It's so much easier for men! Guest needs your advice please.

maman

I haven't seen any thread about this but I thought this board would be a good place to start.

I'm going to a wedding in November. It's at a minor stately home/country house so it's an indoor, civil ceremony. It's an afternoon wedding, meal and then evening get together.

DH and I have been asked to be 'ushers'. It's not so much bride side/groom side but working the room and being sociable so that no one feels left out.

DH is going to be wearing a tail coat and all the trimmings. Me?????

It may be a little early yet but what would you recommend for a guest to wear? I was wondering about those slim, fitting dresses with sleeves that Kate, Duchess of Cambridge seems to wear for meeting people. Or perhaps I should be looking at long dresses? Should I wear a fascinator? I don't want to look frumpy and 'brides motherish' but I do want to look as if I've made an effort. I haven't got a budget as such but if it was expensive it would need to be something classic I could wear again.

The last couple of weddings I've been to have been summer so a smart summer frock has been fine or we've just been invited to evening receptions. What are people wearing for the coming autumn/winter?

bubbles0169

jewel colours will be in this winter how about this with a little shawl
http://www.marksandspencer.com/Autograph-Tie-Back-Flare-Dress/dp/B004FX8FQ4?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_9&nodeId=547486031&sr=1-9&qid=1314804530&pf_rd_r=1QR5FPGQF5Y5SZZSE65Y&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=547486031&pf_rd_p=215570647&pf_rd_s=related-items-3
or this with a smart black jacket
http://www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-DRESS-with-Embellished-V-Bow-Back/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1703826&cid=8857&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=200&sort=1&clr=Blue
ah i love this
http://www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-Colour-Block-Dress-with-Drape-Back/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1702571&cid=8857&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=200&sort=1&clr=Rose%2fblack

minerva_windsong

Are they having bridesmaids? Is there a specific colour scheme?

If the answers are no and yes respectively, I would get a nice knee length dress in a fairly luxurious fabric in a colour which matches the scheme, nice shoes and a little jacket or shrug of some kind. Only get a fascinator if you want to wear one. Ditto a dress with long sleeves (you can always get a shrug or wrap to wear over the top) or a long dress - I only said knee length as it's what I'd wear because anything longer makes me look like I've been nailed into the ground. If you don't want a long dress you could always wear sheer tights so you don't get cold.

The other option is maybe going to something like a personal shopper (the Debenhams one is quite good - my mum got her outfit for my sister's wedding there - or somewhere like Selfridges or Harvey Nichols or John Lewis if you want to splash the cash a bit, although don't feel like you need to spend mega-bucks as they'll work with your budget) and getting some ideas.

maman

Thanks for speedy responses.

The answers minerva are yes and yes! There is one bridesmaid (adult) and the theme is ivory and burgundy. The bridesmaid has a long, burgundy dress so I don't want to look as if I'm an apology for a bridesmaid.

I love the Autograph dress bubbles. I could see that sort of thing would be very suitable day into evening. The others are good but a bit short. I'm 5ft 9 so they'd probably be even shorter on me! I'm not a fan of shrugs but I do love jackets and also pashminas.

You've certainly got me thinking.

lollyb84

bubbles0169 wrote: »

jewel colours will be in this winter how about this with a little shawl
http://www.marksandspencer.com/Autograph-Tie-Back-Flare-Dress/dp/B004FX8FQ4?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_9&nodeId=547486031&sr=1-9&qid=1314804530&pf_rd_r=1QR5FPGQF5Y5SZZSE65Y&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=547486031&pf_rd_p=215570647&pf_rd_s=related-items-3


Ooh, I had this dress as my bridesmaids dresses (in the light magenta)> They were lovely, but a word of warning - they were made for a (*ahem*) bustier lady. I had to have one of my bridesmaids dresses adjusted as otherwise it would've gaped. Not a good look! :rotfl:

I like the idea of the cap sleeved dresses that Kate Middleton wears - something classic that doesn't look like you're competing with the bridesmaids (if there are any), but still looks like you've made an effort.

HTH

Edit - Meant to say - if you want to see how the Autograph dresses look on, I'm happy to PM you a pic...Just let me know.

maman

Oooh I'd love a pic lolly, don't you just love showing off your wedding pics!;)

lollyb84

I've PM'd you. And in reference to your title - it definitely is much easier for me. Suit, shirt and tie - done!

bubbles0169

ah they are short but thats the good thing about the asos site, it tells you the models height(shes 5 9 too in the last dress) so you know where it will fall on you, if you click 'catwalk' it shows how it shimmys too, it also shows she cant walk in heels lol

bubbles0169

this is quite kateish
http://www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-Midi-Dress-with-Contrast-Belt/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1703716&cid=12899&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Mink

maman

lollyb84 wrote: »

I've PM'd you. And in reference to your title - it definitely is much easier for me. Suit, shirt and tie - done!

oops, do you mean you're Mr lolly:o They're still gorgeous dresses though!

maman

bubbles0169 wrote: »

this is quite kateish
http://www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-Midi-Dress-with-Contrast-Belt/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1703716&cid=12899&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Mink

Oh, that's gorgeous and very me. I think I might send for it to try on. I've never bought from asos although I've seen them lots in the press. Are they good withreturns if I send for more than one size?