5 Things Friday - Mastering The Event Look
Got an event this summer? Here's my stress free guide to nailing the party looks.
This week’s email is a long one! Don’t forget to press download entire message on your email if you’re reading this in gmail as it may be truncated.
I’ve had the planning for this newsletter in my head for weeks and there's so much that I wanted to cover that I’ve ended up breaking it down into 2 parts. This week’s newsletter is a freebie for everyone, while next week will be a paid subscribers’ post, where I will tackle style dilemmas sent to me by my subscribers. From the number of requests for advice on styling occasion wear that I receive from early spring onwards, I know that planning a special outfit can cause a little anxiety. There are lots of dilemmas to conquer on the road to the perfect outfit, but I hope my guidance will at least help you make some good decisions on the way.
Personally, I love getting dressed up, but I do know it’s not everyone’s idea of fun. I think the main reason it can cause anxiety is that there are so many things to consider when choosing an outfit. My main concern is always the weather! That probably has a lot to do with the fact that the weather in the UK from April - late September could serve you up anything from a heatwave to hailstones and an awful lot inbetween. Add into that, wanting to hit the dress code just right (I always feel more comfortable being over rather than underdressed), wanting to look our best and, probably the most important of all, being comfortable in our choice. Nothing ruins a party more than not feeling quite yourself or feeling uncomfortable. A good example was an event I recently attended for a very glamorous night in London. It had come a few weeks after my mum passed away and I had not had the time or inclination to think about an outfit. I was starting to panic with only a few days to go and absolutely no chance of getting anything new. I was apprehensive that the majority of attendees would be glamorous 20-somethings and would I stick out like a sore thumb? In my head I had envisaged myself wearing a dress, but I didn’t think anything I had was glam enough. I was also feeling pretty insecure about showing too much of my 50+ pale flesh! In the end I went with a velvet trouser suit and it was a total success for me. I felt way more confident with everything covered, I was warm (it was a freezing night) and I felt quite sassy wearing something a bit different from the sea of satin dresses on display on the night. The lesson there is - don’t dress to conform, always let your personal style inform your decisions and be yourself.
So, before we get on with the main event (excuse the pun), here are a few top tips to consider before you make a purchase:
Have a good look in your wardrobe before you head out to the shops. Do you have something that would already cover you for this occasion? Accessories can really change up an outfit, so maybe you just need to buy new shoes or a bag to make something you already have work.
I don’t go to many big dos. Last year I had a wedding and my daughter's graduation - and that’s the busiest season I’ve had for a long time! A good tip is investing in a few key pieces if your social diary is busier than mine. Items like a blazer, a dress coat, and versatile accessories, will really stand you in good stead for lots of events. I bought a linen trench coat, which I wore over my dresses for both events and which saved me from the wind and rain on both ocassions.
Don’t be ruled by out-of-date ideas. You can wear black or white to a wedding if you so choose, you don’t have to wear a hat if you don’t feel comfortable in one and you can wear a suit if you prefer trousers to dresses - yes, even if you’re the mother of the bride!
Consider a rental. This is especially useful if you know you won't get much wear out of a ballgown. The rental market has really grown over the last few years and now lots of high street brands are offering it. John Lewis and Baukjen are good high street brands that do this service and Hurr is well known for its huge rental offering.
The possibilities are endless with occasion wear. Last week I ventured into John Lewis for some research and ended up trying on a suit, dresses and a jumpsuit, all of which I’d be happy to wear. My general go to for most events though is a dress, and there are so many to choose from I’ve split them into categories. I’ve looked at a variety of price points too; my velvet suit was under £60 in the sale, so I definitely don’t think you need to spend vast amounts to look good.
The Print Dresses
I’m not normally a big print wearer but come a special event, I love them. The two events I went to last year saw me wearing print dresses. I think a print can be perhaps a little more forgiving than a plain dress and it gives you more to play with when matching up your accessorise.
Graduation Day… I wore a Ted Baker dress. This year’s version is available here.
I will concede that as much as I love a print dress, they are difficult to re-wear again for everyday, but if you're looking for something special you don’t have to spend a fortune, one of these dresses is priced at £55. I invested in the Realisation Par gia dress in the January sales - they do a huge range of prints. I bought this year’s black print version, which you may have seen me in on holiday. It’s very versatile in that it's a fine fabric, so even though it has those gorgeous bell long sleeves, it's very light, and I’ve seen lots of ladies on Insta wearing it for a variety of occasions from weddings to beach holidays. I went for a large and the fit is very flattering.
The Neutrals
Neutral lovers can still stand out at an event without having to leave behind their classic style sense. I always feel a neutral look looks expensive and classy, and you can play with your accessories to add interest. I love this black chiffon dress as a great high street option; it looks super flattering and would be lovely for an evening event. The Ro&Zo one shoulder dress looks very sophisticated.
The Colourful Crowd
I think my favourite colour for a statement dress is probably red. I have this one from Warehouse which is now available in that gorgeous olive. I always think if you're going for a bold colour then its best to go for something fairly sleek and not to go over the top with your accessories. A colour clash though is always guaranteed to make you stand out
Special Mention to the Slip Dresses
Why a special mention? Because out of all the styles of dress this is one which I think can easily be worn for lots of ocassions. I was sent the Allsaints slip dress recently and have already worn it with a cream blazer and kitten heels for a smart night out. In summer I’ll wear it with chunky black sandals and maybe a linen shirt draped over for a city break. Versatile, no? It’s also worth noting that a lot of brands make one slip dress and then produce it in multiple colours - for example the &otherstories pink one comes in lots of other gorgeous shades.
Jumpsuits - worth a second look.
I don’t own a jumpsuit for daywear but do find the occasion wear ones to be a good option. For someone who is a pear shape, a floaty material is more forgiving and they look way more sophisticated than their daytime relatives. I love the dark navy &otherstories one and the red Phase Eight one got a lot of love when I showed it on an Insta try-on recently.
Tailoring Options
Talking of versatile, a suit is a great option, especially if you’re not a fan of showing your legs. I also think they are great as a contrast with what most people at events will be wearing, so you’ll stand out as being a little bit different and infinitely cooler. You don’t have to go formal with a blazer suit, waistcoats are very much a stylish option, or pair a fun top like this feather Mint Velvet one with pair of chic tailored trousers.
The Trusty Co-Ord
Again, like the tailoring option, a co-ord is going to stand you in good stead as something you can wear on more than one occasion. I love the option of having the separates at different sizes too (us pears often find it tricky to get that right with a dress or jumpsuit). I particularly like the Cos set for a romantic floaty look. It would be perfect for an informal summer do or a beach wedding. The Sezane polka dot set is really sweet and so wearable as separates. Finally, how gorgeous would the Boden check skirt be with matching platform heels and a simple top.
So, that’s it for this week. Hopefully I've given you some ideas to explore. As I mentioned, next week will be a post for paid subscribers where I will be giving you some styling solutions and help with occasion wear dilemmas.
Hope you all have a restful weekend and, if you’re off to event, my fingers are crossed that the sun shines!
Melissa xx
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I had to smile. Your opening comment made me think of my dear late mum who, when I called after a Christening we’d attended and told her we felt somewhat overdressed, replied “Overdressed, no such thing as overdressed. The others were underdressed” 😂 Have a great weekend! X
Lovely post thank you, exactly what I needed this week - it’s like having a chat with a friend about really important sartorial matters!