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.

What about this OP? Seems the right kind of shape - would be longer on you of course - and is colourful enough that it fits the colourful brief without being OTT. Would look great with a red accessory or two (but no more!) if you wanted to up the colour quotient.

Or this from Sezane is a similar idea

Ot perhaps this although not sure either colour will be right?

It does rather ...!! It is lined in cotton, if that helps, @deeahgwitch ?!!!

This Alemais one is gorgeous, but is described as midi when, by any stretch of the imagination, it's not even midi on the model!!!

I would wear it to an event with a cocktail event though, despite the length. But I suspect it would touch the floor on the OP, & the print doesn't make for easy altering. I suppose it is possible, with a very good seamstress ...??

https://www.harveynichols.com/alemais/monkey-dance-printed-silk-midi-dress-69597-rust-rust-248136/?utmsource=octer&utmmedium=affiliate&utmcampaign=HarveyNicholsUK&utmcontent=&clickref=giCj0KCQjwlqTRBhCBARIsANrkrxhVF2eFGRn1GusGU-I-4ws3iOgYGynXgv3UA74UqvMZm-4gxlITU8aAvJwEALwwcB&gadsource=1&gadcampaignid=23543913266&gbraid=0AAAABC1V8VprqnaG1NIJ4fGO1b8p-6VME

@Connachtfive If olive/beige/gold tones are your default, how about something like one of these dresses (which should be around knee-length on you) instead? Beaded & sequinned, or silk & lace. With gold accessories?

https://www.johnlewis.com/ro-zo-nina-drop-sequin-mini-dress-green/p114108973
https://penelopechilvers.com/products/puffball-leather-designer-clutch
https://www.thereformation.com/products/jessalyn-silk-dress/1319065.html
https://www.anoncph.co.uk/products/banie-50-stiletto-crackled-metallic-goat-gold
https://ebay.io/m/id0Zra

I do like that dress - & the OP might like the green version. But for me, the combination of the big bow at the back PLUS the dramatic blouson sleeves, tips it from sophisticated/elegant towards girlish/fun.

No bad thing of course, depending on the wearer & event. But it is a dress that I think I would feel is too girly for me.

This is GORGEOUS

You can’t wear a cotton broderie anglaise or cheesecloth dress as a cocktail dress.

I like the JL one you posted but it’s not really colourful

I’m not really up with what is in fashion currently as most dresses that are don’t currently suit me.

But if someone says cocktail party to me i think glamour like breakfast in Tiffany’s or mad men.

so if I could find it to fit me I’d go for a dress in this sort of style (in a bright colour as it says colourful) with jewellery.

https://www.theprettydresscompany.com/products/the-pretty-dress-company-riviera-signature-swing-dress?variant=56064000164172&country=GB&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=4&gad_campaignid=21312539734&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlqTRBhCBARIsANrkrxg8nqzk-DjzYmfP_jAJD15OVGCjTkOoIj0lL64FZ9JiCTDyRHmYvAIaAoQWEALw_wcB

This green ruffle from Liberty is definitely not frumpy. The model is 5’ 10 donut would be a bit longer. Definitely a cocktail dress

I really like this dress: and very much fits the brief style wise

I’ve stepped away from the website as there’s tons of nice dresses….and I’m not going to a colourful cocktail party wedding 😁

That’s really nice but I’m the same height as you. I avoid ones with the longer sections as imagine the dress four inches further down and then those sections are too low.

There really are… I must also step away- Literally in the middle of a clear out of excess clothes 😂

I am 52 with great legs, I happily wear shorter dresses. I am going to a cocktail party at the weekend and am wearing an AllSaints dress, definitely above the knee. It is on the more casual end of cocktail dresses but I have others from when I used to go to formal dinners in Cambridge and they are also above the knee. Not harping back to the 60s at all, it is just what suits me.

I cleared my wardrobe down to basics only last year. Really helped my mental health.

You'd have to get this taken up I guess, but it's very effortlessly stylish: Me + Em

I also really like the gold one from Jigsaw, and the Alemais ones, all beautiful.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/257366900539

It is a beautiful rich colour in real life

I am quoting the wrong post I think and that's why I'm editing - anyway, I have the Reiss Ellery (the one in hot pink posted my @EleanorMc67 ) in brown and it is really lovely and hangs beautifully. I'm quite tall, 5'8", and it's just above my knees.

BTW @EleanorMc67 you are always hugely helpful on these threads!

It's a beauty, isn't it? If it was still in stock in a 14, I might even consider a diet ... 😁

Well, she can - if she really wants to!

I agree that the Hobbs broderie anglaise one isn't quite there as cocktail wear on its own. But the OP has been attracted to very plain things so far. Plus broderie anglaise is lacy & it's colourful - so with cocktail dress-type accessories, she could make it work & - if she wanted to - get some wear from it afterwards.

Cute - can't really go wrong with Audrey Hepburn as inspiration!

It's a beautiful dress, & very much suitable for a wedding with a cocktail-dress code.

But (& maybe this is just me??) I'm a bit younger than the OP, & I wouldn't wear it. I am tall with slim legs & arms, so a one-shouldered dress? Yes. A mini dress? Yes. But both together - no, though I'd have happily worn it when I was younger.

I would feel odd wearing this in my late 50s - it would feel too try-hard. I am considered stylish by both my nephew & my goddaughter (which is really nice to know!). And I do have confidence in my own choices - most of the time! However, my goddaughter is 23, & this is the sort of dress that she might wear to a similar event - I think that's where I personally draw the line!

Thank you! That's nice to hear - I enjoy the analysis & the hunt for options! Especially if I can involve secondhand or vintage ...

I’m 56 and would wear it 🤷🏼‍♀️

Don’t really like age rules, think it’s much more figure and vibe

And the Alemais long shift thing would make me look like an enthusiastic plump art teacher

Each to their own, but that is very much not cool cocktail wear