Please help dress a frump I for a wedding with a colourful cocktail dress code 🙏

[Connachtfive]

Hello you lovely stylish people.
Im the frumpy aunt. I want to be the stylish aunt. Please help. I’m 60. 5ft 4inches. In reasonable shape. I’ve no idea where to start with the colourful cocktail dress code. The wedding is in London in August. Budget up to £300. I’ve been procrastinating so any ideas, styles and tips very gratefully received.

Which colours would you say you look your best in, OP?

Ohhh thank you for your interest 🙏 Apparently I’m a warm autumn. Blues, greens, corals and gold. I’m always in jeans and T-shirts. I don’t own a dress 😵‍💫😳

Perhaps you could post some pictures of styles or colours you like, OP? Are you after a dress, or trousers? Do you wear heels?

Any bridzilla who has dress code needs to include £500 worth of clothing vouchers with the invitation!

The Phase Eight Sale is underway

How about this sort of thing?

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/talia-sequin-overlay-maxi-dress-10002560402.html

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/lula-lace-dress-10003570250.html

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/julissa-blue-wide-leg-jumpsuit-10017550408.html

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/imogen-corsage-off-the-shoulder-jumpsuit-10006350693.html

IMHO, I’ve fairly good legs! I feel swamped in midi dresses. I’m more comfortable in a shift dress style. My challenge is that I don’t feel like I have any style and anything I admire looks fantastic those taller than me, but not on me. I don’t usually wear heels but will for the occasion that’s in it. I’m not keen on patterns. 🙏

The first two are interesting but maybe a bit fussy? I think I’m too short to carry either of them off. Thank you though 🙏

I like this Nobody’s Child at M&S yellow? It came up on a petite filter - it’s 134 cm long, how would that be?

Just an idea / I was looking at this for an upcoming ball

Link didn’t post

www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/marchesa-notte/dresses/gowns/embroidered-tulle-gown/1647597345577327

Or this? www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/self-portrait/dresses/maxi-dresses/ruffled-sequined-mesh-midi-dress/46376663163029491

https://www.reiss.com/style/sv045904/v69262

https://www.reiss.com/style/su623299/f61558

https://www.reiss.com/style/su647752/av6501

Phase 8, Monsoon, Hobbs are my go to I’m early 50s.

@Connachtfive Don’t look at phase 8. You can do much better! Shift dresses are quite difficult to find at the moment. There’s far more waisted dresses around. Or bias cut which is only for the confident and skinny! I’ll have a look!

How do you feel about this style and colour? Although pinkish rather than coral maybe:

Rebecca Vallance Marbella dress (My Theresa)

Or separates? Might be more versatile:

Boden cornflower blue lace co-ord set

Wildcard - bell sleeves are not my thing but worth a shot!

Green Boden patterned long-sleeved knee-length dress

Let us know what you think to these - it all helps refine the brief!

I like all three of these but the first two - at least - feel more black tie to me than cocktail, personally.

These are from ME&EM. Not hugely colourful but perfect in terms of quality of fabric and very wearable. Up scale shoes and add jewellery and you will be great.

I LOVE the 2nd dress on the top right hand side.

There’s quite a lot of chocolate brown around which I think would suit you but doesn’t really meet the brief of colourful. I like this gold dress from Jigsaw.

https://www.jigsaw-online.com/collections/dresses/products/metallic-curved-seam-dress-gold

Some of the department stores may have a medium in stock.

Thank you for looking. I wouldn’t have the confidence to wear bright yellow and I’m not keen on the shoulders 🙏

Are you definitely wanting a dress? Something like this with some cream or navy trousers would look amazing

https://beatricevontresckow.com/products/pink-silk-wrap-blouse?pos=3&sid=d00f0ec21&ss=r

If this goes into the sale in the next few weeks you’d have time for it to be made for you:

https://cawleystudio.com/collections/made-to-order-1/products/silk-dupion-erika-dress-4?variant=52554574299402

Alemais always has lots on sale at various UK stockists:

https://alemais.com/collections/dresses/products/faye-mini-dress

Thank you.
I like the first dress, but I don’t have much of a waist.
I the corn flower blue colour of the second dress.
I’m keen on the third Boden long sleeve dress.