The first mistake often made with outfits for special occasions is assuming that to look smart you have to feel uncomfortable.
How often have you unbuttoned a skirt or loosened a dress zip at a formal event in order to breathe more easily, whilst dreaming of the luxury of eating, drinking and dancing without restriction?
The second mistake made with occasion wear is to mistake simple for ordinary.
There is nothing ordinary about these beautiful understated pieces.
For smart summer events from weddings to Wimbledon, from garden parties to Ascot, from Henley to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, from concerts to Glydnebourne, these are the special pieces to wear.
They share four key features to look for when choosing occasionwear to convey easy elegance and embrace comfort so you can relax and enjoy yourself without restriction.
Not an ounce of flounce
A simple aesthetic doesn’t mean boring. Frills and froth soon date, opt instead for fluid pieces which flow. My favourites are those which reveal design secrets: a pleat or two, a gathered edge, hidden pockets, a discreet embroidered design which show the thought and talent behind the piece.
An elegant palette
An understated colour palette keeps things easy yet elegant. Muted colours such as champagne, midnight, maize and bronze, flatter most skin types and are versatile.
These colours are timeless and trendless, intended to be worn year after year, and can be accessorised with pops of colour as required.
Designed to relax
Choose pieces which offer a flattering fit and complete comfort.
Comfort comes from easy silhouettes which fall and flow beautifully. These designs allow full participation in any occasion, be that a three course meal or getting on the dancefloor. A flattering fit comes from a talented designer who understands how to enhance the female form, to accentuate the parts we love whilst discreetly distracting from the parts we don’t!
Breathability
Nothing is worse than thick occasionwear made from synthetic materials which neither feel good on the skin nor breathe well. This occasionwear is made from naturally-dyed hand loomed silk which means breathability, wearability and longevity. Made by weavers in west Bengal who avoid chemicals during the treatment of the fabric, this beautiful silk feels great to the touch and allows you to stay looking and feeling smart even when the temperature rises.
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