Ask an Expert: Fashion

We're getting married in the spring and I want to have a spring feel to the colour scheme. What's a classic spring style palette?

Spring is about new life, flourishing trees and daffodils. I'd probably be inclined to go with pastels, or a lovely bright grassy green, or bright yellow, or a flowery pattern. I appreciate that doesn't restrict things much, but think of it as a... Read more

We're getting married abroad and my man wants to wear a dark suit, but I think it's a bad idea as it will be really hot where we're going - what do you think?

You're right - dark colours absorb light (and radiate heat) so he'll get hot if you're standing outside in the sun for a long time. He'd be better off (and cooler) going with a lightweight suit in a light colour, such as a beige, light grey or white. Read more

I've got a mermaid style wedding dress which I love. However, it shows off a couple of lumps and bumps I'm not happy with - is there any particular undergarment that might help?

There's a new strapless slip made by Spanx that would completely fit the bill, and what's more it doesn't look too bad on its own either so you don't have to worry about looking frumpy on your wedding night! Read more

I have my heart set on a particular gown that I saw as a teenager and now can't find anywhere. However I don't have the budget to get a bespoke gown made. Any tips?

One of the rules when buying a wedding dress is not to have too many rules! Although you've had a picture in your mind of what your dream dress looks like, you may find when you start trying on other gowns that you'll find something else that really makes... Read more

I fell in love with a specific dress from a particular designer so made an appointment with a local wedding shop who claimed they carried that designer. However they didn't have that style in stock, which I'm really annoyed about. Don't bridal shops have...

Actually, no, bridal shops select gowns from a range that they think will sell well, but aren't obliged to carry the designer's entire range. A bridal shop will however normally be able to get their hands on a sample of that gown if you give them enough... Read more

I really love wedding gowns that are low cut, but I'm big busted (36DD) and am worried about falling out of the front of a low cut gown. Any ideas?

Well, apart from a really solid bra option, the other thing you could look at doing (which is quite hot right now) is having a dress with an illusion neckline that's a nice sheer chiffon. That way, you're still showing flesh up top but with a gown that is... Read more

I'm having an autumn wedding and want to incorporate orange in the flowers, but don't want to have orange for the bridesmaid dresses as my sister looks terrible in orange. What would you suggest?

Orange is a gorgeous colour, and works beautifully with lots of darker colours. Try a nice dark purple, or navy, or dark teal, or a lovely sludgy grey, or silver. It can also look amazing with red. Red and purple are both lovely autumnal colours. I hope... Read more

I want to wear a purple suit to my wedding but my fiance hates the idea. How do I convince her it's a good idea?

Wow, you sound like a brave suit wearer! Purple suits can look amazing, but if it's not a colour your fiance likes, you could be in trouble. Show her some images off Google for starters - I've just done exactly that and there are some lovely purple mens'... Read more

My fiance really wants me to wear tails to my wedding, but I think I'll look like a penguin and want to wear something else. What should I do?

If I were you, I'd take her to the menswear hire shop and show her both. That way you've both looked at both the tails option and something slightly less formal, and she'll feel reassured that you'll still look amazingly smart. If she knows you feel... Read more

I'd love a train for my wedding dress, but am worried about what will happen to it when I dance (I don't want to look like an idiot by tripping over it!) - do you know?

If you're keen on a train, you'll find that built into the design of the dresses with trains is a way of tucking it away so that you can dance the night away without tripping over the skirt! Read more