Where should a 70 year old bride get a dress from?

[WonkyConk]

My DM is getting married in a few months and is struggling to find a dress.

She was married young the first time around (in the 70s), and had a cheap dress, this time she’d like something classy, money isn’t an object if it’s the right one.

However she’s 70, short and round 🤣, so struggling to find the right thing. 5’3” and probably a size 16 to be more specific. She’s also open to trousers possibly. No real preference re colours or patterns. Any suggestions?

I thought Camilla's wedding coat and dress combo (also an April wedding I think) was stunning, but the pale colour might not suit someone who is "round" like OP's Mum.

I don't think she should be married (ha!) to the idea of a light coloured outfit anyway, she is 70! Everything linked on here seems to be white or cream. If I got married again, I certainly wouldn't wear white or cream (I didn't in the first place come to think of it).

Think some of those would be ideal

I’d be inclined to go to a mother of the bride shop. When I looked recently with my lovely SIL many of the outfits were - in our view - far too ‘bridal’ for her Mother of the bride look. Lots of gold, silver or sequinned dresses and trouser suits that we joked would do her on her second marriage(!) albeit not as Mother of the bride.

Such shops - if you choose one that carries stock - are used to outfitting mature ladies of all shapes and sizes - and generally do alterations.

I adore the two suggestions from Harvey Nicks.

outfitting mature ladies

Nah, I’m happy with Net-a-Porter and similar places, thanks.

Thanks for the amazing suggestions, I am sending her the ones that I think she might like. I love the Katya Wildman ones personally but her response was “beautiful, but at my age?” 😵‍💫

In a plot twist she’s now saying maybe she should go down the trousers route as her DP has decided to wear his kilt. Which is a bit weird seeing as he’s Polish. And she says they can’t BOTH be in skirts 🤣

they absolutely both can be “in skirts”!

im scottish.
i’d reckon three quarters of weddings in scotland must be with a man in a kilt and a woman in a dress!!

i think ive only been to two weddings where a kilt was not worn by the groom!

it’s a very popular choice with many kilt hire shops for those who don’t own their own one.

she should choose whatever she likes for her special day and so should he.

Oh I know she can, and she probably will I’d imagine. She definitely wears the trousers in their relationship in general though so it would be fitting 🤣

As someone who is in my early 70s, I would strongly advise about wearing white or cream to get married in. Unless your mother has dark skin, her skin and colouring will have faded and she will look like a ghost. I have seen friends and relatives do this when they are older. I would suggest pale pink or another pale colour.

Please update us with what she gets!

Yes, please do. I’m quite invested in this now.

I found a fashion designer based in Bristol that did made to measure when I was getting married, I ended up buying a more traditional dress but she wouldn’t have worked out that much more. I’ll try and find her website

I’d have a trawl of net-a-porter for chic trouser suits? And yes, if she’s grey then a pale colour will wash her out.

Not if she gets her make up right.

She is most definitely not dark skinned, she’s got fair skin and blue eyes.

Yes I definitely will update you all. I’ve sent her some of the excellent suggestions and I just got this response 🤨. She’s a tricky customer.

Never heard of them before, I love the shibumi site the PP mentioned.

I would get one if their shift dresses, they can do any colour so she can go cream/pale, and I would add one of the gorgeous jackets, maybe in a colour that she can wear again?

https://www.shibumistyle.com/collections/marilyn-dresses/products/marilyn-dress-in-paradise

Or this!!!

https://elainebernstein.com/collections/jumpsuits-1/products/the-bridal-jumpsuit

I don’t think she’s tricky at all, she knows what suits her. This moves beautifully and is very special without being traditionally bridal.

https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/shop/product/dima-ayad/clothing/gowns/asymmetric-feather-trimmed-satin-gown/46376663162985750

Oh, so that's what she did after Bombshell went bust then...
Nice dress though.

How about hiring an out fit for the day ?

Ideas, I think she should pick something that makes her feel beautiful just because she is 70 it doesn't mean she has to settle especially if money is no object.

https://www.angelinacolarusso.com/post/wedding-dresses-for-older-brides

https://onefabday.com/wedding-dresses-for-older-brides/

https://www.joyceyoungcollections.co.uk/product-tag/older-bride-dresses/

https://www.cuttingedgebrides.com/calf-ankle-ballerina-length-wedding-dresses-c32/loulou-bridal-cicely-1950s-calf-length-vintage-strapless-satin-wedding-gown-with-over-jacket-belt-p226

https://www.truebride.co.uk/2912/Scottie

https://www.needleandthread.com/products/dappled-sequin-cape-ankle-gown-cream

https://www.cuttingedgebrides.com/calf-ankle-ballerina-length-wedding-dresses-c32/lois-wild-hetty-is-a-calf-ankle-length-dress-with-3-4-length-sleeved-lace-applique-jacket-over-a-satin-sweetheart-wedding-dress-p298

https://www.whistles.com/product/sabrina-silk-wedding-dress-36137.html

https://www.needleandthread.com/products/antoinettes-floral-round-neck-ankle-gown-cream

https://www.needleandthread.com/products/confetti-round-neck-ankle-gown-cream-multi

https://www.needleandthread.com/products/sylvia-rose-round-neck-ankle-gown-oyster-multi

Warmer options

https://www.houseofmooshki.com/our-dresses/margaret/ Wear with a warm bolero

https://www.suzannah.com/products/cordelia-dress-and-cape-frosted-pink-cloque

https://www.suzannah.com/products/delphine-dress-dandelion-jacquard

https://www.suzannah.com/products/blythe-midi-dress-pink-petal-jacquard

https://www.suzannah.com/products/harrogate-jacket

https://www.suzannah.com/products/harrogate-skirt-ribbon-tweed-cream

https://www.suzannah.com/products/prue-formal-coat-dress-paris-pink

I love this label for special occasion outfits. www.shibumistyle.com/collections

I like the cigarette pants - they work perfectly with the silhouette. I'm sure they'll come around again soon!

Not your average 77 year-old though, is she ...?!!! 😁

How about a 1950's dress, I saw a bride recently in a white dress but with pink flower prints on and the 50's peticoat wide skirt and it looked brilliant