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Wednesday 16 March 2011

But I'm Too Old To Wear That!

I spent the day yesterday with the daughter who is getting in married in June.  I explained that I really would have to start looking for an outfit for the wedding.

Immediately she proceeded to sit me down in front of various websites to look at all sorts of dresses, from maxi dresses (all the rage now, so I'm told) to 50's style dresses.  I was looking at them all with that sinking feeling.  I tried to explain that as I am now "a woman of a certain age" (well, let's be honest, a woman almost past her sell-by date), I didn't want to end up looking like mutton dressed as lamb.

A lot of these dresses were sleeveless.  I tried to explain that I would like just a little bit of my arm covered up.  "No problem" says the daughter.  "You can buy a pretty little shrug to go over the top".

A lot of the dresses were just above the knees.  I tried to explain that my knees seem to have turned into elephant's knees over the past couple of years.

A lot of the dresses were backless.  I tried to explain that I really didn't want to be showing my back.  But, of course, the shrug would come in handy again here.

By this time, I think we were both losing the will to live.  Fortunately, I then heard cries from upstairs, as both little ones  woke up at once. Phew!

These are a few of the dresses that she has said I should order :
Bit short! I don't think it's quite bright enough for a wedding, do you?

But at only 5 ft 1", I think a maxi dress would be a bit too much, don't you?!

50's style - This would be "just me" apparently!

Now this one I do quite like, but, unfortunately, it does have a lower back.

It's so much easier to be a man.  Just a suit, shirt and tie and voila!  You're all ready to go.

I thought I would finish off with a few funny quotes on marriage.  Enjoy!


"I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury."
-Groucho Marx




“The best way to remember your wife's birthday is to forget it once.” -H.V. Prochnow




“I have learned that only two things are necessary to keep one's wife happy. First, let her think she's having her own way. And second, let her have it.” -Lyndon B. Johnson



"A man's wife has more power over him than the state has."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson





“My husband and I divorced over religious differences. He thought he was God, and I didn't.” -Unknown




“My wife and I were happy for twenty years. Then we met.”
-Rodney Dangerfield




“Getting married is a lot like getting into a tub of hot water. After you get used to it, it ain't so hot.” -Minnie Pearl



"Behind every great man there is a surprised woman."
-Maryon Pearson





“They say love is blind...and marriage is an institution. Well, I'm not ready for an institution for the blind just yet.” -Mae West

I think my favourite is the couple who divorced for religious reasons!!


29 comments:

Bethe77 said...

I love your quotes my favorite is the birthday one. Since mine jsut passed and it seems everyone forgot.
I think I like the fifties dress Im afraid. I think it is so darling. You would look great in it with a shawl.
Thisisme Im sure what ever you end up with you will look great in it.
Blessings

Natasha in Oz said...

Oh wow, those dresses are all gorgeous and I am sure they will all look stunning on you. If I was choosing one for my mum I would probably have chosen the 2nd last one. Good luck with the final decision!

Best wishes and happy Wednesday,
Natasha.

Becky said...

Hello This! ~ All of those dresses are very pretty! I can see all of them on you! You could wear a paper sack and still be pretty! But, I know what you mean. I am not crazy about going sleeveless or backless, either. It's a shame that you couldn't combine all of these dresses into one! :)

Shady Del Knight said...

You'll look smashing no matter what you wear, Thisisme. The main thing is to show up and just have fun. Those marriage quotes made me smile. My favorites are the ones by LBJ and Dangerfield. Have a wonderful Wednesday, dear friend!

SkippyMom said...

All the dresses are lovely but I have to agree with you This. Although Becky is right you would be lovely in a paper sack, I too couldn't wear any of those and be comfortable at my age. Could you perhaps show your daughter more of what you had in mind and she could look in that area - perhaps a compromise? I know that she wants you to be happy as you certainly want the same for her - I know there is the perfect dress out there.

The quotes are a hoot. You always find the best ones. :)

Shady Del Knight said...

