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Original poster

Posh wedding. I am So not the cap sleeved shift dress type. Please help me.

38 replies

wickerman · 22/04/2009 14:24

My cousin is getting married in two weeks and it's come upon me a bit suddenly. He is very posh, and conservative, and is having a big posh wedding. I thought I could get away with wearing a dress I bought for an autumn wedding but it has suddenly got really hot and I don't want to be rubicund and sweaty before I have even started on the champagne, do I now.

I have managed to find dresses that my dds will wear - a feat in itself, as they are resolutely tomboyish - but I'm scuppered wrt myself. I am busty, vaguely hourglass, size 12-14-16 depending on make, and normally dress kind of boho-ly with a lot of norkage on display, which may not do here.
My mother has already dispatched my sisters back to the shops to change their dresses (yes, she DOES wield that kind of power over women in their 40s) and whilst I would not let her do the same to me, I know that unless I am attired appropriately, she is going to subtly undermine me all day and make me feel once again like the black sheep.

So please help.

OP posts:
MadameCastafiore · 22/04/2009 14:27

How much have you to spend?

mummypig · 22/04/2009 14:36

I am watching this with interest as dp's sister is getting married in the summer. Although she's not posh, she always manages to look wonderful even in casual clothes, and so do her young and mostly child-free friends. I don't want to end up looking like a frumpy dumpy mum (which I definitely looked like at the weddings I went to when ds1 was 6 months old).

I'm not hourglass though, more's the pity. I have reasonable norks as I'm still breastfeeding ds3. The rest of the time I'm either cylindrical (if I've been doing enough exercise) or I have a flabby belly sticking out of the cylinder. Damn those apple genes!

Apologies for jumping onto your thread wickerman, I hope people come up with some good suggestions.

Original poster
wickerman · 22/04/2009 14:38

no jump away mummypig I guess it's the Season for clothes crises as there are always a lot of events in the summer.

Madame, I suppose I would normally not want to spend over 70 squid for a dress but given shortness of time I might have to extend this.

I can't wear black either, I thought protocol had changed on all this but apparently you still can't wear black at weddings?

OP posts:
theDreadPirateRoberts · 22/04/2009 14:42

Why wear a dress? I've been to a couple of posh dos with floaty tunics over wide-legged trousers. Been cool, able to run after children, able to not worry about eating too much at the reception , and with a hat (not a fascinator) on top it all looks fairly elegant... Oh, and wedge heels so's not to sink into the churchyard during photos

squeaver · 22/04/2009 14:43

I think coast is pretty failsafe for weddings but more than you want to spend and possibly not boho enough for you??

squeaver · 22/04/2009 14:44

Hmm no to black I'm afraid.

Original poster
wickerman · 22/04/2009 14:50

I look shit in wide legged trousers, as I have a huge arse and thighs.

Coast is a bit conservative for me. I had a look at Hobbs and they have some excellent Joan Holloway style dresses but they are all black.

That is what I would like, a very fitted dress, 3 quarter length, with no sleeves and a slash neck or not too slaggish v neck.

Where can I get that?
Oh and I can't wear beige, or salmon, or coral,or any pastel colours. I am olive skinned and therefore look puke if I wear colours like that. I need bold colours. Or BLACK............

OP posts:
BonsoirAnna · 22/04/2009 14:53

This dress is beautiful, very forgiving of wider hips/thighs, and could be accessorised for a wedding and then worn right through summer.

hf128219 · 22/04/2009 14:55

That's more suited to a summer BBQ IMO!

DSM · 22/04/2009 14:56

I don't see the problem with wearing black to a wedding, if you accessorise it with bright colours. Maybe bright shoes or a bright belt or hat.

How about something like this?

CountessDracula · 22/04/2009 14:56

That is v pretty but a bit un dressy for a really posh wedding non?

BonsoirAnna · 22/04/2009 14:57

Not nearly funky enough for a barbecue! It needs pretty high-heeled strappy shoes and bag, a summer coat and perhaps a hat.

hf128219 · 22/04/2009 14:58

I meant a BBQ in my back garden!

BonsoirAnna · 22/04/2009 14:58

I go to very "posh" weddings/Bar Mitzvahs/parties and I would wear that dress (which I think is gorgeous) and I usually have a much bigger budget than that!

DSM · 22/04/2009 14:59

How about this?

DSM · 22/04/2009 15:00

Or this

squeaver · 22/04/2009 15:00

I'd wear that dress to a wedding, Anna.

MadameCastafiore · 22/04/2009 15:01

What about this if you have nice legs?

or this with gold strappy shoes and handbag?

mummypig · 22/04/2009 15:02

thank you for being gracious wickerman, but I'd probably better jump off again and start my own one later. Not only am I a different shape to you, I have pale skin and some of my best colours are pastels...

however what do you think about this dress in the sale at Phase Eight?

CountessDracula · 22/04/2009 15:03

this any good?

Original poster
wickerman · 22/04/2009 15:04

Keep them coming. Debenhams, aha, I hadn't thought of there.

OP posts:
CountessDracula · 22/04/2009 15:05

this is fab not sure about the colour though!

hf128219 · 22/04/2009 15:06

Of course you can wear black to a wedding.

MadameCastafiore · 22/04/2009 15:07

I have that CD - green is my fave colour!

MadameCastafiore · 22/04/2009 15:07

I have that CD - green is my fave colour!