10 new rules of event dressing
From weddings to the races
Weddings, christenings, graduations, race days, polo matches, days at the tennis. The idea of a summer “season” might sound outdated, but that doesn’t stop our calendars from filling up faster than the Bolly tent at Royal Ascot. And if the “helpful” dress codes that accompany each invitation are to be believed, each calls for a brand new outfit.
Difficulty factor increases if you’ve got a tight-knit group of friends who will see you – and your outfit – at every event, but even so, planning ahead and only going shopping with a list will provide you with as capsule an occasionwear wardrobe as possible. Here are my rules – arrived at after a fair few clangers, I might add – for easy event dressing.
Don’t be afraid to recycle
While the idea of a new frock for every occasion appeals, it’s neither ethically nor financially sound, and we are not social media influencers, paid to change our outfits five times a day. No one will ever take as much notice of your outfit as you do yourself. Look for striking accessories, like large graphic earrings or a belt (if you’re looking for something in a specific colour or style to match, you can find good options on the high street: start at & Other Stories and Mango). Or treat this as a long-term investment, with some built-to-last items – I like Black & Brown (blackbrown.com) for belts, and Felt jewellery (feltlondon.com) for vintage and new earrings. Cheap or expensive, they will change the overall impact of the same piece, and satisfy that urge for something new at the same time. If you’re wearing a trouser suit, layer it with a high-necked Victorian lace blouse for one event, and a slinky camisole for another, and you have two entirely different outfits – though even taking your hair up or down could have a similar effect. Buying one piece, rather than many, and restyling it to suit means that it may be worth investing a little more in a good quality fabric that will wash well without the colours fading. Rebecca Taylor’s floral skirts or trousers (rebeccataylor.com) could be dressed up with a silk blouse for a wedding, smartened up with a blazer for the races, and dressed down with a pastel jumper for a
graduation.
Go bespoke
It’s not an inexpensive option, but if you’ve got a really special occasion coming up and you’re not sure where to begin then you might consider having something made. Mothers of brides and grooms or party hosts planning in advance, make the most of all that preparation time and plan ahead. Focus on a flattering cut and colour for you, rather than anything too trend-focused – if you’re investing in bespoke, you want to be able to wear it for years to come. Suzannah offers varying levels of alteration, from adding sleeves to a fully bespoke pattern, and has beautiful iterations on that occasionwear staple, the dress coat, while Amanda Wakeley has a semi-bespoke atelier line. Anna Valentine’s made-for-you dresses are beautifully simple and come in richer colours than the usual wedding guest pastels. Alex Eagle’s made-to-measure trouser suits are a great modern option, and you can wear the blazer and trousers separately for less formal occasions afterwards (or even to the office, depending on the fabric you choose). Ridley London’s floral silk dresses will appeal to fans of contemporary brands like Ganni and Rixo, though at around £400500, they have a USP – a bespoke fitting and styling service is offered at no additional cost (ridleylondon.com).
…Or befriend a tailor
“I’m obsessed with getting stuff altered rather than made from scratch,” says Sophie Goodwin, fashion director at Tatler. “My tailor, Raj Mirpuri (mirpuri. com) can turn outfits around in a matter of hours.” These tweaks are especially game-changing in making high-street pieces look far more expensive; “He’s transformed an ill-fitting
baby blue Zara trouser suit, modernised vintage dresses, changed the buttons on shirts and jackets and made hem lengths far more flattering.”
Don’t rule out the high street
A bonus of the current trend for modest silhouettes (you can thank everything from the Valentino catwalks to the Handmaid’s Tale costumes) is that the high street is currently experimenting with not-too-low-cut, not-too-highlyslit dresses that cover your knees and elbows all at once – ie the sort of dresses many of us have been asking for all along. I for one am hoping that these shapes continue, but if not, at least you can make the most of the grown-up silhouettes while they last. H&M’S inexpensive florals are particularly good, though the fabrics can be a bit sweat-inducing for sunnier days – they have a 100per cent silk navy floral dress for a little bit more (£119.99). M&S’ pale pink, tiered, smock dress (100per cent cotton, £65) can easily be dressed up, providing the blush colour isn’t too close to your natural skin tone.
…But do consider the guest list
If the event is small – like a christening – then buying a floral Zara dress offers less risk that another guest will have done so, too. For anything larger scale, like a wedding, avoid prints on the high street. A block colour high street dress, like Whistles’ vivid blue silk (£249, whistles. com), can be made to look unique with the addition of a contrasting colour bag or unusual shoes, but two dresses in the same print will force you to fake laugh through buy-one-get-one-free jokes from inebriated uncles ad infinitum. Kitristudio’s stunning green floral dress had an 800-strong waiting list before it went online this weekend, and for that very reason I’ll be bypassing it completely in favour of the label’s black ruffled skirt and waisted blouse.
Don’t save things for best
Buying a really lovely something and saving it for “best” only to find that, when you actually go to wear it, it no longer fits you, has gone out of style, or has been attacked by moths (on that note, I’m currently trialling a new pheromone moth spray and will report back) is a waste of wardrobe space.
Invest in a smart cover-up
Forward-planning an outfit just to cover it up with your black wool work coat or the mac you wear to walk the dogs is such a waste. We Brits can’t count on sunshine or warmth, even in June, so a dress coat is often more important than a dress: the Duchess of Cambridge rarely reveals what’s underneath her Catherine Walker coats. A pastel or brightly coloured blazer (try Paul Smith and Marks & Spencer) will work over pleated skirts or floral dresses. If you’d like something a little less tailored, follow Meghan Markle’s lead in a lightcoloured duster coat. Personally, I love something a little bolder – a brocade fabric will work for evenings, too.
Stick to flats
Heels will work for certain occasions, but if you want to buy one pair to see you through multiple occasions (on lawn, cobbles, parquet floors) only flats will tick all the boxes. Kurt Geiger’s crystal-strap velvet pumps are a great option – as they’ve got a closed toe, you can wear them in the cooler months. And while there used to be snobbery about high street shoes, Mango and Uterqüe have options to rival designers – lucky, since stomping divots in satin Manolos is sacrilege.
Better overdressed than under
Wedding dress codes, in particular, are often more hindrance than help, with many couples using them to add an original (read: unfathomable) aspect to their wedding. Unless there’s a specific colour scheme, wear whatever you feel comfortable in, and err on the side of overdressed – it’s better to be the smartest person in the room than the most casual. A moment’s discomfort is a small price to pay for ensuring that you won’t offend your host.
Finally, find a really good hat
One that suits the shape of your face and covers the crown of your head (in line with race-day dress codes), in a shade that will work with most outfits. No mean feat, so more on this, right.