You'll look smashing no matter what you wear, Thisisme! Just have fun and celebrate the happy occasion. Your marriage quotes made me smile. My favorites are the ones by LBJ and Dangerfield. Have a wonderful Wednesday, dear friend!

colenic said...

As EVERYONE has said...I am sure that you will look fabulous in whatever you decide to wear...the third one would be the perfect mother of a bride dress for a wedding like this one...I bet you could totally rock it....with a cute white shrug and a paid of strappy brightly colored sandals

BB said...

There are some great websites out there where you find your body shape and then suggestions come up. YouTube has a bunch of fashion and style sights as does Google. Just browse when she's not there and save things you like as favorites. Then show her what you find. It's so much easier than physically going out there and struggling. Those are all pretty but I think a wedding deserves a bit more flair.

vintch said...

i think all of those dresses were lovely, and the 50s-style one especially catches my eye and my love for vintage:) you'll look FABULOUS no matter what you choose, sweet friend!

Southhamsdarling said...

Bethe77 - I can't believe that everyone forgot your birthday :( Yes, I love the 50's dress as well, but I'm sure it would look rather silly on a 64 year old!!!

Natasha - Lovely to hear from you again! Yes, the dresses all look gorgeous - on young models!! I'm sure something will turn up.

Becky - sorry to hear that you are not feeling so good again. I guess I'll just have to keep looking. I'm not panicking just yet!!! LOL!

SkippyMom - glad you liked the quotes. If you wouldn't feel comfortable in them, how do you think I would feel, being 20 years older than you??!!

Shady - thank you dear friend. I wish I had your confidence!! I thought the marriage quotes were pretty funny.

Colenic - you're the second one to go with the particular dress. It does look gorgeous, but .... Anyway, we'll see.

Bouncin'Barb - thanks for the advice my friend. I know what you mean about more flair. I will know it when I see it (or that's what I'm hoping!!). I might have a little cropped linen jacket to go with whatever I chose, and then wear a fascinator in my hair.

vintch - I just KNOW that the 50's style dress (it's very retro, isn't it?!) would look fabulous on you!

Amy said...

Good to be back - I'm so behind!!!

I love the 50's style dress. I really like the neckline and the bright colors.

Glad you're doing well.

Southhamsdarling said...

Amy - lovely to have you here again! I think the 50's one is really eyecatching, and I love the colours as well. It's called Meadow. Just not sure it's right for little old me!!

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

All the dresses are lovely .. such a hard choice though !!

I think you should look in Debenhams ... Mother of the Bride ...

Google their website ... i think you will love it..

love this .. http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_54488+R1D6300_-1

Olive said...

Hi Tim, I like the 50's dress with a scrug but really I need to try them on. Don't you need to wear petite sizes? My daughter is five feet tall and petite dresses just fit her better length wise and in the torso. I love the quote about religious differences. ♥O

Southhamsdarling said...

Anne in Oxfordshire - thank you so much for the Debenhams link. I have been on there and, yes, there are some lovely things. I can see that I'm going to be spoilt for choice in a minute.

Olive Cooper - you're quite right. I always buy petite if I can. As you say, it gives a much better fit all round, especially in the length. Perhaps I should just go online and google petite mother of the bride outfits!!!

Carol E Wyer said...

Elephants' knees? I hardly think so!
Now if it were my Mum who is only 5ft talland 5ft wide then I'd have a problem choosing...mind you she wouldn't care anyway as long as she could get a couple of bottles of wine into an oversized handbag to see her through the ceremony.
I always prefer dresses with a matching jacket over them...hides a multitude of sins and keeps the British chill off the arms. The last wedding I went to I wore white trousers, striped blouse and blue jacket...Hubby wore a striped jacket and looked like he should have been at The Henley Regatta...didn't mind after the sixth glass of champagne though so wear whatever you feel happy in...you'll definitely look fab anyway!(I see everyone else thinks so too)

Gawgus things... said...

