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?

That’s a great idea - sometimes you don’t know where to start if ‘any ‘ options are on the table. It’s a bit like hairstyles, it’s kind of easier if you find a pic of the kind of thing to target on

That is absolute perfection.

The weird thing about the JL shop assistant thing is that my mum clearly wasn’t looking for twin sets, she doesn’t wear ‘old lady’ clothes day to day. She’s been pretty unwell the last couple of years and I think her confidence has been knocked, so she probably didn’t want to push it any further. I really feel for her, I can tell how insecure she feels about the whole wedding outfit shopping, she just wants to look beautiful but obviously she’s 70 this time around, not 21.

I totally agree that 70 year olds can look amazing - I have a client who is late 60s and honestly she always looks so cool, I want to raid her wardrobe! She has lovely glowing skin too. Last time I saw her she was in a cream ensemble with wide leg trousers and adidas cream and gold Spezials, I am honestly so jealous of how put together she always looks. Some people are born with an eye for these things but I’m not, and I think I may have got that from my mum 😂. Luckily my job means that every day I’m wearing leggings and hoodies so I don’t have to think too hard.

Too much of a heal? https://www.moshulu.co.uk/t-bar-heel-with-adjustable-strap-p3522#attribute%5B1%5D=183

in the metallic silver, not black as the preview.

Oh that's a beauty! So simple. Though I think those shoulder pads may need removed ... unless they're not shoulder pads & the model is an ex-shot putter?!!!

Sounds like an unfortunate encounter with an inexperienced & tactless assistant - who is probably in the wrong job!!!

Would you be able to ask your client where she would start, if she were getting married again? Maybe she's enjoy giving you some ideas - her outfit sounds great!

Jasper Conran has retired and the website is selling what remains from the 2024-2025 collection. Some dreadful reviews on trustpilot.

@WonkyConk I know what you mean some people just seem to have an eye for what looks good.
I know a couple of people who always look fantastic regardless of what they are wearing. Both are plus size, one tall, one short but both seem to be able to look amazing regardless if its a walk in the park, a night in the pub or dressed to the nines!

I still think it might be worth your Mums time to book an hour with a Personal Shopper and see what they can come up with.

I wondered about that. Everything is on sale or out of stock.

Some other ideas for inspiration that also offer more tailored options. Dresses can be altered to a shorter length to avoid trip hazard.

https://www.jywal.com/product/lilly-off-white-embellished-1920s-gatsby-wedding-dress/

https://www.jywal.com/product/tessy-gold-embellished-long-sleeve-bridal-gatsby-dress/

https://www.jywal.com/product/beatrice-flare-sleeve-gatsby-wedding-dress-in-ivory/

https://raishma.co.uk/products/casey-gown

https://uk.kalkifashion.com/products/white-embroidered-peplum-kurta-with-palazzo-and-net-dupatta

https://uk.kalkifashion.com/products/ivory-georgette-palazzo-suit-with-heavy-hand-embroidery

https://uk.kalkifashion.com/products/white-georgette-palazzo-suit-with-sequins-and-resham-embroidery

https://www.andaazfashion.co.uk/beige-velvet-floral-embroidered-blazer-with-satin-skirt-lstv144503.html

https://www.andaazfashion.co.uk/peach-pearl-embroidered-chiffon-cigarette-pant-suit-for-wedding-lstv138365.html

https://www.andaazfashion.co.uk/cream-beige-georgette-palazzo-suit-with-sequins-work-lstv140954.html

https://aureva.co.uk/products/scallop-lace-crepe-occasion-dress-with-soft-cape-in-alabaster

https://macduggal.com/products/9180-nude

https://www.leely.co.uk/products/midi-sheath-bateau-neck-white-formal-dress#1

https://www.leely.co.uk/products/ivory-a-line-bateau-neck-satin-midi-wedding-dress

https://www.theprettydresscompany.com/sale-c16/the-pretty-dress-company-kennedy-roll-collar-pencil-dress-p169

https://www.hobbs.com/product/katherine-wool-silk-dress/0224-5564-3093L00-OYSTER.html

@Needspaceforlego I’ve been looking with DD for a wedding dress and you definitely can get them in silk. Hers can be made in silk - but she’s not having it. Very very expensive and for a few hours, not worth it. No one will be able to tell the difference!

