how to find your summer partywear outfit on the highstreet

Wedding season, ball season, garden party season, any kind of party in the Summer requires a dress code that always has us questioning what to wear. I have alot of clients asking me to help them find outfits for those special occasions, whether it be a trip to Buckingham Palace, a guest at a wedding, a friend's big birthday bash or a day at the races, finding that special outfit can be tedious, frustrating and not at all fun. So I am going to provide you with some answers and give you some new inspiration and ideas on where to shop for your outfit.

Luckily, the high street is now a hotbed of excellent occasion options, whether you’re looking for a midi dress, trouser suit, jumpsuit or otherwise. Inexpensive enough to ensure you’re not the guest spending thousands, they’re also lovely enough to keep and wear again (and not just to more weddings, either). 

---

TRUTH & FABLE AT AMAZON

Think of shopping on Amazon and perhaps you think first of your monthly bookclub buys, some minor electronics, bulk toilet paper or Alexa. You probably don’t think of your entire summer wardrobe, including bridesmaids’ dresses, swimwear and the perfect bright jumpsuit. But that may be about to change. Over the past few years, the online department store has been making moves into the fashion world in a bid to challenge the traditional high street, as well as our dependence on other internet retailers such as ASOS. Having launched a new range of private brands, that challenge is suddenly looking like a strong one, so check out Truth & Fable before you buy your books.

Spot keyhole maxi dress, £62.00 Truth & Fable

Lace open back green dress, £102.00 Truth & Fable

---

VERY EXCLUSIVE

Very Exclusive is a mix of Net-a-Porter and the Outnet. It has a mix of designer pieces at lower prices, mid range high street brands such as Whistles with some great discounts and some exclusive designs from them that you wouldn't find anywhere else. If you are looking for that designer dress and don't want to pay designer prices then this is the website you should be looking at.

Cut-out red dress, £161.00 Vivienne Westwood, Very Exclusive

High neck blue sleeveless dress, £138.00 Joesph, Very Exclusive

---

KITRI

More floaty garden party than smart ball dressing, Kitri offers something no other brand is doing right now, a fresh new way to look at feminine shapes. Their price points make them much more affordable for a daytime, or day to evening dress that you will no doubt wear again and again. I have mentioned them on the blog before, but they continue to bring out unique styles at great prices, this brand is going from strength to strength.

Galina Vintage drape dress, £125.00, Kitri

Francesca Yellow frill wrap dress, £125.00, Kitri

---

ASOS EDITION

I have swooned over these dresses a number of times this season already. This is ASOS's fight for a part of the higher end market, competing with brands such as Needle & Thread and For Love and Lemons which they already stock on their site. The dresses from ASOS Edition are very feminine, have so much detailing on them and you will have everyone asking where your dress is from!

Double layer embroidered maxi dress, £180.00, ASOS EDITION

All over lace & embellished yellow dress, £160.00, ASOS EDITION

---

REISS

There are on the highstreet some stores where you just know you will find a great outfit, a great cut and in a great fabric and Reiss never disappoints. But this season they have truly surpassed themselves and have by far the best options of dresses online and instore. I cannot fault their designs, they are really original and there are just too many to choose from to buy just one thing!

Camilia Asymmetric dress, £185.00 (now £140.00 in the sale), Reiss

Ostia Maxi one shoulder dress, £225.00, Reiss

If you need help dressing or finding an outfit for your special occasion then get in touch now or check out my services on my website - https://www.edits-styling.com/personal-shopping/

the revival of the square neckline

The revival of the square neckline has swiftly become the hottest neckline of current due to Amal Clooney's status as best dressed at the Royal wedding this weekend. 

The neckline has been in revival for a couple of seasons, with Grazia writing a piece on it back in September 2017 - 3 signs that this neckline will be the next big thing. It became the most talked about silhouette from fashion week in the Spring, appearing on the runways of designers like Carolina Herrera, Christian Dior, and Hermès, officially sealing its status as a full-blown trend.

But this month I have noticed the square neckline cropping up all over the place. Usually, when it comes to necklines, you have two options—it's either a round neck or V-neck. But now I keep spotting square necklines...

Reminiscent of the Renaissance, square necklines are alluring and versatile. While every fashion girl opted for an off-the-shoulder top all last year, I like how the new neckline is something fresh. Even pairing a square neckline with a simple pair of jeans elevates a basic look into something interesting. Less ubiquitous than off-the-shoulder styles, the square neckline is flattering, elegant, and feminine. Consider layering over a polo neck in winter or adding it into your weekend wardrobe in the form or a billowy cotton blouse. Or how about opting for a refreshing square-neck cocktail dress for your summer occasion party or ball? 

So I say YES to square necklines. It feels fresh, it feels new and this trend shows just enough skin to be flirty and feminine while its covered shoulders make it a doable option for the office. A true must-have, indeed.

---

Shop square necklines

1. Navy Ally tie shoulder jumpsuit, Whistles £135.20 (with 20% discount offer)

2. Red cutwork dress, Oysho £45.99

3. Bow detail navy top, Iris & Ink, £60.00

4. Huxley tailored dress, Reiss £180.00

5. Just Female floral dress, John Lewis, £99.00

6. Alexa grey check linen jumpsuit, Kitri studio, £125.00

Follow my pinterest board - square necklines 2018 here

Going dotty for super spots

Polka dots are back for Spring say all the magazines! Trends may come and go, but there are few prints that truly never go out of style. Spots, stars, leopard print are the only prints I advise my clients to buy for longevity, these never look old or out dated. But polka dots are absolutely everywhere this season so if you are looking for something to refresh you current transitional wardrobe, then you should invest in the super spot.

