Outfit for informal wedding

varian, if you have a daughter or granddaughter, take her shopping with you. If you try on an outfit, ask her to take a photo of you which is much more satisfactory than the changing room mirror. My senior GD was a great help when I was looking for special outfits for weddings - and her own graduation. Mind you, I don't think I'd trust my younger GD!

I have never enjoyed clothes shopping, even when I was young and a size 14 and had a small waistline. I was fairly tall but have shrunk a bit and am now a size 18, with no waistline. It disappeared following a major abdominal operation when I was in my mid fifties. At my last outpatients appointment I asked my surgeon when I might get my waistline back. He said "in the next life"!

I therefore don't like anything clingy. To feel comfortable clothes should be slightly loose without being voluminous.

Thank you to all the lovely GNetters who offered advice and recommendations. I did follow them up in a marathon googling session. My OH told me go buy lots and send back those I didn't like.

However one of my two best friends offered to take me shopping today.

The problem has become easier because we have transport laid on so we don't have go walk to the restaurant. So I only need a dress, not a coat.

I hope all goes well varian

I do remember when my dear best friend trundled around various places with me, far and wide, looking for something for DD's wedding. I could tell by her face is something wasn't right

I'd wear a suit with a long skirt or trousers, smart boots and a large scarf or shawl for outside. I'd have thermals on rather than a coat.

How about a jumpsuit ,I'm only 5 foot 2 and I think they can look very smart .Try QVC for a decent selection with or withoutsleeves and depending on the range there should be co ordinating long cardigans /coatigans .Plain colours from head to toe suit me best and I have jumpsuits in a few The beauty of QVC is you can try them on at home and even wear them with different things to see how you feel about them .Hope you find something nice

My friend took me to our nearest big town where we started by looking in the closing down sale at Beales- utterly depressing. All the stylish clothes had gone and it looked like a big jumble sale. There was nothing I was even tempted to try on.

However after an hour or two trailing round the rest of the shops I did find an outfit- a simple navy winter dress from Laura Ashley which I will wear with navy tights and shoes from M&S and a cream hat and bag I already have. Although I don't need a coat because transport is being arranged. I think I will try to find a navy pashmina to carry just in case it's chilly and probably a brolly just in case it's wet as we get out of the car.

How about the pashmina in a different colour? Raspberry or emerald green would be nice.

Thanks Framilode that's a nice idea. I can imagine it would look great on someone more confident than me. I'd rather look inconspicuous. My daughters and grand-daughters will all be wearing pretty colours and I'd rather look OK in the background. I did consult one of my daughters (not the bride- she's got enougb to think about). I sent her photos of me in the navy dress and another dress in a brighter colour and she said the navy looked more elegant and expensive . Understated elegance is what I'm aiming for.

Thanks for all your helpful suggestions.

Good Varian, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable in what you are wearing and the outfit sounds great. I must just say though, that from other threads, I had never had you down as lacking confidence. Have a wonderful day.

It sounds lovely, varian and you have to "feel right".

It sounds as if you could wear it for other occasions too (always a good thing to bear in mind).

Your dress sounds very suitable & I think given our climate a wrap or pashmina sounds a good idea. Although you say you do not like the idea of a brightly coloured pashmina could you find one that has navy & cream, it would lift the plain navy of your dress and compliment your cream bag & hat. Just and idea. Best wishes for the wedding & I hope you & your family have a lovely day.

The outfit sounds lovely but as other have suggested perhaps a pop of colour just to add a bit more interest. All navy can look a bit dull or as suggested a navy and cream pashmina with a third colour.

varien I like your choice of outfit. I would wear with a pashmina with a blend of gorgeous colours to offest the navy theme.

Varian I looked on ebay. Colourful pashminas made in UK. There are some beauties. I especially liked one being offered for sale by darwlay1

Thanks for all your advice. The wedding went very well but as it rained we were all so glad we didn't have to walk to the restaurant. I felt comfortable in my low key MOB outfit and was even complimented by daughters so it must have been OK.

So glad all went well but it is difficult to dodge the rain at the moment.
A compliment from daughters is a compliment indeed!