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Help Me Find the Perfect Summer Pub Wedding Guest Dress for an Aging Hippy!

59 replies

seanconneryseyebrow · 06/05/2026 16:57

Please wise MNetters help me chose a fab dress. My lovely cousins wedding is coming up, we are going to the reception in daytime but will run on all night. Its just a local pub, very casual, but everyone there is very glamorous. I want to look glam but not in a evening/cocktail type way but in a fancy garden party type way (is that a thing - Im not good at this).
Im 51, pasty as fuck, red hair, curvy hourglass, 5,10 inches, size 10. Hate my arms and legs (very chunky so rather they were covered), but have a cracking rack and flat tum/small waist that I like to emphasise. Wont wear heels. I know its not the done thing now, but I like florals if done right. My usual 'uniform' is a kinda mad art teacher vibe, patterned jumpers, dungarees, docs, messy curly hair, bold ditsy print dresses etc. Id be prepared to pay 200 odd for a real cracker.
Inspo people whose look I like - Kimmy from Ladies of London. Love that mad but classy/fancy look. I think I could pull that off...maybe!

Hope thats enough of a brief. Would love your wise recommends!

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PhaedraTwo · 13/05/2026 13:05

EleanorMc67 · 13/05/2026 12:45

Can I ruin that one by saying the pattern placement looks like the head of a ram or a goat? It's the first thing I saw.

Help Me Find the Perfect Summer Pub Wedding Guest Dress for an Aging Hippy!
BIossomtoes · 13/05/2026 13:13

The pink Boden one is lovely. A lot of the others look a bit too bridal to me.

seanconneryseyebrow · 13/05/2026 15:53

Ordering this. I am loving the bells sleeves, and i love yellow. @EleanorMc67 you sweet thing giving me all those links, but I just cant risk second hand. Its such a faff to send back and I have such a weird body. Id say 60 per cent of what I buy gets sent back, so I cant do second hand unless its jumpers. But thank you, you defo know what Im after!

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EleanorMc67 · 13/05/2026 16:23

seanconneryseyebrow · 13/05/2026 15:53

Ordering this. I am loving the bells sleeves, and i love yellow. @EleanorMc67 you sweet thing giving me all those links, but I just cant risk second hand. Its such a faff to send back and I have such a weird body. Id say 60 per cent of what I buy gets sent back, so I cant do second hand unless its jumpers. But thank you, you defo know what Im after!

That's a shame!

There's no possibility you could try a new Camilla dress in a store, to see what the fit is like? A lot of my clothing (which is almost all bought from eBay/Vinted, plus some sales etc) is either tried on first or from a brand & style I know will fit.

There are certain styles that are more likely to fit, if they offer flexibility at the waist. Wrap/kimono styles, so that you can pull them in tighter. Elasticated/ruched waists as they're so flexible - the style is quite deep in lots of dresses right now.

A bit like this: https://www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shop/the-somerset-maxi-dress3

Help Me Find the Perfect Summer Pub Wedding Guest Dress for an Aging Hippy!
Help Me Find the Perfect Summer Pub Wedding Guest Dress for an Aging Hippy!
Help Me Find the Perfect Summer Pub Wedding Guest Dress for an Aging Hippy!
Help Me Find the Perfect Summer Pub Wedding Guest Dress for an Aging Hippy!
EleanorMc67 · 13/05/2026 16:30

This one is belted but the dress itself isn't fitted at the waist, so will also have flexibility.

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/aimee-v-neck-floral-print-midi-shirt-dress-pink-1000976280.html

Help Me Find the Perfect Summer Pub Wedding Guest Dress for an Aging Hippy!
Help Me Find the Perfect Summer Pub Wedding Guest Dress for an Aging Hippy!
EleanorMc67 · 13/05/2026 18:06

PhaedraTwo · 13/05/2026 13:05

Can I ruin that one by saying the pattern placement looks like the head of a ram or a goat? It's the first thing I saw.

Well they are all very hippy flower-child ... & I can see quite a few different animal heads in that, depending on which bit I squint at! Maybe it's subliminal pagan/Wiccan messaging ...??!

That wouldn't really put me off though - my bathroom has a ram's skull on the wall, along with other bits of dead things ...! They're a wee bit too hippy for my own personal taste, but it's nice to see unusual prints & real silk.

PortSalutPlease · 13/05/2026 18:50

Have a look at Fumbelinas and One Hundred Stars

EleanorMc67 · 13/05/2026 19:32

PortSalutPlease · 13/05/2026 18:50

Have a look at Fumbelinas and One Hundred Stars

I think the OP wants to emphasise her small waist - kaftans (much as I love them) have no waist at all!

EleanorMc67 · 13/05/2026 19:35

I'd forgotten about that dress - I've linked it before! Good suggestion for the OP (if she loves green that is ...) - & you've reminded me that I really like it too ...!!

Overthemoun · 13/05/2026 19:35

EleanorMc67 · 13/05/2026 19:35

I'd forgotten about that dress - I've linked it before! Good suggestion for the OP (if she loves green that is ...) - & you've reminded me that I really like it too ...!!

Gorgeous with red hair

Ultravox · 13/05/2026 20:37

I think the dresses you have ordered (and the ones in your original post) are way too white for a wedding.

LiquidSquid · 14/05/2026 08:00

I posted these on another thread, from New Look. I think they fit your brief too.

Help Me Find the Perfect Summer Pub Wedding Guest Dress for an Aging Hippy!
Help Me Find the Perfect Summer Pub Wedding Guest Dress for an Aging Hippy!
PortSalutPlease · 14/05/2026 08:48

EleanorMc67 · 13/05/2026 19:32

I think the OP wants to emphasise her small waist - kaftans (much as I love them) have no waist at all!

These ones have draw string waists so you can cinch them. That way you can be both snatched and a hippy at the same time ☺️

MerylSqueak · 18/05/2026 07:38

This was linked on another thread yesterday. I'm not sure if you'd go for the colour with red hair but it's lovely.
Frankie Dress | Raishma | Wolf & Badger https://share.google/bdIIYjASdoqklR541

Goldbar26 · 18/05/2026 21:48

Try Farm Rio

seanconneryseyebrow · 21/05/2026 12:19

MerylSqueak · 18/05/2026 07:38

This was linked on another thread yesterday. I'm not sure if you'd go for the colour with red hair but it's lovely.
Frankie Dress | Raishma | Wolf & Badger https://share.google/bdIIYjASdoqklR541

oh thats heavenly. I wear red a lot actually, I know I shouldnt but i love it and I always get compliments so it cant be that bad. Never been good with rules, lol

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