Muslim-appropriate dress for wedding guest

[Clubbiscuit]

Help please to find a stretchy, flattering sleeved maxi dress without a low front for a short, traditionally built lady. I’m size 18 and have a bust and big thighs but I do go in at the waist. It’s a work thing and an Islamic summer wedding.

I don’t want to spend a lot because I doubt I’ll wear it again. Btw, I can’t wear shoulder pads (I’m too blocky), have warm toned skin and bright red (dyed) hair. I’m an old goth but don’t want to go full Vampira as I have to impress people for business reasons 🙂

I’ve had a few nice bits on shein :

https://api-shein.shein.com/h5/sharejump/appjump?link=RVx3EJYTrLd_8&localcountry=GB&shc=2_RVx3EJYTrLd&url_from=GM759319803

and

https://api-shein.shein.com/h5/sharejump/appjump?link=RVxmwUawrKt_8&localcountry=GB&shc=2_RVxmwUawrKt&url_from=GM759319803

Does it have to have long sleeves & be a full maxi, @Clubbiscuit ? Would short/elbow-length sleeves & a past-the-calf dress not be fine? Are dresses not something that you ever wear? As I'm sure you could find something appropriate that you could bling up with jewellery, & wear it again - which makes it more economical & useful, & less throwaway/straight to the charity shop?

Does it have to be stretchy, as it shouldn't need to be to fit you properly?

What height are you?

By not very much, cost-wise, are you talking under £50/100, less or more - as everyone has different opinions on what inexpensive means!!!!

IF (!) you had a spare £400 going to splash on something lovely that you would wear again, I'd suggest this. The colour would be great on you, it's suitably modest, & the slightly pulled-in waist would suit your shape. It would also look good with big gold earrings & flat gold sandals.

If you like this sort of thing, there are plenty of cheaper alternatives out there?

https://gb.marinarinaldi.com/p-8621076706003-mrscabina-wine-coloured

What is the origin of the family? Wedding attire for a muslim family from say the Gulf states will be different to a Pakistani family to a Malaysian one. Is there anyone within the family or close to them you could ask?

For summer, I'd be trying to get a natural fibre like cotton or silk. Many shops now have a 'modest' clothing range. I'd avoid white and black.
https://www.johnlewis.com/browse/women/modest-clothing/dresses/_/N-ls4rZ1z13zt3?sortBy=priceLow

I think as a non-Muslim guest there will be more leeway in what she wears? Agree that natural fibres (or a blend with viscose, or Ecovero viscose itself) would be best.

What about something like this, @Clubbiscuit ? Although it will probably need taken up unless you're tall & wearing heels! Both the slightly coral-pink, & the rusty brown, should suit your colouring? £45 from H&M, in viscose, & reviews say the fabric drapes nicely.

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1314758002.html

I would rent something like this: https://byrotation.com/products/arrange-yellow-dresses-cmhi4qrpn006vfn2q80j3n9ms

It’s fine to layer a dress to make it modest, I’ve worn a spaghetti strapped dress with a long sleeved t shirt to a Muslim event for instance (plus scarf)

I also like this one, which is reduced well. The fabric is a cotton/polyester jacquard with metallic gold shimmery thread through it, & I think your bright red hair would look good against it! These kaftans tend to run large & it says to size down - plus you don't want to look drowned in fabric, especially if you're on the short side. You could pair it with red or bronze metallics.

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1263347001.html

The print on this one is lovely & makes it look a lot more expensive than H&M - it's a very Bloomsbury hand-painted style. Polyester satin though, unfortunately - though I wore a 1970s synthetic maxi last night on a warm & sticky evening - & because it's so loose-cut the fabric really wasn't an issue.

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1314800001.html

£400 to look like you’re cosplaying as a Roman. 🤣

This is a light cotton/viscose mix, which ties at the front so would need to be worn over something like a maxi-length black slip dress.

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1322431001.html

There are worse things to cosplay at ... what are your suggestions??

Look at Raishma dresses John Lewis.

They also do some fab two piece shirt and loose trousers combos in black shades that might appeal to you and you’d get lots of wear out of them maybe as separates for everyday or together for other weddings etc.

Shein is never the answer.

Something like this would work
https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc148498079

or this one with a wee vest underneath if needed
https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc147743247

or https://www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/women/clothing/dresses/blue-floral-tiered-maxi-dress/p/30030157 again with a scarf/wrap if v-neck not appropriate.

Apricot maxi dress

What about something like this? I wore a similar style when I attended my Muslim friend's wedding reception.

I've been to 2 Muslim weddings and for each wore a shorter dress with elbow length sleeves over wide legged trousers so it looked like shalwar kameez, with a thin scarf in case I needed to cover my head (I didnt).

I like quite a few of their pieces - though they might well cost more than the OP wants to pay? Agree that the separates could be versatile afterwards - or even just a patterned top/light jacket worn with a plain maxi skirt/dress for the wedding itself.

I had this once. Modest does not havre to mean bulky or kaftanny. I wore a silky narrow, long but strappy dress in a nice dressy floral fabric with a bit of sheen (from a charity shop), and over the top one of those cobwebby sleeves. My friend (sister of the groom) told me afterwards it was perfect.

The first green one is a good colour, & cotton. Out of stock though right now. Agree that Shein shouldn't be a default for buying clothes cheaply. Vinted/eBay would be my first choice, personally.

Didn't spot it was out of stock. They also have this one which is similar. (but not green)

https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc148177566

If you like to clash colours with your hair, @Clubbiscuit , this blue one could look good?

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1276491006.html

Something like this maybe with the keyhole closed a bit.

I am mixed race (Pakistani and English) and have attended a few Muslim weddings but don’t wear traditional Pakistani clothes. I have worn a maxi satin shirt dresses most recently.

You haven’t mentioned the ethnic background of the couple, but in my experience they are very dressy affairs, lots of glitz and glam and colourful.

I would recommend a maxi dress with heels, in a bold or bright colour… dress up not down.

The most important thing is to feel comfortable though, I always try to find something that is appropriate but still feels like me, not a costume.

Editing to say that a lot of the things posted are far too casual and would look out of place - think evening wear, not summer holiday.

I’m still pondering what a traditionally built lady is 😂 or more to the point, what is a non-traditionally built woman?

Have you read the books about the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, set in Botswana, by Alexander McCall Smith, which explains all? If not you are in for a treat.