THE WEDDING STYLE EDIT

As the first signs of spring start to break through the chill and event invites quickly fill up your diary, take some time to consider what to wear to a wedding, be it now or in summer months, to ensure your occasionwear wardrobe is prepped and ready for the season. From designs that promise to earn you the title of best dressed guest to contemporary bridesmaid looks and the perfect mother of the bride dresses, our SS17 Wedding Style Edit gives classic elegance a relevant spin. Discover the items you’re sure to fall in love with here.

WHITE IS THE NEW BLACK

Whether you take a traditional or contemporary stance on wearing white to a wedding, there’s a spot in every summer wardrobe for the little white dress. This season’s lace iterations celebrate intricate design and work to capture the romance of the season. When spliced with surprising cut-outs and graphic panelling, fit and flare dresses make the transition from classic to cool and fare well across a multitude of invite options.

COLD SHOULDER

There’s no denying that the off-the-shoulder neckline is the latest statement to make and it’s a seamless way to blend one of the season’s most relevant trends with occasionwear. Conceptual cuts and clever folds add depth to minimalistic shapes and offer a modern take on classic elegance. Keep additional details to a minimum; shoulder-grazing earrings and an envelope clutch will offset the look with just the right amount of vigour.

THE UNEXPECTED FRONT RUNNER

Don’t underestimate the power of separates for event season. When styled right, they make for a look that’s strong enough to rival any dress. Our top tip? Keep this season’s riff on the midi skirt on rotation, switching daytime styling to something a little more elevated when high-profile events come knocking. Strategic knife-pleats are at once artful and feminine and they come to life when caught in summer’s breeze.

THINK PINK

Pink is the colour du jour and it gets a grown-up makeover for SS17 with dusky blossom hues steering tailored shapes in a feminine new direction. A pink jumpsuit is perhaps the most striking way to work the look as there’s something altogether alluring about a modern riff on a timeless piece, especially when toughened up with black accents and a flash of metallic hardware. Who knew pink could be so powerful?

MODERN MINIMALISM

Recent seasons have seen the jumpsuit earn its spot as a capsule wardrobe must-have and SS17’s conceptual cuts offer a chic take on occasionwear. Bardot necklines reveal subtle flashes of skin in the most refined manner and wide-leg silhouettes communicate a certain level of effortlessness that feels easy yet polished.

THE LAYERING GAME

If your invite spans both day and evening, be sure to consider your outfit as a whole and not just as a stand-alone dress or jumpsuit. When the sun goes down and the chill sets in, you’ll be grateful for tactical forward planning if you’ve got a white or cream jacket as a cover-up to hand. Opt for easy, longline silhouettes that complement but don’t overshadow your look to create an overall aesthetic that’s just as polished as it was pre-layering.

OPTIMUM IMPACT

How to make lace even more elaborate? Add a little sparkle. A well-placed blaze of sequins will take floral designs on lace dresses to glamorous new heights, catching the light as you move and brightening a muted pastel palette in the most considered manner. For optimum impact, look to clashing, bold-hued blue heels in leather or suede and add a single piece of cocktail jewellery.

A LITTLE GLITTER

Celebrate all that glitters by making high-shine embellishment the focus of a look that’s comprised of easy silhouettes in classic hues. A cold-shoulder dress in black will take on new nuances when styled with different accessories. For weddings, a beaded clutch bag and open-toe black sandals make the most impactful accompaniments and translate well from day to after-dark.

ROMANTIC REMIX

There’s a new romantic remix sweeping the collection this season and it’s a fusion of masterful print dresses and ruffle detailing. Fluted sleeves are the most understated way to work the look but statement alternatives will show your commitment to the trend. Let cascading ruffles visually elongate the silhouette of a floor-sweeping maxi dress and put a fashion-focused spin on your look.

FIX UP

There’s a distinctive sharpness that comes with clean-cut white tailoring but when imagined in a soft neutral palette, this look takes on a feminine guise that lends itself well to wedding season. Go bold and wear white from head to toe, punctuating the look with luxe leather accents and the angular aesthetic of a point-toe court shoe. For something a little less formal, wear the blazer one size up, unbuttoned and rolled at the cuffs.

DARK ROMANCE

The allure of lace is unwavering but there’s something unexpected about taking darkly romantic iterations through to summer months. Pieces featuring contradictory blossom-inspired hues and artful embroidery will maintain seasonal relevance and add further depth, bringing something new to any event-ready line-up. What’s more? These levels of intricacy are so complex that they require little in terms of additional embellishment - these black lace dresses speak for themselves.