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.

I like this! Thank you 🙏

@ConnachtfiveThats a lace crochet I think. You really could dress it up and look great. Liberty has a sale on and so does Net a Porter. You might find something.

I feel your pain OP. I’m in my 50s and the same height so similar problems. Everything is just far too long.

Where is the black top right one from please.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/sv021217/g94088

I’ve noticed some shops (mainly online) do petite versions of some dresses, I believe I got a maxi dress in next that I got in petite

Yes I’m having to resort to petite in lots of places. Last year I tried on loads in next in regular and petite. The regular were all far too long and the petite were shorter in the body which didn’t work for me. So no new dresses at all last summer.

as for trousers in m and s I must have tried thirty pairs this year in petite and regular none fit me.

I always thought cocktail dresses are shorter? I think of them as knee length or a bit shorter. Not sure where I got that from.

Oh gosh don’t get me started on trousers, an eternal ball ache

@willowstar They are often described as shorter in the USA, but here, few mature women wear above the knees at a formal event these days. It’s therefore perfectly ok to wear midi or ballerina length. Most retailers are selling this length. Cocktail now means using an evening fabric or a silk or similar. Something a bit special. The outfit should be capable of being accessoried with earrings and other jewellery. It might have a decorated neckline - if so, no necklace needed. An evening bag and evening type shoes help elevate the look. I think it’s a fun look.

This, with some colourful statement jewelry - eg a big cuff bracelet and big earrings

Or this, again with great jewelry and shoes

Or this (it won't be as short on you)

What dress size are you, @Connachtfive ?

I like this, if it's in your size. A good shape for you? It'll be longer on you, obviously. It's accessorised casually here, but the beading on the crochet makes it evening-appropriate with the right bright accessories. I'm autumnal colouring too, but love wearing black with reds/corals/greens, & I'd pick those up in my bag, shoes, jewellery, lipstick.

https://www.mytheresa.com/gb/en/women/rixo-mylene-crochet-beaded-mini-dress-black-p00960039

I love the first two - they're adorable (too girly for me to actually wear though). The Liberty one, always a favourite.

That Saloni one is gorgeous on the model, though maybe not a cocktail dress & will be too long for the OP - but never mind, I'll have it!

Me+Em are long on me & I'm 5' 9-ish, so I think that would probably be floor-length on you? Lovely dress, but I think you could find one more suitable?

It's lovely - but will also be floor-length on you I think?

This is, I think, beautiful & I love silk twill, it's one of my favourite fabrics - though the colours may be too pale? Colourful yes, bright no ...

I love the back detail. Sage green & coral pink to pick up in accessories though?

https://gb.marella.com/p-3221176102001-mllsamba-powder

https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-oversized-bow-grab-clutch-bag-in-sage-green/prd/206447304

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4493916448/victorian-light-pink-coral-dangle-drop?ref=share_ios_native_control

https://www.anoncph.co.uk/products/cassandra-50-stiletto-crinkled-polished-goat-misty-coral

This, to me, is the very definition of a cocktail dress. And I think the classic 60s style will look good on someone shorter too. It should be around knee-length on you, OP? Not sure if you want something with a sleeve though, either short or long?

Heels definitely, but they don't have to be towering.

https://www.mytheresa.com/gb/en/women/alemais-beaded-minidress-green-p00990291

It's an Erdem one, I think.

Another Alemais one. Too strongly patterned? Ignore the casual bag & sandals - I like these retro heels.

https://www.mytheresa.com/gb/en/women/alemais-sizzle-sequined-minidress-multicoloured-p01033849

If you do prefer sleeves, this Zadig & Voltaire silk tunic dress with lace details is really pretty. Their vibe is rock chick, but ignore what they've paired it with & it would be fab with gold accessories & jewellery.

https://zadig-et-voltaire.com/eu/uk/p/WWDR02618689/ramasco-silk-dress-in-pink-with-lace

Definitely colourful!

And a really nice shape too. Broderie anglaise, but with gold jewellery & perhaps clashing hot pink bag/shoes, it would fit the bill IMO. I also like the heels worn with it.

https://www.hobbs.com/product/malikah-broderie-mini-dress/0126-5409-1144L00-CALENDULA-RED.html

Cocktail wear is shorter length and often very glam - think beaded, sequins, feathers, silk fabric. Some of these dresses are not cocktail wear they are more day dresses. Adrianna Papell at John Lewis do a petite range and should have some cocktail dresses. Also within budget. There are lots on there that would be suitable including a knee length beaded green dress labeled cocktail dress which should give you more of an idea. Even the standard fit dresses can fit shorter people by having the length trimmed.

I think this particular dress would be too long but the style of longer back shorter front could be a good one to go for.

https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-godet-jacquard-fishtail-maxi-dress-in-plum/prd/210684459#colourWayId-210684463