Dress to get married in (NOT for a wedding!)

[Nowedding]

After over 25 years of being engaged we're getting married. Not telling anyone apart from DC who are now old enough to be witnesses.
I DON'T want a wedding dress, want something I can wear again. I'm 54, size 22/24, 5ft 8. DP may well just turn up in shorts...
Budget - under £150

It is a wedding if a marriage is taking place! (It’s kind of adorable that you think you can swerve this fact.😄)

I’m looking at ASOS Curve. There appears to be much more choice at size 22 than at 22/24, but several dresses in the size 22 filter are actually available in a 24. Some dresses will be more generously cut than others so you’d need to experiment. If you don’t think you’ll wear a dress again you could sell it afterwards.

Anyway: (first two a little over budget)

Pink, fabulous

Yellow, gorgeous.

Pink, pretty, wearable all summer.

This is just a very small selection by way of example. Take a look at everything there. It’s not a waste of time if you hate them all - there are other places.

what's your style OP?
And how dressy/formal do you wnat it to be or not?

I am similar age and size and I would not wear any of those ASOS curve ones, which made me think, we need a little bit more info about what your normal style is.
If your were a wedding guest, what would you wear?

You don't have to dress up at all in fact it may be more comfortable to wear your familiar clothes.

Pink one - nope hate it, need sleeves and it's too dressy
Yellow one - nope, too yellow!
Pink one - don't like the holes or the colour

My style is much more understated and casual. Wear quite a bit of whitestuff. Don't mind colour, but not block bright colour. Prefer midi or maxi length.

Have ordered these, but been told on caht thread that neither would be suitable

I went to John Lewis and just bought a dress I loved and felt good in for our registry office wedding.
Looking on their website they have loads in size 22/24 - and let you filter by length, sleeve etc

Some I like but might not be your style at all 😄

https://www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-julissa-short-sleeve-v-neck-midi-dress/green/p113732222

https://www.johnlewis.com/ghost-sadie-v-neck-midi-dress/red/p113053628

https://www.johnlewis.com/scarlett-jo-kemi-floral-wrap-bodice-maxi-dress-green-cream/p113545421

But have a look for yourself - there’s loads on there!

Sorry you posted whilst I was posting about block colour not being for you 😄

I don't know what caht is but it's your wedding so if you like them they are suitable. That's all that counts.

Nothing is ‘unsuitable’. On the other thread I said the black was ok but a bit wintery. And the other is a little underwhelming for the occasion.

I was looking at Karen Millen - will strike out anything in broderie anglaise.

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/roxanna-pleated-diamond-maxi-dress-221558520.html

well it is your wedding so it is suitable if you like it and it feels right?

They both look like the sort of thing you have been describing.

I like the red and black one and would not care if others thought it was unsuitable for some reason.

I've just been looking at the Hobbs sale, they go up to size 22, so it depends on fit/shape, but they have a few nice dresses that would be good for a wedding and for special occasions afterwards.

Women's Dress Sale | Up to 50% off | Hobbs UK |

You could possibly also look on Vinted. Lots of people will buy nice dresses wear them once or twice and then sell them on. Or perhaps go to an outlet mall and try a few on. Somewhere like Cheshire Oaks, Bicester Village or McArthur Glen - Places like Hobbs, Karen Millen, Monsoon etc are likely to have something nice.

There are a few in John Lewis I like g what do you think?

Apologies, didnt mean to offend xxx

What about something like this for style/print?

I like the second two John Lewis ones (though all four are fine).

At this point I'd check in with what your partner is planning to wear so you can complement each other's summery casual vibe, then pick one. I think you two will look great👍

The cream one with big flowers looks great!

I love the black monsoon dress you chose op, I think it’s gorgeous and easy to rewear.

Scarlett & Jo cater for a ladies in the sizes you are looking at. Have everything from the more casual every day wear to the posh dresses. They are a pretty flattering fit too.

https://www.scarlettandjo.com/

Similar size to you, I like Kit and Kaboodle for linen flowy dresses that are just comfortable to wear. Sadly after having a quick look at the site they only have one peachy coloured dress that's at the dressy end, rather than just hot summer day dresses imo.
https://kitandkaboodal.com/products/lulworth-layered-rosette-linen-dress-orange?_pos=21&_fid=57d102ca7&_ss=c

https://www.evans.co.uk/printed-hi-lo-dress-black-leaf-p

Might help to also pin down the style, I suit wraparounds and v necks, and dresses that just hang from the boobs, skimming over the tummy. Anything with a stitched waist or stops at the knee is a no no for me.

My parents' friends are presently on holiday to celebrate their pearl wedding anniversary. The bride wore jeans, a metal band t-shirt and a rather cool leather jacket. The groom the same jeans and t-shirt but with a baseball cap on back to front with Bad Dog on it! They still dress like that. Though not the baseball cap.

I'm not suggesting this as a fashion choice but to show you can wear whatever you want.

Have a fab day.

Light Blue Lace Trim Milkmaid Midi Dress | New Look https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/light-blue-lace-trim-milkmaid-midi-dress/p/952089245

Something alongside these lines.

Pretty, comes in 4 colours and can be dressed up to look a bit more wedding like or down for a lunch date.

I like thecyellow one

Thanks all, have ordered a few. Really don't want to make a big deal out of this, and probably have something in my wardrobe which would be fine.