No ‘Game of Thrones’, winter isn’t coming – it’s here, with a chilly chilly bang bang and so are the winter weddings. But what to wear to Mr & Mrs Von Hastings’ wedding in the freezing cold marquee in the middle of the Shires?
You don’t want to be drastically cold in a barely-there slip dress, nor do you want to be loaded up like a grizzly bear going into hibernation. You need to strike the right balance between layering up your look and cutting a sharp silhouette.
“A great blazer is key in colder months,” advises Marie Claire’s fashion editor, Lucia Debieux. “It’s the one thing that will really pull your whole look together if you get it right. From velvet to fall florals we’ve found the best blazers to shrug on over your wedding outfit to keep you warm but looking cool.”
Try this sleek green velvet number from Frame denim over a pastel silk midi dress; perfect for adding some tapered wintery pizzazz to your look:
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Image: Instagram @Frame
But who says you have to wear a dress? A smart, tailored suit can also be a great, trend-driven route to go down. The Parisian brands like Maje and Sandro are teeming with options this season; dare to go bold with a colour blocked co-ord suit or reinvent the basics with a pair of dark, oversized tailored trousers and a white broderie shirt – simple yet impeccably stylish.
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Image: Instagram @sandroparis
When it comes to shoes, this is where you can really go to town with striking prints and patterns, particularly if you’re keeping it simple up top. Forget tiresome leopard print, this winter, it’s all about zebra. There is a plethora of brands creating beautiful shoes from this unique and interesting design; of course you may want to take the opportunity to don your finest – and highest – heels at a wedding, but think of your poor little tortured feet at 2am after three hours of solid dancing in stilettos…would you want to put your feet through the torture?
It’s the perfect excuse to whip out your fanciest flats; these Gucci princetown loafers have been on a fashionista tirade this year – seen on the likes of Sienna Miller and Alex Chung – this new zebra print style is the ultimate companion of eccentricity to your winter wedding look.
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Image: Instagram @brandedbagsjktt
Of course, what you wear very much depends on the venue. Are you trekking into the depths of the Scottish Highlands with sub zero temperatures and treacherous terrain? Or perhaps you’re venturing to a grand Elizabethan manor nestled in the picturesque Hampshire hills?
Countryside weddings can be incredibly romantic, particularly during the colder months. Popular venues include Blenheim Palace (yep, you can actually get married in an actual palace), The Woburn Estate and Leeds Castle.
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Image: Instagram @leedscastle
Countryside: Of course, grandeur is the primary port of call for a wedding in the English countryside, so this is the opportunity to uncover your majestic sartorial self; dig out your finest jewels and your sleekest silks. Floor-length anything is a must-have, whether it’s an elegant flowing pair of satin trousers or a whopping fairytale gown, this is your time to shine so take advantage and don’t be shy.
City: City weddings are a different affair entirely. They have the advantage of easy transportation, firstly. Plus, you can stumble back into the comfort of your own bed once it’s all over instead of the musty BnB room you’ve rented – if you live in the city of course. Even if you don’t, you’re far more likely to find accommodation from a city dwelling pal than a retreating country hermit, so the privilege of a homely bed (probably) still applies.
London: Popular London wedding venues can range from sky-high rooftops to Park Lane hotels; it’s a mixed bag. You wouldn’t necessarily want to wear a ball gown to Sushi Samba; nor would you be inclined to don your zebra Guccis to Grosvenor House. That being said, city weddings give you the chance to be a little more edgy with your outfit choices; think fuchsia trouser-suits and quirky florals – yes, even in winter.
The opportunities for winter weddings are endless; whether you are planning one or simply attending as a guest, remember to dress for the occasion. And, for the love of god don’t go for the whole winter wonderland thing – you are better than a cliché.