Is there anything more annoying at a special occasion than laddered tights?  OK, so there are probably several things, but it’s certainly one of the most frustrating fashion issues.  We have all been there.  Spent ages getting ready, picking just the right outfit, perfecting our makeup and hair only to find our efforts unraveling as quickly as those blasted sheer tights.   Well fret no more, as Levante Hosiery claim to have invented ladder resistant tights.

Imagine wearing the sheerest, strongest, softest tights that won’t ladder, and you have RESISTENZA 5 – a revolutionary breakthrough in hosiery technology from leading Italian brand LEVANTE.

Sheer tights are fabulous until you ‘catch’ them and the ladder appears before you’ve found the clear varnish (inevitably on that important occasion when trying to look your best!) No need now to carry a spare pair, as Resistenza 5 truly marks a breakthrough in hosiery technology.  If you ‘catch’ these tights, a small hole may appear, but panic not as it won’t run into an unsightly ladder!

Just launched in September, these new tights are just in time.  With the chillier months coming – winter weddings mean bare legs are an absolute no no.  However, Levante’s beautifully sheer 5 denier tights – Resistenza 5 are the perfect alternative – offering coverage, and the appearance of completely bare legs. However, that’s not where the story ends – these tights are revolutionary in the fact that they have been designed to be completely ladder resistant!  Therefore in the event of a hole – these tights will remain ladder free!

Choose from two natural shades Enhance and Visione, or Nero (Black) and Londra (Nearly Black) – perfect whatever the occasion.

Price £8.  Sizes M, T and Ex T.

Available at selected Debenhams, independent department stores and boutiques throughout the UK and online retailers.

www.levanteuk.com

With the warm weather continuing, our summer holidays almost upon us and the start of the summer sales why not treat yourself to some of the great clothes and accessories that out there at great prices too!

Debenhams have started their Blue Cross Sale with anything from 20% to 70% off of selected lines, my favourite picks include the chocolate spot bikini, the Matthew Williamson floral beach bag for £15 and the cute Mantaray etched floral sunglasses. They are also offering Duty Free prices on over 100 beauty essentials until 28th July, discounting the standard VAT amount off of products from ranges such as Estee Lauder, Lancome, Elemis, Clarins, Clinque and Yves Saint Laurent.

New Look have started their mid season sale with up to 50% off of footwear, I love the Leather Beaded sandals for just £12 and the Leather Jewel sandals for £20.

And I just wanted to let you know about these cute crop cardigans from M&S which are normally £12 but at the moment you can snap up two for just £18 but as they come in twelve fab colours you might find it hard narrowing it down to just two!

Happy Shopping!

Wedding Fashion Files Beauty Tips are brought to you by Benefit Makeup

Any fashion savvy gal knows that some dresses just don’t lend themselves to underwear.  Strapless, backless and plunging gowns need some alternative solution.

Going commando (if you are fortunate enough to have nice, perky breasts) is one option, but what about if the venue is a bit on the chilly side?  We all know it’s rude to point and there are few things more embarrassing than, ahem, “smuggling peanuts” in formal wedding photos.

This weekend, we tried out Fashion Secret Nipple Covers.  These flower shaped stick on nipple covers were great!  We loved ‘em cos:

• The fabric is soft and comfortable and also extremely thin, so wasn’t noticable under even the tightest top.
• The nude shade meant that they could be worn under any color of outfit.  (Girls if you are wearing black, PLEASE avoid white nipple covers! It only takes one black light to turn on those headlights!)
• The adhesive kept the covers in place even after a long night of dancing in a very hot club yet the covers came off easily and didn’t leave any sticky residue on our skin or clothing.  No red marks or irritation either, which we have seen with some other products.
• The price is right, at just £5 for three sets.

The Wedding Fashion Files team have been trying out a whole assortment of beauty products, and this was definitely a winner. Register or follow us on Facebook to hear about other beauty product reviews.

With the excitement reaching fever pitch at Wedding Fashion Files in anticipation of the release of SATC 2 we were thrilled to hear that Debenhams are offering one lucky gal (or guy!) the chance to win a trip for 4 to New York including a $1,000 VIP shopping trip at Bergdorf Goodman.

And Debenhams want to help you to start building your own shoe collection to rival Miss Bradshaw’s with 20% off of selected footwear.  I’ve had to be ruthless to narrow my favourites down to my top three to buy – which was not an easy task!

The nude Carvela Gylda are bang on trend at the moment and will go with anything in your wardrobe, the Nine West Silver Every heels will be great for dressing up through the summer and even take you into the autumn and because every girls needs a pair of flats but still wants a bit of sparkle the Red Herring Silver Diamante Strand t-bar sandals are a steal at just £14.40!

