WearsMyMoney

I’ve been asked many times recently to do an occasionwear edit, and it has also been noted that dresses have been severely lacking from the blog in recent months. So this week I give you a bumper edition that combines the two. I am the first to admit that I struggle when there’s a dress code involved, so this post is as much for me as it is for you (should I be lucky enough to get invited anywhere this summer that has a dress code, of course).

There are TEN different dress options for you this week, so I really hope I have covered all possible bases. If it’s a nice dress you’re after, you should find one here. Just to remind you, as ever, there are other options at all price points under the main outfit collages.

OFFICE APPROPRIATE

Let’s start off simple with a work dress. You’ve got to give a presentation? Attend a board meeting? Maybe you have a one-to-one scheduled with a tricky client/boss? Then you need something that will make you feel confident, put together, and safe in the knowledge that you’re not going to come a cropper with any wardrobe malfunctions. A simple, smart dress worn with a blazer, elegant flats and some really good accessories should do the trick.

1. Mango Fitted Suit Jacket 
2. Edge Of Ember Zodiac Necklace 
3. Reiss Cotton Pleated-Waist Midi Dress
4. Monica Vinader Multi-Gemstone Beaded Bracelet 
5. ME + EM Cream Textured Ponte Midi Dress
6. DeMelier Suede Midi New York Bag 
7. Sezane Gabin Suede Tote Bag 
8. Mango Bow Suede Ballet Pumps
9. La Redoute Fisherman Sandals 

A FANCY SPRING WEDDING

When it’s not full black tie but it’s the kind of wedding that definitely calls for something fancier than usual. For this kind of occasion, I love the brand De La Vali. I have a black dress by them that I’ve worn to three different events and it has also been loaned out to two of my friends as well, so it’s definitely paid for itself already. On the high street, & Other Stories and ME+EM would be my first port of call for a good dress.

1. & Other Stories Bead-Embroidery Maxi Dress
2. Kenneth Jay Lane Bow Pearl Earrings 
3. De La Vali Sabia panelled chiffon maxi dress
4. COS Fresh Water Pearl Bracelet 
5. Monsoon Oversized Bow Metallic Bag
6. Souliez Martinez Gold Mules 

A DAY AT THE RACES

I should say at this juncture that I have never been to the races. Actually, I tell a lie, as I went to a race track in Vancouver, but that was all beer and jeans and not one of the ‘events’ we have here like Ascot or Aintree where people dress up. If I were to go, though, I would definitely channel the Pretty Woman polo scene and wear a polka dot dress.

1. Sezane Joseph Necklace
2. M&S Single Breasted Blazer
3. Karen Millen Classic Bow Fascinator 
4. Amy Lynn Alexa polka-dot cotton-poplin midi dress
5. & Other Stories Frilled Maxi Dress
6. Woven Faux Leather Bag 
7. Charles & Keith Satin Ruched Bow Heeled Mules
8. H&M Braided Mary Janes 

A BIT OF BOHO

For those who like a bit more coverage, some ruffles or who just want to waft around this summer feeling like they are either an extra from Abigails Party or part of  Sienna Millers gang at Glastonbury circa 2004.

1. Mango Chiffon Ruffle Maxi Dress 
2. & Other Stories Slim Frame Round Sunglasses 
3. Zara Ruffle Print Maxi Dress 
4. The White Company Suede Mini Round Shoulder Bag
5. Sezane Isabelle Clogs 
6. Amazon Leather Flat Sandals

COCKTAIL HOUR

If it’s not black tie (more on that later) but an invitation says ‘cocktail attire’, what should one wear? I would sway towards a mini rather than a maxi dress. You can kind of go crazy here and have gold, bows, chiffon and frills – all on the same dress if that tickles your fancy.

1. Self Portrait Bow-detail strapless metallic mini dress
2. The Kooples Ribbon-Print Long-Sleeve Satin Mini Dress
3. Norma Kamali Ruffled semi-sheer mini dress 
4. Sister Jane Gali Bow Jacquard Mini Dress

SUMMER FUN TIMES

I do love a white summer dress with tan accessories and a basket bag. It’s a timeless holiday look. I haven’t even booked our summer holiday yet, which is giving me the fear as I usually book it in January, but this year I’ve been caught slacking. I fancy maybe Greece or France, so if anyone has any great suggestions for nice, relaxing places with good food options nearby, please let me know.

