Wedding guest dress help please

[orangemouth]

I feel like I've looked at thousands of dresses online and I'm not getting anywhere so I'm coming to Mumsnet for help. I would go shopping in real life but I don't know where to start and they are full of autumn stock now anyway. The wedding is in Cyprus so will be warm. I have found two dresses that I like but they are not quite right. This one is lovely but I'm worried it's too formal for an abroad wedding. www.karenmillen.com/product/karen-millen-soft-tailored-drape-midi-dress_bkk31391?colour=red&size=8&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid_social&utm_campaign=UK_FB_ASC_PUR_BAU_WEB%2BAPP_DPA_060126&utm_term=smartly&utm_content=UK_24022026_NON-PROMO_BRAND_SS_NEWIN_PRICES_STATIC-DPA&utm_id=120237205041850301&fbclid=IwYW9zYgTr-htwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtATAAYWRpZAGrMLU_GCK9c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEej6S3xaCe7SGaBk_gkjdwdMQZSA9BUYoG6as0ESOnPaKOwh-NBxTMZm3ABjc_aem_CDIlzXME2zNb6Q6zvVzfsQ
And I really like the shape and style of this one but I don't think the pattern will work. https://www.phase-eight.com/product/kaz-checked-one-shoulder-midi-dress-PE221348.html?utm_source=google&utm_source_platform=google_ads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NEST_PhaseEight_UK_EN_BoF_Shopping_Brand_Test&utm_id=23743485733&utm_content=agid_198389062709-ad_818465655357&utm_term=&utm_matchtype=&network=g&device=m&placement=&targetid=pla-2299630432750&utm_tpl=live&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23743485733&gclid=Cj0KCQjwv4XUBhDBARIsAE6bQUTb5MQASUlt54Ytyo8Dyt7XwVvLPj72MEMGP9psIjSbvlJTBphzD20aAuwIEALw_wcB
I'm 42 and a size 10-12 with a large bust and I really don't want something that clings to the stomach area. Green is a no. Grateful for any help mumsnet can offer.

Love the red, it isn’t too formal for a wedding in Cyprus.

Have a browse on John Lewis. Lots of brands.

https://www.johnlewis.com/boden-notch-neck-embroidered-jersey-dress-granita/p115072595

https://www.johnlewis.com/omnes-margate-seersucker-gingham-midi-dress-chocolate-gingham/p114934102

https://www.johnlewis.com/topshop-stitch-sundress-plum/p114773247

https://www.johnlewis.com/monsoon-bea-gingham-fit-and-flare-midi-dress-pink/p115340253

Most of those will not work for someone with a large bust.

OP the red one is lovely go for that.

The red one looks lovely (although my fashion sense it’s not the best 😂). All the weddings I’ve been to are a complete mix of outfits so in my view pretty much anything goes as long as it’s nice. You’d stand out in the red dress though but I think it would be fine and not too formal for a wedding.

the red one is not remotely formal, the second isn’t very nice, sorry, so if you need to pick one, go red.

I wasn't going to get the second one. I was hoping someone might have seen a similar style in a different print.

I think the red one is absolutely perfect!

Head to Vinted and look up bravissimo / Pepperberry dresses! Curvy / really curvy / super curvy in the bust, depending on how large you mean. (Eg 12C / 12RC / 12SC)

Ones with curvy / really curvy or really / super curvy are ones with more give. (Eg 12C/RC or 12 R/SC)

Very like your red, but maybe slightly less formal?

I love the red dress and don’t think it’s too formal for a wedding in Cyprus

Red ones perfect op.

I like the red dress!

House of CB? app.houseofcb.com/wedding-guest

The red one is gorgeous, I don't think too formal being sleeveless

That appears to be a far Eastern based company trying to pretend to be English. Lots of 1* reviews on Trust pilot. Also they are very very unlikely to be cut to fit a self described big busted person.

I don’t think the red is too formal at all, it looks perfectly appropriate.

I don’t like the black and white one in comparison.

House of CB definitely isn’t a foreign company pretending to be English. They’ve several stand alone stores in the UK.
However they are small fitting and don’t have free or easy online returns which tends to be the reason for most of their lower reviews.
They are a very popular brand for occasion dresses though.

Fair enough - I'd never come across them before and the host of 1* star reviews (over 50%) coupled with the new styles every week claim set alarm bells ringing (as did the several long, white, lacey dresses in the wedding guest selection).

The red dress is nice but it's 90% polyester (lining 100% polyester) so I'd be hesitant to wear it if it's going to be very warm...I know not everyone is bothered about fabrics but it could be a bit sweaty!

I completely understand why you thought they're probably yet another drop-shipping company. The identikit website, identikit models, identikit dresses ...

The clothes look as if Ann Summers had opened a wedding dress shop. 99.9% are cheap polyester & nylon. IMO they're tacky-looking & make me itch just looking at them ...

Their credentials are also really poor, & from the online posts by former employees, it sounds as if they treat people as if it was not much better than a sweat shop.

https://directory.goodonyou.eco/brand/house-of-cb

I do like this one and much prefer the price tag! I think I'll order this and the Karen Millen red one and see how they look on.

Is £200 your budget max, @orangemouth ?

What is your colouring, & what are your favourite colours to wear? Do you want plain or patterned or either - & if it's patterned, floral or abstract or striped/dotted/checked?

Fine with arms uncovered? Is a midi your preferred length?

If you like hot pink, this Mango asymmetric one is actually pure silk. I wouldn't say it's clingy at the stomach, but good smoothing undies would be necessary.

https://shop.mango.com/gb/en/p/women/dresses-and-jumpsuits/dresses/asymmetric-silk-dress/37082562/88/00

@EleanorMc67 I love that pink dress.
I also like the red one the op has linked.
I think either would be lovely.

Love that Mango pink dress @EleanorMc67 - can’t believe it’s real silk, that would be stunning for a Cyprus wedding OP, with gold sandals and big gold earrings - take your travel steamer though!