Another great offer this week is 20% off of everything at Jacques Vert until Midnight on 31st May, Mothers of the Bride and Groom are sure to find the perfect outfit and we love their new Blue Heaven collection especially their Organdie Floral Shift Dress and the Ice Blue Devore Swirl Skirt and Top (seen in the picture with the Fjord Blue Tailored Jacket), Your 20% discount will automatically be discounted at the checkout.

Happy Shopping and enjoy the movie!!

It’s Friday again which means the Wedding Fashion Files team have been hunting down the best online offers for you keen shoppers.

And we’ve found that online retailer BooHoo have spring dresses from £10! Their range includes casual sun dresses, pretty daytime dresses and some killer evening dresses in all of the seasons must have styles and colours. Whilst not normally a lover of flowery designs I love the Ditsy Print dress for a daytime look and the Beaded Trim Halterneck for an evening out.

Also Debenhams are offering customers 10% off of their beauty products until 8 May when you use promo code PN6P. So if your looking for your bridal make up or maybe buying your bridesmaids a bottle of their favourite perfume to say thank you take a look.

Happy Shopping!

Think of bridal lingerie and what do you see? I’m willing to bet it’s all white lace and garters. Which is great, if you’re a white lace and garters kind of girl. But let’s face it, not all of us are. Of course, it may seem practical to wear white, or nude, underwear under your white gown but the days of the bride wearing nothing but white, except perhaps ivory if they really want to push the boat out, are number. If you’re having a gold dress, a pink dress or even a rainbow sequinned dress, why not find some lingerie equally as striking. That would really give your groom something to unwrap!

Weddings are expensive. We all know that but of course that does mean prioritising on some of the budget. Lingerie is probably not top of your priorities list so you can afford to cut back a bit there. That doesn’t mean you have to run down to Primark for their £1.50 offers however! Just take a look at this lovely green silk set from Debenhams. A lovely deep, rich colour and the black lace adds a bit of mischief. The bra and thong set shown here (yes, that really is a thong!) is a bargain at just £32.50.

However, you may think that lingerie is quite an important part of your big day. You’ll never get another first night, after all. If you want it to be a night to remember, why not splash out a little and head to label of the stars Agent Provocateur? It may not be quite as expensive as you at first thought. This gorgeous frilly Fifi set, modelled by the lovely Maggie Gyllenhaal, is £205. Yes, it’s a lot of money but when you consider that’s the price for the designer bra, thong and suspender belt it doesn’t seem quite as bad.

Besides, that’s actually my mid-range example! If you really want to make an impact, blow the budget on this sensational set from Ophelia Fancy. Named “Clowning Around”, it’s based on all the fun of the fair- great if you plan to have a real fun time on your first night! However, at a whopping £495 for the corset, knickers and garter you may end up spending that first night in a Premier Inn!

Ok, so lingerie may not be the most important part of your wedding. In fact, you may not even be thinking about it much. But get it just right and it could be a real treat for your new husband to discover, not to mention give you a cheeky glint in your eye all day long!

I think we can all tell from the weather outside that summer is well and truly over. Those sexy strapless dresses may look gorgeous, but who really wants goosebumps in their wedding photos? It may be cold outside, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look hot. Many designers incorporate shrugs, boleros or sleeves into their dresses specifically for the chillier weather. If you do have your heart set on that impractical spring/ summer collection gown, there are masses of capes and shawls on the high street to keep you snuggly as the temperature drops.

Benjamin Roberts has a whole collection of jackets to be worn with his designs. This Desiree style is just stunning. Simple and elegant, it is perfect for the bride who wants to channel Audrey Hepburn’s chic style. The sheer fabric is suitable for all dresses as it’s not too fussy and it doesn’t distract from the dress you are wearing. The high collar keeps those crisp winds off your neck and the bow is an adorable touch. A beautiful, sophisticated way to look sensational whilst staying warm.

If you fancy something a little more dramatic, try this Harmony shrug from Charlotte Balbier. It is made up of layers of white ruffles which, as all fashion conscious brides will know, is a huge trend in bridal fashion right now. The satin bow at the front is lovely and keeps the shrug tied tight around your shoulders to keep you warm. This style is great for adding drama to your outfit whilst keeping warm. Your guests, and your groom, won’t be able to keep his eyes off of you!

This Johanna Hehir gown in ideal for brides who don’t fancy a separate jacket. Whether it’s the hassle of taking it on and off, having nowhere to store it or being worried that you would lose it, sometimes jackets just don’t do the trick. If this sounds like you, try a dress that has been designed with attached sleeves. This Rosalind dress has gorgeous full, floaty sleeves of elbow length to keep you snug but without the potential stifling of full length sleeves. No worries about where you left that shrug either.

