Spring 2006 Trends in Occasion
and Bridal Event Wear
Frank Usher Occasion Wear
On this page I show a selection
of occasion wear from Frank Usher with some images in plus sizes lower down
the page. You can read more about plus sizes
of other brands too on site. Many of the
outfits shown on this page would suit members of the bridal party or guests
at an occasion event. All images are courtesy of
Frank
Usher. Click thumbnails.
Dusk, Coterie and Frank Usher, are all brands of the Frank
Usher group. Telephone in the UK is 020 7629 9696. Coterie is a range of clothes perfect for
any mother of the
bride who range from a UK size 10 to 22. Dusk has styles that expose more
of the body and range from 10-18, whilst the original Frank Usher range has
some garments that stop at size 18, some that finish at 20 and others that go up
to size 22. You can see all of these ranges on the website above.
Frank Usher is a division of Slimma PLC. Quintesse which has figure
flattering plus sizes, ranges through UK size 16 to
26.
This spring summer will see
many special occasions come and go and you may well be seeking an occasion
wear outfit to
match the mood of just one special event. Sometimes you get a year
full of engagements with weddings, bar mitzvahs, exclusive garden parties or
special decade birthdays and then other years there is simply nothing extra
special to buy for.
Buying an
occasion outfit can often be an expensive purchase if the item is never worn
again or more than 3 or 4 times. But buying a lesser outfit may make you
feel so out of place or uncomfortable at the eventual occasion, that its
best to realise this at the outset and get something that makes you feel
sensational.
Left and below, Frank Usher Coterie range dress and jacket duo at £755
complete.
This
empire line dress and lace bolero jacket left would fit no end of special
occasions. It would be perfect to wear as a guest or for a marriage
ceremony. In years to come it will look classic in photos and you won't
think why did I wear that. Nothing is extreme about it, yet it would
be ideal for a wedding starting at 4 pm that moves into an evening reception.
The lace bolero would make it a
very wearable two piece for a ceremony or a blessing. For later
glamour at the dining table or buffet, the jacket could be removed to reveal
a glamorous ankle length gown as shown on the right.
The length makes it very suitable for all sorts of
special and more formal events.
If
you hate your arms as older or less toned women often do, then a jacket provides a
perfectly acceptable pretty cover up and adds a layer of warmth if
conditions are cooler than hoped. Such an outfit of a low neckline
dress and jacket also gives you the choice to bare more. Choice is
especially important if once at an event, you feel everyone else has opted
for skimpier looks and you want to meld in.
The vibrant dress left would
show off a great figure on the dance floor and the brilliant colouration
would be dazzling on continental holidays where strong colours look
spectacular set against a tan.
Right pink Frank Usher Dress
£440.
So whether it is a spate of
fashion conscious weddings as a guest, or as a less formal full works bride
with veil, Ascot,
a graduation ceremony, annual golf, rugby, cricket or May balls, once you become aware of an event,
you'll have a moment of fashion panic. You will start to ponder what to wear
and so the search for a perfect vogue moment begins.
Buy
too soon before you've picked up on the current fashion mood and you may get it wrong
and misjudge the event. Shop too late, then find the best garb
has left the rails or at least the best items in your size have sold.
If you are a daring type you
may want a scene stealer dress like this sophisticated satin backless dress
from Frank Usher Dusk range shown right and at £259.
Remember that whilst the dress
left is a show stopper it may not be suitable without some cover up jacket
if part of the happening takes place in a religious building. No one
would throw you out these days, but some people would tut-tut because
without the bare back covered up it would be inappropriate dress and is
discourteous to the hosts. BUT, with a cover up lace shrug, bolero,
stole or fur for the duration of any religious element, it would be a great
dress and look stunning later swishing around a dance floor.
  You
may like this pretty ultra feminine ribbon trimmed slip dress also by Frank
Usher.
Left - Frank Usher Dusk range
dress at £360. This gal is going somewhere very special, yet she looks
modern in a classic way. Another dress that will look classic in
pictures in years to come.
An alternative to a hat is a
faux flower corsage in the hair or a simple feather fascinator. This
corsage fits the bill exactly and such flowers can usually be obtained from
all good millinery departments.
The best way to shop for
occasion wear items is to mentally prepare by first looking around and
shopping frequently. This way you get to know what's in store and judge what's moving.
This will also give you a ball park figure of what might be needed to be
spent on the ideal outfit.
Soft,
silky and floating chiffon might be your main requirement as in the lemon
two piece right. If you are mother of the bride and want to make a
statement this would do it. Dress and Jacket from the Coterie range by
Frank Usher at £630. The loos nature of the top would also be very
forgiving.
If you need something with a
different type of formality then a tailored jacket over a dress or a skirt
suit in interesting more structured fabrics like these others may be
suitable. To left - Coterie range at Frank Usher 3 Piece suit
£630 and the hat is £139.
The crêpe/satin combination
like this ensemble or the bark textured fabric like this cream jacket below
offer a very different final look. Not wearing a hat also changes the
look. Even a simple outfit cane become more formal with a magnificent headpiece.
Coterie by Frank
Usher 3 Piece Suit £615.
If
your budget is limited you may need to think thorough the best options for
you. This could mean wearing something good you have in your existing
wardrobe, but zapping it up with wonderful accessories or one special
finishing touch touch such as a swansdown bolero. Or, you may
already have great accessories, or can borrow a good hat, but just need the
garments.
If you see something you love
and it looks great check
my ticks rule before purchasing. Do remind yourself why you are
buying the ensemble and at the same time ask yourself will you feel
comfortable wearing it. There is no doubt that for years to come
you will be glancing of photographs of yourself at the event so take time to
buy that special outfit or
just acquiring the perfect accessories which complement an outfit just so.
You may be glad too when you are mingling with other guests that you went
the extra mile searching for the ultimate occasion outfit.
If you are a plus size take a
look at these items also by Frank Usher Quintesse range in UK size 16 to
26.
 All images are courtesy of
Frank
Usher. You can find a list of stockists, item numbers and agents
at the Frank usher site. My thanks to Viv for her help. Click thumbnails.
Read more about hats for weddings
for summer and plus sizes and specialist
shops. General shopping advice in my
TICKS rule.
Check out a local shop
Lynn Craig in
Worcestershire which sells clothes for any occasion.
Page added 6
March 2006
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