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Why can't I wear this to a wedding?

(44 Posts)
Sarnia Sat 15-Aug-26 12:20:31

I have a dilemma and would value some advice, please.
My eldest GD gets married in a few months time. Her Mum, my eldest DD, has asked me what I am wearing for the day.
Just before Covid, my cousin's GD got married and I bought a lovely 2-piece outfit. It is a coffee coloured lace skirt and matching top, both lined. It fits as if it had been made for me, is very comfortable to wear having an elasticated waistband and I like it.
When I told my DD I was planning to give this outfit a second airing, she was horrified. She says I must have something new. My argument is that 7 years ago I went to this wedding alone as it was some distance away so the family haven't seen me in it.
Should I stick to my guns and weather the inevitable fallout, especially on the day or should I surrender and cough up for a new outfit that will likely never see the light of day again?

Smileless2012 Sat 15-Aug-26 13:23:22

Completely agree with you MissA.

Wear it Sarnia and enjoy your GD's wedding.

MT62 Sat 15-Aug-26 13:25:00

I would wear it provided it’s not moth eaten 😂
Like you said nobody has seen it.
You could always ‘soup’ it up with a nice brooch.
I hate waste.
Unless your daughter is going to treat you of course!

Fallingstar Sat 15-Aug-26 13:25:38

Why is your DD saying this?
Sounds like you have a lovely outfit that is comfortable to wear so her reasoning sounds a bit off, could it be that she doesn’t like your outfit for some reason? Maybe she thinks the colour isn’t right or something, or that it doesn’t suit you, but she doesn’t want to upset you by saying this.
The only one who can clear this up is your DD so just ask her outright why she doesn’t want you to wear this outfit. And if is just because she thinks you should buy a new one, which is odd and wasteful, tell her that you would rather wear the suit you have and leave it at that.

Astitchintime Sat 15-Aug-26 13:30:03

Ask your DD when you’ll likely wear any new outfit bought specifically for her DD wedding. If the outfit you describe hasn’t been worn for 7 years I’d anyone going to remember it would also be a suitable remark for DD too.
Personally, I’d wear something I’ve already got provided it’s suitable and more importantly comfortable.

Shelflife Sat 15-Aug-26 13:36:42

Stick to your guns!!
I bought a lovely hyacinth blue outfit , skirt top and short jacket, 💙 this was for our daughters wedding. I loved it - perfect for me. 4 years later our son married, like you I asked the advice of the lovely people on GN. The advice was - wear it again . I told my son I was having difficulty finding an outfit
he said
" Mum , if the outfit you wore for Fs wedding still fits wear it again " So I did! Obviously many of the guests were invited to both weddings . Don't think anyone noticed and I don't care if they did. I felt comfortable and happy.
The outfit cost an arm and a leg so I was delighted to be able to wear it again .
We have no more ' children' getting married , or it would be out for its 3rd airing!
I hope you don't fall out with your daughter over this, but it really should be your choice . Who cares if some guests notice you are wearing it again (they will more than likely think - ' good on her ' ) a new wedding outfit is as you say not cheap and will never be worn again .
If I could do it for my son I feel sure you can do the same for your GD!
Whats important here is the joining together of two people- not what Grandma is wearing ! Good luck.

Ziplok Sat 15-Aug-26 13:39:47

If it still fits you and you like it, wear it.

I was at a family wedding recently and I wore the same outfit that I wore to another family wedding several years previously.
No-one at the second wedding had seen me in it at the first wedding as they weren’t at the first wedding, but even if some of them had been I would still have worn it. I bought a different handbag and shoes, but that was all.

Interestingly, my SiL wore the same outfit to both her son and her daughters weddings, several years apart, and no one was apoplectic about it 🤣.

If your daughter is insistent, then she should buy your new outfit.

Shelflife Sat 15-Aug-26 13:48:24

I agree. In your daughters defence though she is probably feeling very stressed with wedding arrangements!
You have had consistent advice on GN ,
would it help to show the response to her ? 🤔

grannyqueenie Sat 15-Aug-26 14:00:08

Has your daughter actually seen your outfit on? Sometimes an outfit looks much better on than just seen on the hanger. Is she perhaps upset that in her view you’re not making enough of an effort to look your best for Gd’s wedding? Like you I’d be wanting to wear what I have that is comfortable and makes me feel good. Good luck navigating it all!

