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Original poster

Stepmother of groom outfit needed

288 replies

mrsmogg · 13/02/2026 21:48

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.

OP posts:
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sittingonabeach · 15/02/2026 14:18

I have to say some of the dresses suggested which are at the lower end of the budget are nicer (in my opinion) to some of the more expensive ones

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 15/02/2026 14:19

EleanorMc67 · 15/02/2026 14:00

Well, there are going to be people in the fashion business there, & she has circa £1k to spend.

The former factor is probably more determining as I probably wouldn't want to wear something easily identifiable. So yes, it shouldn't matter, but in some circumstances it might matter more than others?

As for the price, nor should that matter if it's the right dress.

Personally, what would matter to me is that I loved it & felt great in it, & no one else was wearing the same (as I wouldn't have the nerve to laugh it off & the other person would probably look better than me!!).

I have worn (properly) vintage dresses from charity & vintage shops to weddings, which I've felt great in. The most expensive was about £220, the least was I think £22!! All could be from contemporary labels.

Maybe, @mrsmogg you should look in Tu or George & have it tailored - none of your super-fashionable friends will know the label ...?!!! 😁

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The last wedding I went to I wore a Tu dress (from a charity shop!) which I paired with a Vivienne Westwood bag. I don’t think I stood out as being’high street mediocrity’ or worse dressed than anybody else there.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 15/02/2026 14:22

sittingonabeach · 15/02/2026 14:18

I have to say some of the dresses suggested which are at the lower end of the budget are nicer (in my opinion) to some of the more expensive ones

Ah - that must be because you have no eye for true style and cut and are brainwashed in your sad little world of high street mediocrity. I’m surprised that you dare even express an opinion. 😂

EleanorMc67 · 15/02/2026 14:25

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 15/02/2026 14:19

The last wedding I went to I wore a Tu dress (from a charity shop!) which I paired with a Vivienne Westwood bag. I don’t think I stood out as being’high street mediocrity’ or worse dressed than anybody else there.

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A client of mine went to the wedding of someone very posh, very wealthy & very high up in the fashion magazine world. She chose M&S onesies for her bridesmaids ("Dahling, it's so ironic to dress my bridesmaids as plebs!!") ... 🤮

One way to make sure no one outshines you I suppose ...

(Would love to see your outfit!!)

OhDear111 · 15/02/2026 14:26

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie I’m saying that if you spend more, you aren’t doing high street and can afford to be individual . Who has £1000 and ends up with phase 8 - along with 20 other guests? Be creative. Look for something a bit more special . Zimmerman has some amazing sale offers at the moment. With money, you don’t need to look like everyone else and since when is monsoon stylish? Or coast? Or phase 8? They are wedding uniforms that everyone knows about. There are far better options. I’m just suggesting a few. Magazines like Red will have a few more. If posters don’t know better brands, maybe check op wants a £100 recommendation when she says up to £1000?

EleanorMc67 · 15/02/2026 14:41

OP - would you do one-shouldered?

Maybe you could coordinate ... I actually love this, & I'm on the fence about one-shouldered much of the time. Definitely just a small thing in your hair on the opposite side though - can't see it with a hat.

ajeworld.com/en-uk/products/cira-midi-dress-terracotta

Stepmother of groom outfit needed
EleanorMc67 · 15/02/2026 15:01

OP - would Roksanda meet the scrutiny of the fashion crowd? Not keen on many of the prints as they're borderline dated-looking to my eye. But some great brights. Lots are sleeveless though.

Just gone by look not size - some out of stock in 10 but you might be able to hunt down if you like something.

https://roksanda.com/products/almas-dress

Also in bright royal blue.

Designer Pink Dress | Almas | Roksanda

Crafted in a deep shade of Orchid pink, The ALMAS dress is a mid length dress featuring flattering rouching pinched to the waist, with waterfall folds to the aline skirt. Model Wears: UK Size 8

https://roksanda.com/products/almas-dress

EleanorMc67 · 15/02/2026 15:08

And comes in blues.

Stepmother of groom outfit needed
EleanorMc67 · 15/02/2026 15:11

I adore this silk one.

https://roksanda.com/products/hayat-dress-silk-deep-scarlet

Stepmother of groom outfit needed
EleanorMc67 · 15/02/2026 15:16

God I love this one - it's so fab on her!

It's yellow - & it has a bloody train ... everything you don't want!! But I'm posting it because I think it's gorgeous ...

https://roksanda.com/products/lysar-dress

Stepmother of groom outfit needed
EleanorMc67 · 15/02/2026 15:20

Also love these, but they'll receive much MN disapproval for being TOO striking ...

Stepmother of groom outfit needed
Stepmother of groom outfit needed
EleanorMc67 · 15/02/2026 15:38

I also like it in the teal & pink. Relatively easy to shorten slightly if needed.

Stepmother of groom outfit needed
DancingNotDrowning · 15/02/2026 15:46

EleanorMc67 · 15/02/2026 14:04

Some of those are lovely!

Especially like these - though with my shoulders I'd look like a shot-putter in them ... 😬

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I almost linked that as it’s one of
my favourite looks but skirt is very low stock and I couldn’t find the blouse

exse24Londoner · 15/02/2026 15:50

PhaedraWas · 14/02/2026 22:25

Well to my eyes Solace London is awful, cliché outdated "glam" and not right for a wedding.

Edited
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I quite liked the look of Solace London & prefer to buy from UK companies. Then I noticed they refer to their collections as Spring/Summer & Winter/Fall so I expect they're American after all 😪