To keep a bright colour looking grown-up, pair it with a crisp white shirt-come-bodysuit, which does away with the tiresome job of tucking your top back in throughout the evening. And for a contemporary feel, clash your colours a little. In this case, a red buckle on pink shoes hits the right note.  

For a sleek, modern look, we can’t resist a mermaid maxi with a peplum top. Let the skirt steal the spotlight and keep everything else just as fitted, but pared back. Stick to a scooped-neck bodysuit, simple gold hoops and then slick your hair back into a low chignon.