Richard Nicoll Designs a Bridal Collection for Topshop

Unfortunately, when you think of bridal ranges on the high street, very little -  if anything - more than the frill-full corner at the back of BHS or the softly lit section of your local Monsoon springs to mind. It's for this reason that Richard Nicoll's bridal collection for Topshop has really got me excited. Don't get me wrong, I have no intention of going down any aisle other than the one at my local supermarket, but I, like many other women, will hold my hand up and confess:

I am a fantasy wedding addict.

With prices ranging from £75 - £300,  the 7 piece collection is ideal for both budget conscious and fashion conscious brides alike. However, if you're certain (and you do have to be certain) that the bride is following a more traditional dress route, I think the dresses would make great choices for the stylish wedding guest. The collection is a combination of marshmallow pinks and creams. Both options are lovely, but I'd opt for a pink style to avoid stepping on the satin shoes of the bride. 

As the UK is currently devoid of summer goodness, the soft, pastel pinks offer a much needed injection of warmth to your wardrobe. I'd fully embrace the girlish sweetness and wear the the lace mini frill dress with a simple Chloé clutch and statement Charlotte Olympia heels. The bonus of the entire collection is that you'd easily be able to wear the dresses again to less formal occasions. I can imagine wearing my choice of dress on a cool, summer evening abroad too...

What do you think of the collection? Would any of the dresses make your fantasy wedding dress list?

Shoes: Charlotte Olympia's Runaway Bride Collection

Runaway Bride: Charlotte Olympia's 'Lolly Dolly' and 'Polly' heels

While shoe lovers the world over have fallen (possibly literally) head over heels for Charlotte Olympia's 'Kitty' designs, I've been waiting for the collection hotly anticipated by every woman with a ring on it - the Runaway Bride collection. While it's hard to imagine a bride running anywhere in these vertiginous beauties, they've certainly been designed for one who intends to saunter down the aisle at the very least, offering guests a cheeky glimpse of leopard print or sweetheart adorned heels beneath the possible virginal white of her wedding dress. Of course, any bride who chooses a Charlotte Olympia design for her wedding shoes will more than likely find that a white dress is far from obligatory. For the Kate Middleton brides of this world, these are not. Not only do all of Charlotte's shoes feature charming details like the spiders web which weaves its way across every sole, but the Runaway Bride collection also features specially considered  details like the soft blue of the platform on her 'Polly' heels, which can count as your 'something blue' on the day. Each pair even comes with some blue laced stockings to match!

At the age of 22, I've pretty much sussed my wedding dress designer, venue and now my shoe designer. Remind me again why a husband is required?

Now available at Net-A-Porter.

Thought for the day: If only Kate Middleton had worn Charlotte Olympia heels on her wedding day....

An Erdem inspired moment

I found this dress on Joy, a website I've only come across today after following a link on Emma's blog. I'm still looking for a dress to wear to the wedding in March, and this one might have some potential with its English country garden floral print. The style is just a tiny bit too prim for my liking, but maybe a pair of great platforms would make it better. It's definitely one of those things you need to try first.

Have you shopped at Joy before? Let me know if you seen any nice, wedding appropriate dresses.

Source: Joy Store & style.com

wednesday wishes 13

Topshop Jumper, Elle Collections, Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation, Erdem dress, 

I went shopping for the first time in what feels like ages today. I didn't buy anything, but boy is it nice to see the spring collections arriving in stores. It's so refreshing to see some colour and print around, and they've absolutely leaped upon the seventies trend, haven't they? I can't wait to wear dresses bare legged again, but in the meantime I'm pairing them with ribbed knee high socks in cream, grey, and claret shades. I'm also really loving cosy jumpers at the moment. This pink floral style instantly caught my eye on the Topshop site, because its colour is such a bright signifier that spring is approaching. Spring, however, also brings with it weddings. I've been invited to one in March, and I'm already panicking about what to wear. I haven't been to a wedding since I was a bridesmaid at my sister's when I was 14, so dressing for them is a new experience for me. Of course, it would be a much easier experience if I could just wear this beautiful Erdem gown. It's just absolutely perfect for the occasion. 

I think today saw the arrival of ELLE Collections (might have been yesterday). I've never bought a copy of the Collections book, but everyone seems pretty excited about it so I'm hoping to pick up a copy this week. I'm kind of intrigued to see what's in it. A more detailed analysis of trends? Because you get a season trend booklet with the latest issue, so I wonder what ELLE Collections brings. 

Talking of ELLE, you get a sachet of Chanel's latest foundation, Vitalumiera Aqua, in it. I don't ever usually use the sachets you get in magazines, but I've heard such good things about Chanel foundations I thought I'd give it ago. For once the colour actually matched my skin tone AND it's a really lovely foundation. It gives fairly good coverage if you build it up, and gives a really even, powdery finish which doesn't cling to the dry areas of my skin like most foundations do. I think Chanel foundations retail in the thirty pound area, so once I've used up my current one, I think I'll head to the Chanel counter asap. 

And finally, I'm wishing for some luck. I won't put why because I'm totally superstitious and will worry I've jinxed it, but if you've got some luck going - send it my way!

Happy Wednesday!

speculating in wedding dresses

With the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton confirmed to take place on the 29th April at Westminster Abbey today, and me being one of those girls who's been planning their wedding (specifically the dress) since I could think, I've been idly day dreaming about what Kate's dress might be like and who might design it. When I think of 'Princess' wedding gowns, I straight away think of Elie Saab for fairytale fantasy. For a British designer, it would have to be my favourite, Erdem. I'd love to see what he would come up with, and his elegant, feminine designs would be perfect for her style. She has a very simple, classical elegance about her, which he would be perfect at interpreting in a modern way.  I think some lace on her gown, perhaps some sleeves Grace Kelly style, would look exquisite. I just hope she opts out of a ridiculously long veil.

Watching Coco Before Chanel yesterday, refreshed my love for that old school elegance that Chanel actually went against. The corseted waists, and slim lines look so beautiful, we just don't have that any more. So I'll show you one of my own personal wedding gown favourites, by designer Suzanne Neville.

All photos from Google Images.