Lynne McCrossan: Hen challenge fails to ruffle many feathers

By Lynne McCrossan
Published on 20/08/2012 12:00

WHEN your oldest friend becomes a bride-to-be there’s usually a few manic milestone to hit before a trip up the aisle.

But surprisingly four weeks away from her nuptials bridezilla has not made an appearance.

Don’t get me wrong, there has been the odd wobble but all in all she has come in under a strict budget, sailing through each stormy patch like Ben Ainslie.

That was until the H word reared its ugly head last week. Hen parties break me out in hives. Luckily it has the exact same effect on the bride.

Instead of phallic shaped paraphernalia and lousy L plates Lou has asked us to partake in some simple 1950s dress-up.

Done deal, as it gave me another crack at the dress making challenge.

A trip to John Lewis’s haberdashery found me some Prada-inspired retro Americana material, so a high-waisted pencil skirt teamed with a cropped bustier was on the cards.

There was a mandatory check-in with my mentor, Carolyn Baxter, then off I went to whizz up the outfit.

For the first time since the challenge started I was cool as a cucumber at the machine. Even mistakes were easily fixed. I think I’m finally getting the hang of this sewing malarky.

The best part is my material was on sale, bringing my full outfit, including zip and studding, in at £8.50. That’s the cheapest outfit of the challenge yet.

FASHION INSIDER

Stockbridge has a little nail secret to share. The girls at Wo:mankind have just had their first delivery of Ciate’s caviar manicure. It’s like dipping your fingertips in hundreds and thousands. The

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