While jewel tones are an evening classic, when it comes to summer occasionwear there’s a strong case to be made for yellow. The sunny hue perfectly evokes the optimistic spirit of the season, making a stylish statement while doing so. Pick your favourite shade then take a cue from Jason Wu and Alexander McQueen and showcase it to maximum effect on a full silhouette. Team with pale accessories to keep the look fresh. 

If there’s one style that rivals the classic evening gown, it’s a cocktail-ready suit. Reminiscent of Yves Saint Laurent’s iconic ‘Le Smoking’ look, a tailored jacket and trousers exudes louche glamour and makes a contemporary choice for formal events. A classic black or white set can be respun with different accessories for multiple occasions, maximising cost-per-wear. Keep the look fluid with relaxed cuts and evening fabrics such as silk and crêpe.

Though sheer fabrics may sound daunting, this season’s catwalks showed us how dresses with a hint of transparency are an elegant and easy-to-wear option for celebrating in the heat. Consider this your ultimate destination party outfit and reach for high-summer silhouettes with flowing skirts, preserving modesty with large briefs. We love the simple slips at Alberta Ferretti, which were worn with flat sandals, ready for a beach wedding. Formal events call for the drama of Valentino’s violet maxi.

From Sophia Loren to Audrey Hepburn, Julia Roberts to Jessica Rabbit, a great red dress has long been the go-to for those wanting to leave a lasting impression. There’s no denying it – this look is bold. But red’s style heritage means it’s also a classic, so if you already have black ticked off, this is a smart next move. Stick to a universally flattering orange-red tone which feels summery rather than festive. 

If your midi and maxi dress quota is full, why not consider a mini? Shorter hems were championed by numerous design houses this season and provide a playful alternative for warm-weather events. This is the perfect length for flamboyant details, so take inspiration from Miu Miu and try a feather trim. Bold textures and colours also work well. Whether going strappy or sleeved, A-line and sculptural silhouettes look more contemporary. Finish with flats. 

Metallics and parties are match made in heaven; nothing complements a disco ball more than an outfit of liquid gold or silver. Channel Studio 54 and reach for a shimmering cocktail dress, or try coordinating separates worn as a head-to-toe look. If you already have metallic pieces in your wardrobe, change up the styling by mixing metals à la Tom Ford. Consider accessories, too – a metallic shoe or bag will give your existing evening wear the Midas touch.  

Ever since Coco Chanel introduced the little black dress in 1926, it has been the undisputed classic of the occasionwear wardrobe. However, classic doesn’t mean boring. This season, designers proved that the LBD can be both versatile and pack plenty of wow factor by refreshing the iconic piece with statement trims and contemporary silhouettes. If you’re yet to invest, look for styles with timeless embellishments, such as bows, feathers and polka dots. 

Extra-special occasions call for extra-special details, and intricate lace always fits the bill. For evening events, take inspiration from Gucci and reach for delicate lace slips, or make like Zimmerman and opt for a romantic midi worn with strap sandals. Lace works for daytime, too. Choose a larger-scale embroidery that can be teamed with raffia accessories for picnics. As lace requires craftsmanship, it’s worth spending more on premium pieces that have been beautifully made. 

Romantic, timeless and easy to wear, no event capsule is complete without a bloom of florals. This season, Erdem, Emilia Wickstead and Prabal Gurung showcased pretty prints, reconfirming them as the perfect plus-one for summer weddings and garden parties. The secret to finding a forever print is to look for those with a vintage aesthetic, be that chintzy, ditsy or retro. Softer colour palettes will prove more versatile than bold ones. 

A skirt co-ord is one of the most hardworking pieces to have in your everyday summer wardrobe, and when realised in luxe fabrics proves just as invaluable for event wear, too. Think of it as a three-in-one and wear it as a matching set for dressier occasions, then break it apart and team with polished separates for smart/casual events. Stick to neutral shades and classic prints to further increase versatility. 

This season’s full-throttle drama comes by way of dresses with statement back details. Trains, bows, capes and ties – these are pieces that make both an entrance and an exit. The most covetable interpretations came from Gabriela Hearst, where sculptural capes topped simple shifts, and Huishan Zhang, where orange trains flowed from fuchsia skirts. At Erdem, trailing sleeve ties gave floral gowns extra flourish. Avoid the look becoming OTT by keeping accessories fuss-free.