If she’s gor a decent budget, these from Zimmermann are great.

@WonkyConk Is your mum a "short & round" apple or pear?

Several PPs have mentioned her being curvy, highlighting her waist etc - & suggested dresses that would suit someone hourglass or pear-shaped. But dressing for an apple (which I'd assumed your mother was from your description & her mentioning that she's "unstructured"!) is very different to dressing for a pear?

I'm a size 16 apple, & my friend who's a few dress sizes larger - but is pear-shaped with a proportionally small waist - can wear fitted dresses that would look awful on me.

So I've been suggesting things that skim over the waist/stomach area, not cinch it in?

Love that first lace one. And the third one I've spotted before & think it's kind of amazing - but I keep thinking of pagodas!!

Not sure that Zimmerman suits shorter women though? And she doesn't want floor-length - but it would be a shame to chop a foot off those long ones!!

Oh for goodness sake. Lovely if she wants to look like she’s absconded from the local twilight home for the bewildered!

See my earlier posts - I thought so too at first glance, but it's mostly the slightly bonkers styling & photography. If you look at the individual pieces some are really lovely.

You’d probably think that’s what I look like all the time. 😂

What on earth is wrong with the Renlisu? The jackets, as @EleanorMc67 says, are quite simple in style. The skirts are less to my taste but no more frou frou than the average bridal dress.

If I couldn't find my 1950s suit and I had enough cash then this would be my backup (the whole outfit) :
https://www.renlisu.com/products/vivien-trousers?variant=54963153994107

Yes I’d say definitely apple rather than pear.

I'm sure even for everyday wear the Personal Shoppers would be able to help dress an Apple.
But the other thing is if she takes advantage of the service it might give her ideas on what styles and colours suit her,

I keep meaning to book but I live my life last minute- its always fully booked by the time I look.

Because to be frank in my opinion admittedly, they suit tall slightly angular or athletic build younger women - they aren’t flattering on 5ft 3 apple shaped 70 year olds - you might get away with it if you were Helen mirren etc - I’ve got a friend who would look great in them, runs , 42, 5ft 9 and about 11 stone - I on the other hand at a size 16, 5ft 3 with too much tum would look shit in them -

You wouldn’t. Trousers that shape skim over all the lumps and bumps and lengthen your body. I wear them all the time in the summer so unless I look shit …

I'm 5'3. 70 this year. Admittedly not size 16.

I'm not saying they're right for everyone although I'm not devoted to dressing for your shape, but I don't think they're any less appropriate than a lot of bridal wear. It's not as if the ankle socks were compulsory.

What I am mostly pissed off with - and this wasn't you - is the way people use this board to try out their comedy routines regardless of what's actually been posted

I'm 5"3", 66 and 3/4 and can be anything from a 10 to a 16. I'd look great in the Renli Su jackets and skirts and trousers., because they are beautiful.

This "only suits a size 8, 5"10" model or Helen Mirren " shtick is so tedious and limiting. I mean, fine apply it to yourself if you want, but don't claim it applies to everyone one else.

Oh I don’t disagree - I dress I would say quite youthfully (64) still like my biker boots, black denim jackets , flowery dresses and trainers( yep I know it’s old hat- but suits me) I think it’s more that brand and style tends to have a lot of styles I feel that work better if you are tall and also if you aren’t a bit overweight .

It’s just my view- I will rephrase then , at 5ft 3 and a half and a size 16 and apple shaped ‘I ‘ would look crap in them - and whilst you think they are beautiful, I don’t - itsall just opinion and personal preference , what matters more is if the OPs mother would like that style and for her wedding?