Help' mother of the Groom!! - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Inspiration

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Help' mother of the Groom!!

evie mc

Member

Hi, my son is getting married in February 2015. I'm in the middle of the mine field of trying to buy a suitable outfit. I'm 55 and a standard size 14, 5ft,5ins tall and a pear shape.
I've bought a really nice fit n flare lace dress from Kalico in a french navy colour. Its got long lace sleeves and is knee length, so ticks my boxes so far.
I've got stuck with what jacket to team with it, (colour, shape/style.)
Any ideas would be really appreciated.
Thanks

17 replies

Latest reply was from evie mc

Liz

Veteran

Yay -- you have the dress, the hardest part!

What is the jacket for -- warmth, arm coverage, appropriateness? Since your dress has long sleeves, I would be tempted to forego a jacket altogether, since jackets can be so hard to pair with dresses.

Zibbets

Veteran

Congratulations!

Your dress sounds perfectly lovely. I agree with Liz that I would be tempted to skip the jacket, not just because it may be difficult to find, but also for simplicity and ease of movement on what's sure to be a whirlwind day.

evie mc

Member

Thanks for your replies. That's what my daughter thinks, but as the service is in a church, I thought maybe some sort of fur wrap might work?? Also do you think dove grey shoes, fascinator, bag would work. I'm usually quite decisive about my clothes, but really don't want to get it wrong, if yoqu know what I mean! Thanks.

KikiG

Veteran

I think a fur would look like outerwear, and would be odd; even the most conservative churches would likely be fine with lace sleeves, I would think. I think that the shoes and a fascinator would be great. I am thinking that a purse would not be something you carry down the aisle as part of the procession of the wedding party, but would rather have at the reception. Remember, you are highly likely to have a corsage, and you do not want your dress or hat to fight with your flowers.

evie mc

Member

Thanks KikiG.
If only it was a summer wedding, I wouldn't worry about just wearing the dress then. Don't you think I might look a bit odd wearing just the dress if its snowing?? Could be in February.

Liz

Veteran

Evie, could you describe the setting a bit more? Are you trying to find an outdoors coat you'd wear for warmth in the winter, and then take off indoors during the ceremony? Or are you wanting to find a coat to wear the entire time because the church is cold or unheated?

For what it's worth, no, in a heated church I don't think a navy dress with long lace sleeves would look odd in the winter. Surely the bride and bridesmaids will be wearing dresses that expose some arm or shoulder?

evie mc

Member

Its true the brides maid will only have a very thin pashmina for coverage and will have arms exposed.
The church probably will be cold (they usually are.) Just thought the outfit would look unfinished without a bolero or something on top. I'll have a good think on everyone's comments.

k

Joy

Veteran

Congratulations on the up-coming wedding and on finding a great dress. The sleeves should be fine in the church. Do you have a dark neutral trench coat to wear over the dress for just when you are outdoors? The dove grey shoes sound fine, especially if you have light or grey hair. I would try to avoid a purse as it is just something that is hard to keep track of.

Susie

Veteran

For me, the beauty of dresses is that they are a complete outfit, all in one piece. I don't think a topper is necessary and would, in fact, detract from the lovely lace. Dove gray sounds like a pretty color to accompany the navy.

Liz

Veteran

Just one thought -- are you by any chance in the UK? Your mention of fascinators and cold churches makes me wonder. If so, please disregard my U.S. based comments. I have noticed in photos that women in the UK often seem to be wearing jackets with dresses, and I don't know what would be appropriate! : )

evie mc

Member

If anyone can suggest another colour other then dove grey to go with french navy, I'm listening. Loving all the tips by the way.

evie mc

Member

Hi Liz,, yes I'm living in the UK, which is usually wet, cold and grey in February.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I think a coat would be a great look. Anything from a trench to a wool coat in a fab colour. Something you would get a lot of wear out of after the wedding.

Susie

Veteran

Ok, I'm with Liz....since you are not in the US, I take back my recommendation to skip the coat!

unfrumped

Veteran

I run cold and I would probably not be warm enough with just lace sleeves in cold weather even indoors!
But, I agree it'd be hard to get true dress-jacket to go over. If you've got the outerwear coat covered (meaning you have one or will get one, for going to and from the wedding) I think it would still be fine to have a tissue-wool wrap or pashmina. The problem is the walk down the aisle!. If you really like how it looks with the outfit, you could wear it draped nicely as part of your outfit. That's just if you're really worried about feeling cold. I don't think you need it at all for appearance's sake alone. Oftentimes, since your pews will be reserved, someone could park it up there for you. Or, if you don't think you'll need it in church but might after, you could keep it with your coat.

Sal

Veteran

Congratulations!

The dress sounds lovely and I think dove grey is great colour for accessories, but so many colours go with navy that you could also do fuschia pink....

With a dress I often prefer a coat rather than a jacket, something very elegant could be lovely. I have attached a couple of pics for reference...just an idea!

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

evie mc

Member

Thanks for everyone's comments. In the UK the only people to walk down the aisle are the bride, her father and the bridesmaids. All the family and guests are already seated in the church. I guess each country has its own traditions. So I don't need to worry about that part. I agree I will only need to wear a cover up for a short time, so might go for a beautiful pashmina, maybe in a fushia colour to brighten up a February day.