This may be a better shot of the full length as it shows more detail...

I like dress #1 better. Tux or dark suit - either is fine for DH.

Maybe a solid color velvet?

Maybe a sheath wit a stole

I'd have to get my body a bit more smokin' before I could wear those slender numbers mtnrd!

Kind of just random ideas, but you could totally pull those off, ADN. Another random idea. But in any event, I think you should make something new for the fun of it!

I love the first one - the one you made. It is such a flattering outline and classic style.

Annie your figure looks amazing in that dress! Isn’t that half the battle? Buy yourself some neck bling and call it a day.

i vote dress one. Don’t love dress 2.

I think the first one is perfect! But in the interest of something new and fun, how about a new satin shawl in a beautiful color with a beaded or fringed edge?

Well, you're way ahead of me. We are attending a Friday night formal wedding in Sept. too! And I keep thinking I need to GET ON IT, but haven't! That first dress, the one you made, is GORGEOUS on you.

Another vote for the gorgeous # 1 dress!

The first dress is beautiful. I’d certainly wear that if it were me. I prefer a dark suit over a tux but you would know what’s best in your social circle. In mine no one would be wearing a tux.

Either dress would be appropriate. You look fain tas tic in both! The idea of a new neklace, shawl, or shrug would give you something to shop for but not be overwhelming.

If the invitation lists Black tie--wear the tux. Black tie optional? Ask around what the menfolk plan to wear.

You are also ahead of me and it is my daughter’s wedding in October. Love the first dress.

Well, they do say to shop your closet first....so that's what I did.

Maybe the reason I look so good in the pic in that first dress is that was taken when I made it 13 years ago! Oh if only there were a wayback machine for my body anyway.

Rho, the website for the wedding just says "formal".

I have worn the 1st dress to black tie events and felt comfortable. And I find the tea length is less fussy when sitting and such than full length, and it is a good length for me. Though if I were making it today for this wedding, I'd probably do full length.

OK Mtnrd, I'll see if I can't shake off this covid-lazy and get inspiration for making a new one. I've had the fabric sitting there for months now to make a new valance for my kitchen and just haven't done it.

I agree with the group: the tea length dress.

Both dresses are beautiful and perfect for the event. But that first one - wow! You are so very talented and it's stunning on you.

I don’t think anyone will be wearing floor length except those in the bridal party.

You can certainly get away with the navy tea length , as long as you still feel comfortable in it since you mentioned it was tight around the bust. It doesn’t look it though.

I don’t really like your chose of shoes with the navy. I would do a navy or a silver. I am not a fan of the t- strap.

As far as DH I would ask around. I’m thinking a regular suit would be fine.

You are right in that formal is written to remind the younger set that this is a serious occasion.

I think though that I agree with Mtn. Why not make something more current and fun since you have the time.

The choices are so limited in the stores.

I’ve been to several formal weddings in the past few years. With regards to weddings, I would generalize and say that “formal” doesn’t mean what it used to mean. Most of the women wore shorter dresses. I wore floorlength gowns because I like them, but I was definitely in the minority. But happily so as I loved the dresses and never get a chance to dress up like that. Most of the men war dark suits. The first dress is gorgeous. You can’t go wrong with it.

I agree eld...those shoes were just for try on. I do have a navy shoe that has some bling on the toe that might be comfortable enough to wear for 5 hrs.

I agree with jojoco, formal can have a variety of meanings. Both dresses look fabulous, and I’d wear either vs. buy new.

I love your dresses. I really like the first one. I would definitely wear that one. It looks great on you!!

Definitely the first!

I would wear the first one and have DH wear a dark suit. You are so talented, Annie. That dress is absolutely gorgeous.

It looks great - nice work!

IMO, different shoes - maybe dark?

Just my .02, coming from someone who can no longer fit into her wedding dress that she wore in 2018. If you don't feel perfectly comfortable in either dress, get a new one that fits your current body. Life is too short. But, both dressed are stunning so if they fit, just doll them up in a new way for some fun, take the path of least resistance. Why spend more time shopping for the perfect dress if its already in your closet. Again, life is too short. Unless you love shopping. Me not so much . . .

