What to wear to an evening wedding? - YouLookFab Forum

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What to wear to an evening wedding?

Lui

Hi everyone,

It's been a while since I've been back in here, I've been busy with the business and babies, etc, etc - but now I have a style crisis and I know where to turn for help

I'm going to my sister in law's wedding in May, at a posh hotel. The dress code is 'smart' - she says it's not a strict code, no one's in black tie, but I'm still really nervous.

I haven't dressed smart in years and years, since before I had my eldest, and my body type has changed a lot since then! I usually wear longish gypsy type skirts with shirts and jackets, or slouchy jeans with blouses (I'm fairly modest and don't like to show my upper arms or legs much) but I don't think they'll cut it for a wedding- and I really don't want to spoil the big day.

FYI body type - I'm 5'4", about a 34 EE/F in the bust, with quite a high 34" waist and wide 42" hips :S

Could anyone post pics of ideas of outfits - I don't want to buy something expensive that I'll never wear again, but at the same time I want to look really nice so I'm happy to spend quite a bit to get something that works!

I have added a photo of me on the beach (with toddler!) in usual walking gear - not wedding wear!!!

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Shopping

15 replies

Latest reply was from Steve Robs

jlyns

I am a terrible shopper (that's what I'm doing here!), but your comment about gypsy skirts caught my eye and I wonder if you could take your usual look and kick it up a notch? There are lots of maxi skirts out there right now--some with high-low hems? I wonder if you could get a skirt in a fabric that was dressier than cotton, but still felt familiar to you? Chiffon? And then pair it with a dressy top. After the wedding, you could dress the skirt down with a jeans jacket?

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

HI and welcome (back)! Do you have any idea of what you might want to wear, what styles you feel are flattering for your body and what color you might want to do? A night wedding at a Posh Hotel means Dressing Up for me. What does dressing up mean for where you live and your family's expectations? For mine it would be short, tight, sparkly and definitely BLACK. I know this isn't really the norm for American weddings though

Lui

Thank you for your suggestions!

I suppose....I really have no idea what's expected - can you hear the panic! LOL! I'm in the UK, but I think the norms here are the same as the US really.....no white!

I did have that thought, jlyns, about maybe dressing up a maxi skirt with a blouse - but in linen? Chiffon is a good idea - will look at that....

Secretly, I think I'd like to go for something really pretty, cause I don't get much chance to wear pretty feminine stuff much....so definitely a skirt rather than trousers (I don't even think trousers would be formal enough anyway).

But then, is a floor length dress or skirt going to be too much - should I be looking at something mid length...which I don't really like!

With my body type - short and pretty curvy - can I get away with a dress? And what line should it be? And if I do go for a skirt how can I make it look feminine rather than dumpy....?

Thank you for any help

rachylou

Veteran

A long straight skirt could be smart without overwhelming you...

Diana

Veteran

I could see a long, sleek black maxi skirt with something sparkly on top. Maybe a cropped satin blazer, for example. Then you could also dress the skirt down for other occasions.

Or maybe something with a grecian vibe, like the photo below?

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Salt and Starlight

Member

Here are a few links to dresses I could imagine working for you . . . a fair amount of black, and a fair amount of fit and flare which suits many bodies. None of them are very gypsyish, though. In a situation like you describe, I would default to black or a signature color I know I look smashing in.

I think you should have some fun and get something girly that you love.

http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/.....s.html?m=3

http://us.asos.com/ASOS-Midi-D.....dC9Qcm9kLw..

http://us.asos.com/ASOS-Skater.....lsL1Byb2Qv

http://us.asos.com/ASOS-Midi-D.....XAvUHJvZC8.

jlyns

How about something like this? This one only comes in plus sizes, but thinking about style?

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/mi.....sultback=0

weeding nights

Member

a cocktail dress – nothing too sexy but something fun to dance in. Black is fine.

http://weddingnites.co.uk/

Lui

Wow, I love some of these suggestions - Diana, I love that grecian type skirt, kind of a feminine, dressy version of the ones I wear casually, perfect

Salt and Starlight, some of those are lovely, especially the ballet wrap dress which is the best length of them all, below my knee (don't like showing my knees!). I could always add accesories to make them a bit more gypsy-style....

I'm usually so practical in my clothing, that it's exciting and nerve wracking to get a change to look at feminine stuff!

Jlyns, I love the top of that dress but don't like high-low hems.....otherwise it's lovely, again I could accessorise it to add personal style I suppose.....

Is jersey an ok fabric for a dress for someone with my, er, lumps and bumps? Obviously, I've had 3 babies in the last year! Which is one of the reasons why I'm so shy of clingy, feminine clothing....

Thank you so much you guys for all your help, I'm starting to feel more excited about this opportunity

Mander

(website)

Veteran

What about one of those dresses with the long lace sleeves? Or something with 3/4 length sleeves, or a sleeveless dress with a little cropped jacket?

I kind of liked the looks of these things, though they are all from Asda/Tesco and some of them might be a bit office-y:

http://www.clothingattesco.com.....ns-dresses

http://www.clothingattesco.com.....ns-dresses

http://direct.asda.com/george/.....lt,pd.html

http://www.clothingattesco.com.....ns-dresses

http://www.clothingattesco.com.....ns-dresses

http://www.clothingattesco.com.....ns-dresses

http://www.clothingattesco.com.....ns-dresses

Lyrebirdgully

Hi Luitha! when you are out trying on styles, don’t miss the chance to try on any frocks you see in a suitable design that are made of Guipure lace. I know this fabric can look a bit stiff or heavy or formal if you are used to soft fabric, but this “heavy” lace is AMAZINGLY flattering to nearly every body shape regardless of weight; it looks effortlessly dressy, it’s beautifully feminine, yet the frock style is actually very plain and classic. The secret to the flattering fit is in the fact that these frocks are lined- so there is no clinging to bumps, just a smooth silhouette all over.
http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk.....lt,pd.html
http://www.kaleidoscope.co.uk/.....-21C800_10

velvetychocolate

Veteran

While I realize you're not a fan of uncovered arms, I think this dress hits all the right notes (longer, and no knees etc.) in terms of being a 'flowing' kind of dress, while still looking gorgeous for a May evening wedding in a posh hotel:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/fr.....sultback=0

I realize it's a Nordstrom link, but am wondering if you can find this particular French Connection dress where you are? You might be able to shorten it after the fact, and end up with a fairly timeless and elegant-looking dress for any future nights out.

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Lui

Hi everyone

Just back online after having a lovely birthday weekend have spoken to the bride who said smart, but not suits (to my husband, obviously) so I think that means I could wear a skirt and blouse....

I love the nordstrom dress, really pretty and the tip about the Guipure lace is really helpful thankyou - I've never really worn anything like that, but would love to Looks so feminine and pretty

I'm going to have a good look and think about all your tips...I feel like I've got a better handle on this now, thank you all so much! There are so many lovely dresses out there that I just wouldn't have looked at if it weren't for you guys suggesting them, funny how we get stuck in our ways isn't it

annaj

Veteran

For a beach wedding I'd choose something that you feel great wearing! I'd try to find a dress (as it "feels" more formal) but go a skirt and top if you feel more comfortable. I'd think about a kaftan and try to find a dressier version of it - any length would be fine! I'd also consider shoes that you can slide on and off so that you don't have sand in your shoes!! A more casual vibe also means that you can get away with flats, rather than heels!

Steve Robs

Member

I haven`t attend any evening wedding but i think we should ware nice decent dresses as we ware at nite just according to the environment and weather.