adminChipo Mapondera Fashion
Wedding season is fully upon us, and was appropriately ushered in by the wedding of the decade. We donned our very best to witness Bona and Simba Chikore’s nuptials and I am pleased to say that we were not disappointed on the fashion front.
When invited to share in someone’s special day, it is only right to honour them by looking appropriate for the occasion. Take your first cue from the dress code on the invitation. Decoding the type of venue and the time of the event will help you to figure out what is appropriate. An afternoon in a countryside chapel requires a totally different look to a city restaurant venue by night.
For an informal or semi-formal daytime affair, perhaps on the beach, a farm, or another outdoor locale, a shorter (around knee-length) dress, a light, lengthy skirt or suits are easy, comfortable choices. The above combinations work perfectly in soft, feminine colours or subdued prints when paired nude-coloured heels, or wedges for comfort.
Also play with fabrics like lace in lilac or coral colours, for a pretty daytime look. Stay away from sequins or bright colours and prints, which are too bold for day.
Cocktail dresses are perfect for an informal or semi-formal evening do. These are not to be confused with club dresses. Think demurely pretty, rather than dressed-to-kill.
Dark colours work at night, but I suggest wearing colour, say fuschia, lavender, or aquamarine. Colours look better in pictures at night, and add fun to the festivities. Keep accessories simple,like a clutch bag and comfortable heels that compliment your dress. If you are wearing something sleeveless, bring a shawl. You will need it as the night wears on. A little bling on the ears or neck finishes off the look.
It’s time to go all-out when your invitation reads Black-Tie. Long, dramatic dresses are au fait, and here you can deck yourself out in beading, sequins and glamorous accessories. This is the easiest dress-code to adhere to, and if you need some ideas, check out your favourite celebrity red-carpet looks. E! Entertainment’s red-carpet specials are my favourite to watch, not just for the gowns, but also for stunning hair and make-up.
Whatever the time or venue, never wear white, never wear a mini and check that your underwear is appropriate. This can make or break how your dress fits, as well as how it looks- visible bra straps will ruin sheer, scooped-back or strappy styles.
Gents have it relatively easy compared to the ladies, but there are a few variations according to the occasion. Your informal or semi-formal daytime look is relaxed but polished. Take inspiration from the preppy, Oxford look and go for a shirt and pants with a sports jacket, or wear a light-coloured suit for a sharper combination.
A formal afternoon or evening affair calls for a dark suit in grey, black, or deep blues. Pair with a dark tie, black shoes and a black belt. No brown belts with dark suits please!
It was fun to see the gentlemen at the Mugabe wedding turned out like James Bond. A tuxedo is a must for a black tie event. Go for a variation on the theme in a cream jacket with a black shirt, or pick a shirt with extra details like black piping. I have to take a cue from my dad, who pairs his tux with a Kente print bow-tie, scarf and cummerbund. I find it is an authentic take on menswear, with an African twist.
For men, never wear denim, and leave short-sleeved shirts or polos at the golf course. Also avoid wearing tuxedoes for day, as you will be over-dressed. For the budget-savvy, shop in the sale section even before you receive any invitations. Having some wedding outfits on-hand relieves last-minute stress and you can always update dresses or suits with new accessories when you need to. For guys invest in one or two good suits. You can also rent, but save up for your own because it will fit and look better.
Once your outfit is sorted, all that is left is to work on your pose for the wedding photos. You can rest assured that when the photos are released on Facebook, or looked at nostalgically a decade later, you will stand out for the right reasons.
Online Reporter