September Wedding Guest

[OneNewEagle]

I could do with some help please. I have been looking at clothes on websites since Christmas and I have not seen anything OK at all.

As title says I have been invited to my nieces wedding at the end of September.
I want to feel sophisticated and beautiful without actually being those things, comfortable would do.

I’m in my 50s, 5ft 4, I used to take regular but nowadays always seems too long. I am an 18 tops 12-14 bottoms, but returned an 18 marks top today as far too tight.

I have blue eyes, was fair now grey curly hair. I have had a lot of health problems so I usually live in leggings, tunics, jeans, tops mainly in black. And dresses or shorts and vests in the summer, usually more colourful. I like and own clothes that are reds, deep burgundy, purple, light blue, orange so I don’t mind colour. Navy does not suit me at all.

I had a huge blitz on my wardrobe last year and gave away all my smarter clothes, well gave away my wardrobe really. Anything I had not worn in the year before, apart from funeral emergency style clothes, has gone and I feel so much better without it all. All my clothes now fit properly in my wardrobe and are all easy to wear. I am completely starting from scratch with this outfit as I had no idea I would get an invite to any family stuff ever again.

I don’t want anything that makes me too hot, feels scratchy or digs in (nd and menopause). I also have a disability so can only wear very comfortable flats, if I’m bad I will have a noticeably limp and need to sit which I’m really really conscious of. Clothes that dig in will add to the pain. Whatever I buy I want to be able to wear again, as it’s September I presume in the following spring and summer. The September timing has completely thrown me as I don’t know what to wear then?

And the extra but that’s not helping me is that I’m estranged from my family so this is at the front of my mind. I’m always the one looked down upon, gossiped about and so on so I want to feel comfortable in my own skin , blend into the background and avoid all the negative vibes aimed at me. Just be able to be me and sit quietly and enjoy my nieces very special day.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. As for budget I’d prefer to spend £100 on dress (doesn’t have to be a dress I’m open to anything) but looking at prices I think £200 - £300 is more likely. Plus footwear approx £100. I can only afford that if it’s all clothes I can wear again.

Separates would probably work better. Hotter also have some comfy shoes or Esska.

I think you are right I need to just focus on clothes I like like I normally do.

I’ve come across this dress that I do like!! But …. There’s always a but their biggest size is a 16 and I’m an 18. Also the model is 5ft7 and I’m not so probably too long.

if anyone knows of anything similar which would fit me?

https://trafficpeople.co.uk/collections/dresses/products/broken-promises-evie-dress

oh and my only other update is that I passed a monsoon store today , I thought they had all closed down, and I saved in three dresses I liked all far too long. So monsoon is definitely out for me, I’ve never managed to buy a dress from there that fits me in years of trying.

I love the neckline but I’m not tall enough.

That’s really pretty thank you I love that

I really love it too. I’d not seen it on ofthe one hundred stars website so not sure of the make. I’m going to have a good browse tomorrow. Reminds me of paintings that I love.

It's a pretty dress - so you like cream on black print as a combination? Have you thought of ordering it anyway just to see if an XL might fit?

The issue with that sort of cut though is that it is quite fitted on the boobs - so you'd probably need to have an 18 at least - & 18 may still not be large enough on top as it'll still probably be an average cup size. If it was a fabric with some stretch or give it might work, but this is viscose so I'm not sure. Only way to know is to try it!! (I'm an F cup so find dresses like this often squash my boobs flat unless they're stretchy.)

Is this still for the wedding if a) it's not til 2027 & b) you're not sure if you'll be invited? Or, after lots of clothing chat, do you just fancy a really nice dress that's "you" & that you can dress up to wear to the wedding or similar occasions if you like, or dress down for lunch with a friend or similar?

Actually it is a one hundred stars design but the skirts not available so I assume an older design.

https://onehundredstars.co.uk/search?q=primula+black&_pos=3&_psq=primula&_ss=e&_v=1.0

I love the bag too, I think I had seen the bag the other day.

I’m just going to find something after all of this. Probably a couple of outfits I love so they are in my wardrobe. I think my clear out was a good idea and I’m starting to get more basics as and when I need them. So a couple of decent outfits I can mix and match from is a good idea.

and yes I agree that style wont suit me and I’d need a 20. But I liked it. :))) I always see clothes I love that would suit other people.

Their sizing chart says xl is a 16 so no way I will fit in it.

I’ve liked the floral skirt and the black silky top and skirt so far (one I’d seen before I posted). Nearly anything with black and a print , flowers or birds, I like as I can instantly work out what I’ve got to go with it or what I’ve owned in the past to look for similar.

decades ago as a teen I used to work in a Primark and then later on a new look and I used to love helping find things for other people to wear and enjoy.

