Wearing my dress again, but need some idea's to make it less 'bridal'

kr15snw

My friends 18th is coming up and for ages she’s been debating what to do, she’s got a very old head on her shoulders and really didn’t want to go and get hammered. But wanted to celebrate.

So my group of friends said to leave it up to us and with her parents help we’ve booked a local posh hotel and am having a masquerade ball! It’s a complete surprise and I’m very excited!

Only issue is what to wear. We’re all going for gowns and dinner suits so I looked at rental options. Only issue is we have very few rental places in the area, but I can’t afford to buy.

A friend has just suggested I wear my wedding dress again, which is a great idea! Mine was a plain silk ivory knee length stress (strapless) and isn’t too OTT. My only concern is that it’s too white. I will be purchasing a mask with some colour in, but I was trying to work out what I could have done to the dress to make it a bit more colourful.

What kind of jacket / shrug do you think would go with it to make it look slightly less white and weddingy? Any suggestions!

The other question was hubby won’t wear a dinner suit, but does still have his wedding suit (nice normal grey suit). Would it look weird if he wore that with his waistcoat (silk ivory) and a coloured cravat to match whatever colour I accessorise with? We would then only have to buy a cravat which is obviously nice and cheap! 

To be honest as it’s mainly going to be 17 / 18 year olds (her school friends) I really doubt most with go proper dinner suit, so I’m expecting a lot of shirt and tie jobby’s. BUT I want to make a good effort!!

74jax

Coul dyou maybe post a link to your dress so we can get an idea of what it's like?

Could you add a belt? coloured shoes?

cord123

Could you put a coloured shrug with it or a flower corsage or big statement necklace..... do you have any pics?

RainbowDrops

How about a coloured belt / ribbon around the waist coordinated with coloured shoes & mask?

As for hub - sounds like the waistcoat & cravat might be OTT - maybe just the suit with a normal tie?

White_Sapphire

Pick a favourite colour, or your favourite shoes/necklace/clutch bag etc. Then base the rest of your accessories around that. White will work with pretty much anything. You could even have one item that's multicoloured, like a jewelled necklace, then pick one colour from that for everything else.

Have a fab time!

bobble_hat

Depending on the style, maybe a nice coloured corset over the top would work.

MaggieBaking

A simple strapless white dress wont look out of place or too bridal if everyone is wearing evening dresses.

I'd have a look at masks and decide from the one you most like what your "colour" will be, or match it to the accessories and coloured shoes you own?

Then a bit of bold jewellery and a mask and no one would know it's a wedding dress! Pick the colour out of your mask for a shrug or wrap you'd like.

Alikay

A net petticoat in a contrasting colour peeking out and accessories to match? Maybe something like this black one with black stilettos and mask?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Beyond-Retro-Black-Net-Petticoat-fit-12-14-16-/270826181860?pt=UK_Other_Women_s_Clothing&hash=item3f0e7f94e4

jonty1970

or buy some dress net and elastic and make a petticoat to go over the top.

A big sash and a matching bolero

kr15snw

Here it is:

http://www.coast-stores.com///fcp-product/2224752106

In ivory (they didn't do it in colours when I bought it, looks good though).

I do have 2 (got one on ebay for £15 as a 'backup') so would be tempted to die one....

Dekazer

Some ace accessories here: http://www.vivienofholloway.com/ Check out the photo gallery for inspiration!