Fashion Trends

What to wear to weddings

Weddings can be a sartorial minefield for girls. Boys, you've got it easy - put on a smart suit or a kilt, and you're good to go.

For girls, it can be a bit more of a challenge.  How do you make sure you look great without looking as if you've tried too hard (and, importantnly, without upstaging the bride)?

Here's our fashion stylist's take on what to wear to wow at weddings this year...

Summer colour

Be bold with your patterns and accessories - have fun with this season's prints and zingy colour palette.  After all, if you can't have a bit of fun at a sumemr wedding, when can you?  We love this yellow bag from Next, which gives a bit more punch to the whole outfit.

Get it from:
Blue bird print blazer: H&M £24.99
Floral dress: River Island £29.99
Yellow bag: Next £16
Scarf: Thomas Sabo £75

All from Buchanan Galleries

Ladylike simplicity

Reference a couple of this season's trends with an elegant, no-fuss look.  The simple but ladylike cut of this Mango dress combines nude and red in a flattering combination of the minimalist and colour blocking trends, and leaves you free to accessorize with almost anything.

Get it from:
Beige and red dress: Mango £44.90
Green pendant: Mango £22.90
Clutch: Oasis £25

All from Buchanan Galleries

Green goddess

Be the centre of attention in a gorgeous jewel-coloured dress. We love the colour and line of this fab asymmetric jade green dress from Lipsy - a great buy for your summer holiday, too.

Get it from:
Green one-shouldered dress: Lipsy £65
Earrings: Accessorize £6
Bangles: Wallis £16.50
Clutch: Tie Rack £19.99

All from Buchanan Galleries

Purple jumpsuit

Bored with frocks?  Go with a jumpsuit.  They look great dressed up, they're easy to wear and there are so many good styles around at the moment (try Wallis, too).  Even better, the chances are no one else will be wearing one! Keep it fuss-free so that you can add impact with accessories, and a block colour - like this purple - works best.

Get it from:
Purple jumpsuit: Next £49
Bra (just seen): La Senza £20
Belt: Warehouse £20
Shoes: H&M £24.99
Flowers in Ashleigh's hand: John Lewis £60

All from Buchanan Galleries

Ballet skirt

Blame it on the feminine and nude mood of last season, or pin it on Natalie Portman and BlackSwan, but ballet-inspired looks are a hot look. This particular skirt from Whistles got all the fashion editors (and us!) in a tizz over its gorgeousness.  Wear it with chiffon and muted tones, or go for contrast - green looks fab with pink.  This is one piece you'll get all sorts of wear out of this summer.

Get it from:
Leopard bow hair band: Accessorize £32
Green dress (worn as a top): Next £35
Pleated skirt: Whistles at John Lewis £95
Shoes: Miss Selfridge £40

All from Buchanan Galleries

Classic floral

Go for a fail-safe classic look that works. This strapless style is a classic shape, brought up-to-date with the neutral tones and pretty floral print. A great party dress, all it needs are a delicate cover up and coloured accessories (like this cute bow belt) to make it wedding-appropriate. And you'll have a dress that you can wear to your next do or posh night out!

Get it from:
Shrug: Jane Norman £28
Floral dress: Oasis £60
Belt: H&M £6.99
Shoes: Jones Bootmaker £65
Peony in Ashleigh's hand: John Lewis £6

All from Buchanan Galleries

Striped blazer

Want to avoid splurging on an entirely new outfit, or a frock that's going to sit in your wardrobe after the big day?  Take one statement piece and base your staple summer wardrobe around it, including events like weddings.

Striped blazers are hot this season - whether its big chunky stripes, or delicate pinstripes.  Take your blazer, team with summery separates, and you're good to go!

Get it from:
Striped blazer: Next £45
Blue top: Miss Selfridge £22
Floral print skirt: River Island £29.99
Shoes: River Island £69.99
Hair clasps: H&M £1.99

All from Buchanan Galleries

Pattern clash

Somehow it shouldn't work, but it just does. Take different prints and different colours, and just mix them up.  We've mixed this peppermint green (great summer colour) with monochrome stripes, red and pink, for a look that's fun and will definitely make you stand out in the wedding pics!

Get it from:
Green swallow print blazer: H&M £24.99
Black & white chain top: Lipsy £35
Mid-length skirt with belt: River Island £29.99
Floral head-piece: Accessorize £10

All from Buchanan Galleries

Mid-length skirt

Mid-length skirts - very on-trend (if it's not a maxi, make it a midi) and great for a wedding outfit. But a word from the wise.  Avoid looking frumpy by wearing heels (flats are a no-no) and go for a fitted-top, like this bandeau, as a blouse could make you look mumsy. Unless it's sleeveless and bodyskimming, of course...

Get it from:
Hat: John Lewis £150
Nude bandeau top: Miss Selfridge £18
Skirt: Mango £69.90
Belt: Next £7 (pack of two)
Bangle: Wallis £8.50
Shoes: H&M £24.99

All from Buchanan Galleries

All product details were correct when we wrote this, but please confirm availability and price with the store directly - get store contact details here

Shot for Buchanan Galleries shopping centre, Glasgow.
Photographer: Graham Wylie
Stylist: Lindsay Campbell
Hair & make-up: Lynne Gallagher
Model: Ashleigh @ The Look Agency