Did you mean this Bloom skirt from Plumo that a PP posted?

https://www.plumo.com/products/auricula-skirt?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22534385461&gbraid=0AAAAADltM05ibyDNxnsCTpCnN9nud_b50

Plumo hasn't listed it as One Hundred Stars - but it is. OHS supplies to absolutely loads of retailers, & I think even do special ranges for some museum shops etc. Their own website is their current range - but lots of retailers hold past lines (they have a wide range of patterns). Also, there are lots on Vinted, eBay etc. So if there's a particular piece in a particular pattern that you're after, a thorough Google search or saving some searches on eBay/Vinted will usually work - eventually!!!

It is really lovely btw - you know it also comes in dress/trouser/kimono etc too?

I too am top-heavy with slimmer hips, & the shapes I like for everyday dresses are often a sort of neat kaftan shape. I'll post a few of the sort of things I mean, but they're versatile & so easy to wear. I am an apple shape so don't like dresses to be too tight around my waist. Skirts/trousers are different - if they have an elasticated waist (all around or just at the back) & then flare out, I can wear them with a more fitted top, & the neatness around my boobs means top & bottom look balanced.

Dresses without fitted boob/waist areas are the easiest kind to alter, as it's a simple matter of chopping off a few inches & re-hemming. Amd skirts & trousers are similarly easy.

Is taking things up yourself or via a dressmaker not an option? As you seem to be ruling out quite a lot of things just because they're too long?

Before I had a sewing machine (& a partner whose auntie taught him to sew!!), I used to take hems etc up by hand. Time-consuming but very easy!! Never used them but you can also use special iron-on tapes for hemming.

You've said "I'm not tall enough" to a few suggestions. You're 5'4". I'm 5'3"

I honestly wonder if the information about models' heights on websites is accurate or the height is accurate but they've made a longer version for the website so that the length will look the same as it would on a real life average woman.

I own this dress. The site says the model is 5' 10". On me this dress is just above floor length. Even with flats it doesn't drag on the ground.

https://klements.co.uk/products/dusk-dress-in-doomed-voyage-print-sorbet-port?variant=42760402141342

This model is 5'6"
https://palava.co/products/rita-black-flying-ducks-dress

The dress sits just below knee length on me.

I have several pieces from Cabbages and Roses 2022. I can't find details of the models, but I guess they're model height. The coats, skirts and dresses are slightly longer on me but I've never had anything shortened

https://www.cabbagesandroses.com/blogs/news/aw22-preview?srsltid=AfmBOorqrFlOaZ3MZkU7qwYo3UJgMuaywOKLRaL3a3j1cgEvQWo4Ey5W

I could give you more examples Sister Jane, Batsheva and others.

The only dress which is noticeably longer on me than on the model is this Liberty dress (not this exact pattern but same style) which is mid calf on me.

https://www.libertylondon.com/uk/strawberry-thief-tana-lawn%E2%84%A2-cotton-gallery-shirt-dress-R686225006.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shoppingiq&utm_campaign=shoppingiqfeed&utm_content=shoppingseo

That Dusk dress is beautiful. The one I'm in love with though is the Liberty one, in the teal. Maybe that colourway will go into the sale one day ...

Did you see this dress version of the skirt @OneNewEagle ? I think it's lovely too & the shape is an easy one. The model is 5' 9" but it has a dipped hemline - the higher central part is at her upper calf.

https://www.plumo.com/products/primula-dress?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22899964725&gbraid=0AAAAADltM05y6nsxtkqNOWc-m7yOfYA7G

I don’t like the dress version- too shapeless, unless it has a jacket over it to nip it in a bit.

The Size Guide section on OHS website lists the length of the majority of their dress styles & kimonos etc.

The one on the Plumo site is their "Asymmetric Dress" & is 108cm long, which is shorter than their other dresses. They don't have that style on their own website any more - but if you search for it there are a number of colourways stocked by a number of another retailers.

https://onehundredstars.co.uk/pages/size-guide

It's very helpful as you can see where any of their dresses, jackets, bottoms would fall on you, @OneNewEagle

I quite like shapeless in this instance, as it leaves the gorgeous pattern unbroken!

But yes, I wouldn't wear a long coat too - I'd wear a short jacket in black or one of the range of lovely rich colours in the print. Maybe cord or velvet in deep pinky-plum, or rust or sage green.

That dress doesn't need a jacket, except possibly a cropped, boxy jacket.

Do you mean the One Hundred Stars one? Or the Liberty one? I live in Edinburgh - ALL dresses need a jacket here!!!

I didn't intend to recommend something to the OP & then get tempted by it myself (or by your Liberty dress!), but I do like it. I think I like this Toast jacket more than the Kate Barton/Wrap ones, but not sure of the shade on me ...

Btw, sorry @OneNewEagle for derailing your thread a bit!!!

The 100 Stars. If I were wearing it to a wedding and it were cold I'd just wear my smartest coat over it to the church /registry office and ditch it at the reception venue.

I live in Edinburgh. If I wear a jacket over a dress they're usually cropped, no longer than waist length, and usually boxy.. Of your 3 the bottom green as it's the shortest. Or maybe the second one as the colour will pick up the dress colour.

Liberty have done that dress for at least 6 years in different colours and patterns. They do go into sales.