1. M&S Square Preppy Sunglasses
2. ME + EM Green Cotton Twill Workwear Jacket
3. Monica Vinader Tapered Small Hoop Earrings 
4. Albaray Stripe Linen Blend Drop Waist Dress 
5. Mint Velvet Neutral Woven Grab Bag
6. ME + EM White Knit + Broderie Mixed Media Midi Dress
7. Zara Buckle Sandals 
8. Boden Multi Strap Pointed Sandals

A LITTLE BIT OF LEOPARD

Because, why not? I think we all need a leopard dress in our occasionwear wardrobe. Unlike other patterns, it won’t ever date. It might have periods of not being THE pattern to wear, but it will always come around again. The oldest dress in my wardrobe is leopard print. I’ve had it for 15 years and I know I will wear it for years to come, too.

1. H&M Tortoiseshell print oval sunglasses 
2. Rixo Leopard and polka dot midi dress
3. Ganni Leopard-print cotton poplin midi dress
4. Anthropologie Woven faux leather bag 
5. Bottega Veneta Andiamo Intrecciato leather clutch
6. Alohas Nico Black Leather Sandals 
7. & Other Stories Embellished Heeled Leather Sandals

A BLACK TIE DO

I’m still not 100% sure on what constitutes ‘black tie’ for a lady, but I personally would go for a long dress in a more luxe fabric than you’d usually wear. The easiest option is to keep it all black and add some statement jewellery, but you could just as easily go for jewel colours. Steer clear of bold patterns because, unlike leopard, they can date, and if you’re investing in a black-tie dress instead of renting (I would absolutely advocate renting for this kind of occasion, by the way), you want something you can wear to many different events without it being too obvious you’re wheeling out the same frock year after year.

1. Mint Velvet Gold Tone Shell Drop Earrings
2. Reiss Single-Breasted Lamé-Stripe Tuxedo Jacket
3. Pretty Lavish Ruffled Textured-Chiffon Maxi Dress
4. Needle & Thread Dot Shimmer Ankle Gown
5. Leo’s Bag Boutique Burgundy Satin Crystal Evening Bag
6. Zara Heart Print Mesh Ballet Flats 

FOR THE FLOWER SHOW

I’m going to Chelsea again next month. It’s become a mainstay in my social calendar. I’m a shit gardener, but I do love to look at flowers with my friends. We always have a lovely lunch beforehand and do a lot of people watching. It’s definitely the place to see the greater-spotted middle-aged lady in a floral dress, trainers and a denim jacket. Myself amongst them in years gone by, I might add, but the simple swap of a ballet pump and a blazer can easily change up that uniform.

1. Dôen shirred organic cotton-voile midi dress
2. Anthropologie Pink Reef Hand-Painted Earrings
3. Damson Madder Embroidered Cotton-Poplin Midi Dress
4. Staud Juliet Small leather tote bag
5. Zara Elastic Stripe Leather Ballerinas 
6. Flattered Leather Poppy Red Ballet Flats

A SIMPLE BLACK DRESS FOR ALL EVENTS

A final addition to the group, just because I was lucky enough to be sent this dress from Reformation this week, and it’s possibly THE most flattering dress I’ve ever tried on. It gives me boobs AND a waist. It’s expensive but, in terms of fit, it’s worth it. Now I just need some good weather and a night or day out to wear it. I would team it with mesh flats and a brighter cardigan, or maybe a linen blazer if the event calls for something smarter.

1. Reformation Balia Linen Midi Dress 
2. The Hidden Jewel Emporium double heart necklace 
3. Boden Eva Cashmere Cropped Cardigan
4. Zara Square Neck Midi Dress
5. M&S Cotton Round Neck Midi Waisted Dress
6. Mango Mesh Ballerina Flats 
7. Reformation Britt Mesh Ballet Flats 

Don’t panic everyone, we will be back to everyday attire next week.

K x