Advice for Mother of the Bride outfits for 2012

Having been asked to talk about this very important subject on local radio - how to find that perfect dress if you are attending a wedding this year 2012, I have listed my advice. Living in Guernsey has it's delights but we all know that finding clothes that flatter our figure, and look on trend is not an easy job. Just because we are of a certain age - thirties onwards doesn't suddenly mean we have to lose all sense of our style and fashion.

Read on, and do post any questions via our Guernsey Weddings Facebook - I will do my best to help:

So Carole Middleton seems to have made a good decision about her outfit - colouring, cut, hat, but not all of us are attending a royal wedding and we really have many choices when it comes to finding that perfect dress.

Top tips:

1. Make the experience enjoyable and not a chore. Start flicking through images in magasines, and online photos and create your own mood board. By putting together your choice of looks in a scrap book or large piece of paper is not only enjoyable, but you will soon see a pattern forming in terms of style and colour - sit back look at your newly created work of art and then the hunt begins.
2. Understand your perfect colour palette - what colours do you look healthy and glowing in, and which colours drain your face and age you.
3. Understand your proportions and body lines. I am talking about your larger and smaller areas in terms of shoulders waist, and legs, and also we need to understand where we have curves or no curves. We can create illusions with colour to create larger and smaller focus, we can create a more flattering effect by choosing stiffer fabric or drapier fabric.
4. Now armed with more of an understanding about your body shape and colouring, you can now approach online shopping or local shops by ignoring half the choices immediately - those colours that will not suit you, and the cut and fabrics and necklines that would not flatter you.
5. Trends for this summer 2012, pastels, florals, mixing plain jackets with floral dress (if you like this look). Aqua is a great colour is is coral (but coral only suits people with a warmth to their skin, hair or eyes).
6. A general rule, avoid anything too short, bright or tight, Use accessories to add brighter colours.
7. Hats are in, recent news is that fascinators are out, but smaller hats are the way forward.

If you have spare cash to invest in yourself ( as a mother of the bride) or if you want to treat your mum to a one to one consultation then do contact me. Every client of mine receives their personal style file with best colours, fabrics, and cuts. They can also have a one to one shopping trip, and if there really is nothing to find in Guernsey I will provide my clients with a suggested online shopping guide in terms of their budget, style and occasion. Inspire others if your mum had her outfit spot and and contact me directly with a photo and I will upload to the www.guernseyweddings.co.uk.

Good luck

Julie