For those who have been under a rock, or at least not reading the internet, this weekend Pippa Middleton, sister of Kate and the most famous bridesmaid in recent memory, is marrying her fiance, James Matthews, brother of Made in Chelsea’s Spencer and, as the tabloids would have it, a banking “tycoon” (an under-used word if ever there was one). Big whoop, you might say. But actually, the Middleton-Matthews nuptials sound the church bells of 2017’s wedding season. You, along with the Duchess of Cambridge, Roger Federer and – possibly – Meghan Markle, probably have one to attend this summer. Not all of us will have to negotiate a dress code that requires a different outfit for the ceremony and the reception, as Middleton and Matthews have decreed, but here are the answers to those burning wedding-guest-dressing questions. You’re welcome.

Q. What dress can I buy and wear again?

A. A yellow dress

Holland hammered satin ballerina dress, £149, finerylondon.com

La La Land. Beauty and the Beast. Beyoncé in the video for Hold Up. Yellow dresses – at the sunflower, ochre, mustard end of the paint chart – are a thing. The Duchess of Cambridge might even wear one on Saturday; she, too, likes a yellow frock. The Duchess, and us norms, can avoid the dreaded twinsies guest scenario by buying smart. A dress like this one from Finery works because the neckline – with a spaghetti strap and cold shoulder – is a bit complicated, but in a good way. The fact that the rest of the dress is anything but means it is versatile, a dress that goes beyond the marquee to other dates in your diary. And a low cost-per-wear ratio is always satisfying, right?

Q. What do I wear if I don’t want to wear a dress?

A. A trouser suit

Harry Styles is the patron saint of the jazzy trouser suit. Nearly two years after his black and white floral suit was compared to Ikea bedlinen, the rest of the world has caught up (and in other Styles fashion news, Ikea is now a fashion reference). Trousersuits are huge in womenswear for 2017 – but they are not all business. These ones work for Friday to Sunday, too – see this floral suit (above) from Topshop. Perfect for embarrassing your companions by doing the dab to Ed Sheeran on the dancefloor.

Q. What shoes look glam but can be worn all day?

A. Mules



Chill embellished mule, £59, by missselfridge.com

For the wedding regular, a flip-flop on the dancefloor is a familiar but slightly disheartening sight – like a man in black tie on public transport. Mules are the Frow-approved, 8-till-8 hack to buy into here. The chunky heel doesn’t sink into the grass when you are summoned for the wedding photographer’s outside shot, and its not the kind of ambitious height that looks great throughout dinner but impacts on the fun bit: ie cutting a rug till the wee small hours. Win win.

Q. Which shades will work for Instagram and IRL?

A. Reflective shades



Le Specs Hey Macarena sunglasses, £40, at net-a-porter.com

Sure, you wouldn’t want to upstage the bride, but what’s a little pre-wedding selfie between friends? The sunglasses that manage to bridge the gap between social media you and real you this year have reflective shades and a round shape. On Instagram, wear them halfway down your nose in the manner of Kendall Jenner, preferably at night. Or just sling them on your face. This pair from Le Specs is just right for that lawn-based bit of a wedding, after the ceremony but before the sit-down dinner.

Q. What bag doesn’t look weird, and allows me to hold a glass of fizz and bring the usual keys, money and phone?

A. A silver wristlet

Contrast Leather Zip Pouch, £39, John Lewis

As everyone in fashion knows, silver is a neutral. Buying a silver bag, then, is basically a money-saving move. As for the wedding-specific problem of a bag that looks vaguely dressy, frees your hands to hold alcohol and canapes and also allows you to carry more than a 10p piece, the wristlet is your friend. Just try not to pity fellow guests with clutches crammed into their armpits too much.

Q. What do I wear when it gets cold without resorting to “cover-up” territory?

A. A cardigan

Yes, you read that right. Cardigans, more usually worn with a Breton top and ballet flats by the likes of Carole Middleton, are going high fashion. They were on the Christopher Kane catwalk, no less. That makes them totally allowed for a wedding – though not even Carole will be wearing one of those brightly coloured cotton-blend ones. Instead, go for something with a bit of glitz about it. This Zara cardigan has a good combination of standard shape and shimmery finish that Kane would approve of.

Q. Is there an acceptable hat?

A. No

Q. OK, well what prop can I bring then?

A. A fan

Fans have waited a long time for social media – they have been around since the fourth century. But the patience has paid off. They are the accessory of this summer: Karl Lagerfeld likes them; Rihanna had one to walk in her Fenty show; and they are everywhere on Instagram. This makes the fan the perfect prop for a wedding.