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

If you’re okay with it, a quick photo of you wearing the dress (you can crop your face out and just show from the shoulders down) might help us see the fit properly. A lot of the time, we judge ourselves more harshly than others ever would, and you might be surprised by how great it actually looks. Only if you’re comfortable, of course.

Not for OP’s dress, no. For the one I linked

I don’t think a bolero will suit if you have a big bust. I’d be looking for a silk dress coat - the sort of thing the royals are fond of wearing (but cheaper obviously). Usually the same length as the dress.

Sorry but these two dresses are really frumpy and more like something you’d wear in the office than a wedding.

https://www.glamlora.co.uk/classy-sheath-scoop-3-4-sleeves-lace-knee-length-appliques-satin-mother-of-the-bride-dress-glmm0609.html

Something like this over the top in a very closely matching colour.

I actually think it's really pretty OP.
And much, much better than some of the hideous dresses that have been posted as alternatives.

No idea about a jacket. I don't think I've ever worn a jacket with a dress! I do live in a warm climate though.

Again each to their own but that is awful.

They are miles nicer than the OP's dress. They could be worn to a wedding and as normal day dresses-what's wrong with that? . The OP's dress looks like something from a "Mother of the Bride" range.

I don’t like any of the Tu dresses in link - very every day samey and only suit some figures they would be hideous on me as I don’t suit tea dresses

Thanks for more comments overnight. I can see it’s not a popular dress. I really didn’t think it was that bad. And to everyone saying it it’s not a wedding dress or mother of the bride outfit. It’s just a standard dress from next.

i am either going to definitely not wear it now or think sod it ignore the advice and enjoy your pretty dress. I’m not sure which yet.

COL is effecting our household at the moment and I am not working ,not relevant, so I thought it was a good idea to hunt through my wardrobe first. I knew I had a couple of dresses so would use those for the occasions we have been invited to plus have lots of jewellery so that would only leave shoes, bag jacket or equivalent.

I’ve been buying basics the last few months each month so new basic tops, underwear, trousers, one pair of jeans to get me through the rest of the year as that’s more important as I’ll wear it every week.

I’ll get the dress out later in the week (it’s in a suitcase I can’t reach) and see if I can take a photo which doesn’t reveal who I am for you all to see. I’m waiting for every single poster to say I look terrible now and I already have zero confidence 🥲

And to reiterate the tui clothes I already own similar but just casual clothes. I have about ten casual dresses all different styles none of which would I deem in anyway ok to wear. I would never wear anything in those styles to a wedding as I’d only attend a wedding wearing something nicer than I normally wear.

The churches here are usually freezing

I'd just wear any smartish coat or jacket. I wouldn't buy something especially to match the dress (unless I particularly wanted a new coat or jacket) if I didn't already own something suitable. Most of the time you won't be wearing anything over the dress.

I like the dress it’s very suitable for a wedding.
who on earth would wear a supermarket dress to a wedding. That’s really naff

I put the dress on a 5”4 size 18 model. It’s doesn’t look great. But then it doesn’t even look great on the model!

do you know what is naff? Being snooty about clothes.

I actually think this looks lovely! The Tu dresses are grim.

No it’s not being snooty it’s about having respect for one’s self and for the people getting married. I am not opposed to supermarket clothes but wouldn’t be seen dead wearing them to a special occasion but if that’s all you can afford you do you

Well I can easily afford the OP's dress at full price. Given the choice of it or the Tu dresses, I'd take the Tu dresses.

They are fine for a wedding and fine as every day dresses afterwards. There's nothing "disrespectful" about them. What a horrible attitude.

I don't like "wedding guest dresses" like the OP's which can't be worn anywhere else.

You do you. I wouldn’t lower myself to wear supermarket cheap tat especially not to a wedding or special occasion but if you feel ok then you go for it

You seem pleasant

I'm not someone with much fashion sense but this dress doesn't even look nice on the model. It's hard to know. Perhaps it does look better on you but if you don't like the bottom part of it, I'd look for something else.

It's a lot of money for polyester. What makes it better than supermarket dresses?

Thank you I am

Yes, it's dated. You don't like the skirt, which is half of the dress, and I don't think trying to find a jacket, which will cover up the top half that you do like is going to help. Neither is a particular accessory going to to make it not look dated unfortunately.

I'd have another dig about at the back of the wardrobe, what else do you have? If nothing, and you decide to wear this, for an autumn wedding in a freezing church what about a fur? Pashminas, wraps, boleros, all dated, along with fascinators.

I can't believe just how rude people have been on this thread, It's perfectly reasonable dress for a wedding.