The event of the decade, The British Royal Wedding is guaranteed to dominate the 2011 spring fashion season. From bridal gowns and mother of the bride outfits, through to the on-scree Royal correspondents and the average street party attendee, there’s a fashion rule for each one – here’s our guide on how to dress for this rather royal occasion.
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The Wedding Dress
Despite being under a month away the official designer of the bridal gown is still undisclosed – Bruce Oldfield has been tipped by industry peers and bookies as the favourite, but the secret will be kept under wraps until the big day. Other names bandied about have included Alexander McQueen's Sarah Burton and Libelula's Sarah Cranston (who after recent intense speculation issued a statement denying that she's the chosen one). William’s mother Diana's wedding dress became iconic after her walk down the aisle with Prince Charles, but while Diana's dress was all about 80s fairytale excess it's expected that Kate's will be more paired down and streamlined. There are even rumors that Kate will wear more than one dress and there is a good chance she'll have a lengthy train--during a recent rehearsal at Westminster Abbey Kate reportedly took to the aisle wearing a 10-foot faux train.
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Mother of the Bride
The position taken by mother of the bride is a tricky one, whilst she’s expected to take a back seat to the bride, it’s most definitely her day just as much as the couple actually getting hitched – which historically means finding an outfit that fits both camps. Kate’s mother, Carole Middleton, seems to have been suffering last minute jitters over this quandary, having sacked her couture designer after months of fittings and just weeks before the wedding. Who and what she’ll end up wearing on the day is anyone’s guess.
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Presenters and Dignitaries
Rather than Fern Cotton’s preferred attire of party dress and chipped black nail varnish, it’s been announced that Mulberry are going to dress both the BBC and CNN Royal correspondents, with skirt suits in brash colours being the favoured style. Whilst Sam Cam has been threatening waves on the big day by bucking tradition and refusing to wear a hat, which whilst not a treasonous act, does risk detracting attention from the bride. Speaking of hats, they're set to be a big part of all the outfits on the royal wedding day and celebrated milliner Phillip Treacy (who has designed several of Kate's hats as well as the feathered confection that Camilla Parker-Bowles wore at her wedding to Prince Charles) has confirmed that he's been working furiously to create hats for several of the guests including royal and celebrities, although he won't name names just yet.
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Right Royal Tea Party
If you’re simply one of the masses, but have arranged a right royal tea party in celebration, there are still fashion rules to adhere to. Street parties in honour of the monarchy are a distinct throw back to the 1950’s and as such many will be boasting style themes to match the era. Trestle tables, bunting, tea pots and cake stands all demand a distinctly post war wardrobe – cash in on fashionable florals, wrap dresses, straw hats and court shoes. Red, white and blue being the essential colour combination.
Images:
1. People.com
2. WWD.com
3. dailymail.co.uk
4. Getty Images via royalwedding.aol.com
5. royalweddingtheitalianobserver.blogspot.com
