This month's fashion indulgence
If your mantelpiece is anything like ours, it's probably already hosting an ever-growing pile of wedding invitations at the moment. The good news? Those little embossed cards are your perfect excuse to head out and buy a special outfit or two.
But first you're faced with the age-old dilemma: what do you wear to a wedding? You want to look your best, but you don't want to upstage the bride. You also want to follow fashion, but you don't want to look like you've tried too hard. And above all, you really don't want to turn up in exactly the same outfit as somebody else.
So what's the solution? Well, firstly, style experts have given us the go-ahead to eschew smart tailoring this summer. That means you can leave your suit in the wardrobe and opt for a cocktail frock instead. Off-the-shoulder '50s-style prom gowns are big, with pretty much every high-street store finding room for a good selection. Wear with a cashmere cardigan and understated jewellery, and don't even worry about a hat.
If off-the-shoulder seems a little too daring or stagey for you, a simple sleeveless dress will work just as well. Fever's Foligno tunic (£60; www.feverdesigns.co.uk) is a gorgeous but understated frock in a light summer fabric, while their English Rose dress (£72), with its plain black bodice and bold floral-print skirt, is a slightly smarter option for more formal weddings.
Another tip? To avoid any dreaded 'same dress' incidents, why not check out the clothes by top Australian designers at www.salonkitty.co.uk? Brands include celebrities' favourite Wheels and Dollbaby: we adore their Black Satin Bra Dress with pink rose embroidery (£237).
And finally, remember the key to the perfect wedding outfit often lies in the way you accessorise. Check out high-street stores and concessions such as Accessorize for cute bags. Or take a look at the Amethyst collection at http://www.christopherdadey.com - possibly the prettiest bags in the whole world ever!
