Elspeth A. Lodge

Kate Middleton at the wedding of close friends Nicholas van Cutsem and Alice Hadden-Pato

We’ve discussed how men will dress at the royal wedding in great detail, but perhaps we’ve covered the female dress code less extensively.

A military uniform, a morning coat or a lounge suit? What on earth does that mean for women?

Well, the royal wedding invitation won’t tell you— only the dress code for men is listed, women are meant to follow suit (no pun intended).

This makes it especially daunting for a female to shop for a royal wedding outfit.

So, let’s go over everything from the tip of your bun to the rings on your fingers and the glass slippers on your feet.

Well, maybe‑ you won’t be wearing glass slippers— we don’t want to “outdo” the bride, after all.

And that is the first rule of thumb, NEVER ever try to outdo the bride and don’t try to look too “sexy,” even if your angling to snag a royal suitor.

The key to dressing for a wedding? “Women should look elegant in a suit or dress – appropriate for the season and the weather…” says Debretts‘s etiquette guide.

What about colour?

The general rule of thumb is not to wear head-to-toe white, cream or black (white being the color the bride wears and black could be seen as to somber).

However, depending upon accessories, sometimes these mostly taboo colours can be worn tastefully.

 CNN reports that women have more of a choice than their male counterparts when it comes to the colour, who are stuck with variations of gray, black, blue and if a man is really feeling really daring, brown.

“They should stick with pastel shades, perhaps a subtle floral pattern,” says Hunt.

“If you want to be daring, cream isn’t out of the question, even white — as long as it looks nothing like a wedding dress!” says Peta Hunt, the fashion director of upscale wedding magazine You&Your Wedding to CNN.

“They should stick with pastel shades, perhaps a subtle floral pattern,” she said “If you want to be daring, cream isn’t out of the question, even white — as long as it looks nothing like a wedding dress!

What does this mean?

• Watch the cleavage‑ no scandalously plunging necklines…And, in terms of a dress or skirt? If you have to ask “Is this too short?” it probably is.
• Sleeves and Dents gloves are a “do.” Why Dents? They have a “royal warrant” meaning they supply to the royal household. In 1937 Dents manufactured the Coronation Glove worn by H.R.H King George VI at his coronation. Additionally, they supplied Queen Elizabeth at her coronation in 1953.
• Appear proper, but not stuffy. 

Its tempting...but, no, you cant wear your tiara to the royal wedding.

The headgear

On the 29^thyour outfit should be all about the accessories, but there is one rule.

Ladies, it’s fine to dawn our tiara’s at home (and I know you own one), but in your abode is where those sparkly princess pieces should stay.

A tiara is for the bride only.

Kate Middleton arrives at a wedding wearing a stylish hat, black coat and practical purple pumps.

“The hats will no doubt be grand and extravagant. But everyone will be squashed into the Abbey together, so they really can’t go too big, or it’s going to be a logistical nightmare,” says Hunt.

“Hats are traditional, but by no means compulsory, at weddings,” says Debretts. “It is notoriously difficult to socially kiss while wearing a wide-brimmed hat. There is a knack to tilting the head at a suitable angle, but two ladies both in wide brimmed hats should avoid such an ‘intimate’ greeting.”

“Designers say some women began placing their hat orders when the couple announced their engagement in November. Some have advised clients to be original, focus on their outfits, forget about the price and don’t outdo the bride or royals,” reports the Associated Press.

If the tiara was going to be your attempt to avoid hat hair or awkward greetings that sometimes arise because of a wide brimmed hat, wear a fascinator (a delicate headpiece with a flower or feather attached to the side) or choose your size of hat with care; a wide-brimmed hat could lead to unexpected trouble in a crowd.

Kate Middleton at a wedding, wearing a facinator.

The dress:

The trick is “being both fashion forward on the one hand and retaining a sense of tradition and reverence on the other,” says Peta Hunt to CNN “It’s a very fine line to tread.”Most women will probably be clad in a “shift dress.” What is a shift dress? It is a straight loose-fitting dress worn with a nice neat jacket over the top.

What are some designers you can expect to see guests wearing?

Bruce Oldfield, Issa  and Philip Treacey are among designers expected to be seen at the event.

Now, for the shoes…

When it comes to the shoes it’s all about common sense.

You will want to be in a pair that are elegant enough to match you outfit and sensible enough to be comfortable.

Flats or heels are fine, but nothing too casual like sandals. Make sure the heels are not too high.