What to wear over a summer dress?

[Lordofmyflies]

I've bought this beautiful dress from Doen for DS graduation plus other summer events and I have now realised the likelihood is that it will be cold and probably raining. What would you wear over it? Size 16 but tall (5ft 11) with F cup. Budget up to £400/£500.

If it’s raining I’d wear my most appropriate rainwear and take it off when I go inside for the ceremony.

For a cooler day - a light (non-thermal!) vest (plus slip) underneath should do the trick.

I don’t see why it would be necessary to spend much extra on a purely utilitarian garment that need not be part of your ‘outfit’ for the important part of the day.

(And I say that as an inveterate spendthrift who loves nothing better than spending money on clothes.)

I’d get a cream cropped trench and a lovely pale green umbrella

I agree. For that dress I'd wear this Toast waxed coat because (a) it's green and (b) because it's Toast it would go with the slightly hippy/dippy, bucolic vibe of Doen. I wouldn't buy it specifically but I already own it. I bought small man's size rather than women's as it's longer. Or my (genuine) Mackintosh or even a Barbour, but definitely wouldn't buy new unless I didn't have a raincoat.

Toast waxed coat

Ha! Someone else with a men’s coat from Toast.😁 Though mine’s definitely deep winter wear. And despite possessing other coats, the thing I love and wear most is a unisex kagool from Margaret Howell.

Honestly, @Lordofmyflies, unless you want the outerwear to be your outfit, or you particularly want to buy new outerwear just because, you probably have something perfectly suitable already.

On the other hand - to be helpful -

Plumo

always has interesting outwear and this is cute.

Hmm. Thank you for all the ideas. I do have a thick puffer style coat (too bulky) and a dark green raincoat (smells of dog treats) so I wanted to find something I can use as a dressier option. Like the thought of a cardi or short trench though!

Or something like this Erdem jacket? On sale for £500 at Net-a-Porter in Small, but probably available elsewhere in other sizes. Maybe in other colours:

I think this approach is a good one - sort of rural chic. I really love that coat but now have a self-imposed ban on buying raincoats without hoods, for reasons of practicality 😳

I really like @minnowonthesay’s suggestion of pale trench and green umbrella.
Otherwise I would suggest https://www.meandem.com/textured-cardi-blazer-ivory or
https://www.meandem.com/the-wear-with-everything-fitted-utility-jacket-ivory or
https://www.meandem.com/slim-feminine-military-jacket-ivory