Whether you’re glamming up for a wedding or hitting the races, our Fashion team has you covered
WE all love an occasion where we can get dressed up, and with the warmer weather on its way, there’s plenty in our calendars to prep for.
If your name is on a guest list, you don’t need to break the bank to find a gorgeous dress to wear, as the high street has pulled out all the stops this season with plenty of affordable and stylish pieces on offer.
If, like our Deputy Fashion Editor, Abby, you’ve got a wedding (or seven!) to prep for, or you’ve got a day trip to the races planned like Fashion Assistant Emily, you may well be on the market for a new frock to wear.
So we’ve picked out our favourite pieces to wear for every occasion.
From flowing patterned frocks to chic mini dresses, we’ve got you covered whatever the dress code.
Clemmie Fieldsend, 33, Fashion Editor
Clemmie wears:
- Dress, £219, Karen Millen – BUY NOW
- Bag, £65, Accessorize – BUY NOW
- Shoes, £39.99, Deichmann – BUY NOW
Accessories:
- Hat, £69, Phase Eight – BUY NOW
- Earrings, £65, Beaverbrook at Next – BUY NOW
- Bag, £49.99, Zara – BUY NOW
- Hairband, £45, John Lewis & Partners – BUY NOW
- Sunglasses, £130, Le Specs at Missoma – BUY NOW
I’ve got a lot of big birthdays and christenings to attend this year, and I want one look that does it all.
Finding something I can throw on is key for me, and this dress from Karen Millen is just that.
The maxi length makes it fancy enough for dressed-up evening dos, while its floral print and fluidity makes it work for the daytime with lighter-coloured accessories like this Accessorize bag.
I love the empire-line silhouette that skims over my stomach and hips and the forgiving print helps with that, too.
For chilly temps, a structured black blazer will tie the look together.
Abby McHale, 29, Deputy Fashion Editor
Abby wears:
Accessories:
- Shoes, £145, & Other Stories – BUY NOW
- Earrings, £19.50, Oliver Bonas – BUY NOW
- Fascinator, £49, Phase Eight – BUY NOW
- Rings, £4.99 pack of 6, H&M – BUY NOW
- Bag, £69, Charles & Keith – BUY NOW
I have seven – yep, seven! – weddings this year, so I’m having to be extra organised to make sure I have something to wear for them all.
Over the years, I’ve learnt low heels are a must with all that standing about (as well as taking a pair of flip-flops for the dance floor), so these kitten heel slingbacks from ASOS are perfect.
I like loose and flowy dresses, so I can eat, drink and enjoy my day without worrying if my outfit is too constricting, and this green number from River Island ticks all those boxes.
Plus I can definitely get my wear out of it by dressing it down for more casual events.
A beaded clutch bag from Accessorize is the perfect finishing touch.
Tracey Lea Sayer, 52, Fashion Director
Tracey Wears:
- Dress, £42.99, H&M – BUY NOW
- Earrings, £55, The Hoop Station – BUY NOW
- Necklace, £254, Anisa Sojka – BUY NOW
- Bag, £35, M&S Collection at Marks & Spencer – BUY NOW
- Shoes, £40, Schuh – BUY NOW
Accessories:
- Metallic sandals, £311 reduced from £565, Gianvito Rossie at The Outnet – BUY NOW
- Earrings, £17.99, Zara – BUY NOW
- Sunglasses, £27, And Other Stories – BUY NOW
- Bag, £69.99, Zara – BUY NOW
- Beaded sandals, £80 REDUCED FROM £145, Sam Edelman at The Outnet – BUY NOW
- Gold bracelet, £22.99, Zara – BUY NOW
I don’t get to go to many weddings at my age, but this summer I’m so excited to be attending a friend’s wedding in a beautiful hotel in Kent.
The service doesn’t start until 3pm, so I want an outfit that feels elegant for the big event and then slides seamlessly into cocktails on the terrace afterwards.
This kimono-style dress from H&M feels really luxe – but more importantly, I feel comfortable in it, too.
I’ve teamed it with a chunky necklace and strappy sandals for a Grecian vibe, and now I just can’t wait to see how gorgeous the bride looks.
I never buy anything unless it can multitask, so I’ve added accessories here that will make this dress work for me on holiday, too!
Emily Regan, 24, Fashion Assistant
Emily wears:
- Dress, £110, Forever New – BUY NOW
- Bag, £27, Pretty Little Thing – BUY NOW
- Heels, £22, Pretty Little Thing – BUY NOW
Accessories:
- Shoes, £29.99, Zara – BUY NOW
- Bag, £125, Guess – BUY NOW
- Fascinator, £69, Phase Eight – BUY NOW
- Bag, £59.99, Mango – BUY NOW
- Earrings, £59, Kurt Geiger – BUY NOW
This year, I’ll be attending the races for a glam day out with friends, and finding the perfect outfit combining comfort and elegance has proved quite the challenge.
Inspired by Sofia Richie’s Chanel wedding mini-dress, this Forever New dupe is just the ticket.
The beauty of this dress lies in its versatility – whether you’re attending a baby shower, a fancy garden party, or like me, the races, it’s a romantic all-rounder perfect for spring and summer occasions (though you probably wouldn’t want to wear it to a wedding!).
I’ve teamed it with contrasting black heels and a sequin-embellished bag in true Chanel style, but for a fraction of the cost.