JaneJudge Sat 15-Aug-26 14:03:53

Whitewavemark2

My advice would be to stick to your guns. In practice, I hate upsetting my AC so would probably buy a new outfit.

So my advice is useless😄😄

isn't this the the truth? not about your advice being useless grin about the reality of not wanting to upset people

Oreo Sat 15-Aug-26 14:05:12

SueDonim

Oh dear! Have you tried it on since the first wedding so you know it still fits and feels comfortable? That might be where to start. If it does indeed still feel good you could suggest to your dd that you’ll get new shoes/bag/jewellery to make it look different. I have to say, a coffee-coloured outfit sounds lovely, to me, lots of potential for accessories.

If your dd still won’t accept your choice , then suggest she pays for a new outfit! Alternatively, just wear it anyway, she’ll be so busy on the day she probably won’t notice what anyone else is wearing.

I thought a coffee coloured outfit for a wedding was great….until I saw the photos later, the colour added ten years to my age😫
To the OP I would say go for a brighter colour and do what your DD advises, you don’t want any family fall outs.

Witzend Sat 15-Aug-26 14:07:14

Since it’s very likely something you’d rarely wear anyway, I’d tell dd that the money I’m saving by not buying anything new that I don’t need, the cash will be added to whatever I’m giving Gdd as a wedding present.

Lathyrus3 Sat 15-Aug-26 14:10:01

Ok, I tried to be tactful.

Now I’m going to be blunt.

An outfit of lace, in what could be seen as part of the cream spectrum is not appropriate for a wedding. It is simply too close to bridal wear.

Particularly if the person wearing it is going to feature in photographs with the bride or be seen close to her.

Jst take a look at some of the online comments made about people who have worn outfits like that. I have thought it myself as a guest - admittedly when it was the mother-in-law in cream lace.

I think you daughter is trying to head off an upset.

stillawipp Sat 15-Aug-26 14:11:33

Can you afford to get a new outfit, Sarnia? If so, then it’s a very simple decision…which is more important to you, wearing that outfit, or not upsetting your daughter on a big day for her?
If not, I would just explain to your daughter that you can’t afford a new outfit, and ask for her help in maybe choosing a new hat/scarf/handbag instead…

Aldom Sat 15-Aug-26 14:12:48

If your daughter doesn't want you to wear the outfit then my advice is don't. Buy another.... perhaps do what a wealthy friend of mine did. She bought her fabulous outfit, for her own daughter's wedding, from a 'New To You ' shop. My friend could easily have afforded a brand new outfit, but she is keen to recycle. Her daughter was perfectly happy with her mother's choice.
Whatever you decide, please don't let clothes cause bad feelings between you and your family.
Have a lovely day when the time comes. Hopefully you will put a photo on GN? smile

Oreo Sat 15-Aug-26 14:15:12

Lathyrus3 👍🏻 I agree about lace at a wedding.

Fallingstar Sat 15-Aug-26 14:22:46

I didn’t know that about lace, especially if it is coffee coloured and not cream or white, but if lace is a problem at a wedding then maybe this is it.
It must be an absolute minefield planning weddings today.

Silvershadow Sat 15-Aug-26 14:29:05

I bought a designer hat, lovely dress and jacket from eBay for my daughter’s BFs wedding. Total cost £40. The shoes and bag I’d already worn to another family wedding. Nobody said anything and why would they. Had I bought it all new we’d be talking about £800.

JenniRen Sat 15-Aug-26 14:32:02

Witzend

Since it’s very likely something you’d rarely wear anyway, I’d tell dd that the money I’m saving by not buying anything new that I don’t need, the cash will be added to whatever I’m giving Gdd as a wedding present.

Yes, I'd say that too.

"Aren’t we all supposed to be recycling rather than buying new all the time?"
And this!

My wedding dress wasn't lace and, even if it was, it wouldn't have bothered me if a guest wore lace in a different colour.