Summer wedding guest dress ideas please

[DRose3]

Hello

After a dress for an upcoming wedding. Early 40s size 14 😭 (post baby) but on the shorter side. Rectangle body shape but curvy & large chested so no thin straps. I’m a dark winter, but no green allowed for the wedding.

Fit and flare or A-line would work well, or a dress with a slit. No to high necks. Don’t mind some frills, fun, pattern.

Please help me find a contemporary dress 😁 I liked some of the options that were shared (on a recent wedding guest thread here) from Anthropolgie, M&S, & Boden.

Budget about £100 or less.

If I had a different body I would be rocking a beautiful silky number from Omnes/&Other stories/Reiss.

You always have great site recommendations too!

@DRose3

Which colours suit you best and how tall are you, OP?

Thanks, I’m 5ft2 and I suit dark winter colours best: black, dark and cool colours like jewel tones or berry, dark blue, chocolate brown…

https://www.johnlewis.com/adrianna-papell-petite-halterneck-ruffle-sheath-dress-navy/p114774598

Following…as I’m probably shorter, but a similar size, and have almost given up finding a wedding guest dress

What about this, OP? One left in a 14 petite in the brighter/darker blue. And plenty in the paler blue (which as it's a cool mauve-tinted blue might be a good colour for you?). Both well within budget. I presume this wedding is in the summer?

https://www.whistles.com/product/avery-smocked-dress-41359.html#cgid=Petite_Dresses_Jumpsuits_WW&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=avery-smocked-dress-41359&pos=15

This burgundy/purple dotty one is also nice, but is a bit over budget.

https://www.whistles.com/product/mini-spot-sleeveless-dress-41174.html#cgid=Petite_Dresses_Jumpsuits_WW&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=mini-spot-sleeveless-dress-41174&pos=18

Is red an option? This might be a warm red, or it might be quite a true classic red in the flesh - if you can find it in your size it looks like a really nice shape.

https://www.whistles.com/product/panel-linen-blend-dress-41126.html#cgid=Petite_Dresses_Jumpsuits_WW&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=panel-linen-blend-dress-41126&pos=22

Another cobalt blue one in petite in the sale.

https://www.whistles.com/product/shirred-v-neck-midi-dress-40113.html

Another red one under budget.

https://www.whistles.com/product/smocked-bodice-midi-dress-40940.html#cgid=Dresses_Sale_WW&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=smocked-bodice-midi-dress-40940&pos=8

Purple printed floaty dress.

https://www.whistles.com/product/orchid-print-v-neck-midi-dress-41163.html#cgid=Dresses_Sale_WW&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=orchid-print-v-neck-midi-dress-41163&pos=18

Just realised the last two aren't petite though, though that might matter more in certain styles than others?

Not a petite either, & may be too revealing for your preferences? In navy or red.

https://www.whistles.com/product/shirred-bodice-dress-41164.html#cgid=Dresses_Sale_WW&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=shirred-bodice-dress-41164&pos=45

This is a really lovely dress IMO, & either navy or lilac great for your colouring. If you can find one in your size somewhere, that is! It's not in petite but is a style that could be adjusted at the waist seam to shorten & fit well.

https://www.whistles.com/product/lace-insert-asymmetric-dress-41086.html#cgid=Dresses_Sale_WW&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=lace-insert-asymmetric-dress-41086&pos=51

Ice blue, & in a 14 petite.

https://www.whistles.com/product/bamboo-leaves-gathered-dress-39888.html

Black but diaphanous, which lightens it for summer. And could look good with gold & burgundy or crimson?

https://www.whistles.com/product/metallic-stripe-midi-dress-39334.html#isSecondPage=false&start=0&sz=60&cgid=Sale_Petite_WW&prefn1=Category%201&prefv1=Dresses&pid=metallic-stripe-midi-dress-39334&pos=22

Cobalt blue satin.

https://www.whistles.com/product/arie-hammered-satin-midi-dress-38366.html#isSecondPage=false&start=0&sz=60&cgid=Sale_Petite_WW&prefn1=Category%201&prefv1=Dresses&pid=arie-hammered-satin-midi-dress-38366&pos=34

This dress is really pretty, but you'd have to hunt your size down. The blue-green is lovely, but the pink might also work as it has cool blues & mauves in it.

https://www.whistles.com/product/floral-textured-midi-dress-40205.html#isSecondPage=false&start=0&sz=60&cgid=Sale_Petite_WW&prefn1=Category%201&prefv1=Dresses&pid=floral-textured-midi-dress-40205&pos=36

Some others from Whistles in petite, though not all in your size. But you can sign up for notifications, or look for stores that may have your size - or other stockists of Whistles as there are quite a few (Next, Fenwick, John Lewis, M&S, Fenwicks).

And these too.

I am a curvy size 12 and would wear something like this from Coast feeling confident in a real bra!

Over budget but currently 15% off code Phase Eight

A friend got this from M&S for an upcoming wedding in the Oxfordshire countryside. Beautiful on but she’s a bit taller.

This Nobody's Child one is a good strong pink, & has 15% off so almost in budget ... I like the back detail.

https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/zola-midi-dress-ss-2615354001?_gl=1169qnam_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjw1IHTBhAaEiwA4AYNFp2ojVcae5K-EYJC-l68ttXO_ZBLEaDfy2xHAL9SF4UuAVvsbMarfRoCzU0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&gbraid=0AAAAADQCJIWwgpdpcxx-CAjKIHO3rkgGy

Also rather like this, but only the regular not petite in your size.

https://roandzo.com/products/willow-pink-cut-about-stripe-dress

As always there are some suggestions that look like what people wear to the office or on a day out. So frumpy! The last few recommendations are more stylish & wedding appropriate. Next have some nice wedding guest dresses. You may even find something in the clearance section.

I have this in light blue (soft summer colour suit me best) and it is extremely comfortable. Wore it to a christening a few weeks ago in the warmer weather. I had DD help pin the back strap to my bra band and tie the bow.

Any of these?

https://www.coastfashion.com/product/coast-petite-belted-crepe-dress_bcc12254?colour=olive

https://www.coastfashion.com/product/coast-petite-belted-twill-midi-dress_bcc10570?colour=navy

Twist Front Linen Blend Dress - Black | Boden UK

https://www.wallis.co.uk/product/oasis-petite-ruffle-shoulder-midi-dress_baa09517?colour=navy

https://www.wallis.co.uk/product/wallis-petite-tencel-twist-midi-dress_byy17267?colour=navy