Summer Wedding - It's Never too Late!

Summer is almost over; the last of the summer wine is being consumed and you are turning your gaze towards the new season. What will AW18 hold? What will London Fashion Week have in store for us? And most importantly, can you get away with buying yet another Edie pencil case for the sake of 'Back to School'?! (Of course you can, take it from us). However, before you leave summer fully behind, it's time to face that seasonal hybrid that comes to visit time and time again - the late summer, early September wedding. This occasion is enough to send even the most experienced wedding guests in a flurry of indecision - bare skin or tights? Can I get away with a short dress? And ultimately, shall I take a cardi? Fear not, friends of Pepper Alley - we are prepared with three top tips for you to ace the Autumn Edition of wedding guest style.

• Don't Be Afraid to Dare - While summer weddings bring their fair share of saccharine hues and  sweet pastel tones, late summer and autumn dos bring the opportunity to opt for a more daring style. Don't be afraid to experiment with dress lengths, bolder make up or a touch of metallic during the day - it's what Autumn weddings were made for. We love the rich golden of our Flora and Clara clutch and wristlet - the perfect piece to wish summer goodbye in style. 

• Turn up the Drama -  Have you read tip number one? Well, read it again and this time take it up a notch. Take inspiration from the colours around you - the last of the summer wine, the sky getting a little moodier than usual, the seasonal produce turning a dark shade of crimson...all the beauty that nature has to offer at this time of year. We love a Charcoal Eva clutch - the perfect shade to pair with deep oranges and purples. 

It's All About Balance  -  Just like the seasons gradually change from one to another in an effortless transition, your look for a late summer wedding needs to work in perfect harmony. An unexpected bare leg can be pared back with a satin shawl to wrap up for a chilly evening or a bright colour can be expertly toned down with some clever neutrals. Similarly, a hairstyle that is too severe can be easily softened with barely there make up or a bold lip can be matched to flawless skin reminiscent of that summer glow. Our favourite way to pare back a bold look? With our palette of neutrals of course. 

Remember that if you need more wedding style topics,  you can find more inspo right here . 

Wishing you a happy end to the summer holidays -  we can't wait to show you what we have in store for September. 

Love,

Pepper Alley HQ X 

The Perfect Wedding Guest

It's officially wedding season! Let's face it, there is nothing quite like a wedding to truly divide people. There are those who buy into the free bar, the singles' table and the first dance whereas others shudder at the thought of being confined with their family (or worse, other people's families) in a small space, perhaps in the middle of nowhere without wifi and with the dread of forced laughter through speeches to look forward to.


Here at Pepper Alley, we love weddings. We love the magic of them, the build up, helping brides find the perfect accessory and simply soaking up all the good vibes that only a wedding can bring.


However, weddings can be treacherous little occasions and we may find ourselves tripping over a wedding faux pas or two. Luckily, Pepper Alley HQ is here to help - after avidly watching the Royal Wedding and poring over every little detail, we thought we would put together a little post packed with tips and advice on wedding fashion. After all, who can blame us for taking a little inspiration from the wedding of the year?


Pattern like a Princess! - Who says that only pastels and block colours will do for weddings? Don't be afraid to shake things up with a little pattern especially if it's one of this season's chosen shades such as orange, emerald or the 2018 favourite, Ultraviolet. Still a little uncertain on embracing a bold pattern? Keep your outfit minimal chic and let our Liberty Lining do the talking.

 (Picture via Elle UK)

Opting for Comfort -   One of the most iconic moments of the Royal Wedding was certainly Serena Williams revealing her trainers which, she later explained,  she often wears on these occasions in order to be comfy for long nights. Serena is absolutely right - there is way too much fun to be had at a wedding to allow your fashion choices to hold you back. With the multitude of options available to us, there is no need to compromise style over comfort. Our top tip aside from opting for comfortable footwear? Choosing a clutch that is large enough to fit all you need for the big day. Our Flora clutches come in an array of shades and are delightfully roomy to store all your essentials.

(Photo via Harper Bazaar)

In Ode of NOT Playing it Safe -  When it comes to wedding fashion, we have heard it all before - 'Opt for muted palettes! Blush pink and navy always do the trick! Stick to what you know!'. Honestly ladies, the list could definitely go on. While navy hues and blush pinks always look smart and put together (in fact, there were a few ladies who opted for light pinks including Serena Williams), we couldn't help but be completely and utterly drawn to Amal Clooney's sunshine yellow number. Warm, bright enough to be glamorous yet easily pared back with minimal shoes and accessories, yellow could definitely become an unlikely contender for wedding guest colour of the year. What do you think? We love it when paired with metallics to amp up the volume for the evening or with a nude palette to keep things classy for a traditional service.

(Picture via Pinterest)

See you on the dance floor - we'll be the ones dancing to Beyonce's Single Ladies!

Happy Wedding Season!

Love,

Pepper Alley HQ X 

SS17 : Fairytale Fantasy

Welcome to the second instalment of our picks for SS17 trends! While it is known that summer trends are chosen by designers well in advance and showcased to the fashion world as early as six months ahead, we thought it would make more sense to discuss our favourites now. Let's be honest, it is very difficult to get excited by the prospect of light fabrics and pretty pastels during a UK January where it is raining outside and we're all still getting over the post Christmas blues. However, now is the perfect time to chat summer fashion especially as this heatwave calls for holiday and summer wedding inspiration. So, after declaring our love for brights last week, it is now time for blush hues, ballerina vibes and the fairytale detailing which has dominated the catwalk this SS17.

Marchesa's SS17 show did not hold back when it came to tulle, embellishments and detailing following a more is more approach. The prêt-à-porter, more city appropriate alternative? Accessories! By incorporating blush tones into your outfit and allowing the fairytale trend to sweep into your beauty regime too, this trend can be easily made city and office friendly. Our suggestions? Our blush Clemmie Tote to store all your daily essentials paired with a romantic, heat friendly plait as seen at Valentino's SS17 show.

While this SS17 trend is largely influenced by pink, blush and nude hues, it is certainly not limited to them. In fact, monochrome and darker, more intricate patterns took centre stage at Dior's SS17. Whilst still gorgeous and saturated with layers and detailing, this take on fairytale fashion proves more practical for city dressing and adds an edge to an otherwise very soft look,

Our suggestions for channeling this look? Our creamy Flora clutch in black is perfect when paired with pastel hues to elevate an outfit and keep your look sharp.

Our favourite event showcasing a multitude of SS17 trends all at once? The (almost!) Royal Wedding of course! The bride, Pippa Middleton, channeled fairytale vibes in a bespoke Giles Deacon dress while Kate Middleton and her mother complimented the bride perfectly in Alexander McQueen and Katherine Walker respectively.

Fancy channeling the Royal look at your next wedding? Our pastel Flora clutches are not only perfect for the occasion but also proudly British making you the best dressed guest for a fraction of the price. Oh and if it's your big day this summer, why not show your bridesmaids how special they are to you with our key rings? They come in an array of colours so you can treat your helpers to something they will use everyday and will remind them of your special day!

Happy Summer Shopping!

Love,

Pepper Alley HQ X 

(Fashion Pictures Source : Pinterest )