Another wedding guest one (sorry!)

[BitLippie]

Summer black tie wedding coming up and haven’t a clue what to wear. All the high street-level black tie dresses seem hideously cheap and prom dress looking.

Wedding is at a very high end venue in London.

I’m late 40s, tall, size 12 hourglass, long legs (yay), saggy bust and slight mum tum (boo).

I don’t want to look like mother of the bride OR like an aged Love Island wannabe, which seems to be whats available on the high street.

Where do I look? I could hire instead of buy. Open to either.

Thank you in advance!

Have you had a look on ASOS as there's some really lovely stuff on there in the wedding guest arena at the moment, they do a tall range, but what I will say is the midi/maxi lengths in the regular range can also run very long and they do include model height in the description so its worth keeping an eye out on the regular height stuff....

I also agree with getting stuff tailored! I am an hourglass and its changed the game for me. To the point im annoyed I didnt start doing it sooner!

It stretches your budget, OP - but if you like this then keep an eye out for it returning in your size (OOS right now). A sale bargain, classy, silk, beautiful - & great with your colouring. A maxi not a gown - but add silver sandals & jewellery & it would be lovely. And wearable for lots of other events afterwards (or excellent resale value).

https://www.libertylondon.com/uk/ezra-venus-silk-gala-dress-000854243.html

I'd also very happily wear this silk top & trousers to a black-tie wedding, & feel better-dressed than many wearers of OTT "frocks". Plus they're separates that can be worn again, but essentially look like a jumpsuit.

I'd add a silver, possibly jewelled, belt (I have a gorgeous turquoise 60s vintage one!) & low silver heels.

https://www.libertylondon.com/uk/ezra-venus-silk-palazzo-trousers%C2%A0-000854273.html

Somewhat off topic, but this just popped up in my Insta feed. The Brooklyn Museum's Artists' Ball ... Some fabulous outfits!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYQMtvVx4SH/?igsh=MWxqcGFocXo0OXRtZQ==

Might this be worth a try, OP? Very much within budget at £24.99!!!! And would look good with cool metallics?

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1344208001.html

Also like this ... very 70s glam. No bra worries but still shows off your waist? Big simple gold accessories for this. And gold flats.

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1323472001.html

@EleanorMc67I like palazzo pants and a matching top but not a jump suit. They are now nowhere near as popular as they were. Mainly because you cannot separate them and a total faff in the loos. Black or navy satin trousers and matching top with beading works well.

Yes, I do wonder about those posters on MN who love jumpsuits & say they have no problem disrobing in a toilet ... ditto bodies, even if they do have poppers.

The silk/satin top & trouser option could work - but there don't seem to be that many around that seem special enough for black tie, within the OP's budget ...?

@EleanorMc67 I do think budget is the issue but I’ve just bought an amazing pair from Marks! Not the widest but slinky satin and super quality. They are a strong buttermilk colour but great for summer afternoon to evening.

I was lusting after this coord but no events to wear it to this year….https://share.google/WOYtIvkbYbsU8H2Ya

I saw those - lovely colour & the matching top is very pretty - but strapless ... I love daytime satin if it's not too thick & cheap & shiny. M&S does it well - Jigsaw too.

My days of wearing cropped tops are over ... but I loved them in my 20s! I had a black cotton fitted lace one with matching pencil skirt that was my favourite going-out outfit ...

The similar dress is also lovely, though not quite black-tie, I don't think. Wedding guest yes, but they're linen-blend so i don't think it's eveningy enough?

Just popping in to say I have read all your suggestions and can’t thank you all enough!

I’ve done a mass order on my credit card of dresses to try on - some pricier ones a bit above my budget (ME&EM, Ralph Lauren, Reiss) a couple from Goddiva and a few of the ‘not too skimpy or cheap looking ones (I hope)’ from ASOS. Just have to be organised about returns…it’s cost a bloody fortune!!

Will report back!

Good luck! I did look through ASOS & thought the quality of some stuff looked a bit iffy - bias-cut dresses with puckered seams etc. Hopefully you won't have that issue & you'll find something great from there or the more expensive places!

I spotted a few other things while scrolling last night, so may just post them anyway (if your credit card can cope!).

Ok - so….

Predictably the AX Paris and Club L dresses weren’t great. But for £60 maybe I was hoping for too much. Very weird sizing, though - two size 12s were very snug and one was huge and hanging off me.

One dress from Goddiva via ASOS was really nice. Surprisingly good quality and fit well. The others were awful - maybe more about style than the actual dresses. I realise I need a split to show off a flash of leg if the dress is floor length or I just look like a column of fabric, being so tall.

The Ralph Lauren dress is my favourite so far. Probably the most boring of the bunch, as dark navy and plain, but I think I can dress it up with accessories and the quality is beautiful - fits like a glove and is very flattering.
Ralph Lauren dress

Do you reckon gold shoes/bag/earrings? Or something else?

Still waiting for dresses to arrive from Reiss & ME&EM.

Off to the post office later to do a mass return of all unsuitable frocks! 😆