What to wear to a smart wedding in Scotland in November

[Gladtimeslady]

I've been invited to a smart wedding in Scotland in November. Despite the fact that I'm in my 70s, I've just realised that I have only ever been to summer weddings and I have no idea what to wear at a winter wedding. I have dresses I can wear, but what do I do about a coat? My only smart coat is an olive green gabardine raincoat. It's a good quality, expensive coat but it doesn't seem very wedding like. And it wouldn't look right with a fancy wedding hat. What do people do - just wear a drab coat for the service and only start looking like a wedding guest when they take the coat off at the reception? (I obviously don't want to buy a smart coat just for this one occasion.)

How about something like this? On eBay. Geiger Austria Vintage Boiled Wool Cape Red Grey Statement Button Classic EU38 | eBay UK

Lots of helpful advice here. Many thanks to everyone who has taken the time to reply. I really appreciate it.

I think I will look for a good quality secondhand wool coat. As people have said, I would almost certainly get wider use out of it (although the last few winters have been pretty warm in SE England and I haven't really felt the need for one).

Interesting to hear such different views on hats. We are quite keen on hats in our family so I am sure I will not be the only person wearing one. I quite like the idea of a fedora. Or a beret as I've already mentioned. If I go for a hat, I will probably hire something nice.

Although I'm English, I married into a Scottish family (albeit most members don't live in Scotland any more). So I've been to a fair number of Scottish weddings - just not in winter - and ceilidhs. I can reassure those of you who are worrying that I will not be wearing tartan and that the male guests I know own their own kilts!

But I am interested to hear that rented kilts can always be spotted. I have a young male relative (aged 20) who has never lived in Scotland but has Scottish lineage and who was thinking he would like to hire a kilt as all his relatives will be wearing kilts. Should I discourage him?

I'm sure not all can be spotted but there is a look of being uncomfortable and unfamiliar with it, fiddling with it, wearing every accessory available which look like shiny rental accessories, generic tartans.

This is a good plan. Or could you borrow one?

White Stuff does a warm velvet coat and they usually have previous years' colours on sale.

https://www.whitestuff.com/browse/collection/womens-velvet-jackets

I live in Scotland and I only know one man who owns his own kilt. Hiring for a wedding is very normal

I bought a wool-looking-if-not-actually wool coat in Sainsbury's for £20 last year. You could look in supermarkets when the autumn range comes in as well as second hand

Fur coat ( fake ) is ideal. Or a ‘good’ wool coat in a flattering colour with fake fur or velvet scarf.

Im my experience, hats are still extremely common at very formal church weddings, especially in Scotland. If you go for fur or velvet or wool coat, a toning hat would be good which can be abandoned when outerwear is removed. The old etiquette that hats remain on until MOB removes hers is largely abandoned.

If you go to Next website and Clearance, you can filter for wool, fur and velvet coats. They have a good few options. The advantage of Next is that you can order the options into a store and return those that don’t suit there and then.

Im going to a wedding on Christmas Eve in Edinburgh. I bought a berry coloured new maxi length wool coat from Debenhams in their sale £30.00 down from £150.00! Wearing it with a red furry hat , red scarf and gloves.

Red kitten heeled Hush Puppy ankle boots like thses ( I already have them) https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/8724101667-hush-puppies-victorian-style-leather-lace-up-ankle-boots

Underneath I have bought from Vinted a pink with red pattern Nobodys Child midi dress fir under 10.00!

Sorry coat was was £110.00 but its even cheaper on sale now!

https://www.debenhams.com/product/wallis-double-faced-scarf-detail-coat_byy15761?link_source=share_button&link_platform=android&utm_source=pdp_share&utm_medium=referral&colour=berry

Why is it ridiculous?
I am Scottish and wear tartan quite often if in Scotland or anywhere else in the world !
Boden are doing some nice tartan dresses this season .
Perfect for a wedding and smart .
You are very rude .

I’m Scottish, live in Scotland, and have 11 male Scottish cousins. They have all hired kilts for every family wedding. The real deal is hugely expensive!

Loads of people hire kilts for weddings. That’s why plenty of kilt hire places exist! I wouldn’t think anything of it at all.

I love the sound of your outfit 😍😍

I love the sound of your outfit too @Megsdaughter!

Thank you. I have lost 8 stone in the last year and have gone from a 26 to a 16. I hated buying clothes before so have had a great time getting my outfit.

My nephews all opted to have a kilt as a 18th birthday present from their grandparents, so they are fortunate enough to have their own (even though only one of the eight actually lives in Scotland).

That's brilliant @Megsdaughter. Well done! You are going to look great !

If your nephew wants to wear a kilt you should very much encourage him! I'm Scottish and I think it's nonsense that you can always spot a rented kilt. It's really common for men to rent kilts for a wedding here, in the same way as it is for men to rent tuxedos or morning suits for weddings in England. I married an English-man as did a couple of my friends and it was very much appreciated when male English wedding guests made the effort to a wear a kilt.

I agree that a wool cape or large wool poncho type garment (fine knit I mean) would be ideal.

They still look stylish and dressy while being warm.

I would start looking in charity shops in upmarket areas op or on Vinted or Vestiare Collective.

And fake fur!! I’m imagining the Bay City Rollers crossed with Cruella de Vil! I guess it’s one way to make an impact!

Except no one wears real fur! Fake fur is perfectly normal and acceptable. Not with tartan but with a smart classy dress it’s great.

There are some ‘obviously rented’ hired kilts around, but you can get really nice quality ones too - those with a longer jacket and tie rather than a black Prince Charlie jacket with bow tie look really nice.

But I see you have decided to go for a second hand coat OP (ideal), and I’d watch out for winter dresses coming into stock. I’d go for a dress I could wear some Uniqlo heat tech under then whip it off before the ceilidh. It’s not bulky and can be stuffed in a bag.

OP, would this coat be suitable?

I'm wondering whether you could wear a sleeveless blouse and skirt underneath plus a soft but very warm cardigan.

Once at the reception, you could take off the coat and cardigan and be ready for the reception.

https://www.hobbs.com/product/livia-wool-coat/0225-3395-1049L00-RED.html

You havnt said what size you are @Gladtimeslady but what about something like this?

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/9496270039-bright-red-long-coat