Found in Issue No. 297
How To Master Modern Event Dressing
- Edited by
- Fenella Webb
- Words by
- Frankie Graddon
The Shirt Dress
For those with daytime occasions on the cards, a shirt dress will be your fail-safe go-to, being both breezy and smart. Reach for a style in crisp, breathable cotton. Covered shoulders will provide essential protection if you’re out in the sun all day. Introducing a woven bag gives the look a sense of undone ease, while chunky jewellery and heavy-rimmed sunglasses bring modernity to the look.
The Dress
The dress is an occasionwear signature thanks to its one-step-dressing ease and immediate, entrance-making impact. If you’ve gravitated away from dresses over the past few seasons, now’s the time to enjoy reconnecting with them. A pared-back silhouette looks all the more effortless and can easily be transformed with different accessories. For a classic yet fresh look, just add a blazer and tonal sandal.
The Statement Top
If you’re familiar with the ‘jeans and a nice top’ fashion formula, consider this the upgraded version. Khaite’s draped silk-gazar blouse is like a wearable sculpture and won’t fail to turn the simplest of outfit components into an extra-special look. For super-polished dress codes, it makes a modern alternative to an LBD – team it with wide tailored trousers and spaghetti-strap sandals. And, of course, it will also look chic with straight-leg denim for low-key occasions.
The Co-Ord
To ensure occasionwear doesn’t gather dust in your wardrobe, versatility is key. And when it comes to multiple styling options, a co-ord is a winning choice. Reach for a light cotton set in a dress-up-dress-down print that can be worn together or split into separates and mixed with your existing occasion pieces. This is a particularly smart solution for destination events, when suitcase space is at a premium.
The Linen Suit
While linen tailoring is a summer workwear hero, it can make for a sleek solution for occasion dressing, too. Paler tones are the more typical choice – you can’t go wrong with classic cream – but consider mixing things up with a contemporary chocolate-brown suit. Add summery lightness by teaming it with blush pink and a contrasting pop of snake print.
The Slip Skirt
Add a black slip skirt to your event-ready capsule and you’ll be guaranteed to have something to wear all year round. For summer, tap into its ’90s style roots and channel Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in a simple off-the-shoulder top and minimal low-heeled mules. Cool down the look by switching yellow gold for silver.