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

Agree - I love kimono-style jackets & coats (& tops, & dresses!). They come in a huge range - from original haori jackets like the one the OP posted, to kimono-influenced garments. And they can be loose & wafty or neat & structured.

What I would say though, is that anything too long or floaty would suit someone tall best. So if you fancy one OP, I'd go for a more tailored jacket with a kimono vibe, rather than an actual haori jacket or similar.

@JaceLancs I'd also say, re kimono-ish things, that they look good over simple wide silk/satin trousers & tops, & that worn like that it would be more lengthening on you than with a dress. But I think you probably want to wear a dress for this wedding, so that's my advice if you want to try wearing one in the future!

I’m not short of shoes at least - pale pink would go with either dress

@JaceLancs This is an example of the type of jacket that's kimono-style, but not cut as wide or loose.

This brand does beautiful silk & cashmere pieces, which may not be my sort of thing but I think might be yours. The fabrics are beautiful & the quality high. Unfortunately the prices are too! But I'm just posting this as I think you might like them (& their shift dresses & silk embroidered jackets), to give you an idea.

https://www.shibumistyle.com/products/reversible-kimono-jacket-in-moss-rose

Funnily enough, OP - I had just spotted this jacket on Vinted!! It's pale pink suede by Jigsaw, & there's one in 16, 14 & 12 ... (if your weight loss continues as you intend, you might need one of the smaller sizes!!). If you like it, check the measurements carefully & go for as neat a fit as possible so that you don't have to get it altered soon (costly, & as there are 10s & 12s on Vinted you could just buy another & sell this one!!)

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/8345258082-jigsaw-nakoa-leather-mix-jacket-size-14-uk-rrp-ps365
https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/8319538912-jigsaw-nakoa-leather-pink-suede-jacket-edge-to-edge-new-rrp-ps365-size-16

I also spotted this on eBay & thought it pretty, if you liked a dress & jacket combination. It would go nicely with your pink shoes too ... I'm sure you could make an offer for it - plus, no need to get it altered as it's your size, & it's LK Bennett so I'm sure you could sell it for what you paid for it quite easily?

And look, I found this little guide to styling it on another website!!

https://ebay.us/m/XRnRS9

https://ebay.us/m/XRnRS9

You could also wear the two parts separately afterwards. Not suggesting you follow the Daily Mail style advice (or anything in that newspaper of hate ...), but again, to give you an idea.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/lifestyle/article-3040997/From-matching-patterns-gold-accessories-leopard-print-shoes-chunky-jewellery-best-ways-wear-jacquard-jacket.html

Another eBay bargain in your size and preferred shape. £16 & it's LK Bennett!

https://ebay.us/m/ZohDWR

Thank you so much @EleanorMc67 - might be an online shopping evening 😊

You're welcome, @JaceLancs !! I forgot this one, which would be lovely with a toning jacket.

https://ebay.us/m/2u7ZuU

And this one is almost exactly the shape of the cream Calvin Klein one with the flared sleeves that you posted a picture of, as an example of your ideal dress shape!

https://ebay.us/m/cZwSrE

Another really nice LK Bennett one on Vinted, @JaceLancs - would go with your pink heels & that pink suede jacket rather nicely ...

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/8390635723-lk-bennett-green-size-16-dress

One of the better choices for OP imo.

Yes, it's a really nice shade of green that would suit most people - plus has a few other colours to accessorise with.

This is it on a model, OP, so that you can see the fit. It's the shape you like at the top, but the skirt is longer & flares gently - & is a bit more up-to-date than a fitted bottom half, IMO. I know you said you preferred no seam at the waist, but this is a proper waistband.

That’s really nice. Could wear it to so many things and with lots of different accessories.

I’m considering it now (I’m not allowed to be buying new clothes at the moment so sitting on my hands). but no idea on sizes with that company, have you worn their dresses before OP?

I haven’t worn LK Bennett dresses for a while due to sizing although have a few pairs of shoes
The dress is lovely but not for me - the waist line would not be in the right place and the higher neck would make my bust look huge - but thank you for the suggestions

I don't think I've bought anything from LK Bennett since the 90s! I used to dress quite formally for work then. But I would say their fit is pretty standard. Not skimpy.

If in doubt with online buying, I always ask for pit-to-pit measurements, waist (if fitted) & length - as a minimum. I might also ask for shoulder-to-cuff length if it has long sleeves, & shoulder to waist (if fitted). And then I compare them to something similar I have that fits me well.

They went into receivership a wee while ago, so everything is reduced on their website, & Otrium also has lots of their dresses well-reduced. Not quite Vinted/eBay prices though!

That's a pity. Of the others I posted, I like the Jacquard dress & jacket best. Would it work for you? With your heels, that's the whole outfit except the bag sorted!

This looks absolutely terrible sorry and SO unflattering.

OP your phase eight dress and pink shoes are perfect. Congratulations on your weight loss!

Oh, & re opera coats, which I'd mentioned earlier, these are the type of vintage ones I mean. You can pick them up, if you're lucky, for maybe £30-50 - but they go up to several hundred for really lovely ones!!

There's a modern brocade version an opera coat on & Other Stories that I think is rather lovely. And would be really nice over a plainer dress.

https://www.stories.com/en-gb/product/tailored-metallic-jacquard-coat-gold-1246612001/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=FF~_CN~pmax_AN~otherstories_PR~mix_MK~gb_PL~google-ads_TT~generic_CU~gpg_PH~conversion&utm_content=nonbrand&utm_id=21018399729&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21028538041&gbraid=0AAAAADCHX8Hz4rwxbneFBXUV4lUAdJ7S1

I want to know more about people who wear dungarees and nylon bomber jackets. Do they live in houses?

I really like it, but am a bloke and don't wear dresses personally. Weddings always seem like a great time for a bit of colour and flamboyance. My favourite uncle turned up to our wedding in a bright orange suit with a flamingo pink waistcoat and a lime green tie.

Forgot to post the Jigsaw website image of that suede jacket above.

I think it would work nicely over your pink floral dress options, or another dress if you're thinking of buying something else, OP.

Love the jigsaw suede jacket - it’s wining so far!