I HAVE a wedding of an old school friend approaching over the next couple of weeks and it's posed some interesting questions for me, as the weddings I normally attend are held in the summer months.
So what should I wear?
I certainly don't do myself any favours; a plus size on a tight budget who lives in an area about an hour away in any direction from major stores, shopping centres, occasionwear shops and large high streets wanting for October wedding outfit. But then I always did enjoy a good fashion challenge.
After careful consideration I've opted for a black dress, a little structured number with tulip skirt ending just above the knee, buttons down the front and cupped short sleeves, a fairly unremarkable purchase.
It sat there in my bedroom, not holding my attraction for a second until I bought a pair of fuchsia-coloured tights (£4 Dorothy Perkins) and now I'm in love.
The notion of coloured tights is set to be big this season, they really aren't as scary as you'd think. Regardless of which designers referred to them in their shows, I believe that PR guru Mary Portas in BBC series Mary Queen of Shops should take full credit for this fantastic look hitting the high street.
As well as transforming the independent shops into a success, she also succeeded in showing just how effective this colourful look was without being too OTT. And it's true, for daytime keep the rest of your main outfit muted and team with the tights.
So, back to the wedding outfit, a black belt is nipping in the waist, I have a pink corsage, a vintage clutch and the following item which will either make or break the outfit I think.
Many a time Dita Von Teese has been seen sporting a hat, or fascinator or even a mini hat-fascinator. So many people favour the little flower/feather fascinators at the moment that you tend to see lots of wedding group shots of women, each with these almost identical little bits of fluff attached to the side of their heads.
With this thought in mind I wanted to wear something a bit more original so ordered myself a mini top hat fascinator from a company on ebay. Priced at about £18, it is so cute, kept with place with a comb, it is a black hat with black veil, a pink ribbon and feathers. I imagine it will provoke a marmite reaction; you'll either love it or laugh at it.
People will either think I look good, or wonder if I've just escaped from a Tim Burton movie.
Having said that, soft goth is a strong trend this Autumn, and there are some great examples on the high street of how this can be achieved. Look out for lace, leather, sheer fabrics and lots and lots of black. It needn't be dull though, vary the look with interesting fabrics. I'm loving this ruffle top £27 from Wallis which is perfect for work teamed with pencil skirt and peeps.
Shopping around town today I also found a great ring from Evans (£4 reduced from £8) and a lipstick from Revlon, ColorStay in Juicy Plum 315 (about £7), both pictured above, which will go nicely with The Outfit (I feel it deserves a title).
I've yet to find shoes to go with The Outfit, but I imagine that quest will be a whole posting by itself as I struggle to choose just one pair...
