Deciding what to wear to a wedding isn't easy at the best of times, but if you don't want to wear a dress then it can be a minefield of shopping nightmares!
Not everyone fancies looking like Victoria Beckham in a chic dress and heels, for some the idea of showing their knee's, leg's, or ankle's makes them want to RSVP NO!
While tomboy chic has long permeated our catwalks and shops, weddings are still regarded a widely formal affair where dresses are seen as the female uniform of choice. Weddings require a way of dressing that would be totally unnatural in any other setting. In fact, the clothes wedding guests wear would today only really be suited to Ascot.
Dressing up doesn't have to mean just dresses. There is an odd but common misconception that trousers are more informal than dresses, which is obviously ridiculous for anyone who has seen Katharine Hepburn in one of her high-waisted trouser suits and shirt combos. It also doesn't make you less feminine; Audery Hepburn, the girliest of all women, loved a pair of trews and if she was around today she'd have rocked a pair of chinos and silk pink shirt to her girlfriend's nuptials. Or there's the Amal Clooney- remember that incredible white trouser suit she wore when she married George Clooney? Admittedly you have to be pretty lean to wear such a look, but she looked chic and elegant.
There is, of course, nothing wrong with wearing a dress. But just don't feel it's your only option. And remember if you're feeling lost when looking at the murky wedding guest dress code, think what would Alexa Chung do?
Here is my guide to alternative wedding dressing:
1. Playsuits - Playsuits are another good option; think of Seventies Halston and Studio 54. They look great in both jewel tones and also in classic colours like navy and black. It also has the same beauty of a dress in that you only need to think of one item, unlike with separates. Chunky heels are about the only item you need to go with.
2. Trouser suit - Channelling Amal Clooney, wear with wedges as they give you height without having to worry about stepping onto the bottoms of the wide leg trouser. Adding some great accessories will ensure that you look dressed right for the occasion.
3. Slim trousers & shirt combo- For a wedding you can wear black and white without worrying about clashing with the bride. Or change it up by wearing a sequin top instead of a white shirt and always make sure you wer those killer heals to finish off the look.
4. Skirts - There's something about a skirt that doesn't feel as formal as a dress. Team a high-waisted skirt with a sequinned vest or a lace shirt tucked into a pencil skirt. Then throw an oversized mannish blazer over the top for good measure.
Check out some more no dresses inspiration on my pinterest board - https://uk.pinterest.com/EditsStyling/no-dresses-allowed/