 It often gets a bad rap, and if you associate polka dots with Minnie Mouse or the party dresses you wore as a little girl, it's time to rethink the surprisingly versatile and elegant print. In the right hands, polka dots can strike that tricky balance between modern and elegant. Cropping up repeatedly on the SS18 catwalks, including Balenciaga, Self-Portrait, Mary Katrantzou, Giorgio Armani and Dior, we were offered multiple ways to wear polka dots, from Demna Gvasalia's chiffon dresses worn with sock booties to Maria Grazia Chiuri's monochrome sheer skirts and blouses. Additionally, street style stars have been giving us a masterclass in putting together perfect polka dot ensembles, proving the print isn't just for the catwalk but can be incorporated into a casual look too. Read my 5 style tips for inspiration and follow my pinterest board for more looks - Going dotty 2018.

Double spot

Wearing 2 different pieces in spots gives the print a fresh take and you an updated look.

Spots &frills

Mixing high & low styling, pair a jumper with an evening skirt for a fresh daytime outfit.

Jump to it

You can't go wrong with a spotty jumpsuit. You can play with colour too - using tones such as brown, red and navy give a cool impact.

Biker it up

By adding a biker jacket over your dress or jumpsuit you have instantly created a chic day to evening look.

Office dots

The spot print is perfect for the office, lunch out or a meeting - presentable yet stylish.

Marc Jacobs said “There is never a wrong time for a polka dot”. And how can you blame him? Polka dots are a timeless classic that always see come back on trend in their many changes of style. Probably it’s because dots take us back to 50's elegance, to the curvy pin-ups and unforgettable style icons like Audrey Hepburn or Marilyn Monroe. Or can be seen in many iconic movies, style moments and even royalty.

Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman

Princess Diana

Kate Moss

So while ‘mix and match’ still takes centre stage with the street styles, its' the black & white polka dots that are stealing the scene. So make dots the newest addition to your wardrobe because if there was one trend that works in all seasons it's this one, so if you invest in a polka dot top or dress you can wear it all year round. See my picks to shop now.

---

TOP 5 POLKA DOT BUYS

1. Soft spot jacket, Topshop £39.99

2. Polka dot Midi dress, Karen Millen £199.00

3. Polka dot kitten heels, Marks & Spencer £19.50

4. Polka dot long jumpsuit, Mango £59.99

5. Black & Ivory polka dot top, Finery London £69.00

No Dresses Allowed- What else to wear at a wedding

Deciding what to wear to a wedding isn't easy at the best of times, but if you don't want to wear a dress then it can be a minefield of shopping nightmares!

Not everyone fancies looking like Victoria Beckham in a chic dress and heels, for some the idea of showing their knee's, leg's, or ankle's makes them want to RSVP NO!

While tomboy chic has long permeated our catwalks and shops, weddings are still regarded a widely formal affair where dresses are seen as the female uniform of choice. Weddings require a way of dressing that would be totally unnatural in any other setting. In fact, the clothes wedding guests wear would today only really be suited to Ascot.

Dressing up doesn't have to mean just dresses. There is an odd but common misconception that trousers are more informal than dresses, which is obviously ridiculous for anyone who has seen Katharine Hepburn in one of her high-waisted trouser suits and shirt combos. It also doesn't make you less feminine; Audery Hepburn, the girliest of all women, loved a pair of trews and if she was around today she'd have rocked a pair of chinos and silk pink shirt to her girlfriend's nuptials. Or there's the Amal Clooney- remember that incredible white trouser suit she wore when she married George Clooney? Admittedly you have to be pretty lean to wear such a look, but she looked chic and elegant.

There is, of course, nothing wrong with wearing a dress. But just don't feel it's your only option. And remember if you're feeling lost when looking at the murky wedding guest dress code, think what would Alexa Chung do?

Here is my guide to alternative wedding dressing:

1. Playsuits - Playsuits are another good option; think of Seventies Halston and Studio 54. They look great in both jewel tones and also in classic colours like navy and black. It also has the same beauty of a dress in that you only need to think of one item, unlike with separates. Chunky heels are about the only item you need to go with.

2. Trouser suit - Channelling Amal Clooney, wear with wedges as they give you height without having to worry about stepping onto the bottoms of the wide leg trouser. Adding some great accessories will ensure that you look dressed right for the occasion.

3. Slim trousers & shirt combo- For a wedding you can wear black and white without worrying about clashing with the bride. Or change it up by wearing a sequin top instead of a white shirt and always make sure you wer those killer heals to finish off the look.

4. Skirts - There's something about a skirt that doesn't feel as formal as a dress. Team a high-waisted skirt with a sequinned vest or a lace shirt tucked into a pencil skirt. Then throw an oversized mannish blazer over the top for good measure.

Check out some more no dresses inspiration on my pinterest board - https://uk.pinterest.com/EditsStyling/no-dresses-allowed/