Is this too casual for a wedding?

[Jillwiththefrill]

Attending a spring wedding and trying to get sorted rather than leaving too late like I usually do.

Me - 40, Mum of 2 under 5 (who will be present and DH is best man so I need to be wearing something I can "run around" in while he's on duty, size 12/14, 5"2, wide at the hips, small waste, ugly legs.

The wedding venue is a big garden space (with inside area) so it's basically flowers and greenery everywhere.

Would this dress be suitable, or is it too plain? I could possibly wear this on other occasions and the price tag is just right.

Everything I'm finding that I like is over £100, which just isn't in my budget unfortunately, not for something I'll get little wear out of.

I'd welcome other suggestions if there's something else you think would be better.

(please don't suggest Vinted. I've given up trying to buy anything other than kids stuff on Vinted due to the wardrobe full of clothing that doesn't fit and now needs to be re-sold).

https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/willow-midi-dress-2614657001?variant=55134018470273&utm_source=paid_social&utm_medium=Facebook_Desktop_Feed&utm_campaign=Nobody%27s+Child_UK_RT_ASC_DPAs+Confect+BAU+%3A+17.02.26_FPA_FBM%2BIGM_All_All_Viewed+Similar+Products&utm_content=Nobody%27s+Child_UK_PG_ASC_DPAs+Confect+Frames+%28Confect+Test%29+%3A+19.01.26_FPA_FBM%2BIGM_All_All_Viewed+Similar+Products+1+Image+BAU+%2B+Logo_Product-BAU+Frame-PG+Copy_MCA&utm_id=120239780098900510&utm_term=120239780098970510&fbclid=IwY2xjawQLmj1leHRuA2FlbQEwAGFkaWQBqy2LeXf7nmJyaWQRMGZNZVFXTnRJZ3I1QjA0cENzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeN9vJ-HbhwgddkEAsK0QUJuPDsaXPSgl-oTOBT-ngtMRKrtlHTvySfsmKVvI_aem_r2Gqtg6nxbKnsQT592T6ng

@Jillwiththefrill , i'm sure you don't have ugly legs.
The dress you linked is not much shorter than you are so would probably need shortening.

@PhaedraWas , leave me alone. A waste is a plumbing term by the way.

I’m not usually keen on prints or too much colour either but loved the dress I linked.
Worth having a look on Next as lots there with different styles & at least the length should be okay if you filter by petite. If you can get to any store then you can order to store, try on them and return anything that doesn’t suit for a quick refund.
I like the nobody’s child dress but you will probably have to have it shortened - I have a couple of their midi dresses and they come up long on me and I’m 3 inches taller than you. They do have a petite range but unfortunately not much choice.

I think it's pretty and perfect for a wedding. I do think main selection Nobody's Child is a bit 'tall pear shaped' though but definitely worth trying, you might have more luck in their petite section though. Other shops with wedding appropriate petite sections : Boden, Coast, Phase Eight, Hobbs, Whistles. Cheaper but ASOS also has a big choice of petite dresses even if some are not ao wedding appropriate!

Also.....from what you've said about the wedding, it does seem like it will be more of a relaxed/garden party vibe. In which case, your choice of a pretty and slightly less formal summery dress would be just right. It's also soooo important to feel like "you" and hence wear your outfit with confidence.

I have opinions on viscose: some of it is nice and soft and some of it is scratchy and shit. Some of it crumples as soon as you look at it; some of it shrinks; some of it is sweaty - and some of it doesn’t/isn’t. I think that covers all bases.

Viscose for me treads the line between natural and artificial. It's made from wood pulp, but is very processed. Agree absolutely that it can be good or bad, but I wouldn't be put off by it. It's usually very breathable.

I like it. Easy to wear again.

On the ethical and environmental qualities of viscose I’m happy to be guided by Community Clothing:

https://communityclothing.co.uk/pages/the-materials-we-use (Scroll down.)

But it’s not a fabric I like wearing, anyway.

I think it's great and perfectly fits the bill for a wedding. No idea why anyone thinks it isn't fancy enough. People seem to think weddings should be full of guests in satin evening gowns which is very weird to me.

I have never been to a wedding where people wear satin evening gowns. Of those I have been to, this dress would be on the casual side, which is, of course, fine if the OP won’t worry about being under-dressed if others have worn dressier things.

