Another wedding dilemma. How to style this dress.

[Nc9623]

I’ve name changed after some of the comments in another style and beauty thread. If this is also dated please let me know.

I already have this dress and want to wear it to a wedding later in the year. I’m shorter, bigger and older than the model! I’m 5ft4, in my 50s, size 18.

The top half looks ok as the colours suit me. I’m very pale with blue eyes. I don’t like the pleats or the fact the skirt lands mid lower leg so makes my bottom half look bigger than it is (I’m a 14 in trousers). So what length jacket or maybe accessories would help with this please? I was thinking different colour jacket may draw away from the pleats? I don’t own anything else pleated though so I’m not sure if that works?

When I wore it a few years ago it was to a different sort of event. I just tied my hair up, a little make up and some nice earrings.

https://www.debenhams.com/product/hot-squash-v-neck-floral-lace-dress_p-c4290317-f01e-4521-ab9b-fffaf91e673f?colour=Silver&size=12&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22661679340&gbraid=0AAAAABevdS7rBpK7jq11dXDkkWGiaBNmG&gclid=CjwKCAjwjtTNBhB0EiwAuswYhtC69u55LbvXaxZsoA0eBIKogDWm98duct9VJM6THfKKgCckHRXZkRoCv_4QAvD_BwE

I might be mad but to me it looks like a wedding dress (I’m so sorry just had to say it)

Thank you sorry I’m a bit tired. And yes I also have dresses and clothes in those sorts of styles too.

But I wanted to wear a smarter style dress as it’s a wedding.

I honestly didn’t or don’t think it’s that bad. I thought I looked pretty (for me) in it last time I wore it….I’m now thinking everyone must have thought I looked old and dated. 😭

I'd go for a pale blue/white bolero and a pair of retro shoes from somewhere like Ruby Shoo.

Oh that’s not good. It’s blue under layer silvery grey top layer so definitely not white or cream. I’d never wear white to a wedding.

Thank you for the suggestions.

Oh that’s not good. It’s blue under layer silvery grey top layer so definitely not white or cream. I’d never wear white to a wedding.

It might just be the silvery tinge and I’m seeing it wrong- like the dress that broke the internet years ago! It’s a really beautiful dress imo anyhoo!

Oooh it's beautiful. This is just my style and I've just bought one
I'm not really sure how to help with your dilemma though as I'm a completely different body shape to you

I hope you love your dress. It’s not proved popular on here so far. It’s really comfy to wear as doesn’t dig in and I think it’s pretty.

and yes I’m probably the wrong body shape for it, it’s not the dress it’s me.

In reality we are getting married ourselves at some point, just a register office, the two of us. So at this rate I might wear this to my own wedding.

You need to wear something you really love to your own wedding!!

This might sound a bit mad but what if you went for a vintage vibe and put a petticoat under it to fan out the skirt a bit? It would balance out your bust and create more of an hour glass effect? Then style with vintage accessories like a vintage hairpiece, gloves and jacket and vintage style heels? You could do a colour contrast if you wanted to be more fun with it?

I bet you'll look great. My style has always been a bit different to others and this is right up my street. I'm in my 30s so I know not many people will be wearing the same as me

Taking it to a seamstres to just get the skirt taken up to a length you're happy with might also be a good option, maybe take it in to one to see what they think it would cost and then you can decide if its something you'd be willing to spend.

I think it’s pretty and wedding appropriate. Everyone has different taste so don’t worry about those that don’t like it. You probably wouldn’t like their choices either. I’m not entirely sure hire to style it if I’m honest, I think you may just need to look around until something feels right.

It looks like an M o B/G dress from one of those specialised M o B/G sites.

I think dated isn't quite the right word as I don't think it would ever have been high fashion.
I agree with SaulHudsonDavidJones. If OP likes it, play around until it feels right. It's not going to be possible to change it fundamentally

It's a beautiful dress. Could you pair it with a pretty light coloured wrap? I asked AI for a mock-up image of what I am trying to describe. (Image pending review)

I think it is very pretty and - obviously your decision but I think the skirt is pretty. Would something like this work if the blue is anything like https://www.hobbs.com/product/carrie-bolero/0124-9084-1124K01-PALE-BLUE.html?utm_source=google&utm_source_platform=google_ads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NEST_Hobbs_UK_EN_BoF_Shopping_Brand&utm_id=22300217733&utm_content=agid_171138532490-ad_736662908342&network=g&device=c&targetid=pla-293946777986&utm_tpl=live&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22300217733&gbraid=0AAAAADC5o-Kc25eWA__y3tMl5S0KxKi3D&gclid=CjwKCAjwjtTNBhB0EiwAuswYhiuXG_Vbkwl9J54dsmzDAjKb1oNsgI7FKUGw-s7yCWYz9WnktU7YxxoCd0QQAvD_BwE

It isn't pleated. It's just the way the circle of skirt fabric drapes when it's attached to the waistband.

It's longer than you than on the model? If so I wouldn't shorten it. The length on the model isnt a good look.

I’m younger than you and go to a lot of weddings and this would not stand out as dated at all to me! What is it you don’t like about the length? I’m very hourglass shaped and prefer a dress that stops just above the ankle personally.

When is the wedding? I would probably add something with an interesting texture if you want to draw attention away from your bottom half. Boucle, white faux fur or metallic. Or just put your hair up, some great earrings and lipstick and stop thinking about your body as a problem to be solved (easier said than done I know!).

Maybe a plain chiffon or net jacket - like this but unpatterned?
https://www.roman.co.uk/mesh-burnout-longline-kimono-19432760

Is rather wear that then any of the Sainsbury's TU deffo

I don’t like it and do think it looks dated. Very 00s wedding style.

If you do decide to wear it please don’t pair it with a pashmina or a bolero as suggested here. They look awful!

I think it’s lovely and you should just wear it with pride - if you feel like the length isn’t flattering to your legs, I’d get some wedge heels that don’t have any kind of ankle strap (so that are low cut on the foot) to elongate your legs a bit. Over the top I’d wear a short bolero type jacket or cardigan that matches the colour of the under layer (you could try Vinted?).

I think OP is focusing on the wrong thing. What is important is that the fit doesn’t hit all the right buttons for her. It doesn’t matter how ‘current’ a dress may be - if the person wearing it doesn’t feel comfortable, it’s never going to look good. Far better, I think, to forget what fashion (and MNers) dictates as ‘current’ and have the confidence to wear what makes you feel fabulous.

I like it. I think its pretty. Id wear silver sandals and either a cream wrap or cropped jacket that is shorter than where the waist of the dress is or a cream coat that is the same length as the dress. Honestly, if anyone is keeping tabs on what's "in" or "out" to the extent that they think a 2 year old dress is too dated to wear, they remind me of Esmee Squalor. Bonus that its comfortable!

I think it’s called a circle skirt op, so when the material is laid out, it forms a circle.

I think it looks dated due to the length, current is midi now, and just below knee length looks dated and cuts off usually at the wrong place, a midi length is slimming as it elongates,

if you’re top heavy it may balance you though, so think you’re looking for fit and flare dresses,