Pippa Middleton's wedding dress: Tips from Diana's designer

In the lead up to her wedding to James Matthews, royal-watchers are already talking about Pippa Middleton's wedding gown. Photo / Getty

He co-designed Princess Diana's wedding dress, and now David Emanuel has revealed his thoughts on what newly engaged Pippa Middleton should wear on her big day.

The 53-year-old designer said Pippa shouldn't try to copy the regal look her sister adopted at her wedding to Prince William in 2011.

"She's not a royal; she's not going to be a royal. And that's all I'm saying," the Welsh-born fashion designer told the Daily Mail.

A leading fashion designer says Pippa shouldn't go for the regal look that Kate had on her big day. Photo / Getty

"I personally, would put her in something very soft, perhaps chiffon, with a train of course because it's dramatic. Possibly a little lace bodice, soft and fluid, I mean she's got a great shape," he said.

"And I would say the complete opposite of Kate just so she makes her own statement really. Soft and pretty."

The designer told the Daily Mail that he was impressd with how confident Kate Middleton looked as she walked into Westminster Abbey on her big day.

Royal-watchers say Kate is expected to be maid of honour at Pippa's wedding ceremony, and Prince George and Princess Charlotte will also have a part in the big day.

While the dress desinger hasn't been publicly announced yet, Jenny Packham is said to be top of the list.

Princess Diana's wedding dress was designed to reflect her youth, as well as the fashion of the day. Photo / Getty

When he designed Princess Diana's wedding dress, David said he wanted the dress to reflect Diana's youthfulness.

"She was simply young and fresh and I wanted the dress to reflect that, but at the same time, she was going in as Lady Diana Spencer and coming out as the Princess of Wales," he told the Daily Mail.

"As long as she was happy, I was happy, it's very flattering that the rest of the world liked it."

When it comes to us mere mortals, David's top wedding advice is to choose your wedding entourage carefully (no nasty aunties or meddling distant relatives), and to keep an open mind and try on lots of different styles when looking for a gown, rather than having a set idea from the beginning.

-nzherald.co.nz