I'm a very similar size and shape to you OP, I think that dress is pretty and fine for a spring wedding, but personally that style would not flatter my figure, to clingy round the hips and would not sit well because to fit my hips I'd end up getting a size that was a bit big on the top half (and I don;t have huge hips I'm just a pear shape)

For style (by which I mean not this dress necessarily but this shape of dress)
I would choose something like this, it doesn't hug the wider hips and emphaizes your small waist. I find this a very flatering shape for me. (and it is not tight fitting when you need movement for child wrangling !)

www.nobodyschild.com/products/green-ditsy-floral-puff-sleeve-cora-midi-dress-d255502grn

I’m not much taken with the current trend for satin evening gowns at daytime weddings. (I wouldn’t say to the wearers’s faces that it seemed irredeemably naff, but I might think it.) But it is nice to dress up. Even nicer if one’s dressy clothes are versatile enough to be worn to lots of things.

Definitely for the Viscous attack thread!

OP Waterbaby41’s suggestions are very nice and a bit more special than the one you chosen, which is perfectly nice, and is wearable for other occasions, but perhaps not quite special enough.

I really like it and think it sounds perfect for the wedding you describe. Much prefer the green to the pink.

My only worry would be whether my bra would show so I'd order it in good time just in case it needs to go back.

I really like it and think it’s lovely for a spring wedding which will hopefully be outdoors. I’d definitely go with gold jewellery. The green is much nicer than the pink. The other green dress is a nice option too but I think yours is better for the style of wedding.

I’ve got some great Nobodys Child dresses.

I disagree and think a blazer could work with it if needed. Certainly more than a bolero jacket or pashmina which instantly makes the whole outfit uglier.

Sorry but I really hate shawls and bolero jackets/cardigans and would happily see them outlawed. 😄

In the US (and other countries in the Americas) evening gowns are standard at weddings and I think that is where the fashion is coming from (plus the fact that there seem to be more and more Americans on MN).

I'm 5'3 and a size 14, I wouldn't personally buy that dress for my size and shape, although it's very pretty.
This is the kind of thing I'd go for instead:

https://www.next.co.uk/style/SU641542/F48262

I think that dress is perfect for a garden wedding OP. Understated, maybe - but still lovely.

The dress you posted can be elevated with gold accesories and shoes.

I have chunky legs (lipedema!), I'm 5'2" (closer to a size 8) and I love a good shirt dress. You can dress them up or down.

Boden has this one which looks gorgeous:

www.boden.com/products/women-mae-linen-blend-shirt-dress-highland-green-d1355grn?variant=42953129132241&tc_ch=ps&tc_ve=goog&tc_so=x&tc_me=cr&tc_ca=&tc_au=&tc_cr=na&tc_campid=21672377956&tc_adgroupid=&tc_kwid=&tc_matchid=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21662153007&gclid=CjwKCAiA2PrMBhA4EiwAwpHyCwl54-j_3ahFFwqAk4pFEkjNxDhM2TNjbZKUpflDtLALFKB11ofX5hoCdsgQAvD_BwE

@Jillwiththefrill MN is obsessed with gold shoes! Don’t do it. Its older woman on a cruise ship style.

Blazers are work. Maybe a high quality cream fluffy cardi? Although that will bring out howls because cream is bridal!

I think it’s ok but not much more. I’d probably go with cream leather sling backs and cream bag.

Oh the irony! Slingbacks?! Aren’t they the preserve of the “older woman’ ?!

These would be good for running around a garden in .... https://www.marksandspencer.com/suede-kitten-heel-slingback-shoes/p/clp23038608?extid=os_shopping_WW_UK_3PB&srsltid=AfmBOooNLaY_yPaHh0lf_23gt2TvAJOnHxt05ut_hhTKmlFXHlHWuQJbQx8&color=SAGE

A little less expensive https://www.next.co.uk/style/su539072/aw1703?srsltid=AfmBOorIiR_Cu97BOJMaH91jAdg1FeqLnOOH9OyAGsT41c2rjKDjSM20ohk

Block heel https://www.next.co.uk/style/su844526/y03869

Dorothy perkins also have a lot of green block heel shoes and sandals on sale at the moment.

I also hate gold shoes. Sling backs have been ‘in’ for some time, I think. Personally though, I’d probably just go with white block heeled sandals because they’re comfortable and I can walk in them.