Wardrobe Mistress
Backlog of wedding invites dated 2020? Me too. With
numerous couples forced to abandon or adapt their
wedding plans last year, there’s an unexpected silver lining
to the post-Covid wedding world: the jam-packed summer
“wedding season” is out, and year-round celebrations,
small and large, are in.
Of course, when it comes to a winter wedding, outfit
planning gets a little trickier. Staying warm in a draughty
church and not shivering incessantly through outdoor
photographs is high on the list of considerations. Sadly,
throwing your trusted puffer coat over a nice dress simply
won’t do, and tights and pashminas can be ageing. Not
the dress-wearing type? This is the time to pull out the
power suit — if you go for something in a thick enough
fabric such as velvet, lined satin or corduroy, or a three-
piece (see Karen Millen’s cobalt blue set), you may not
need an additional layer.
Still, a blustery day spent shivering in silk sounds like a
recipe for cold, wet disaster. What you require is a coatycover-up. If you go for an actual coat (not one you would
wear to the office or on a Saturday walk, please), it should
be close to the same length as the dress underneath. For
the more adventurous, what about a cape? It charts high
on both the style and practicality factor. For me the maxi
silhouette comes into its own for out-out events in the
colder months. My fuchsia satin maxiskirt is so utterly
fabulous that no one cares if I have two thermal bodysuits
and a pair of tights on. For a more casual do I would wear it
with an oversized cashmere jumper and pointed flats.
To give the appearance of someone who has made an
effort and yet in reality has made no effort at all, the
simplest thing to wear is a statement accessory. Add
sparkly slingbacks to any look (mine are years-old
Manolos, but there are great pairs to be found at Boden
and Asos) or a colourful necklace (Swarovski is my current
go-to for affordable fashion jewellery) and you will
instantly look the part. And no one will even notice that
you’re in a cosy knitted dress. ■ @jane_mcfarlandJane wears Heattech turtleneck, £15; uniqlo.com. Maxiskirt, £325, Raey; matchesfashion.com. Curve bag, £750; alexandermcqueen.com.
Earrings, £135, and necklace, £530; swarovski.com. Shoes, Jane’s own. 1 Necklace, £280, Alighieri; matchesfashion.com. 2 Jacket, £148,
3 trousers, £116, and 4 waistcoat, £69; karenmillen.com. 5 Shoes, £55; charleskeith.co.uk. 6 Wool coat, £335, Musier Paris; selfridges.com.
7 Ring, £305; marcopanconesi.com. 8 Dress, £79; cosstores.com. 9 Chainmail bag, £470, Paco Rabanne; harveynichols.com.
10 Satin mules, £625; jimmychoo.com. 11 Cashmere jumper, £180; cosstores.com. 12 Necklace, £145, Laura Lombardi; net-a-porter.com.
13 Tulle skirt, £620, Molly Goddard; matchesfashion.com. 14 Bag, £95; stories.com. 15 Mules, £225; russellandbromley.co.ukLOOK 1
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101214111315594837261Hair and make-up: Annelie at HOJ Artists using Nars
The Sunday Times Style • 33