Stay cool at summer weddings
With the weather getting a little bit hotter and with three weddings on the horizon this month, I’ve been thinking of what I could possibly wear that can keep me cool and looking stylish without breaking the bank.
It seems I’m not alone in this dilemma as plenty of my personal shopping clients have been asking the same thing. If at all possible, I’d like to wear some items I already own and nowadays when I’m buying a dress, I like to ask myself if at a push I could get inventive and wear it as a wedding guest dress.
In most situations you’ll be glad to know that you can in fact jazz up even the simplest of dresses to make them wedding or even just occasion wear ready. I think it help that the dress codes for most events now have become a lot less formal, except maybe for race day style but even that is very possible to do on a budget.
The trouble with occasion wear in the summer is trying to be slightly covered up, while keeping cool and also trying to wear fabrics that will allow you to breath.
Synthetic fabrics are really not the way to go if you don’t want to be combatting sweat patches for the whole day. Cotton works well and is my preferred choice of fabric but silk can also work well if you fancy a slinky number.
My absolute go to wedding guest dress if I’ve left it very last minute is a printed midi-dress. On the hanger, this dress can look pretty smart casual especially if you’ve been wearing it with flat sandals or trainers but look for items with interesting style details like a statement sleeve or a cool cutout at the back and hey presto, you’ve got a stylish dress that will make you wedding ready!
Of course accessories are key to helping you create the look and a metallic pair of sandals are a must in your wardrobe for this very purpose. A good strong block colour can also wow and requires very little effort.
I tried on a deep green maxi dress in Topshop the other day with a fluttery sleeve, cut-out at the back and side slits on the leg which is covered up but still light and airy. I’ll be adding a gold sandal and bejewelled headband to complete the look.
If you don’t fancy a dress, then fear not as a suit or jumpsuit is also a cracking option and will ensure you stand out from the crowd but most importantly will be super comfortable.
A wedding presents a real opportunity to dress up and really go to town with colour and print so go wild with flowing colourful jumpsuits that make an entrance. You literally just have to put the jumpsuit on and keep accessories to a minimum and you’ll still look great.
For extra fashion points, layer on the jewellery in contrasting colours. I also really love a suit and for summer dressing you have two options; keep it light and airy with a pastel suit and just add a bold pop of colour with the top inside or with shoes.
Pastel pink looks great with bright red, lemon with a slash of purple the choice is yours. Alternatively go all out with bright jewel colours but just keep your fabric light for and airy. Whatever you do, use it as an opportunity to play with your look and remember there are no fashion rules.
Well, perhaps long flowing, dramatic white gowns are best avoided but after that the sky is the style limit!