SARTORIAL SUMMER ELEGANCE

What fun! Summer is finally here and your diary is littered with fabulous social occasions, whether it’s your best friend’s wedding, a family christening, Ladies Day at Royal Ascot or an invitation to a summer ball. 

After the initial euphoria many of us start to panic about what to wear, you may feel like Cinderella but you really will have to go to the ball!  The problem is where to start.  Fiona Wellins of Europe’s leading image consultants colour me beautiful has the following advice to help you decide what to wear.

Consider the Occasion

Before you hit the shops consider the occasion carefully; is the venue indoor or outdoor? Will you be sitting down or standing up? Is it an all day affair or an evening soiree?  What’s the dress code, is it black tie or are trousers suitable? Should your shoulders be covered and does your skirt have to cover your knee?  Yes girls, even in these liberated times there are still places that won’t let you in if you’re showing what they consider to be too much flesh!  

Mum’s not the Word

If you want to avoid looking like the mother of the bride, under no circumstances should you walk into your chosen boutique or department store and announce that you are looking for an outfit to go to a wedding.  If you do, you’re bound to end up in coral head-to-toe!  Outfits in single colours, even if they are in your palette, are not a good look, particularly if they come with matching accessories.

Be Yourself

It may be a special occasion but be yourself.  Don’t become all frivolous and flowery if, at the best of times, you’re what we at colour me beautiful would call a classic and would therefore feel better in a neat suit.  Equally, if you’re a natural and feel more comfortable in trousers and a top don’t put yourself in that well co-ordinated suit.  Dressing according to your style personality will mean that you feel confident and are able to enjoy the event without worrying about what you’re wearing.

Ignore Fashion

Just because it's “in” it doesn't mean that the garment you are considering is going to be right for you. As well as colour and price you need to check the scale of the pattern, where the waist is, the length of the dress or skirt and whether these are right - or wrong - for you. The baby-doll look is popular now, but do you want to look pregnant? We always advise that you should wear clothes that are comfortable - a little looser is a lot more flattering than a little too tight.

Be Up Standing

If you are going to be standing up for the whole occasion, wear shoes you have worn before, that way you won’t be left with aching arches and blisters at the end of the night. If the occasion takes you into a garden, go for stack or wedge heel which are unlikely to sink into the ground as you step on the lawn. Stack heels are big this season, and the choice of style and colour is yours for the taking. 

To Bare or Not To Bare

Whether you’re an expert at applying fake tan or have just returned from holiday think hard before going bare legged.  If you’re wearing a short summer dress and the weather turns cold it’s likely that your legs will go blue and blotchy which is not the look you want.  If you want to look as though you’re ‘au naturel’, the best option is to go for a pair of sheer tights in a shade that matches your skin tone.  Not only will they help to keep you warm but they’ll help to prevent blisters too.  If you’re wearing peep toe shoes look out for tights that have either a sandal toe or that are toeless.   

The Crunch Factor

When looking for your perfect outfit, think very carefully about your choice of fabric.  Linen is a fabulously cool fabric to wear in the spring and summertime, but if you are going to spend a fair amount of time sitting down, you may want to consider its crease factor.  Similarly something that has a high percentage of man made fibres is likely to make you feel hotter on a warm day and cling to your body.

Patterned or Plain?

You need to consider whether what you are buying is going to be a one-off or something you’ll want to wear again and again.  With so much pattern around this season you’ll have a field day choosing yours.  Make sure the size is in proportion with your scale.  Patterns can be great to “hide” bits you don’t want to show off; for example a patterned top or dress can help disguise a round tummy.

If you are wearing a pattern, keep the accessories plain; i.e. with a patterned dress, choose a plain coloured bag and shoes. Think about the costume jewellery too. Of course if you are a creative, you will ignore all this and do what you fancy on the day!  Don’t forget that a plain coloured outfit will be more versatile as you can change your look simply by swapping accessories.

And Finally

Buying clothes should not be a chore. It is about having fun. Once you know what suits you and what colours and styles you should go for, shopping will be that much easier. It might be worth taking an afternoon off work mid-week when there are less people around so that you can enjoy a more leisurely shopping experience than at the week-end.

If you still feel it is all too much for you and the stress of finding what will make you the belle of the ball drives you insane, why not book a colour and/or style consultation with a colour me beautiful consultant.