I’m broke so these are the only four things I’m buying for wedding season

wedding guest cost

If you're around my age (ahem twenties...) then you'll likely have a few weddings to go to every year, and so you'll know it can get quite expensive. You've got the hen do, the travel/accommodation for the actual wedding, a wedding gift, and that's sans counting your wedding guest dress.

There was a time where I used to buy a new outfit for every single wedding, telling myself I'd wear it again so it was worth it, but I never did, as the heels were too high, or the dress too dressy to wear in everyday life. So this wedding season, I'm allowing myself to buy these four things, because not only do they make a pretty ensemble all worn together, but I can definitely wear them again separately...

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A straw hat

Straw hats are the one accessory I've seen countless fashion editors and influencers pack for their holiday, and I'll be investing in one for this wedding season too. I hate fascinators and formal hats just remind me of the Queen, so this is the only headpiece I'll be convinced to wear. As seen at Jacquemus at Fashion Week, they'll add a dose of cool to any outfit, from a chic dress to a denim jumpsuit. And of course, it'll double up as a fab holiday accessory.

Shop now: ASOS Straw Floppy Hat with Metallic Brim and Size Adjuster for £11 from ASOS

A pinafore dress

I've bought countless of super smart floral dresses that just weren't great for everyday wear, as the cut was too tailored, or the neckline was too plunging. So this season I'm going for a style that's a little more on the casual side: the pinafore (Alexa Chung convinced me). This number from Topshop hits the polka dot trend box, and can be worn over a white t-shirt and with trainers for a more casual look, or with a white shirt and mules for an office-appropriate take.

Shop now: PETITE Black Spot Pinafore Dress for £55 from Topshop

A basket bag

Basket bags are back for another season, and we can expect them to still be around for SS19, so there's no harm in investing in one now. Much like the straw hat, the basket bag is easily dressed up or down, especially if you go for a paired-back designs sans pom poms or glitter. I'm rooting for this Nannacay number.

Shop now: Nannacay Sirikit Box Bag for £192.86 from shopbop

Sculptural heels

I'm done with buying beautiful heels that are so high I end up ditching them before I even hit the dancefloor (great for the wedding breakfast when you're sitting down though). Luckily, low heels are in this season, and I'm loving the sculptural heels by the likes of Jacquemus and Cult Gaia, which will make my outfit a bit more fashion-forward.

Shop now: CULT GAIA Alia leather mules for £295 from Net-A-Porter

Penny Goldstone

Penny Goldstone is the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire, covering everything from catwalk trends to royal fashion and the latest high street and Instagram must-haves.

Penny grew up in France and studied languages and law at the Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris before moving to the UK for her MA in multimedia journalism at Bournemouth University. She moved to the UK permanently and has never looked back (though she does go back regularly to stock up on cheese and wine).

Although she's always loved fashion - she used to create scrapbooks of her favourite trends and looks, including Sienna Miller and Kate Moss' boho phase - her first job was at MoneySavingExpert.com, sourcing the best deals for everything from restaurants to designer sales.

However she quit after two years to follow her true passion, fashion journalism, and after many years of internships and freelance stints at magazines including Red, Cosmopolitan, Stylist and Good Housekeeping, landed her dream job as the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK.

Her favourite part of the job is discovering new brands and meeting designers, and travelling the world to attend events and fashion shows. Seeing her first Chanel runway IRL at Paris Fashion Week was a true pinch-me moment.