Another vote for dress #1

Amazing seamstress ‼️

Both are lovely, but I prefer the first one, too. If you choose something different, though, make it sleeveless--you have great arms!

Agree with dress #1. It's perfect. I love the style, the color, and the length.

Yes, glad you will change the shoes.

I also agree that gown length is less expected with formal. I love tea length for everything.

#1 is beautiful and what a great job you did. For a wedding with formal attire I wouldn't wear a sleeveless dress, and go with something similar to what Mtn posted.

That's funny because I always think sleeveless is more formal, strapless even more so.

Annie - the formal wedding we are attending in Sept. will be held in a Catholic church. My good friend, who is the mother of the groom, told me that she had to stay away from sleeveless while shopping for her dress "because of the church." I kept meaning to circle back to ask her about that. Surely, they wouldn't also include wedding guests in that edict? But I keep forgetting to ask. We are supposed to have lunch next week, and I'm going to try hard to ask her about it.

A strict church typically wants you to cover your shoulders and upper arms, but they wouldn't say or do anything if you didn't...especially since so many brides are strapless these days.

But at my age, I can always be cold so I have a wrap regardless. In this case, it's not at a church and the groom's father, not a priest, will be the officiant.

The Catholic Churches I visit don’t have any ‘rules’ about sleeves or sleeveless dresses. They are just happy to get people in the door.

In the olden days (before the 1960s and Vatican II) there were stricter dress requirements. And women had to wear hats, chapel veils, or a tissue on their heads.

I got married in a Catholic church in August 1978. The wedding and bridesmaid dresses were all sleeveless as were many other women's dresses. In 1982 I wore a sleeveless dress to Christmas mass in Houston. In my experience with the Catholic church no one has cared about sleeves or much of anything else related to attire as long as you're clothed. The only religious place I noted attire coverage requirements was to visit a Greek Orthodox monastery.

I remember my friend telling me that the church had advised the bride about the issue, along with advising wraps, so I guess this would be described as a conservative church. I'm just not sure whether this will be communicated to guests, since I've had no experience with this.

My suggestion has nothing to do with any Church. Let's not go down that road. :)

Taking a second look at your dress, it really is gorgeous, and the wrap is perfect. You apparently have the body to rock it. What I like about your dress are the wider straps which makes a big difference.

I was thinking along the lines of capped sleeves which would be for me.

I know they made a big deal about covering one's shoulders when we visited churches and cathedrals in Italy, but not so much here. Though in a nearby town, they do have an ultra-conservative chapel where they still do Latin masses, and when I see the congregation leaving the church, women are in dresses and hats and men are in suits...like the old days.

I didn't want to leave the wrong impression here -I'm completely happy to accommodate whatever the church decrees. We're just happy to be included on the guest list and really looking forward to celebrating with the family!

The first dress. It looks perfect you look great in it. You made it?! I’m in awe of your skills.

LOL, the Catholic Church has more to worry about than sleeveless dresses! I suppose this isn’t the thread to discuss the dress ”requirements” made by the bride.

I don't have a problem with the bride trying to generally set a tone for the wedding...especially these days when weddings can vary so much, I think it helps the guests understand what to expect. (My yoga teacher's daughter got married last week in a national park and the formal wedding pics were being taken in the middle of a river!) But I would have a problem if she told us all to dress as Dr. Seuss characters or some such thing.

The first dress is timeless and beautiful.

The idea of required upper arm covering is interesting. My very conservative Catholic friend just got married and both the bride and bridesmaid wore strapless gowns. It was a small wedding for only family due to gathering-size restrictions but apparently no sleeve restrictions . . .

Here are the shoes I have to wear with the dress...

Nice shoes - and gams!

Very nice

Those are great shoes.

Yes to the beautiful dress #1 & the shoes you just posted (blue)....having done lots of sewing myself, I applaud how it is so well done! As is your valance!!

Exactly. That seems to be what has to happen. It’s amazing to me that an adult would arrrive at a wedding is very casual attire.