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When Four Weddings and a Funeral was first released in May 1994, the Daily Mail’s glowing review compared Richard Curtis’ script to Chekhov’s work and declared the film “one of the great romantic comedies of all time.” , smarter even than When He Met Harry.” Sally or Annie Hall’.
Some may scoff at this sentiment, but I firmly agree. The only thing the review didn’t take into account was the sumptuous on-screen styling of the characters as they rush, usually late, to the various nuptials.
Amazingly, 30 years later, the suits are still as immensely stylish as they were then, not even close to that much-dreaded fashion label: “old-fashioned.”
So, as wedding season approaches, here are five event dressing lessons straight from the movie to carry you through the summer. It’s time to party like it’s 1994…
Four Weddings and a Funeral, starring Andie MacDowell, James Fleet, Kristin Scott Thomas, Simon Callow, Charlotte Coleman, John Hannah and Hugh Grant, was released 30 years ago.
A 50s silhouette is timeless
Coleman’s character, Scarlett, sports a particularly striking orange version in the film’s iconic opening scene.
We have chosen a Campari orange creation from the London brand Amy Lynn, with a particularly wide skirt and a rigid cotton fabric.
There’s a reason 1950s Norman Hartnell-style dresses with full skirts, fitted bodices, and cinched waists were worn in 1994, and it’s the same reason they should be worn in 2024: They’re extremely flattering.
Charlotte Coleman’s character Scarlett sports a particularly striking orange version in the film’s iconic opening scene as she and Charlie rush to wedding number one. Ours is a similar Campari orange creation from London brand Amy Lynn (£119, asos.com), especially wide and bordered by a rigid cotton fabric.
An expert tip? Buy a cheap tulle petticoat on Amazon for just £2.99 and wear it under your dress to really bring out the 50s swirl factor. Retro cat eye shades like Scarlett’s are optional but recommended .
Opt for separates for a modern take
Carrie, played by Ms. MacDowell, chooses to wear a jacket and skirt combination at several weddings in the film.
Combine the Monsoon taffeta skirt with a white jacket from Zara
Dresses are not the only option for special occasions; In the right fabric, separates are dressy enough (and sometimes dressier than a dress) for even the most elegant function. Carrie chooses to wear jacket and skirt combinations at several weddings in the film, to elegant effect.
Less elegant, of course, is her decision to wear white at said weddings, but you could gladly copy her color palette for other occasions.
Separates look modern, especially a pantsuit, and offer the advantage of giving you more bang for your buck. The Monsoon taffeta skirt worn by our model (£85, monsoon.co.uk) can be styled during the day with trainers and a t-shirt, while the jacket (£59.99, zara.com) combined with fitted pants creates a perfect outfit for the office.
The same hat can accompany you to all summer events.
Fi, played by Scott Thomas, has as her signature accessory a wide-brimmed raffia hat that she wears at several of the film’s weddings.
VV Rouleaux also offers ribbons in a variety of colors so you can add a personal touch.
Much of the film’s plot centers on Hugh Grant’s character, Charlie, falling in love with the insufferable Carrie, played by Andie MacDowell. Inexplicably, Charlie chooses to be with Carrie instead of the brilliant Fiona, played by Kristin Scott Thomas.
Fi’s signature accessory is a wide-brimmed raffia hat that she wears to several of the film’s weddings, each time with a different outfit. Our conclusion for 2024 from this? Hats don’t have to be a scary four-figure feature of event attire. Choose a good headdress wisely and it can accompany you to all your summer events.
Raffia in a natural Fi tone is a good choice, as it will match any outfit. The one our model is wearing is the one from VV Rouleaux (£95, vvrouleaux.com), which also offer ribbons in a variety of colors so you can add a personal touch.
Black takes on an unexpected elegance in summer
The mandarin collar dress Fiona wore to Carrie’s wedding is exactly the kind of dress you want to wear when declaring your (unrequited) love for Hugh Grant, who plays Charlie.
This Zara tribute to Fi’s dress features a similar high neck: this is the key to its elegance.
We all know that it is forbidden to wear white to a wedding, but why should the same rule apply to black? Traditionalists may disapprove, but black injects a dose of Audrey Hepburn-esque elegance when worn as a guest at a summer wedding. The black mandarin collar dress that Fiona wore to Carrie’s wedding is exactly the kind of thing you want to wear when she declares her (unrequited) love for Hugh Grant.
Our Zara tribute to Fi’s dress (£59.99, zara.com) features a similar high collar: this is the key to its elegance. The gold jewelry bindings add a lightness that ensures Fi’s gaze doesn’t wander to Queen Victoria into mourning territory.
…but don’t be afraid of color either
Fiona resolutely sticks to black among a sea of rainbow-clad guests… until the final wedding, that is.
Add the Lisou silk jacket to a black outfit for a pop of color.
As mentioned, throughout the film, Fiona decidedly sticks mostly to black among a sea of rainbow-clad guests. Until the final wedding, that is: that of the object of her unrequited love, Charlie.
There, wearing a wildly colored silk coat, she declares: “From now on, I will be every color of the rainbow and I will fall in love with someone who likes me, for a change.” While her style has changed, it’s certainly not for Charlie, but for herself.
You’d probably approve of our model’s silk Lisou jacket (£385, lisau.es). Or head to Zara to pick up a fuchsia and turquoise geometric print jacket for £59.99 (zara.com). Wear it with a simple dress like Fiona does to avoid looking like Joseph in her technicolor coat.