What to wear to hip London wedding?

[lechatnoir]

We've been invited to my niece's hip London wedding in July and I'm totally stumped on what to wear - dress code is smart summer and there is some walking between venues so teetering heels out (although not sure anyone wears these now?) and their friends are all hip media types and my SIL very glamourous!

I'm 5ft 6 currently 12/14 top and 14/16 bottom but on WLI so hoping I'll be a size smaller by then! I have an OK waist and upper body but heavy bum, hips and thighs and tend to wear waisted dresses & skirts with shirts or fine knit jumpers. Not a fan of floaty tea dresses or very formal 'Hobbs style' wedding outfits. I shop mainly on Vinted but would buy new for the right thing and brands I like including All Saints, Cos, Mint Velvet, Nobody's Child, Zara, American Vintage plus various Scandi brands.

Any ideas?

And yet after several pages of mostly positive chat, the thread took a turn into 'You can't....' and 'Not....' and 'More sophisticated and London-y', no?

It amuses me, that is all.

I don’t think it did? Was just telling her what people were wearing at the last one I went to, in case that is inspiring for her. It sounds like she wanted style advice so she feels confident and happy at the wedding. I’m sure even if she does show up in jeans like my aunt did no one would ever make her feel bad about it

I'm not just talking about your posts @Ilovemsrachel and I've not even quoted every example of a 'You can't do that' comment.

I think one of the main reasons people sometimes get anxious about what to wear in London is that there are invariably posters who insist there aren't any 'rules' or expectations and that it's all very relaxed. And yet it seems pretty clear that isn't the case. And the worst rules of all are the ones that only select people even know about.

It's like threads on trainers - supposedly the most relaxed footwear in existence and yet the anxiety about buying the right ones is palpable.

But I'm digressing and I don't want to derail what's been an enjoyable thread so I won't say anything further.

Just adding my tuppence on Kemi Telford skirts, which are my standby for parties. I have a very big one in waxed cotton which is fabulous and quite sticky outy, but as pp has said, I think you really want a cotton one. They look fab with a simple top.

I can't believe I've not come across Kemi telford before these are very much my style so definitey buying one regardless of wedding. I'm going keep an eye out on Vinted as well and I have amazing seamstress so not too worried if it fits now and needs taking in a few months.

Agree, I think that white T shirt is too plain for a wedding. I like the skirt and shoes though!

I love a jumpsuit but I also think you need something different for this wedding. I’d have a look at Maje, AllSaints and Me&Em if I was going.

I love all these suggestions, thank you, will pass them on to others!

Rent something: wear clogs.

Beautiful - but elastic-free ... I'd need a couple of ribs removed for that!

I can perfectly imagine that outfit - sounds fab! Velvet & silk too - sensory heaven.

I spotted quite a few more of that particular skirt for sale, but in even smaller sizes - & a couple on Etsy at substantially higher prices. It would be possible - if a bit finicky - to have it altered to extend the waistband. A couple of different ways depending on if the length was being kept or not.

Hi @SwiftmovingcloudsI love these Elwin skirts, and you’ve really tempted me! Would you mind letting me know how you find the waistband? Only thing making me hesitate is whether there will be too much bulk in the elastic gathering. Thank you!

Ha ha I saw that too!

I had an identical raw silk skirt from Liberty’s to the pink/purple one. Literally gave to the charity shop last year as I hadn’t worn it since 1991 to a Cambridge ball ( Girton College).

Bloody knew I was ahead of the game.

Hi @mixingplaydoh , no problem! My waist is 31" and I've got a size M. The waistband sits very nicely without too much fabric in the elastic gathering. I should say though that it is a soft cotton chambray; I can't comment on a silk which, depending on how stiff it is, may create more 'ruffle'. And I guess it may vary between colours. Perhaps you could ring them and ask.

Where is the wedding OP? I went to one at a naice hotel and wore Vienene Westwood the bide was out of Brit school, album out.

@Peony1985Of so far behind it, you were vanishingly small in the mirror!

Off topic: Why do Cambridge grads always have to tell you they are? It’s a very odd boasting trait I've noticed in life. It’s like the rest of us are being sussed out as worthy of their attention , or not. It’s very elitist. Other than in fashion of course where the LCF has more sway than blue stocking Cambridge gels!

I’d were a rixo dress with smart flats. You could also look at Needle and Thread. But be guided by what you like, not what you think other people will like - just because some of the guests will be young Londoners you don’t have to wear what they wear.

me+Em has some nice maxi dresses at the moment- probably more at the casual end of things but definitely dress-uppable.

Rixo are quite expensive but there might be Vinted ones around. Not really hip though. Have you considered Plumo? Definitely more hip and fairly well priced. Or Poetry?

Agreed! Great suggestions @Ikeameatballs

No, but that’s hopelessly casual for a wedding. The skirt works, but the loose T-shirt is too casual

@lechatnoir As someone on WLM myself- albeit on maintenance now - I really recommend you waiting just a bit longer to see what size you are.

i was actively losing last summer and you can drop a lot in a couple of months depending on how far along you are in the process. For now, hit lots of likes on Vinted on pieces you’d like and see what happens over the next 2 months and then buy them.

Reminds me, I’ve got a fab pink linen suit that is now too big for me and I should list it now to see if someone could use it themselves

ive got a party in June to attend myself this year with a theme Summer Glamour- in the past I’d have been dreading it, but I found THE most perfect maxi dress and some incredible wedge sandals for a total of about £30! Dress is a bit long, but I can invest in an alteration as it hardly cost me a thing in the first place.

I liked these on the Kemi Telford site and think they could be amazing at a wedding, then versatile afterwards.

kemitelford.com/products/ile-oba-wide-leg-palazzo-pants

The Klements stuff is hideous, imo, especially the metallic items and most of the dresses.

The items @ikeameatballs suggested are nicer.

I didn’t go to Cambridge! Like everyone else on here on I mentioned where I wore it as context.