Wedding Guest Dress Over 50/Black Tie Optional

[Anonymous]

I’m looking for a dress for a black tie optional wedding being held in a large east coast city in August. I’m over 50, 5’3”, and for reference, my tops and jackets are xs, jeans 27 and pants 6p. Thinking petite dresses are my best option but so far haven’t found anything. Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Just make sure you have your upper arms covered or the DCUM harpies will come at you.

[Anonymous]

I don't have specific recommendations, but this is a fun website that has curated dress suggestions for wedding guests as well as Mothers of:

https://motherof.co/

[Anonymous]

Budget?

[Anonymous]

Anne Fontaine

[Anonymous]

For black tie optional on an "East Coast city" I would wear a cocktail dress with accessories and makeup and hair on the dressier side. Can't go wrong with a good lbd dressed the heck up.

If the "East Coast city" is NYC, I'd wear a long black tie dress.

Assuming that if it were NY, you would have said so, here are some suggestions for not NY, based on a quick surf at Wolf and Badger (if you want to go the longer black tie gown route, let me know, and if you want to lower the budget, let me know):

This LBD wouldn't be this short on you since you are petite: https://www.wolfandbadger.com/us/jacqueline-backless-black-mini-puffy-suede-dress/

Festive: https://www.wolfandbadger.com/us/sequined-midi-a-line-dress-with-long-sleeves/

Ruffles can be tough on us 50ish women, but I think the red is potentially sophisticated enough to balance that out here: https://www.wolfandbadger.com/us/pleated-dress-with-ruffles-on-the-neckline-and-sleeves-red/

If you like orange/pink, which I know is a big if: https://www.wolfandbadger.com/us/red-pink-bell-puff-sleeve-midi-dress/

Relatively modest, but the polka dots make it fun and polka dots are (for better or worse) quite in style now: https://www.wolfandbadger.com/us/splendid-black-midi-cocktail-dress-with-chic-polka-dot-mesh/

This could be a great lbd, but you'd have to try it on to know: https://www.wolfandbadger.com/us/kimono-dress-black/

This type of dress, satin and cowlish up top with assymetry in the bottom is good on petites and this burnt orange is such a great alternative to black and easy to dress up in a sophisticated way (I would love this one): https://www.wolfandbadger.com/us/the-sophia-in-burnt-orange/

This is very cool with the bow detail, but don't try it if you have a bigger bust: https://www.wolfandbadger.com/us/black-velvet-bow-dress/

Extremely easy-to-wear wrap lbd: https://www.wolfandbadger.com/us/wrap-cocktail-dress/

Lbd on the less dressy side, but is going to look good on most people and you can dress it up: https://www.wolfandbadger.com/us/paris-jersey-viscose-midi-dress-in-black/

[Anonymous]

OP- are you comfortable exposing your arms?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For black tie optional on an "East Coast city" I would wear a cocktail dress with accessories and makeup and hair on the dressier side. Can't go wrong with a good lbd dressed the heck up.

If the "East Coast city" is NYC, I'd wear a long black tie dress.

Assuming that if it were NY, you would have said so, here are some suggestions for not NY, based on a quick surf at Wolf and Badger (if you want to go the longer black tie gown route, let me know, and if you want to lower the budget, let me know):

This LBD wouldn't be this short on you since you are petite: https://www.wolfandbadger.com/us/jacqueline-backless-black-mini-puffy-suede-dress/

Festive: https://www.wolfandbadger.com/us/sequined-midi-a-line-dress-with-long-sleeves/

Ruffles can be tough on us 50ish women, but I think the red is potentially sophisticated enough to balance that out here: https://www.wolfandbadger.com/us/pleated-dress-with-ruffles-on-the-neckline-and-sleeves-red/

If you like orange/pink, which I know is a big if: https://www.wolfandbadger.com/us/red-pink-bell-puff-sleeve-midi-dress/

Relatively modest, but the polka dots make it fun and polka dots are (for better or worse) quite in style now: https://www.wolfandbadger.com/us/splendid-black-midi-cocktail-dress-with-chic-polka-dot-mesh/

This could be a great lbd, but you'd have to try it on to know: https://www.wolfandbadger.com/us/kimono-dress-black/

This type of dress, satin and cowlish up top with assymetry in the bottom is good on petites and this burnt orange is such a great alternative to black and easy to dress up in a sophisticated way (I would love this one): https://www.wolfandbadger.com/us/the-sophia-in-burnt-orange/

This is very cool with the bow detail, but don't try it if you have a bigger bust: https://www.wolfandbadger.com/us/black-velvet-bow-dress/

Extremely easy-to-wear wrap lbd: https://www.wolfandbadger.com/us/wrap-cocktail-dress/

Lbd on the less dressy side, but is going to look good on most people and you can dress it up: https://www.wolfandbadger.com/us/paris-jersey-viscose-midi-dress-in-black/

those are really fun choices

[Anonymous]

Wow pp who posted all of those choices- good job! My personal preferences of those are the midi kimono and wrap styles that you posted.

Here are a few other ideas for you, OP:

https://www.jcrew.com/m/womens/categories/clothing/dresses-and-jumpsuits/collection-ruched-chiffon-dress/ME456?display=standard&fit=Classic&color_name=navy&colorProductCode=CK664

https://m.shopbop.com/delora-obk-slvls-cwnk-mxi/vp/v=1/1534725817.htm?os=false&breadcrumb=Shop+Women%27s%3EDesigner+Index%3Ealice+%2B+olivia&searchClick=true&searchResultClicked=Delora+Maxi+Dress&folderID=90&colorSin=2029713198&fm=browse-page-web&ref_=SB_PLP_PDP_W_BRAND_ALICE_90_NB_10

https://veronicabeard.com/products/maggie-halter-maxi-dress-clover

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP- are you comfortable exposing your arms?

LOL!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP- are you comfortable exposing your arms?

LOL!!!!!!!

Why LOL? Sooo many women over 40 aren't and assume everyone else is the same. I don't want to spend time searching for links for her one for her to come back and be like, "well, actually.."

[Anonymous]

If it's black tie, and after 6pm, long dress.

[Anonymous]

Look at what Kate Middleton wears to blacktie. There are choices besides exposing arms, shoulder, neck and half one's chest.

[Anonymous]

Reformation has petite midi dresses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it's black tie, and after 6pm, long dress.

Black tie optional is not the same as black tie