Wedding outfit help, are any of these okay for 2026?

[BarbieBrightSide]

I have a couple of weddings coming up this summer and as I am particularly skint at the moment, I wondered whether I could get away with wearing one of the dresses already in my wardrobe.
I don't really know what is acceptable anymore, it's been years since I attended anything remotely formal.
I'm also considerably older than when done of these dresses got their last outings and my shape has changed.
I'm not totally against buying something new, but would love some guidance from the wise women of Style and Beauty, please.
Pictures to follow. Ignore the shoes!

The weddings are July and August

Forgot to this one!

They are fine (as long as ironed) which do you prefer? I think the brown one works well if subtle is your preferred preference, the blue one is nice, the floral is a bit too structured for me, but that’s personal preference, I’d avoid the white one and long sleeves unless it’s cool weather

I think the dark blue one is definitely the nicest.

The pink (coral?) one looks like it doesn’t quite fit you as well as the dark blue.

I think the pale blue doesn’t suit you, and is more dated. And for me, I don’t like the pattern on the brown one - that’s just personal preference though. I think it looks a bit odd in the breast area

The pale blue with flowers looks best for a wedding imo. Different shoes obvs. Some nice accessories and it will work really well. That polka dot one might work well too. Not loving the others.

All are fine for a wedding, I like dress 3 the most.

I think the dark blue one fits best and is easy to accessorize. It looks like a better fabric and I like the short sleeves. Navy is chic for summer and you cannot go wrong. It also doesn’t over emphasize your boobs! That would be a plus for me.

Sorry I think the dark blue is very frumpy. I love the brown one on you, looks lovely

The first one if I had to, assuming the way it’s sitting at the front is due to the way you’re holding the camera. They’re all a bit Wallis office vibe to me. Definitely not those shoes with any of them.

what sort of wedding is it?

Dark blue is my favourite:)

I like the third one along - cannot quite see the colour in photo - brown with swirly bits and fluttery sleeves- flattering and I think a good choice with a cracking necklace and updo and good underwear

Brown.
I think you need below the knees dress.
The last one has too much of holiday vibe.

I love the first two and the third one.

I think the brown is best with a decent bra and nice accessories. Agree with PP def not those shoes

I think the red and the dark blue would work well with good shoes and accessories OP.

OP, are you asking which ones look most in keeping with 2026 style? If that’s the case, the brown dress and the polka dot one look most “2026.” The others are all shorter and more structured than current fashions, though the dark blue one in particular is still perfectly acceptable for a wedding.

The polka dot one would be good with a black linen blazer over it to heighten the “summer monochrome” look and smarten it up for the occasion. It would look nice with a coloured (maybe yellow or red?) clutch and low-to-mid heeled black sandals.

The brown would also benefit from a blazer - maybe in natural/ecru to keep it all light and summery, with a brown clutch and brown or gold sandals and gold jewellery.

@apricotdreams it’s partially a length problem. Fit wise, the dark blue one fits best and is easy to accessorise. I prefer a waisted and flare dress below the knee but the op seems to like her knees showing. She seems to like that!

Midi would be nicer

Definitely the brown. You have a smashing figure.

I like the two blue ones the best. All are good.

The brown one feels the most current, but not particularly summery. I would avoid the pale blue with the flowers as that looks particularly dated and not hugely flattering.

Thanks for all the input, I do appreciate it and it's interesting to see how strangers view me. I actually like the pale blue with flowers in terms of fit and overall 'look' - I think I look slimmest in that - but accept that it is dated. Which is fair enough, because that one and the dark blue are both from about 10 years ago.

I bought Polka Dot for my honeymoon in 2004 (never wore it, me and DH are separated and getting divorced!)

I don't particularly like my knees, despite the dresses all being on the shorter side and I think my legs were probably better in my younger years.

And as I said in my OP definitely not those shoes, I just grabbed a pair of heels because my legs are 'heavy' without especially in a shorter lengthed dress.

I am 5 foot 2 which makes lengths a bit tricky (I know nobody asked but just thought I'd say!) and definitely on the curvy side and bit overweight (I weigh a little over 10 stone)

The brown one was ready to go on Vinted as I think it's about 18 years old. Or perhaps I should wait another couple of years and then list it as vintage?! So I'm a bit surprised that it comes across as the most current, but my Mum always said that fashion goes in cycles, it looks like she was right 🙂

@BarbieBrightSide Fashion definitely goes in cycles! My best “old” clothes right now are all things I’ve kept from the early 2000s. I also have some great dresses from the 2010s that still fit me but are very pre-pandemic! I’m putting them away for another 10 years when they’ll probably be bang-on trend. 😂