10 • Country Fashion


What to wear W


hether you’re a seasoned wedding guest with go- to outfits, a sartorialist


whose every invite is a chance to shop, or someone who leaves their look to the last minute, there’s one rule that should apply to all wedding guests: follow the dress code, not your personal whims. “You want to read the dress code really well to ascertain what’s expected of you. The balance between individual taste and occasion-appropriate attire is super important,” says Awon Golding, head milliner at Lock & Co Hatters. At many weddings today,


taboos abound. Outlandish prints, beach-worthy dresses, unpolished shoes and more make their appearance around the hors d’oeuvres. But one event where etiquette-driven dressing is sacrosanct is the classic country wedding. “A country wedding is an opportunity to celebrate in style and, while we’ve seen sartorial standards slip over the years, this is one occasion when only the best dress standards should be met,” advises Jason Gerrard, managing director of Savile Row’s Gieves & Hawkes.


Countryside Living - brought to you by APL Media • Wednesday 7 August 2024


With wedding season in full swing, experts share their advice for guests. Words: Lauren Hepburn


Chief guidance involves not


upstaging the couple. “Avoid anything too ‘look at me’ or you run the risk of being the focal point of every photograph taken — and remember whose day it is. For the same reason, hats are generally considered too high once they reach above 18 inches,” says author and former Condé Nast Brides editor, Jade Beer, “and beware of anything that creates noise when you move — sequins are the main culprit, here; heads should only be turning for the bride or groom.” Donning white must be one of the


oldest ‘don’ts’ in the wedding-guest rulebook (unless told otherwise), but just as a white-wearer is generally unwelcome in photographs, funerary shades can put a dampener on them, too. “If you are going to wear black, make sure it’s a piece that has something special to it,” suggests womenswear and bridal designer Rebecca Vallance. While expressing oneself


through headwear is fun, choosing the appropriate style can be overwhelming. For the ladies, milliner Golding proposes a wide- brimmed boater for a garden setting, a demure slice hat for a traditional


WEDDING GUESTS/GETTY


venue, or a pillbox style for those fashion-forward celebrations. For men, some red lines should


never be crossed. Unless otherwise indicated, open collars are a non- starter — wear a bow tie, tie or cravat. Joseph Bretagne, front shop manager at tailor Henry Poole & Co, counsels against bold floral prints and suggests finishing the look with a complementary pocket square. “Cotton suits are acceptable, but chinos will be much too casual for any wedding,” he adds. Despite some people’s best efforts, chinos


should never be an alternative for an occasion-worthy suit. Failure to coordinate shoes


or even don a pair of socks is another weakness among modern men. “Never turn up to a country wedding (or, in fact, any wedding) in a smart suit while making that sartorial faux pas of wearing shoes and no socks. Not a good look,” warns Gerrard. Instead, opt for dark shoes and socks that complement your suit while keeping unwanted attention away from your feet. They are the last thing anyone should be ogling.


MUST-HAVES Packing a clutch is tough; with one-day weddings lasting 10 hours or more, even Mary Poppins would struggle. Efficiency is key: “A phone for photos, a handy lip balm and a travel-size perfume,” says Henrietta Rix, CEO and co-founder of womenswear brand Rixo. Add a mini SPF, tissues and painkillers, and you’ll have most emergencies covered.


CLUTCH-PURSE


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Massey Harpers: the country and lifestyle store


Discover the perfect country fashion attire and ensure you’re stylishly dressed


Massey Harpers embraces true country traditions with the brands it stocks, from Alan Paine and Ridgeline to Carhartt and Dickies, and the young farming community is particularly drawn to the colourful Hexby shorts, Longhorn shearing vests and, more recently, Oddballs underwear. To engage more closely with its customers, Massey Harpers also launched its own brand six years ago, featuring a range of rugby shirts and hoodies. Massey Harpers’ core values are


trust, family and passion, and the brand has a complete understanding of the farming community and the traditions it holds. The shop provides a range of shooting, work and general country fashion wear, catering to everyone’s needs. While style is important, Massey Harpers ensures that each brand and collection it takes on holds practicality and versatility to ensure maximum longevity. Massey Harpers is a one-stop shop for farmers and the community with


its range of clothing and agricultural equipment and supplies, making it the ideal countryside store for all your rural needs.


Get in touch


Massey Harpers, Harrier Park, Shadrick Way, Holsworthy EX22 6FU W: masseyharpers.co.uk T: 01409 259600 instagram.com/masseyharpers


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