Great quotes! Have fun shopping ;)

Belle said...

You could get the long dress shortened. It is very pretty. I love the one with the bare back. Keep looking if you aren't sure. You will find the right one.
Love the quotes!

LindyLouMac said...

Um it looks like florals are in this year! I must bare this in mind when I start look for an outfit for the June wedding we are going to. I love all the dresses, but are they special enough for the mother of the bride? I think I would want to go for a dress and jacket combo, jacket can be taken off as the party gets going :) You will have to wear high heels as well it makes such a difference to the look of a dress, as I learnt from an Italian saleswoman when buying an outfit for another wedding!! Good Luck and bare in mind you will be showing us all :)

Chatty Crone said...

I love the last one - and if you could find a thin, light purple, chiffon shawl - wouldn't that be gorgeous? Sandie

Southhamsdarling said...

Facing50Blog.com - You're quite right of course, once I've had a couple of glasses of champagne, I won't care a hoot! LOL! But I have the ceremony to get through first! I agree, I would certainly like to wear a linen jacket with it, one which would pick up the colours in the dress. My oh my, you and hubby must have looked the bees knees at that wedding! Very sartorial I must say!

Gawgus things - glad you liked the quotes. I'm not sure fun is going to be the word, but I'll do my best. I don't want to let my two beautiful daughters down!

LindyLouMac - well, thanks for pointing out that I have to show all my blogging friends! No pressure then!! I totally agree about a jacket making the outfit. I'm going to have a problem with the shoes, I'm afraid., as I have bad athritis in my right foot. I could wear soaring stilettos on the left foot, but can't walk in them on my right foot. Do you think a limping effect would go down well?!

Chatty Crone - Glad you liked the final one. That was certainly my favourite, although I notice that no-one else has gone for that one! Love your idea about the shawl. Good thinking Batman!

One Woman's Thoughts said...

I enjoyed your post . . . I'm still laughing.

My daughter was married almost 2 years ago. I remember the dress dilema quite well. I'm ALL about covering the arms (I had a lightweight shawl). I'm sure your back looks much better than you think it does.
Remember, when it comes to weddings it seems it goes like this . . . the bride is the center of attention, the groom is her accent piece, then comes the cake, music and place of ceremony. All you have to do is have a smile swelling with pride, a loving heart and a comfortable dress and shoes.
Enjoy yourself and the blessings that love brings us.

Claudia Moser said...

Why not create your own? Find a good seamstress and then problem solved :))

Southhamsdarling said...

One Woman's Thoughts - lovely of you to leave a comment! I'm glad you're aware of just what I'm going through!! Thank you so much for the wise advice and blessings.

Claudia - not that's another avenue I can explore if all else fails! Thank you for that.

On My Soapbox said...

I think it may depend what time of day the wedding will be and how formal the wedding will be. Is it formal enough that you will need a hat? Will you need to adhere to a certain color palette? Anyway, the best dress for you will be one that you feel comfortable in. Do you have a local store you could try on different styles at? If not, maybe you could find a store with free shipping. :-) Best of luck! I'm sure you will find something pretty.

Jenni said...

You are hilarious!! I'm sure you're being too hard on yourself! I think all the dresses are pretty, but my favorites are the last three. Hey, I'm 5'1, too!! :) I've never tried a maxi dress either, but with heels, it MIGHT work!

Cute quotes. :)

Jenni said...

Oops! Signed into the wrong account!

Jenni@Story of My Life said...

Uggh! Sorry, did it again!! HAHA!!

Empty Nester said...

I think I told you before that my mother made my mother-of-the-bride dress and it was NOTHING like what I wanted---so, my advice to you is this: instead of being miserable at the wedding in a dress you aren't completely comfortable in, take the most honest, helpful friend you have and get him/her to go with you to try on various styles. Once you find one you like and are comfortable in, you can look for one in the right color/fabric, etc for the wedding. I had to put on a mental shield to not pay attention to the fact that I was in a dress I was not comfortable wearing.