Gransnet forums

Style & beauty

Outfit for informal wedding

(68 Posts)
varian Tue 28-Jan-20 13:21:56

Can anyone advise what I should wear to an informal family wedding in Febtuary? The ceremomy will be in a city centre Registry office then we will walk to a nearby restauranr.

Callistemon Tue 25-Feb-20 12:41:17

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

varian Tue 25-Feb-20 11:50:19

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.

soop Wed 12-Feb-20 16:00:37

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

soop Wed 12-Feb-20 15:42:08

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

Susie42 Wed 12-Feb-20 15:02:40

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.

toscalily Wed 12-Feb-20 14:55:30

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.

Callistemon Wed 12-Feb-20 11:39:00

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).

Framilode Wed 12-Feb-20 11:30:26

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.

varian Wed 12-Feb-20 09:42:10

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.

Framilode Wed 12-Feb-20 08:59:40

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

varian Wed 12-Feb-20 08:56:05

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.

paddyanne Mon 10-Feb-20 20:21:09

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

Hetty58 Mon 10-Feb-20 19:34:22

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.

Callistemon Mon 10-Feb-20 19:22:03

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 grin

varian Mon 10-Feb-20 19:18:20

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.

varian Wed 29-Jan-20 14:25:20

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.

annodomini Wed 29-Jan-20 11:35:20

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!

Sussexborn Wed 29-Jan-20 11:24:30

A friend made an appointment with a stylist from one of the big stores. They offered clothes that she wouldn’t have chosen herself but was very happy with the result. She said that there was no pressure to buy and no uncomfortable atmosphere when she said that she wanted to think it over.

varian Wed 29-Jan-20 11:11:28

I don't think I've ever relished a style challenge. Thinking back over the years the garments I've liked best were probably things I saw when I was not looking for anything specific. If I try to visualise what I'm looking for I can never find it.

MawB Wed 29-Jan-20 10:39:47

Definitely smart trousers (I bought Lands End velvet stretch trousers for DDs wedding) and a jacket/lightweight coat with an extra layer for the walk to the Reception.
Remember these pics will be with you for a lifetime. If you don’t want to shell out too much, check out eBay for coats/jackets.
I love a style challenge!

Callistemon Wed 29-Jan-20 10:29:09

I like plain too.

Callistemon Wed 29-Jan-20 10:28:29

I hope you find something lovely but that you can wear again.

I still have a hat from years ago when DD got married which has never been on my head since but I can't get rid of it!

Marydoll Wed 29-Jan-20 10:27:47

I will be Mother of the bride in March. My outfit is not typical MOB, I don't like fussy clothes. ?

varian Wed 29-Jan-20 10:21:13

I sbould have explained I am the motber of the bride. One of my daughters is about to marry her partner of 25 years. Shortly after the wedding the happy couple and their children will be joining the brexit brain drain. They are moving to another EU country, possibly for good.

I'd long since given up looking at hats and picturing myself as the mother of that bride!

Marydoll Wed 29-Jan-20 10:19:28

NotSpaghetti, I have a few Made in Italy pieces, bought here and in Italy.?