Ask an Expert: Fashion

I'm planning on losing around 20lbs for my wedding, but I'm worrying about when I go shopping for my dress - am I supposed to leave it until after I lose the weight? That will make my deadline really tight!

No, go shopping now. A seamstress will be able to take a gown in considerably (I think up to about four sizes), and you'll fall well within that. Leaving your gown purchase until the last minute will make shopping more stressful. Read more

I've bought a taupe/gold wedding dress and am having a really hard time finding an exact match for shoes. I don't want the expense of having shoes dyed to match exactly. Could I go with a colour that doesn't match?

Yes, absolutely. You could go with a similar colour but one that's either darker or lighter; alternatively, you could go with coloured wedding shoes in a colour that works, such as pink, bright metallic gold, orange, red - anything that you love that... Read more

My daughter is getting married in a few months time in an outdoor garden. I have my outfit sorted, but am wondering what to do about shoes. I really want to wear heels as it's such a special occasion, but don't want to be the person sinking into the lawn....

You can buy heel guards at very little expense (transparent ones) that will stop spikey heels from sinking into the ground. Alternatively, have a look around at shoes that have a more generous heel, rather than a spike. And of course, you may from... Read more

I've bought a gold wedding dress which I absolutely love. However I have no idea what veil to pair it up with - what do you think?

That's a little tricky. I think I'd try to find a similar gold veil first. If you can't find a gold veil, try looking in the peach/taupe ranges, and go with something that's very light and transparent. Alternatively, you could go with a very light... Read more

I love orange and have decided to have tangerine as my bridesmaid colours. However I'm not sure what colour to have for the flowers as a contrasting colour - what do you think?

Orange is a gorgeous colour. You could go with something fairly neutral (creams and oranges), or you could go with some gorgeous equally bright colours such as red, hot pink or bright yellow. Purple could also look gorgeous. Read more

My daughter is having a lace wedding dress which is gorgeous. I've also found a dress (in a gorgeous dark teal) but it's also lace, and I'm wondering whether it will look like lace overload? What do you think?

No, I don't think it will look overly lacy - white lace creates a very different look and feel to darker colours. I'd say go for it! Read more

Our budget is tight and I'm trying to think of ways to save money. All of our bridesmaids already have suitable black shoes, so I'm (somewhat oddly I know!) trying to think of bridesmaid colours that will match their existing shoes. What would you suggest?

Good idea! I like contrasting black with either a pastel colour such as pale pink which creates a bit of a vintage vibe, or with a seriously bright colour - daffodil yellow and black look smashing together. Read more

I really don't mind what colour my bridesmaids are - they're buying their own dresses as a favour to me as we're on a super tight budget and can't afford to pay. What's the most versatile colour to pick that they're most likely to reuse after?

Aww, that's nice of them and nice of you to be so thoughtful. I'm going to have to plump for black. Everybody needs a black dress, and it's totally unidentifiable as a bridesmaid dress. Alternatively, a charcoal grey colour is also versatile, or if it's... Read more

I'm getting married next year and want to have my niece as a flowergirl. However she's a real tomboy and is most insistent that she won't wear a dress. I'm starting to panic about it (who knew a four year old could cause so much stress!) - what should we...

Arggh, kids huh! Short of telling her she can't be in the wedding if she doesn't wear a dress (which might work?!), you could try the option of leggings under a cute shorter dress, or perhaps try bribing her (!) for the ceremony and letting her change... Read more

We've been invited to a black tie wedding, and my husband doesn't own a suit. He's decided he's just going to go in a waistcoat and bow tie, but I'm telling him he'll look out of place and should hire something. Am I right?

You'll know the people whose wedding you've been invited to better than I do (obviously), but generally speaking, a waistcoat won't cut it at a black tie event, and I'm sure your husband doesn't want to be mistaken for a waiter! He'd be much more... Read more