- SHOP: Occasionwear sorted! The 7 rules to follow this season
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The countdown is on to the hottest summer soirées: pristine Wimbledon whites, OTT Ascot hats and Henley stripes are all on the sartorial set list.
But formality can feel frumpy. Following a dress code is stressful and often has us steering away from our personal style towards conservative looks.
If you’re wondering what to wear to feel sexy and sleek, rather than trussed up and mumsy, then read on for the new occasion wear rules to follow now.
Sharp suiting
If you don’t like baring your legs, suiting is the sleek yet smart alternative to a dress or skirt. Just avoid navy, grey or anything with pin stripes – otherwise you risk looking corporate rather than chic.
Need a quick fix for trailing trouser hems? Skip a trip to the tailor and add a pair of chunky platform sandals instead. These will add height, as well as providing a handy leg lengthening effect. A V-neck slip vest or – even better – nothing at all, is another simple hack for creating a sexy finish for your look.
Try tassels
Tassels trump sequins this summer. Originally the reserve of 1920s flapper girls, this vintage inspired embellishment is all over the high street. Modern and contemporary, rather than staid, fringing will add drama and motion to your outfit – it looks excellent when you’re sweeping through a crowd. Just avoid anything in leather or suede, or you’ll risk looking as though you’re off to a rodeo, rather than Royal Ascot.
Puff sleeves (with an edge) are back
Bulbous puff sleeves are everywhere again this summer, but the trick to making them look cool rather than twee is to find a style without lace and with cut outs, off-shoulder details or a short hemline instead. Flash a shoulder (or both), some knees or even notched out sections of your midriff or back. Frothy frocks often wear the wearer. But with an edgy, tactical sliver of skin you’ll stand out under all the flounce – and you won’t resemble Little Bo Peep.
Was £280
Was £65
Best of the supermarket
If you think you can’t get occasion wear in the supermarket, think again. Tu, George and F&F are up there with the high street when it comes to fabulous midi frocks, co-ords and grass-safe footwear. And the best bit? It’s all under £50. Dress up and spend less.
The accessory that will make your outfit look expensive
Jangly, sparkly and the perfect conversation starter, the It-bag to have swinging from the crook of your arm or dangling from your shoulder this season is a beaded one. On Fendi’s SS26 runway the label’s iconic Baguette bags came in a skin of rainbow embellishments, dazzling floral patterns and glistening stripes. Similarly Loewe’s rattan clutches came encrusted with pink, red and green beads clustered in the shape of strawberries.
Whilst these designer buys come with hefty price tags, there are plenty of look-at-me styles on the high street for a snip of the cost. It’s the simplest way to zhuzh up a relatively plain outfit. More is more here; if you look as though you’ve been attacked by a Bedazzler, you’re doing it right. Don’t be afraid to be playful!
The outdated silhouettes to avoid:
- Bodycon dresses are a big no-no. Steer clear at all costs or risk falling prey to the unflattering sausage casing effect.
- Panelled crepe pencil skirts or midis will only make you look as though you’re competing for Alan Sugar’s approval on The Apprentice. Leave those styles to the boardroom business ladies.
- Slip dresses are very hard to pull off; I would argue they are only flattering on boyish or straight body types. If you’re a pear, apple, hourglass or anything else of that matter, leave them well alone.
- Peplum is back, but wear with caution. A top with a subtle mid-riff disguising shelf is up-to-date, but skirts with a stiff lampshade of fabric around the middle need to be left in the noughties.
