Suitable for April Wedding

[JaceLancs]

Do you think this would work for an April wedding?
Most of my dresses are either work type, winter (lots of grey and black) or very summery and would need me to buy some kind of jacket
I don’t normally wear jackets - I’m a coat and cardigan person
I’m 61 5’4” size 16

I think this is the best of the bunch. Not great on the hanger but I can imagine it being flattering.

That is a woman's wardrobe that you've just recommended burning.

The OP thinks that the pink lace dress she owns is lovely, & that the cream floral dress is nice. And, with alterations & the right jacket/accessories, she would be happy to wear them to the wedding.

But it's manifestly clear that you & the OP have utterly different tastes when it comes to fashion. Maybe being "contemporary" isn't what matters to her? Maybe she can't afford to spend on a whole new outfit, & needs to make the best of what she has? (Especially if she has lost lots of weight & now needs to alter her clothes or buy lots of new ones?)

She likes these dresses - she wants to know if they're suitable for a wedding, not whether you or I like them or think them fashionable. That's her valid opinion, & of course (as this is a public forum) you're entitled to your own, very different opinion.

But must you express it quite so ... disparagingly? In fact (if burning her clothes is your first recommendation), must you express it at all?

I think the dress in your original OP is probably one of those things that look far better when worn than they do on the hanger.

Which one do you like the best on you?

i like the grey with some pink heels

I think I’d try Vinted. A reward after all that hard work. The dresses look a bit dated now. Get an up to date dress with your new look.

Totally agree. @TheFarriersDaughter is just downright rude.

I think the issue you have here @JaceLancs is that the wedding is April and you will need something over a dress to stay warm because the weather is so unpredictable. Any of the second batch you posted are wedding appropriate but the key is finding something you can wear over the top for the bit until you get to the inside reception so you're not freezing. Not sure what that something might be though.

That's really nasty @TheFarriersDaughter . Just because you wouldn't wear those dresses yourself, you think they may as well be destroyed?

Do you lack the imagination to grasp that people have different taste?

@TheFarriersDaughterrier might have put it better but so far no one has managed to give any suggestions for what to wear with those dresses apart from one poster suggesting pink heels with the grey. (not a bad call) So perhaps starting again at M and S or LK Bennett sale might be the way to go.

The original dress, depending on what it looks like on, might be the best of the bunch. We all assumed it was a short tunic but if it is knee length it might be OK.

If these dresses need alterations the pink will be the easiest - the others will require substantial work involving taking apart and putting together again. The white floral sleeveless might be OK, but making it smaller will affect the pattern.

The dressmaker who does alterations for me charges a minimum of £30 but for more complex stuff I've paid up to £120. But that's for maybe 1 size down, not a 3 stone weight loss and for dresses that were worth spending that amount on. Are these dresses worth spending money on?

Re what to put on top, if I didn't own a suitable jacket or smart coat I'd just wear my newest/smartest coat on the basis most of the time I'll be indoors and if need be can briefly take it off for outdoors photos. I'd much rather get the what's on underneath right than worrying about the top, temporary layer.

Thought I was on AIBU for a moment!
Ive gone down from a size 22 to a 16 and aiming for 8-10 so don’t want to spend much - love a charity shop find, happy to buy on vinted or ebay
It’s mainly the something to put on over dress that’s the issue or buy a new dress with sleeves
Pretty cold up here still - I got married in April and it snowed on the day
I do not suit anything that has a belt, join at the waist etc, no frills or flounces, pleats or gathers - high necks look awful too
My best shape is a sheath dress and as I’m quite short most of them that look short on a model are knee length on me

@JaceLancs Are you standing around outside the venue? This is where you get cold and I would actually wear a coat in those circumstances. I would then remove the coat inside. Definitely wear long sleeves and don’t dress for summer beaches. You could easily wear navy trousers and a lace top for example. Very suitable for a wedding but warmer with a coat on top. Colour blocking is a good way to go. Same colour top and bottoms with a contrasting coat. Jazz up plain colours with an evening type bag, eg velvet, and plain shoes - a metallic silver or pewter works with navy for example. Or go with cream bag and shoes. I’d think plain with accessories as opposed to loud and summer beach.

I’m not very tall myself and I tend to buy things with sleeves nowadays. Cardigans don’t look smart and pashmina’s can add flounce that isn’t needed. A cropped blazer can be nice but expensive too. Drop into a department store and try on a few dresses and see what shapes suit you and try and find similar on Vinted.

This shape in a different colour or with a pattern is the sort of thing I’m looking for

No

She definitely could have put it better!! In fact, she really couldn't have put it worse - she was sneeringly unpleasant.

I didn't think there was much point in suggesting anything until we had some feedback from the OP - she may have decided to give up after that scathing putdown, & I wouldn't have blamed her ... I'm glad you haven't, @JaceLancs

FWIW I don't like the outfits & do think they're dated (apologies @JaceLancs , I know that's not your question, it's merely my opinion).

But the OP likes wearing a particular shape of dress that isn't in vogue right now, because it suits her - so wants a more classic look. LK Bennett is a good shout for that style of dress (as are, probably, the much-maligned (on MN) Hobbs & Phase 8, maybe Karen Millen).

Buying original 80s/90s dresses from the latter two might well even mean silk/linen etc!! As once upon a time they did use some lovely fabric.

Re the coat/jacket issue, I think a lot of women consider what they put over the dress to be an integral part of their wedding guest outfit. And it is often worn for a long time - for the church/other ceremony, milling around outside before & after, the photos, etc. Hence the popularity of those dress & jacket/coat suits that you see in all those (awful, IMO) MoB-type shops. And also the speciality of higher-end retailers/designers like Shibumi. Not my thing, but I think a well-cut take on the jacket+dress combination in a decent fabric might well be an option for the OP?

I think the last dress posted is wedding appropriate. Just needs a jacket for the time of year.

Tbh it's hideous, i can't imagine anywhere that would be appropriate, sorry

It’s shapeless and weird imo

Oink? Bit rude to compare it to a pig, even if it is pink!

No comparison. Typo and light pink!

Well done on your weight loss!

I do think it would be nice to congratulate yourself with a new outfit (which doesn't have to be new, per se). If you buy something on eBay or Vinted, I'd choose something that is a decent label, so that you can resell easily. I recently made an extra £100 on a dress that I'd picked up cheaply!!

Is it just because it might be cold that you prefer a dress with sleeves, or would you prefer to have your arms covered anyway, once you remove any jacket/coat?

When you mentioned that you don't suit coats or jackets unless they have raglan type sleeves, I immediately thought of what used to be called opera coats, from the 50s & 60s. Often in silk or brocade, often with lovely buttons. Some even come with a matching dress, but I think I would avoid that in case you look too retro. M
You can still find lots online, though they can be pricey - but some aren't. There are also some decent modern versions.

I know! Gave me a laugh, though!

So many replies - thank you everyone!
@ EleanorMc67 I’m going to research opera coats now
Everyone who has mentioned it - there will be enough standing outside to get chilly - but I still don’t see it as a coat occasion and really need a jacket that doesn’t look awful on me

How about a kimono or would that look weird?
Not this one but that style and if so short or long?

Sorry OP, I already posted upthread, but a kimono would look like a dressing gown and its a no from me. 😬

A wrap dress, yes, if that is the look you are going for but not a kimono.