Fashion for every occasion

All About You online 06.03.2008

From prim and formal to a relaxed drinks do, follow Alyson Walsh's expert advice to find the perfect outfit for every occasion

Woman wearing cream dress
Pictured: dress from Wallis Limited CollectionWhether it's a posh wedding or drinks with friends, every invite brings with it the inevitable what-to-wear conundrum. It's easy to get it wrong - a flamboyant Ladies' Day outfit won't work at a quiet country wedding, nor do you want to turn up in jeans when all the other guests are in their best frocks. Some occasions require full-on glamour, others laid-back chic. Knowing which is which is the key to confident dressing.

What to wear

Take the stress out of occasion wear shopping by following these helpful guidelines from Amanda Slader, chief fashion adviser at John Lewis.

Best dressed wedding guest

'Choose an outfit that is comfortable, appropriate and - ideally -something you'll wear again. Generally speaking simple styles are more versatile and with the clever use of accessories, you can add individuality. Beware of over-accessorising - sometimes less is more!

Consider the time of year and type of wedding when selecting a style or colour, and don't worry about matching the bride's colour theme - go for what suits you. Do however remember to consider any dress code on the invitation. You really can't beat a great fitting dress with jacket or shrug/wrap to take you through the day from church service to party.

Trouser suits for weddings are fabulous - just think Bianca Jagger. Trousers are widely accepted and with so many people choosing civil ceremonies, they're a firm favourite.'

If you are planning to wear a hat, you'll need expert advice on choosing and wearing – read our expert tips

From formal to casual
Pictured: Floral top from Next

1. Formal events require a little bit of sartorial effort. Whether it's a day at the races, a drinks party or business event, you need to look the part.
'In order to enjoy these wonderful dates, you need to feel both glamorous and comfortable,' says Amanda, 'It's dress season, so enjoy feminine dresses in wonderful colours and add a cute wrap or shrug to cover up. Stunning shoes add a 'wow' factor to an outfit, especially when teamed with fluted or handkerchief hemlines.'

2. More relaxed occasions – a date with friends or barbecue - are less full-on, so there's no need to rush out and buy a whole new outfit.
'Well-fitting denim is a must for casual wear – just add a feminine top to dress up your jeans. Heel height can make a real difference to a casual look, broadly speaking the higher you go the dressier the look,' advises Amanda.

Taking care of your clothes

If you've splashed out on an expensive outfit for a big occasion, you'll want to make sure it stays looking good. Follow our helpful tips for taking care of your investments.

Don't cram your wardrobe full of clothes – treat clothes with care

Invest in decent hangers and garment covers

When pressing, keep the iron as cool as possible and iron on the reverse

Don't dry clean too often. Sometimes an airing is all that is needed

If a garment is weighty, fold it, don't hang it

Use acid free tissue paper to protect delicate fabrics.

Going to a wedding as the bride?! Find answers to all your questions at www.youandyourwedding.co.uk