Dress for December wedding

convert

I have a wedding coming up in December and was looking at dresses (yes, early I know, but if I leave it to the last minute I'll probably panic, not find a nice dress, and end up going in something that I'm not happy with!)

All the dresses I have are either black or white (neither of which I'd wear to this girl's wedding), or a similar colour to the bridesmaids' dresses (don't want to look like a bridesmaid!)

Anyway, I was looking at these two dresses in Coast and was wondering whether they're too formal for a wedding? It won't be black tie, but it will be a very 'traditional' wedding.

http://www.coast-stores.com/HELENA-MAXI-DRESS/Wedding/coast/fcp-product/2224705815
- probably quite plain, but I was thinking of dressing it up with a nice belt where the band is, maybe silver, and wearing it with silver sandals.

http://www.coast-stores.com/GIGI-DUCHESS-SATIN-MAXI-DRESS/Wedding/coast/fcp-product/2143406015
- I also like this, but not sure if it's too much for a wedding?

Again, I'd be wearing some sort of cardigan or bolero on my shoulders so they wouldn't look bare.

I also like the style of this dress, but they don't have them in a nice blue colour.

I know the first two dresses are quite 'blue', but it's a colour that suits my skin tone, and I feel I'd probably get a few more wears out of them over the years.

carolinespring

The first dress is fantastic. Really lovely. Perfect for a winter wedding IMO and great for all the christmas parties. Love love the style and colour.

convert

Thanks for your reply. The first dress is my preference, too, as I think it could be more versatile than the second.

Definitely the first one!!
Silver accessories will be perfect

celtic123

Totally agree,
the first one is lovely!:)

yolanda

Would def perfer the first but perhaps it is a bit too much? Is it a relation or close friend? Monsoon would def have something closer to the time too.

convert

yolanda wrote: »

Would def perfer the first but perhaps it is a bit too much? Is it a relation or close friend? Monsoon would def have something closer to the time too.

It's a close friend who is having a very 'traditional' wedding, so I need something that won't look OTT or too informal. It's also a wedding that the guests would be expected to look good and make the effort, if that makes sense?

I am a little anxious that the dress would be a little much, but I was hoping that maybe by wearing a cardigan/bolero/shawl over it (not decided fully yet on which, or on the colour), I'd be able to dress it down slightly.

For some reason I tend not to like the clothes in Monsoon, although my aunt bought me a lovely brown strapless 'ballet length' dress there in the sale last year.

ncmc

They are beautiful dresses, but I would worry that they may be too dressy. I am bridesmaid in a couple of weeks and my dress isn't as formal as either of them! Do you know what the bridesmaids are wearing?
I wouldn't panic just yet. The shops will start getting their Christmas stock in a few weeks, you might pick something up that wouldn't be so black tie.

If you do decide to go for the first one, I would lay off with the silver belt, could be a bit ott. But silver accessories would be gorgeous with it.

What kind of figure to you have? I think the 2nd one would be knockout on a real hourglass figure.

dudara

First dress is the best - and I just love that blue colour. It's lovely and rich. The second dress is too "evening" whereas the first dress is a touch less formal.

convert

ncmc wrote: »

They are beautiful dresses, but I would worry that they may be too dressy. I am bridesmaid in a couple of weeks and my dress isn't as formal as either of them! Do you know what the bridesmaids are wearing?

Bridesmaids are wearing something like this, while the bride's dress is long with gold embellishing on the shoulder straps and bust.

I'm really hopeless when it comes to clothes for weddings as every wedding I go to seems to be different (afternoon black tie wedding, registry office wedding, early afternoon church wedding, etc.). It also doesn't help that most weddings I go to I'm around 10 years younger than most other people there, so I'm really hopelessly lost as to what's acceptable/expected wedding wear. And my female friends are absolutely hopeless when it comes to these types of things. My OH is a bit better, but he's far too fussy, making it impossible to find something that we can both agree on!

Thanks for all your input - it's much appreciated.

What kind of figure to you have? I think the 2nd one would be knockout on a real hourglass figure.

Oh, I'm slightly pear shaped - nicely toned shoulders, arms and lower legs, but a bit curvey in the middle. If it makes any difference I'm a size 8 in coast sizing.

carolinespring

I still think the first dress with a simple black cardi or shrug would be fantastic. Dressy but not OTT. Keep jewellery, shoes and bag simple.

ncmc

I have to be honest, I think while both the blue dresses are stunning, they are way more dressy than the bridesmaid's dresses. They are more what I would expect the bm's to wear and the bridesmaid dresses are what I would expect guests to wear! I would take your queue from the bride, the fact that she has gone for shorter and less formal bm dresses, to me would mean she would expect the guests to be less formal too. I think the combination of the satin and the long length of the blue dresses makes them very formal. If it were me, I would hold off buying for while. Like I said earlier, the shops will start getting their winter stock in soon, i think you will get something suitable nearer the time. Also you might find something that you'll get more wear out of. Unless you go to a lot of formal events, You might not get repeat wear out of either blue dress.

lainey316

I personally wouldn't wear full-length satin - it is very much an evening dress - when the wedding is not black tie. That said, someone probably will so you won't be the only one, especially in December. What time is the ceremony?

I'd probably go for something a bit younger based on what you've said. They are pretty dresses, though.

Perhaps this one? it may not have the longevity you'd like tho

http://www.coast-storeshttp://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=68309396.com/SAPHIRE-HITCHED-DRESS/Wedding/coast/fcp-product/2224684715

What you could do is ask in Coast if they have more in the blue coming in - last year when seeking bridesmaids dresses both Coast and Karen Millen pulled out their lookbooks which showed everything that was coming in for the rest of the season. It really helped.

nyeb2007

can I sugest this dress from ebay with a returns option, I bought thus for a wedding in July and everyone loved it including me, for a fraction of the cost.


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/One-Shoulder-Beaded-Bridesmaid-Prom-Dress-7111-US-4-18-/370428295332?pt=Bridesmaid_Dress&var=&hash=item9503553288
I would be plus size (20 then, 18 heading for 16 now - mini whoo hoo from me) but my sis who is a 10 bought one after me in the pink and adored it also, I don't think it will ever date(well!!0 and I won the dibs to wear it to our cousins wedding in 2012

convert

lainey316 wrote: »

What you could do is ask in Coast if they have more in the blue coming in - last year when seeking bridesmaids dresses both Coast and Karen Millen pulled out their lookbooks which showed everything that was coming in for the rest of the season. It really helped.

Hadn't thought of doing that. Will pop in when I get a chance.

nyeb2007 wrote: »

can I sugest this dress from ebay with a returns option, I bought thus for a wedding in July and everyone loved it including me, for a fraction of the cost.


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/One-Shoulder-Beaded-Bridesmaid-Prom-Dress-7111-US-4-18-/370428295332?pt=Bridesmaid_Dress&var=&hash=item9503553288

That's a really nice dress. I'm not sure how a one-shoulder dress would suit me, but I can always have fun trying on a few before I make a decision.