Don’t forget your bridesmaids! When children are cold, they don’t bite their tongue about it- they want everybody to know! How do you keep them warm and still looking like little princesses? Debenhams sell an adorable little shrug made from ivory marabou feathers with a cute rhinestoned fastening. The perfect choice for your flowergirls and in three sizes, there is a shrug to fit all of your little angels.

Even though it’s cold outside, you don’t need to sacrifice on your style. There are so many amazing jackets, shrugs, shawls, capes and all other forms of cover ups out there that you can keep toasty whilst looking beautiful. There is a cover out there for everyone, regardless of size, shape, age and style. Plus, they are so versatile that you can wear them after the big day too. You just need to worry about the rain now. Where can we get some bridal wellies?

The traditional look of a veil and tiara is no longer the only choice to dress up your hair on your big day. Brides now are being more original and keeping their look beautiful with more informal accessories such as hair pins, alice bands and corsages in the form of beautiful delicate flowers. This look is great for brides who want to steer away from stuffy formality and express their own individuality. I’ve taken a look at the high street for some of the best bargain choices.

Good old Accessorize has gorgeous hair accessories galore in any style that you could possibly wish for. My favourite is this pale pink organza flower clip for just £7. It would look beautiful clipped behind one ear with long flowing hair for a destination beach wedding. A perfectly feminine look for those girly princesses among you.

For something a bit more sophisticated, how about this stunning hairband by designer Ben de Lisi (the creator of Kate Winslet’s breathtaking red Oscar gown with floral strap). Available at Debenhams for just £14 it features two lovely cream roses made of fabric attached to a metallic gold hairband. Perfect for a quick, no- hassle hair do. Just slip it on and you are good to go, looking more gorgeous than ever.

Finally, for something a little different, how about this cute felt hair tie from Cath Kidston? Priced at an amazing £6.50, it is available in two colours: blue and red. With two cute felt flowers and a couple of green felt leaves, this is ideal for something a little fun and adorable. If you’re hair is going up just stick it around your hair do. If, however, you were planning to wear your hair down it is easy to adapt this. Snip the band off and use a glue gun to stick a clip on the back. You can then slide it in for a more versatile look.

Floral hair accessories are a lovely, cute way to add a pretty touch to your look. Ideal for brides who want a relaxed style all year around.

When on honeymoon, you want to look your best. You’ll be glowing with that newlywed radiance anyway but who says we can’t give nature a helping hand? Fresh colours are perfect for a hot destination: bright shades of turquoise, fuscia and amethyst look amazing set against crisp white and reflect the sun to keep you cool under the sun.

(Clockwise from top left) Monsoon is filled with all sorts of goodies for beach holidays. This bright kaftan is just the thing to cover up and keep cool in the midday heat, or to keep off the goosebumps as the sun sets. The deep v neck looks great with a brightly coloured bikini underneath and the trumpet sleeves add a boho hippy chic look. At just £50, it won’t eat into the honeymoon fund either.

Good thing you’ve saved money with that kaftan as these sunglasses don’t come cheap! By ultra chic label to the stars Ray Ban, they are rather aptly named Jackie Oh after the gorgeous sixties first lady herself. Channel Mrs Kennedy’s style with these oversized glasses to keep your eyes protected in the sun whilst looking amazing.

This Debenhams bikini matches the kaftan perfectly. Best for slender figures, the horizontal stripes will add curves to the hips and bust whilst the crossover effect on the top creates the illusion of a pertier chest. Who can say no to that? What’s more, the high waisted band holds in the stomach- great if you enjoy that all inclusive buffet a little too much!

White linen trousers are ideal for keeping your legs covered up for those more practical activities whilst not compromising on keeping your temperature down. They are also greatly versatile and can be worn with almost anything, dressed up or down. All this for a bargain £19.50 from good old Marks & Spencers.

These cute flip flops are fantastic to keep that hot sand off your delicate tootsies. The blue and pink colours contrast brilliantly together and create a great fresh look for the beach. Just £17 from Volcom and you could probably get away with packing no other shoes in your case. Except, well, who doesn’t pack three weeks worth of shoes for a 7 night break?

Finally, for those girls who are a sucker for coour co ordination, don’t forget your beach towel. These fantastic towels from Cath Kidston are just gorgeous and wonderfully soft too. A beach towel is a rather pricey £24, but it will last forever and, let’s face it- they’ll be the best looking towels on the sun loungers!