Cut above: Lalage Beaumont’s effortless style for mother of the bride and VIP guest

Lalage Beaumont believes that, for mothers of the bride and groom and wedding guests, the right occasion outfit must be designed to suit your style and earn its keep long after the big event

Lalage Beaumont’s Beauchamp Place, Knightsbridge store is a go-to for mothers of the bride – and indeed anyone who needs a contemporary, elegant and timeless outfit that will look the part for seasons to come

Lalage (pronounced La-la-ghee) trained in fashion at University of the West of England and then went to work with Aquascutum, giving her a thorough understanding of the fine art of British luxury tailoring. She says: “Everything was steeped in quality and with exceptional fabrics”.

After spells at both Mulberry and Burberry, and a three-year sojourn in New Zealand, she established her eponymous label in 2004. Operating initially in Mayfair, she relocated to Knightsbridge in 2012. From the start, her client base included a lot of female executives looking for beautifully cut investment pieces for boardroom, office and events. It was many of these same clients who then returned, desperate to find something stylish to wear at a son or daughter’s wedding.

“This is occasion dressing at its best, with well cut, sophisticated pieces that can be split and worn multiple different ways”

And Lalage Beaumont’s signature is all about style. As she puts it: “no frills”. The cornerstone is beautifully cut coats and jackets that can be worn over dresses or with skirts and trousers. It is occasion dressing at its best, since the dividend is really well cut, sophisticated pieces that can be split and worn multiple different ways. For instance, one of her chic coat and dress combinations – when separated – become a smart top layer to dress up black trousers or jeans and an effortlessly elegant throw-on dress for a cocktail party or business lunch.

It is occasion dressing at its best, since the dividend is really well cut, sophisticated pieces that can be split and worn multiple different ways. — Fabrics are exquisite, sourced from Europe and with exclusive patterns, colours and weaves

The designs are understated, relying on clean and tailored cut and superb fabrics. She goes to Europe, especially Italy, to source her silks (including her luscious raw silks), which are exclusive to her. She champions our fine mills for tweeds, including the one in Carlisle still used by Chanel. A more recent find is two exceptional mills in Suffolk that produce really unusual weaves.

https://lalagebeaumont.com/ — Lalage Beaumont offers off-the-peg, ‘demi couture’ and made-to-measure, which is a full couture process of toiles and fittings

The Lalage Beaumont collection spans off-the-peg designs, with bold colours, pales and neutrals in the mix. ‘Demi couture’ is also offered, giving you the option to go for a design in a different colour, or perhaps lower the neck and opt for longer sleeves. Six weeks is recommended for this, although the team will always try to help out with a shorter lead-time. The third option is full made-to-measure, with toiles and multiple fittings. With that option, you have your own precise pattern, which means the same fabulous dress or suit could be made again in a different colour or fabric.

Lalage’s advice to mothers of the bride and groom is to pick something that feels special, comfortable and right for them. “It’s important not to step outside your comfort zone. You want to feel special, never self-conscious.” While colours and details may update with each new season, she’s more concerned with finding a gorgeous print or colour than following a passing fad. And she believes that true style is timeless. “Clothes should be like old friends – you enjoy wearing them and they earn their keep, rather than being an investment you wear only once and then put in the back of the cupboard.”