Now Trending: Summer Events

Posted by Styloko

If you’re not rockin’ out at a festival this summer, you’ll probably be at a wedding, guaranteed. Or the polo. Or at the races. Or at Henley. Or at garden party. Such is the English summer. Yes, there’ll be the odd weekend when you’re not frocked-up for an event, but this is Britain, so it’ll be rare.

Yes, this is England, which means for all the ceremony and glamour, there’s a fair amount of conservatism in the mix. But that doesn’t necessarily translate to uncool. No. This season, the catwalks were rife with opulent texture (for day, yes!), lots of colour and pattern, and ladylike shapes that mean you won’t have to source a suitable cardigan to cover your shoulders. Sleeves are back on the agenda.

This is good news to anyone heading for the royal enclosure at Ascot. Not belatedly, they’ve tightened-up the dress code and released a what-to-wear guide so that everyone’s on the same sartorial page. After seeing the tragi-comic looks at Aintree recently, I think we can all agree that this is good news. Briefly, for ladies, the following applies: skirts must fall just above the knee or longer (mini-skirts need not apply); the straps of tops and dresses need to be one inch or wider – even if you’re wearing a jacket on top; trouser suits are ‘welcome’, but they should be the same colour and full length (see Joely Richardson at the recent St Regis Polo); you must have something on your head (this is not negotiable), if not a hat, then a headpiece with a base of four inches or more; fascinators are verboten; as are off-the-shoulder, strapless and halter dresses; and, despite the current vogue, your midriff must remain out of sight. I hear this has something to do with not wanting to spook the horses. Nicole Kidman in Antonio Berardi at Cannes or Michelle Williams in Valentino… give them both a Stephen Jones hat and they’re royal box-ready.

Put pretty pastel dresses from Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana on your shopping list, and look to Preen for sorbet-toned trouser suits – or try a bit of peplum play (not as naughty as it sounds) with Jason Wu and Giles.

As far as I’m concerned, there are two rules when it comes to dressing for a wedding: do not wear white (unless so instructed, or unless you are the bride); and do not upstage the bride. That second one’s a bit broad, so just to be clear, that means no Hervé Léger, nothing see-through, nothing cut-to-the-waist and absolutely no indecent hemlines. Maybe just reference Ascot rules, to be on the safe side.

Whether you’re track-side, pitch-side, aisle-side, river-side or (garden) bed-side, summer’s events are the perfect place for florals to bloom – look to Erdem, Adam and Clements Ribeiro for the pick of the bunch. And if there was ever a place to wear white, it’s Wimbledon – just ask Pippa Middleton, she wore Temperley last year and no one could take their eyes off her to watch the match. Don’t ask me who was playing.

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