“Help, I’ve nothing to wear,” is an all too common wail from women. Despite having wardrobes full to bursting point with outfits for all occasions many of us still find it near impossible to make a choice.
Whether dressing for business or pleasure we are beset with the same dilemmas - what will go with this outfit, is is suitable for the event and the all important question, will it look good on us.
Of course, sometimes our wardrobes let us down and we realise that we truly have nothing suitable to wear to a graduation/wedding/party. Few of us relish spending a fortune on an ensemble that we may get little wear from and may consider instead resuscitating an old dress or suit or sharpening our focus and buying something which will also make the grade at work. This approach can work a treat, other times it fails and you can end up looking underdressed at a wedding or overwhelming at the afters.
The good news is that an outfit does not have to be very expensive to look great for a special occasion. A tailored suit in a smart colour will ensure you cut a dash wherever you go. Suits for daywear in pure new wool or a linen mix are always winners. Dresses and jackets, are stylish also. Single breasted jackets look best fitted to just below the hip and teamed with a skirt which skims the knee. Heavier women should opt for jackets that cover the bottom. Trouser suits are wise choices, too. Aim for one in a soft fabric and a flattering colour.
Wardrobe centrepiece
The resurrection of the dress as a wardrobe centrepiece makes an excellent good value buy. For the young, short dresses which drape and skim the body are ideal for special occasions. Navy and black are smart options if you want to get repeated wear from an outfit. Just add a great hat and some jewellery and you will be the belle of the ball.
Black and white play an important role as the foundation of many of today’s collections. In addition, there are hot fuchsias, flamboyant reds, aquatic blues, opals, ecrus, soft greys and muted pastels.
Layering creates a strong silhouette for day or evening. Multi-layered asymmetric dresses are extraordinarily versatile while beading and sequins add sparkle to evening collections.
It is important not just to suit your personality and pocket but also your age. Skin tone and colour fades with age so it is advisable not to wear the same tones and shades you wore when you were younger. Grape or soft mauve may be a better option than true blue or strong pinks, for example. Wearing colours which complement your skin tone is important to avoid looking tired.
Many women get heavier around the hips and waist as they enter middle age. You can play down these extra inches by avoiding clothes with detail at the waist. Choose a soft fabric that falls gently and avoid belts. Steer clear of stripes and checks, too. Patterns or designs should be current. Soft crossover blouses or ones which drape at the neckline always look good.
Hang well
When shopping for a special occasion outfit buy a garment which has a good cut. This may cost more but it will be well worth the investment because it will hang well.
It makes good fashion sense to buy the correct size outfit and to resist the temptation to squeeze yourself into something smaller. Remember comfort is essential for confidence. If buying a suit or separates aim for jackets with curvy lapels rather than sharp lines.
Accessories play a vital role in creating an overall stylish look. They are an ideal way of adding colour, wit and glitz to an outfit and they offer great scope for individuality.
The great thing about accessories is that they do not need to be expensive to look well. They can be updated regularly which means your wardrobe can be dressed up or down to meet every fashion challenge.
Keep your accessories simple if you want to create a dressy day-time look. The hat, belt, bag could all be in a bright shade which would contrast beautifully with a simple black dress. Jewellery should be kept to a minimum.
Gold jewellery suits those with warm tones while silver will suit cool ones. A simple gold or silver chain and matching earrings will add class to any ensemble.
Traditionally diamante and crystal type earrings were worn for evening functions. However, with the line between day and evening becoming increasingly blurred you can get away with wearing these at any time. Pearls, faux or otherwise, look good on any age and can lend sobriety or class to any outfit.
Dos
* The plainer your dress or suit the more jewellery you can wear
* If you have a small waist always wear a belt to make the most of it
* Rings draw attention to your hands so think twice about wearing many if your fingers are not long and shapely and your nails are not fit to be seen
* Slim, medium heels will help make your legs look longer
* Before you buy a new bag check that it will hold everything you need
* If you are veering towards roundness avoid clingy fabrics and outfits which are tight waisted or brightly patterned. Heavily textured fabrics and knitted garments are not wise choices either. Tailored trousers and boxy jackets are better options.
* Wearing earrings or a striking necklace will help distract the eye from a problem area, such as your waist or hipline. Wearing a hat which matches the colour of your coat or jacket will achieve the same effect.
* Short people look better in one colour outfits or ones with very small prints. Definite non-runners include multicoloured garments, large prints, strong bold colours and frills/flounces. Avoid styles that overwhelm such as fussy necklines, ankle length skirts, shaggy or fluffy coats.
Winning colour combinations
* Navy and white
* black and white
* red and black
* any bright colour but keep the outfit to just one colour
* Pastels but go gently with these too
