Chose from the paler coloured tailoring if you want to wear a suit. A silver grey trouser suit (pounds 145) with flat front, straight leg trousers, or a polyester crepe wide legged trouser suits (pounds 120) are perfect for summer office wear with a T-shirt, but easily dressed up with a stretch devore top (pounds 23); lacy knit chinese-style top (pounds 26) or a fine silk pastel cardigan (pounds 32).If you have to go all the way with hat, matching bag and shoes, but begrudge the expense, then M&S can help. Look for Giant concessions in department stores.Good old M&S should not be overlooked either. For less formal weddings there are pretty Ghost-style frocks; crocheted shift dresses over matching slips; fine viscose knit dresses with matching long line cardigans and Suzy Wong brocade shifts in cornflower blue or sand; no coat or jacket needed if it’s a warm day. Not just for wedding guests, but because, says the PR girl at Giant, so many younger women are wearing tailoring these days.
Not just for work but for pubs and clubs as well, so they want something a little different – at a good price.The clever thing about Giant’s tailoring is the multi-purpose element. Like the black and white pin-striped stretchy jacket that can be worn over a matching slip dress with rose embroidery on the bodice, or over a boob tube and pants. Respectable in the church, raunchier later on, a second outfit if you buy all the pieces (just over pounds 300) and okay for the office.If you want something glitzier, there is a gold brocade long-line jacket with matching pants or a stretchy gold slip dress; a silver jacket with fine pale blue piped lapel edges over a pale blue jersey, embroidered shift dress, which could be worn with a matching cardigan. Everything in between is a matter of taste, judgment and common sense.All very daunting, but it just so happens that fashion is on our side. Never have so many flashy fabrics and swanky suits been seen on so many high street rails. Bear in mind the bride’s family (whose guest you probably are) who may be easily shocked.Dress codes are not written in stone, but the clues are in the invitation. If it came by fax or e-mail then it’s likely to be a laid back do with not much parental involvement Slacks are fine.
It’s the gold embossed cards with a family crest you need to worry about. If Lord and Lady X request the pleasure it would be wise to take a hat. So that’s six new outfits, obviously.
The only consolation is knowing that I’m not alone. An unusual dilemma for ancient me, but for your average twentysomethings lots of weddings is par for the course.
