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.

Yes it's also a really lovely shade of pink. But I'm old enough to remember Warehouse, Whistles & other high-street stores having loads of dresses in pure silk. It was nothing out of the ordinary. My belief is that the proliferation of polyester is all to do with maximising profits, rather than the price of silk becoming prohibitive.

The same dress also comes in different colours in satin, & is cheaper. But why have (artificial) satin when you could have silk?!

I remember (I’m 60) the beautiful fabrics too, my all time favourite being silk crepe de chine. I have 40 years of clothes stashed in the bedrooms and garages, there are some items I just can’t bear to part with - downsizing terrifies me for no other reason than it would force me to choose between all of my gorgeous babies 😂

I'm the same - but I live in a small two-bedroom flat & the (huge) wardrobes are full of my stuff, as are big baskets on top, & a trunk at the foot of the bed, & two chests of drawers, & vacuum packs under the bed, & the wardrobe & clothes rail in the spare room ... my partner has two drawers & about 1/20 of the wardrobe rails!!!!

Yes I wouldn't really want to spend anymore than that. I've been told a lot recently that I suit reds and oranges so I've been looking more at those colours. I quite like wearing blue but I look washed out in pale colours. I'm more drawn to plain dresses but I feel like a floral pattern would be more "abroad wedding". I'm not against patterns. I quite like my arms so happy to wear sleeveless and I think midi length suits me best. I have long legs but a short torso and I hate my tummy.

This is really nice. I'm worried about the stomach area but very tempted to try as it's such a nice dress. Definitely the style I would go for. I need to invest in some decent shape wear anyway.

I bought this multiway control body suit from Next a couple of years ago to wear strapless under a cami style satin dress, it’s not too controlling, just smoothed everything out, also doesn’t give VPL due to the lace on the bottom, very comfortable surprisingly

This is stunning, I wish I had a reason to buy it!

Go for it! If you're worried about your stomach, as well as shapewear you could go a size up - sometimes bias cut drapes better if it's a touch looser.

Depends on how it fits on the top of course, but a little bit of tailoring is often a good investment - in order to tweak it to fit you perfectly. And as you're big of bust, a 12 or even 14 - if it's small-fitting - might be best anyway?

I love the Karen Millen red one. Its not too formal. Its just perfect!

Op there are always discount codes for Karen millen try this one KMLAURA15

I love the red one and it's perfect for a Cyprus wedding

The pink dress is beautiful but the fabric may be cut on the bias because it looks like, it may be and that would be clingy. If they have easy returns I would try that one. I think one shoulder dresses suit very few people and rarely bigger boobs because of the underwear issue, rarely do strapless bras do a good enough job.

When trying on a dress if you want to look your best you need the underwear you will be wearing to try it on and also the shoes, or at least the heel height as it changes the look. I went to the races yesterday and there were loads of lovely dresses, yellow seems to be very in vogue. But the amount of dresses ruined by bad underpinning, it’s all about the bra.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions. I have ordered the pink one in a size 12 (the biggest they do) as they do free returns.

Red is full on polyester. That will be so hot in cyprus. No way, would I pay that much money for polyester either.

If you go to hobbs, they do silk dresses for about the same price.

I think I like the red one it is so pretty. It's perfect for the wedding.

Where and when in Cyprus? It rained a lot at our house yesterday, but we are high up.

I love the Mango one. I would be a bit concerned about standing out in the photos in bright red. And I wouldn’t buy/wear polyester; it looks and feel cheap imo and will be so uncomfortable in the heat.

Both of the red ones are great and the pink one is lovely. I think just be prepared to try out lots of underwear with the pink one because it looks quite clingy on the bum and I think I can see the outline of the model’s belly button? I tried a few in this fabric when looking for bridesmaid dresses and struggled with VPL. I went with a lined one and sewed in a bra in the end

I love the pink dress!! The red one is nice too and i think it would work well.

I love the red dress and think it would be perfect for a Cyprus wedding. It does not look too formal to me.

Red one is polyester and will stick to you as you'll be sweating like crazy.

I would be looking for something made of cotton or a nice drapy viscose.

I’ve bitten the bullet and sold about 50% of mine. However I’m very fortunate to have DD and my son’s partner - both thankfully very tall! - to pass my most treasured pieces onto. It’s lovely to see clothes that I’ll never wear again have a new lease of life, and makes it much easier to let it all go. The girls are delighted to pick and choose from a load of vintage stuff (their friends are apparently quite envious!) and I get so much pleasure from seeing my things looking fabulous on such vibrant, beautiful young women.

It reminds me of cherry-picking from my clothesaholic grandmother’s five bursting wardrobes when I was in my teens and 20s - I still fondly remember every single thing she gave me (though most of those beautiful things got worn on nights out in the 80s that were a bit too good and ended up getting fairly trashed 🫣).

Anyhow, agree with everyone else, OP - the red is lovely, as long as it’s not too hot for a Cyprus summer. If you’re worried about being overdressed, you can style it with some lovely flats? Also love the shape of your second choice dress (could get a copy made for you, though that might get expensive), and the hot pink silk Mango one is gorgeous ❤️

The red Karen Millen is absolutely gorgeous and looks ideal for the kind of wedding you describe. It would look amazing in Cyprus' sunlight.

The red one is lovely and not too formal at all

I am slowly selling off stuff - but do find it a chore, plus I buy more than I sell!!

I don't have children, but do have a goddaughter. Unfortunately she's 5' 3" with boobs, whereas in my 20s & 30s I was skinny & flat-chested, & I'm tall too. But she does covet a lot of my costume jewellery - & has done since she was about six! She's already received quite a bit.

I do get pleasure vicariously by passing on lovely things though - last one was a coffee & cream silk chiffon, lace-trimmed 1930s bias-cut long dress & matching little jacket. The girl who bought it wore it to her graduation & sent me photos, which was so nice!

I did the same thing with my granny & her wardrobe, & also wore her 40s wool bouclé suits, silk dresses etc out clubbing. I do think it was a much more creative time in the 80s & 90s when I was a teen/young adult. There seems to be much more conformity today?