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Original poster

This is nice, isn't it??

296 replies

Smokedsausagesupper · 21/03/2025 11:32

Hi
Getting married next Easter, elopement style wedding with daughter (28) and her partner as witnesses.
I have been sending pictures of dresses to daughter for her opinion and this came up on my feed. Sent to daughter as I thought it was perfect for me in terms of style, arms covered etc etc.
She hates it!!
For info 57 (age) size 10/12.
Am I loosing my style mojo?
https://www.next.co.uk/style/su695767/h12024

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https://www.next.co.uk/style/su695767/h12024

OP posts:
Thread gallery
21
Pluvia · 22/03/2025 08:17

OP, it seems a bit dressed-up and eveningish for an intimate elopement-style wedding between older people — presumably in a register office. Whenever I've turned up as a guest at a register office I've always been amazed at how OTT some bridal parties have seemed. It's felt a bit out of place on a Tuesday afternoon in a municipal office.

Older brides I've known have worn shorter styles. Everything from smart, fitted designer suits in beautiful colours to nice dresses. Even jeans.

Heronwatcher · 22/03/2025 08:19

It actually made me think of Margot Leadbeater from The Good Life going to a formal soirée with Jerry. I think she’d team it with a turban.

HopingForTheBest25 · 22/03/2025 08:26

I love it. Am 51 if that's relevant. I think it's elegant and the rosettes are just enough detail to make it bridal but not so much as to make it too fussy.

Chunkilumptious · 22/03/2025 08:26

I'm so sorry OP but it's a bit 'mother of the bride from a naff boutique'. There's a lot nicer out there at that price point.

StuckInPollyannaMode · 22/03/2025 08:27

I went to a wedding yesterday and the bride wore this and looked absolutely gorgeous, very spring / Easterish in colour.

https://www.johnlewis.com/jolie-moi-long-sleeve-soft-silky-jersey-maxi-dress/p112093596?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&s_share=jlappios_bmV0LndoYXRzYXBwLldoYXRzQXBwLlNoYXJlRXh0ZW5zaW9u

ItisIbeserk · 22/03/2025 09:03

I see eau-de-nil if the colour conversation is still of interest.

I like it more than many of the alternatives suggested. I wasn’t sure of the arm design but it’s growing on me. It’s definitely more interesting than yet another lace dress.

AlleyRose · 22/03/2025 09:13

Why does it make me think of Margo from The Good Life?? Sorry OP, I’m with your DD

CertainUncertain · 22/03/2025 09:20

ItisIbeserk · 22/03/2025 09:03

I see eau-de-nil if the colour conversation is still of interest.

I like it more than many of the alternatives suggested. I wasn’t sure of the arm design but it’s growing on me. It’s definitely more interesting than yet another lace dress.

I agree that I like it better than almost all of the alternatives suggested. There are things about it I don't love - as I said earlier, I think it has a few too many things happening - but it's unique. Almost all of the rest of these are either old-fashioned, in a not interesting way, or look like standard day dresses.

My advice is still to try it on, OP. I think you'll either love it or hate it.

Chungai · 22/03/2025 09:27

Horrible fabric

The arms are giving me flamenco dancer

Aside from that it's ok.

What about this? From Hobbs

minipie · 22/03/2025 09:43

Do you like any of the alternatives suggested OP? Or have you found anything else you like to give us a steer?

MN loves a dress hunt!

ItisIbeserk · 22/03/2025 09:57

I do quite like this if you are thinking of other options. A similar colour and retro vibe. www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/long-sleeve-midi-green-dress-cala/

ItisIbeserk · 22/03/2025 10:01

Actually the Wolf and Badger site has a lot of interesting dresses from various small designers. I usually find a lot of dresses really boring and I’ve already found about five I would like on there. Have a look and see if anything catches your eye. I wouldn’t really want to suggest the ones I like as taste is so personal.

But I still like the one you’ve chosen.

minipie · 22/03/2025 10:09

https://www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/primula-maxi-dress-in-old-rose/ www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/primula-maxi-dress-in-old-rose/]]]] this is gorgeous as an alternative wedding dress - unforgiving across the middle, but then so is the dress in the OP

Original poster
Smokedsausagesupper · 22/03/2025 10:53

Quite overwhelmed with all the replies to this to be honest..
Ok so this may help:
That is not the budget that just happens to be the price of this dress, can go up to 1200 for something perfect.
Colour, not hung up on a colour tbh but thought pastel would be pretty for an Easter wedding.
There will not be gravy!!
Daughter wants me to look beautiful obviously, she happened not to be keen on that particular dress.
I wear a lot of tea dress styles in summer so I guess I'm thinking of something a bit different from what I normally wear.
Day to day style is simple, don't normally like a lot of fuss. Quite trendy in normal clothing choices.
I think something with structure would be more flattering and shoulders, back and curvy waist are my best bits. Oh and larger boobs..
Haven't tried anything on yest just getting a feel for what I want and then will probs do a day in London with daughter and bf.
Venue is TBD but will be beautiful registry in market town or church by a lake.

OP posts:
minipie · 22/03/2025 11:07

Yes I can imagine 7 pages of replies is a bit much :)

I think Reformation dresses would suit you, very good for waists. They have shops in Covent Garden and Battersea Power Station but a much wider range online.

In general unfortunately it is hard to find occasion dresses in shops, much more is available online.

Also try Net a Porter and the Outnet. Just seen this which is gorgeous but perhaps not if you want sleeves/ low neck.

mewkins · 22/03/2025 11:17

piscofrisco · 21/03/2025 18:15

I love it except for the sleeve rosettes. Could you get a local dressmaker to make you something like it without them? (I know a good one in letchworth if you are per chance in the northern Home Counties)

I'd do this too. OP, take your dd to a fabric shop and find a colour that really really suits you. Then approach a dress maker with the pic of the dress you like (I like the shape of it too and I would go for that neckline). They will be able to come up with something similar in a much nice fabric I'm sure.

Darkclothes · 22/03/2025 11:27

Thanks for coming back OP.

You said you have large boobs. What support were you planning in that dress? A basque to hold from underneath or a strapless bra? Do you specially want an off the shoulder look or you don't mind a strap/sleeve of some sort?

minipie · 22/03/2025 11:29

Just posting some Outnet ideas (mainly for my own enjoyment!!)

so pretty

similar but dark

striking

maybe too tea dressy

also a bit tea dressy

structured, white

structured ish, mint green

These all have sleeves, if you forgo sleeves there are a lot more options

Coffeeishot · 22/03/2025 11:59

Those are lovely @minipie

Thoughtsonstuff · 22/03/2025 12:01

StuckInPollyannaMode · 22/03/2025 08:27

I went to a wedding yesterday and the bride wore this and looked absolutely gorgeous, very spring / Easterish in colour.

https://www.johnlewis.com/jolie-moi-long-sleeve-soft-silky-jersey-maxi-dress/p112093596?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&s_share=jlappios_bmV0LndoYXRzYXBwLldoYXRzQXBwLlNoYXJlRXh0ZW5zaW9u

Yes this is more the thing. Very pretty and elegant. I like the pearl colour. Or the pink.

Thoughtsonstuff · 22/03/2025 12:09

One other thought about the dress you like. Are you having a bouquet of some sort because the flowers on the sleeves might jar a bit.

Deadringer · 22/03/2025 13:07

I love it.

VivienneDelacroix · 22/03/2025 13:12

I really like it.