How to tackle ... lace
You can be on dicey ground with lace. Beautiful and romantic, yes, but it can all too quickly slide into “nan’s curtains” territory. How to keep it cool and relevant? Mix the inherent prettiness with sporty, modern shapes. This powder-blue Topshop Unique skater dress is a good example. It’s the perfect frock for spring weddings. And you can learn from Han Chong, of Self-Portrait, whose lace dresses fly off the hangers. His blouses are also a smart buy: pair with Finery’s berry-coloured trousers, which have an athletic stripe down each leg, to keep it modern rather than cute.
Your questions
I’m into suits at the moment and am looking for a cool one to wear instead of a dress to weddings and parties. I’m 24, and my budget isn’t huge; what’s the cheapest I can buy a decent jacket and trousers for?
On the high street, prices range from £100 to £400. I spotted a supercool floral suit at River Island recently (1 jacket, £65, and trousers, £40) — I love the kick flare. Wear it with a white T-shirt and sandals for a daytime shindig, and heels and a camisole come sunset. Zara also has a pretty floral jacket (£60) and trouser combo (£40). French Connection has my favourite, though — a sugar-pink linen-wool suit (2 jacket, £130, and trousers, £80). The androgynous straight-leg slim fit offsets the saccharine colour.
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My son is getting married to his beautiful fiancée in Mexico. It will be boiling hot and I have no idea what to wear. I am 49, 5ft 3in and an hourglass size 12. I can spend £500.
Traditional wedding wear is a nonstarter, so look for light fabrics and bright prints to fit the surroundings. Diane von Furstenberg’s Nieves print wrap dress (3 £495; harveynichols.com) was made for Mexico. The Camrose maxidress from the Boden Icons range (£250) would also look great. I’m 5ft 4in and often find maxidresses too long, so if this is the case, wear with chunky espadrille wedges (or get the hem taken up). If you’re after something sleeveless, Monsoon’s candy and gold stripy dress (4 £109) is one of my favourite recent finds.
I am going on holiday in June and looking for some affordable flat leather sandals that won’t make me feel like a schoolgirl.
You’re spoilt for choice. Office has a selection of simple tan sandals, and Aldo has a pair with a fun tassel (5 £45). Asos has a brilliant range, including these Foxtrot metallic-blue sandals (6 £22) — I buy a pair from there every year. Missy Empire has some chunkier black leather espadrille flatforms (£22). My favourites are by Ancient Greek Sandals — this orange Thalia pair (7 £125; matchesfashion.com) will show off tanned skin beautifully.
Email your questions to wardrobe.mistress@sunday-times.co.uk or tweet @TheSTStyle using the hashtag #wardrobemistress
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Pandora Sykes also blogs at pandorasykes.com, some of which is sponsored content