skin shows through, looks & feels much lighter than navy wool or velvet. Ditto with, say, black lightweight silk with a bright pattern, which will shimmer in sunshine rather than absorb it like a dark winter-weight wool.

Those important differences don't come across in photos well.

So I gave a few options just in case!

Lace and bead dresses?

Candace Maxi Dress in Mixed Floral https://share.google/HVwzo5zCBzjB2rZbB

Some beautiful dresses on this thread.

OP as a fellow G cup, buy the dress you love in a size (or 2) bigger and get a seamstress to take it all in and to fit your bust.

https://www.sophia-alexia.com/products/liquid-rainbow-ibiza-dress-new?variant=55920229941623&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=19830512558&utm_medium=ad&utm_content=&utm_term=&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=19830512558&utm_medium=ad&utm_content=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19830513785&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnJHMBhDAARIsABr7b866XiIXM_JSG-4kzv-JFm68dUGEhyOgJPxfF-6tbBmef-6LniWC9fsaAvO4EALw_wcB

More summery

https://www.johnlewis.com/paige-eleonora-paisley-pure-silk-dress-white-brown/p113533878

https://www.hellomolly.co.uk/products/prime-asset-midi-dress-sage?variant=50145606172988&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=22989137278&tw_kwdid=&gad_source=4&gad_campaignid=22989138457&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3qP2wIHEkgMVbZBQBh3_dSBaEAQYFyABEgJk6fD_BwE

How on earth is someone with a G cup bust going to wear the Hello Molly dress? 🤷‍♀️

the first Reiss dress is amazing and sounds perfect for OP - as long as she is ok with her arms on show. mine are flabby from losing weight so I never ever have them out

That last cape one is gorgeous!

I have a summer wedding to go to and have spent a stupid amount of time looking for a suitable outfit (think I’ve found it) Mine is also a somewhat casual venue. Nothing I found would be suitable for the OP, I have very little up top.

My first question was what colour the bridesmaids will be in so I could avoid that.

Managed to double post, sorry!

I love the cape one too - so dramatic, with almost Morticia Addams vibes. It's a stunner - and quite a bargain in the sale too. Sadly I have nowhere to wear it, and way too many clothes in my wardrobe!

Same and it's the bridesmaid colour for the wedding I'm going to! I'd love to swish round in it, maybe Year 11 prom!

Hi OP,

Have you found a dress yet? I’m probably renting from JL for a summer wedding as I loved some of their options (appliqué/classic fitted) & the designers featured. Hoping they’ll have more options (colours and styles) in soon, but similarly to you I’m a chesty winter, similar size, but older and shorter.

You could rent something amazing with that budget that isn’t evening wear but still beautiful. Or at the very least find brands/designers you like and go from there.

I find covering up to the neck makes one look bustier and makes shopping harder. Love their dresses, but didn’t find many in the right shade. Although I found some that fit the brief, day wedding but a bit special, though I don’t know your body shape!

https://www.elliatt.com/products/kara-tiered-maxi-dress-in-blue

Could dress this up

https://thisisunfolded.com/products/unfolded-helena-short-sleeve-jacquard-dress-floral?tw_source=fb&tw_adid=120239005585030407&fbclid=IwZnRzaAQPoF1leHRuA2FlbQEwAGFkaWQBqyy9Fs-Gx3NydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR5_buTPp6pRtGssQyjNqby8006RO21X7JVjEHpO8IrtQcPxcXOPkJCtHr6aTg_aem_NX55rBMqLNrzvtgbFdKi-A&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid&campaign_id=120204891161790407&ad_id=120239005585030407&utm_id=120204891161790407&utm_content=120239005585030407&utm_term=120239005486820407&utm_campaign=120204891161790407#pid=1

Bad choice for busty women because of how high the waist is.