Peta’s Pick

Extras? No. Essentials, More Likely Accessories, accessories, accessories. Can we ever have enough of them? Peta Hunt thinks not

I’ve tried that being chic and having one pair of earrings, necklace and one bracelet and a couple of pairs of shoes, but let’s be honest, where’s the fun in that? It never seems like big spending (although my bank account may disagree) when you just buy a few bits. Personally, I’ve got loads of piercings on my ears, more opportunity to sparkle, and we have eight fingers all waiting for rings! I remember going to dinner once with a lovely couple and I made the mistake of saying “I love your earrings”, which was true. Meeting again they gifted me a pair of very similar earrings; I looked in dismay at the posts – they were huge. I tried to avoid putting them on, explaining that I didn’t have a mirror to see. As fast as lighting I was presented with a compact and before I knew it I was shoving what felt like a log through my earlobe. By the time we finished eating, my ears were throbbing. En route home I extracted them very slowly but my lobes were in pain for days afterwards... However, saying “I love earrings” has never resulted in diamonds from De Beers, sadly.

But on to brides now…. How wonderful to constantly evolve on the wedding day, starting with a fully covered up look and by the end of the day paring it down to a simple dress and a great big pair of earrings. But on the other hand, who doesn’t want to sparkle the whole time on their big day? If ever there was an opportunity to go accessory mad for me, it’s at a wedding

Key trends The Statement Earring, whether a pair or mis-matched, was in evidence on the catwalks, along with short veils as seen at Viktor & Rolf.

Big hairbands, bows, cute bags and a pair of heels – all recalling the 1950s, early 60s, a bit of Brigitte Bardot, that St. Tropez vibe with a little eyeliner and red lips, hair tied back. These are what will be gracing our social channels for the next year or two.

Classic brides will always love the veil, pearls and a little pendant, but why not suggest they up the game by wearing a fascinator or even show their fashion credentials by choosing a Gucci hair clip. As we always used to

FLORA

ARANYANI BOTIAS DUNE_LONDON

Bags of Love

Pearl’s a Winner

CULT GAIA RAINBOW CLUB

BOTIAS BOTIAS GAALA

IMEGAN THERESE MARIAELENA THE BOBBY PIN

AELESTE BOTIAS

Going Large

Nature Girl

MARIAELENA MEGAN THERESE

BOHOBRIDEBOUTIQUE

DAHLIA-COMBS ERIN RHYNE

Heels of Dreams

ALEXIS ISABEL

JIMMYCHOO

CONVERSE

EMMY LONDON say “it’s your day, your way “.

There are still plenty of hats being worn by brides who don’t do traditional – the non-traditional fascinator, a cheeky little hat, or an oversized Fedora work for me, too, by the way. For the festival lover (former Boho bride), flowers – whether on headbands, singly or stacked Frida Kahlo style – have become an easy option, along with butterflies and long wafty veils.

Let’s face it, nothing says bride more than a veil, but there’s no need to look like an extra from Ghostbusters! A veil is the key part of a wedding outfit for me, a beautiful accessory to compliment or accentuate the wedding dress.

For others, wearing a veil is a tradition in their families, cultures, or religions. It’s just so romantic and guaranteed to get your grandma’s lace hanky out to dab a tear away, or even the cynical girls from the office reaching for their tissues.

For today’s bride, longer veils make for a dramatic entrance and are stunningly elegant, while shorter veils are fresh and fun.

This season we are seeing more and more lace trimmed veils, which are very flattering for pictures and can become future heirlooms when hand embroidered with the bride’s name. Whatever style of wedding – whether church or civil – the veil makes a clear statement. At the same time, however non-traditional a fascinator, a cheeky little hat, or an oversized Fedora, they work for me, too.

Covering up dresses may seem a silly suggestion, but I love a good cloak to squish around in. I’m particularly in love with the Jesus Peiro fringed one and, while we’re talking about fringing, how about a pair of knee-high fringed boots? Perfect, if you have a mini dress.

I don’t think we should be afraid of suggesting accessories, although some of the pieces I’ve selected cost more than some dresses. As we know, all brides have a budget which they try to stick to, but there are those who are more spreadsheet savvy than others.

Some brides are ready to spend £3K on a dress and £90 on a pair of shoes, and there are others, who think the other way around. If I appear in my selection to be a little at the top-heavy end, I have to say that I am constantly amazed by the number of people who spend £1,800 on a pair of crystal Jimmy Choo’s – and they’re not even in fashion or bankers. I don’t know if it’s a “Cinderella, you shall go to the ball” syndrome, or whether they just love a Choo!

So, as this piece may head towards inspirational glass-ceiling price-level, remember that since Manolo Blahnik produced those first shoes – you know, the satin pump with a diamante clip, worn by Sarah Jessica Parker – they have become THE classic bridal footwear. There is no reason why, of course, a bride can’t wear trainers or flats.

I loved the trend for gloves this year. They can transform a dress from understated to red-carpet worthy. I think that’s what accessories are all about – transformation, personality, style and versatility on the big day.

Many brides are keeping it simple dress-wise. I am a huge fan of sleeves but perhaps not everyone wants to show off their tattoos in church, so shrugs, capes and gloves are not only welcome warming additions in winter, but also brilliant in disguising the odd tat or two until a glass of sherry has been had by that more straight-laced relative.

A tailored jacket works beautifully over a slip dress, perfect for city weddings, and can be worn again, along with a wedding biker jacket hand painted with “Wifey for Lifey” message. Kelsey Rose has a great lace one to pep up any dress. Capes and shrugs can up the style stakes, too!

Heads up Did you know that The Royal Collection shop has a selection of royal-inspired tiaras that range from £95 for the Buckingham Palace crystal tiara up to £150? Who knew?

HALO JESUS PEIRO MARIAELENA

Shine like a diamond

Shrugs/Wraps/Capes

MEGAN THERESE JESUS CAPE

KELSEY ROSE HALFPENNY LONDON

MALINA HALFPENNY LONDON

Veils/Gloves

CORNELIA JAMES FRILL CHRISTOPHER KANE

Who said what about accessories...

Coco Chanel “Lace is one of the most wonderful imitations of nature. But pearls are perfect for every occasion.”

“If I chose diamonds, it is because they represent, with their density, the highest value for the smallest volume.”

“Accessories are what makes or marks a woman.”

Mae West “I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.”

Grace Kelly “The pearl is the queen of gems and the gem of Queens.”

Anna Dello Russo “Accessories are like vitamins to fashion”

Iris Apfel ”More is more and less is a bore”

“Jewellery is the most transformative thing you can wear.”

Giorgio Armani “Accessories are important and becoming more and more important every day. They can completely change the look of an outfit, and women like the idea of having a wardrobe that’s versatile. For instance, a strong piece of jewellery can make a simple outfit look elegant.”

HERMIONE DE PAULA I also love the trend of doubling and even tripling up bridal tiaras and headbands, giving the bride to be complete flexibility to stamp her personality on the finished effect.

I’ve been seeing hair pins scattered more on a chignon, used as decoration rather than for practical reasons and layering up on slides, too. With a half-up-half-down hairstyles, pins work perfectly if you feel a tiara, or a comb, is too heavy or restricting.

Statement hairbands are here to stay and they seem to be getting bigger. Not only can they be worn with a veil for the formalities, but solo, when it is time to party.

So if the B2B wants to wear a large crown and a 20-foot train, bringing to the forefront her IP (that’s Inner Princess), let’s show her how to shine. Trends come and go so I guess our job is to steer a bride towards her big day. And if she wants to walk down the aisle sparkling like a disco ball, who’s to say that’s not to be applauded.