wedding outfit

Newly_retired

Sorry not money saving on this occasion! I need to help my sister who is aged 65, has mental health problems and is very large, size 24, shaped like a barrel, to find an outfit for a family wedding in July. Money is not an issue for this purchase, it's more a question of finding a suitable shop for size and sympathetic customer service. I have done some searching online but definitely do not want to buy an outfit online. I thought users of this board would have some helpful ideas.

nikki1520

Evans are very good, as are the larger Debenhams.

Also Country Casuals (or CC as they are now) might be worth a try?

Good luck - hope your sister gets a fab outfit and really enjoys the wedding

margaretclare

Have a look: https://www.davidnieper.co.uk

funkydresser

Hope these help

www.jomclaren.co.uk

www.bigbeautifulandgorgeous.co.uk

Wishing you lots of luck with this outfit and hope you both have a wonderful day.

Savvy_Sue

We went to Klass at the Swindon Outlet Centre and found something for my mother in no time at all! It is not a shop I would have expected to find anything suitable in, never mind in her size ...

See if any of the department stores offering a Personal Shopper service think they can help.

Also if you're anywhere between Bristol and Exeter, a friend was singing the praises of a personal shopper who kits her out every 18 months. They meet for coffee, discuss what's needed, and then move on to the actual shops. Because she can't walk far, the 'shopper' said OK we'll get it all in these two shops, my friend sat in the changing rooms while perfectly fitting outfits were produced, job done. All without a tape measure ...

Newly_retired

Thank you for your kind suggestions. I'll let you know, eventually.

newleaf

Unfortunately, the 'barrel shape' is quite commonly caused by medication in people with mental health problems.
A friend of mine had the same issue, needing an outfit for a posh wedding, and found the Petite section at Ann Harvey was very useful.

Newly_retired

I wouldn't have thought of that one - thanks.

pollypenny

I read OP ages ago, but had no ideas.

I have just wondered about a dress-maker. There are a few very good ones around here, in Flintshire, one of whom specialises in wedding and evening outfits.

It might be worth asking locally for any recommendations.

Newly_retired

I don't think my sister could cope with all the decisions and the fitting sessions etc, but thanks.
Today I made a very rare shopping trip, just to see what is there. To be honest, almost everything in the shops is unsuitable for me for every day wear, never mind my sister and the wedding. I am a plus size, not barrel shaped, but everything I saw in general clothes shops and in debenhams is for young people or those who can wear things suitable for the young. Now I like to wear classic styles and none of these would suit me. The long dresses are all sleeveless and I guess I am not alone in not wanting to reveal upper arms. Some are very short, others full length, nothing in betweeh. Lost of smock type short dresses/tunics which won't suit my legs even if I wore dark tights . Frilly short puffy sleeves don't work on me either.
I know there are more expensive shops like country casuals but given the buying power of some older shoppers why don't more shops cater for the more mature lady?

Savvy_Sue

Newly_retired wrote: »

I know there are more expensive shops like country casuals but given the buying power of some older shoppers why don't more shops cater for the more mature lady?

Because the more mature lady doesn't change her outfit as often as she changes her underwear ... so relies on a much smaller range of clothes to get through the year!

I know that I wear the same few things over and over again, whereas in my youff I bought far more!

Did you have an Ann Harvey to look at? They are far more 'classic' than Evans, IMO.