Yay! You have a special occasion to go to. In my opinion you can't can't beat getting dressed up and reuniting with with friends and family to celebrate something special.
This of course means you need an outfit for said event that makes you look and feel fabulous. Sometimes shopping for a special occasion can leave us feeling a bit overwhelmed and really not sure where to start.
Whether you are looking for an outfit for a Wedding, Christening, Bar Mitzvah or a day at the races and are thinking what on earth shall I wear or where do I start I’ve got you covered. I’m here to help you get it right and start taking the first steps to finding your perfect outfit for whatever special occasions you have planned this year.
Consider the Location and Theme of the Event
One of the first things you want to consider is where the event is and the overall theme and aesthetic of it. For example, if you’re going to a wedding on the beach you don’t want to be wearing six-inch stilettos that will get stuck in the sand. If you are going to an organised event check the dress code before you go, locations such as Ascot will have a different dress code for each enclosure. This will help you to choose the right outfit, ensure you feel comfortable on the day and stand out for all the right reasons.
Get to Know Your Body Shape and How to Dress for It
Understanding your body shape is a great place to start. Knowing what flatters you the most and what works for your body will save you a lot of time and effort in the long term. It will also save you from wasted trying on sessions where you come away feeling deflated. Knowing what works for you will help you rule out the shapes and styles that won’t work and which ones will make you feel fabulous on the day.
Find Your Colours
There are no hard or fast rules on colour when it comes to dressing for events now, well apart from the obvious white/ivory to a wedding. The most important thing is that you choose a colour or print that you feel comfortable in and that flatters you. Knowing what colour suits you the most is a must. You want to look radiant and the wrong shade could have the opposite effect. Consider having a professional Colour Analysis session with a Personal Stylist to find out which colours are most flattering for you.
Be True to Your Personal Style
One of the most important things about any outfit is that you feel like you, you need to feel confident in what you’re wearing. Clothes are a way of expressing your personality and yours should shine through in your outfit on the day. Think about your current personal style, do you prefer clothes that are more classic, are you drawn to clothes that have a romantic feel to them, are you a lover of colour and print or do you prefer more neutral tones? Whatever your preference is it’s important that you have that in mind when you choose your outfit. You need to be true to you in order for you to feel and look amazing on the day.
Create a Mood Board
There is nothing I like more that finding outfit inspiration online and falling down a huge rabbit hole in the process! Instagram and Pinterest are both great places to start with this.
Start by saving photos to your collections on Instagram, create a board on Pinterest or you can simply take a screen shot of outfits that you have seen that you like and create a folder in your phone. You might find that in one picture you like the colours, or you like the headpiece or shape of a dress. You will start to see a theme to what you are saving and this can help you identify your personal style. You will also start to get familiar with certain designers or brands this way and you will see which ones you like and are drawn to. Just try not to get your heart set on one particular dress or outfit but use it more for inspiration and ideas to create your individual look.
Don’t Forget the Details
Accessories are the cherry on the top of the cake and they are what takes an outfit from good to ‘wow’. Take time to plan your whole outfit not just the clothes. Accessories are also a way to show your personality even more and make the outfit unique. If you prefer classic or dramatic accessories make sure they reflect you and compliment each other. Gone are the days of matching your bag to your shoes, have fun with it but do consider every small part from your head to your toes.
The Foundations
Lastly make sure your foundations are right and by this I mean your underwear. You don’t want to go out in this amazing outfit you’ve planned so well and have VPL or a bra strap showing. Look at yourself from all angles in your outfit (especially from behind) and think about what underwear you need to provide you with the perfect silhouette that isn’t visible at all.
Enjoy
Make sure you enjoy the process of looking for and planning your outfit, shopping is meant to be fun. Plan some days out with friends or family to look for your outfits together. Have fun on the day and relax knowing you look a million dollars.
If all this still leaves you feeling a little bit overwhelmed and you do have a special event coming up then I can help you find the perfect outfit that will have you looking and feeling amazing. My Personal Shopping service or My Colour and Body Shape Analysis service could be just what you need, do get in touch and I would be happy to help.