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Wedding belles

9/ 3/2006

IT'S that time of the year again, when wedding invites start flooding in.

While you may be excited about the forthcoming banquet and reuniting with long-lost friends and relatives, you may despair once you glance at your wardrobe, especially if you've been dragging out the same old wedding outfit for years.

But Amanda Slader, chief fashion adviser at John Lewis, says there's no need to worry.

"Finding an outfit for a wedding can be tricky, but you can get away with almost anything these days," she says.

"People don't dress for weddings that often, so they tend to have a certain mindset as to what they can and can't wear. The increase of less formal weddings like civil ceremonies can make it hard for people who are used to following a certain wedding etiquette."

There are a few things you should bear in mind though when choosing an outfit - such as the weather, your age and appropriateness.

"You don't want to run around in a strappy dress when it's cold weather, nor do you want to wear a skimpy outfit at a formal ceremony," she adds.

Dressing for..

...A traditional wedding

Amanda advises thinking demurely when you're dressing for a traditional religious wedding.

"Be appropriate - cover your shoulders with a shrug, and avoid wearing white and black, which is more funeral-like than wedding," she says.

"Gone are the days of shift dresses and boxy jackets. Today, people can wear anything from floaty dresses to trouser suits, but be aware of the ceremony you've been invited to. If it's very formal or with mature guests, it may be inappropriate to wear anything too fashion-forward or too revealing."

Subtle numbers include Principles' silk floral chrysanthemum print dress, '75 (110 Euros), and Next's long pink silk dress, '69.99 (102 Euros).

Cover up with a delicate wrap such as J by Jasper Conran's pashminetta, '18 at Debenhams, or Next's embroidered wrap, '19.99 (29 Euros), or pick a cute jacket like Warehouse's broderie puff sleeve cropped jacket, '50 (76 Euros), and Oasis' one-button cropped jacket, '35 (50 Euros).

...Registry office

You don't have to dress too formally for a civil ceremony, Amanda says.

"You don't want to spend a lot on one outfit you won't feel comfortable wearing again, so try to invest in something you'll want to wear again," she explains.

This could be a delicate dress, a gorgeous skirt or even a trouser suit, depending on your personality.

Dorothy Perkins' white chiffon dress with black spots, '40 (65 Euros), Kaliko's button back bodice dress, '139 at John Lewis, and Monsoon's lime Lottie dress, '55, are versatile dresses that you'll definitely wear again.

Marks & Spencer's Cinzia jacket, '89.50 (131 Euros), and matching black and white skirt, '99 (145 Euros), and TK Maxx's cream trouser suit, only '29.99 (RRP '300), will give you a smart casual look.

...Day to night

"The most important thing to consider is if you have far to travel. This has a bearing on the fabric you choose - as you won't want an easily creased fabric like linen - and you'll want comfortable shoes that won't burn the balls of your feet or give you blisters," she says.

"Comfort is vital because weddings are normally a long day. Many people use a wedding as an excuse to get dressed up, and will wear a dress they'll never wear again with killer heels."

Rocha by John Rocha's antique lace and pintuck sundress, '60 at Debenhams, Wallis' grey puffball dress, '90 (140 Euros), and Monsoon's indigo Sophia dress, '50, won't crease too easily and will keep you looking stylish throughout the day.

If you're wearing separates, Amanda suggests bringing a glitzy top for the evening so you can change out of a more formal day top.

Take a look at Coast's Waterlily bustier, '85 (125 Euros), and Warehouse's Edwardian lace corset, '50 (76 Euros), which can be worn with a skirt or trousers.



Accesories

Weddings are the perfect occasion to invest in a headpiece.

"Fascinators and feathered headpieces are a fun investment as they look good. If you're hat-shopping, pick one without a wide brim that obscures the face, so you can still see your face in photographs," says Amanda.

Head to Debenhams, where you'll find ranges designed by Julien Macdonald and esteemed miliner Pip Hackett, starting from '35, or to John Lewis, which has an extensive collection of hats and fascinators priced from '20.

If hats aren't your thing, jewelled hair combs are easy to wear. Jasper Conran's jewelled and feathered combs are '25 from Debenhams, while the selection at Glitzy Secrets starts from '9.99.

Underpinnings

Every bride knows how important the right lingerie is for her first night of wedded bliss - and Ballet's gorgeous new collection is sure to keep grooms happy. The Serenity range consists of a basque, bra and briefs, while Bluebell has multi-way strapless bra and briefs. Prices start at '10 and sizes go up to F cup and dress size 18. Available now from department stores and lingerie shops - call 0800 917 6561.

STOCKISTS

Coast - 01865 881 986

Debenhams - 08445 616 161/www.debenhams.com

Dorothy Perkins - 0870 122 8801/www.dorothyperkins.co.uk

Glitzy Secrets - 020 8303 7161/www.glitzysecrets.com

John Lewis - 0845 6049 049/www.johnlewis.com

Marks & Spencer - 0845 302 1234/www.marksandspencer.com

Monsoon - 020 7313 3000/www.monsoon.co.uk

Next - 0845 600 7000/www.next.co.uk

Oasis - 01865 881 986/www.oasis-stores.com

Principles - 0870 122 8802/www.principles.co.uk

TK Maxx - www.tkmaxx.co.uk

Wallis - 0845 121 4520/www.wallis-fashion.com

Warehouse - 0870 122 8813/www.warehousefashion.co.uk

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