Summer Wedding Style 101

Kat's back!  We're thrilled that she is becoming a

 regular contributor to our blog; 

her unique perspective and ideas always make us smile!

It’s that time of year again, the time when our weekends are booked up in advance thanks to the summer wedding boom. I do love a good wedding however when you have four to attend over the course of a month your wardrobe soon starts to feel, well a little bit empty! After making the mistake of purchasing new outfits for every wedding I was invited to last year, I have made a decision that I am going to far more wardrobe savvy this year. Here is my fool proof check list for staying stylish during the wedding season.

Rotation

Unless you are attending four completely separate weddings where you are guaranteed no guest overlap, chances are you are looking to avoid the dreaded ‘haven’t we seen you in that before’ look. Instead of purchasing totally new outfits I have bought a wedding capsule wardrobe of plain colored dresses that can easily be jazzed up with belts, scarves, shawls and jewellery to create completely different looks. 

Comfort AND Style!

Naturalizer LennoxCourt. Source: http://www.lotusshoes.co.uk

Footwear is one of the important considerations when putting together a wedding outfit. The lure of towering heels can prove tempting however since I discovered the Naturalizer shoe range I have been able to enjoy the flattering look of heels without the burning pain after too many renditions of the YMCA. A simple pair of black or nude court shoes will go with everything and will not break the bank, or your toes!

Hats Off

DIY Fascinator. Source: kiokreations.com

Hats are all the rage since the Royal wedding last year and although hats used to be an essential requirement of a wedding outfit, there are plenty of alternative options that look just as stylish and won’t empty your wallet. A simple fascinator looks subtle yet fashionable, if you cannot find one to match your outfit why not pop into your local craft store and pick up some feathers, ribbon and sequins to customize your own? Not only is this a much more affordable option, you can avoid bumping into someone with the same one. Phew!

Kat is a full time writer, blogger who loves nothing more than being asked to write about her second passion in life, fashion (her first being shopping!). She is known for her love of Vivienne Westwood  and Lotus Shoes

Let's Get Intimate with Shoes: Lace and Lingerie

Have you ever noticed how shoes look, well, a bit like lingerie? With their lacy details and romantic elements, I can't help think that shoes are designed with romance in mind. Today bras and underwear are so beautiful looking, and that's why I love seeing all of their feminine designs. In fact, because I am such a hopeless romantic it's impossible not to "fall in love" with some of the pretty designs on both the shoes and lingerie that I come across.

If you were going to turn a shoe into lingerie, what would it look like? I think some designers have done a pretty great job at turning shoes into lovely pieces of lingerie, per-say. Here are a few lovely pictures that I think complement one another. You'll have to tell me if you feel the same way.

So let's get intimate with shoes, shall we?

via Austin Wedding Blog

I can understand why a bride would choose lacy pumps that lace up, because not only do they look gorgeous with a wedding gown, but they certainly compliment the lingerie underneath as well. If you think about it, lace-up shoes coincide with a corset, which also laces up. A corset is a beautiful piece of lingerie that is delicate yet beautiful and it just so happens to be worn by brides quite often for their wedding day. In fact, it's quite perfect for a bride to wear a corset underneath her bridal gown and lace-up heels. She's ready to get married to her prince charming and have a wonderful honeymoon.

via Pinterest

If you look close enough shoes often look like sweet underwear too. With their floral designs and comfy fit, shoes easily look like your favorite pair of underwear. I love how floral shoes remind me of spring time and also of all of the lovely lingerie that's available. If you're feeling really matchy matchy it's fun to match your shoes to your underwear and bra of the day! Maybe it's time to find a pair of sloggi maxi briefs like Carrie Bradshaw and add them to your floral underwear collection? I'm thinking this is exactly what I want to do. ;)

via Forever21

 via lov3

Besides a floral bra, lacy elements, pretty underwear, and matching floral shoes, there's also a little black dress, black lacy lingerie and matching lacy black shoes. Isn't it fun matching your under clothing to your shoes? With a little bit of creativity finding the perfect pair of romantic pumps and incorporating it with your lingerie can be fun. Whether you're a bride, mother, or a girl on-the-go, it's never too late to bring in some lace and lingerie into your wardrobe. I personally love matching my shoes to my under clothing, and I'm not ashamed to say it! Of course an outfit is not complete without the perfect pair of lacy shoes that match!

About the Author:

Paige One loves writing about fashion and beauty and offers services for many companies who love fashion and more.

Affordable and Fabulous Wedding Shoes

The Glamorous High Heel

For the bride that wants to make a glamorous statement with their shoes, the high heel is a perfect choice. Grace by Bellissima Bridal Shoes offers a wonderful selection of high heel shoes at affordable prices. Many of their styles are under $60. Their collections are usually found in small bridal boutiques and online. White by Vera Wang will provide the bride with a more couture look in high heel fashion at a reasonable price. This collection is offered online and carried in David's Bridal stores, and styles will range in price from $50-$90.

The Ballet Flat

For the bride that wants comfort from her shoes on her wedding day, she may want to opt for the ballet flat. These shoes are a very soft bodied shoe with no heel. A bridal line of these shoes can be found in most bridal boutiques. One popular brand is the Footsy Roll, they're so soft they can be rolled into a ball and retail for only $24.95. Many brides also opt for this style as a reception shoe, providing some relief to their feet after wearing heels to the ceremony.

Flip-Flops

Perfect for the beach wedding, flip-flops provide the bride with both comfort and affordability. Most boutique bridal shops and chain bridal shops will carry a selection of flip-flops suitable for the wedding day. Again, many brides will also use the flip-flop as a reception shoe for both themselves and their bridesmaids.

Dyeables

Dyeables are a perfect choice for the bride that wants to add a splash of color to their attire or make their shoes reflect their "something blue". One of the most popular brands of dyeable shoes is Coloriffics, they offer a variety of styles suitable for both brides and bridesmaids. This collection is found primarily in boutique bridal shops, however they can also be found online. Coloriffics can range in price from $49 to $99. Many bridal boutiques will also do the actual dying of the shoe as well or they will recommend a shoe repair store that specializes in color matching.

Painted Wedding Shoes

One of the latest trends in wedding shoes is handpainted shoes. These shoes are custom made for each bride and can include various artwork that coordinated with the wedding theme. They may also contain the wedding date, location, or names of the bride and groom. While many would expect these shoes to be quite expensive, there are several sites on the internet that will offer these at more affordable prices. Painted wedding shoes can start at $69.

Comfort, style, and affordability are considerations for any bride. Many use their wedding shoes to reflect something about their personality, others use them as their "something blue", and others use them for a splash of color in their otherwise white ensemble. No matter what your taste or style is, there are many varieties of wedding shoe to choose from.

Alison Greene is a freelance writer and blogs for debtmanagement.org.uk where you can get help getting out from under debt through a debt management plan.