Stepmother of groom outfit needed

[mrsmogg]

I feel like I am going round in circles trying to find the right look so hoping for some inspiration!
Summer wedding , church then marquee at the family home. Dress code is morning suits preferred so I need a hat too.

I am 40, size 10, 5'3 so would prefer midi length but I will get the dress tailored. Not yellow. I am brunette and fairly pale, jewel colours suit me. Would like something classy and contemporary, bonus points if I can wear it again for the races etc. budget up to £1000, would prefer to spend less and happy to buy on vinted etc as well.

Your message made me laugh! Accurate points!!

I was going to say Eponine but I’ve just looked at their site and everything is double what I was expecting. Inflation or sudden publicity.

Me & Em?

In general, I’d go for a classic look and avoid the obvious mistakes of white, cream, green (though I have seen green recently at weddings), black or other dark colours for a summer wedding. I’d have a classic traditional hat. In short, I’d want to be seen to be be taking a back seat to allow the bride, her M, and the groom’s M to shine, in that order.

A huge selection will come in from about mid March and you will find something lovely.

I was going to say Eponine but I’ve just looked at their site and everything is double what I was expecting. Inflation or sudden publicity.

I thought Eponine had given up as Jet Shenkman had retired but I see they're back. I have 3 Eponine dresses which were ready to wear then they stopped doing ready to wear and were made to order only at astronomical prices. The new version is all couture.

What is wrong with green?

Nothing is wrong with green. It’s probably just another bit of MN lunacy.

OP - please don’t feel to have to choose a dress which makes you fade into the background due to worries about ‘upstaging’ anybody. You also don’t need to spend anywhere near a grand to find a nice dress though.

Lovely - though it's a shame the OP has ruled out yellow as it's even prettier!

I thought it was just me who really disliked this vogue ... I wish it would go away!! It just looks so unfinished & cheapens things ...

Not sure that no lining is the way to go for a wedding where she's stepmother to the groom ... but a flesh-coloured fine lining would be what I would swap it for if getting it tailored.

That's really lovely. Great for a holiday on the Amalfi coast, or as one of the wedding guests - but as the OP wants to have a hat I think it would spoil that type of dress? (But then I'm not keen on wedding hats/fascinators etc anyway ...)

My favourites too, which I post any chance I can ...

That's an absolute beauty. I couldn't bear to merely rent that dress though ...

That first one is indeed fab, but the poster who bought it (on a previous thread) was, I think, 5' 11"!! Chopping 8 inches off the legs would destroy the line - plus I think it's fine for a guest but a bit much for the SM of G.

The second is also lovely but too cutaway for both wedding & the races, IMO.

@mrsmogg If you have quite a few friends in the fashion business, will Self Portrait, Me & Em, Reiss, Rixo, Victoria Beckham & the like be a bit too recognisable?

I can imagine that you might like to choose a more uncommon brand for that reason? Though as you're the SMoG (I'm going to call you that from now on ... 😁!!), I also imagine you'd prefer not to go too cutting edge/out there/revealing etc?

If you have a dress with sleeves of some kind, you won't need a jacket for the church, which I would personally avoid if possible (jackets are more likely to date/detract). Some of the dresses posted have cleavage/bare back/cut outs/sequins - all of which I would steer clear of ...

Lucky you - Eponine dresses are lovely. I wonder if the patronage of the D of Edinburgh has changed their business model.

As for wearing green to a wedding, some people consider it unlucky (similarly emerald stones in an engagement ring).

Shamelessly posting this again (for the umpteenth time) as I love it. I would wear it for anything from my own wedding to washing the dishes ...

www.libertylondon.com/uk/peacock-manor-silk-satin-gala-maxi-dress-000798996.html

oh thats is lovely x

I can see why you love it so much! its beautiful

But it's green, which is apparently unlucky ... new to me - I thought that it was white (not even a speck of it, as it's too bridal ...), & red (screams scarlet woman or something ...? 🤷‍♀️). I find it all very strange ....

Anyway, I'm going to post this too even though it is red, because it's rather lovely ... so there! (Fabric might be a bit warm though, but the shape is great & easily taken up.)

https://www.libertylondon.com/uk/falah-midi-dress-000862950.html

Over budget & not a jewel colour - but rather fabulous ...

https://www.libertylondon.com/uk/magnifico-zooflora-plac%C3%A9e-dress-000862897.html

As is this shape-wise - but it's fine wool (& RED!!!). They might bring out a similar style for summer?

https://www.libertylondon.com/uk/poppy-slouch-waist-wool-dress-000860360.html

I like this (waiting for "too much white"!!), but appreciate it might be a bit too dramatic in shape ...

https://www.libertylondon.com/uk/bisou-midi-dress-000858579.html

Another La Double J one - this time in budget! I love the unusual colour palette.

https://www.libertylondon.com/uk/long-sleeve-peony-swing-dress-000862909.html

This is a fab dress for your height & size I think, OP. (Ignore the boots!)

https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/shop/product/isabel-marant/clothing/midi-dresses/albini-gathered-printed-silk-blend-midi-dress/46376663162989513

Love this colour - & it's silk for a change!

https://veronicabeard.com/en-gb/products/ezri-midi-dress-carnelian-red

Love this colour - green though!!!

https://veronicabeard.com/en-gb/products/redgrave-silk-midi-dress-moss

More gorgeous green ...

https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/shop/product/simkhai/clothing/midi-dresses/marabella-ruched-satin-midi-dress/46376663163038490

This, I think, is utterly beautiful in a Fortuny plissé silk way.

https://joseph-fashion.com/products/ortiz-pleated-woven-dress-pink-jf0095970651