Style tips: Dressing for the occasion

With the silly season just around the corner, the invites to Christmas functions are starting to pile up and the pressure to find the perfect outfit is beginning to mount. An attempt to hunt for the ideal piece usually starts with potential options being flung every which way creating a ceiling high pile of rejected outfits, followed by the traditional mad dash to the shops resulting in an often regrettable spur of the moment purchase. The simple truth is occasion dressing isn't as straightforward as it used to be.

One style fits all
Gone are the days when there was one simple look for each aspect of your life - the 9 to 5 skirt and blouse ensemble, the little black dress for after hours and the velour tracksuit for relaxing in the weekend. Clothes were age specific - pink and pretty for little girls, sharp suits and a-line skirts for the young woman embarking on her career, and the granny dresses we'd never be caught dead in. While we may not all have the audacity to dress like Samantha from Sex and the City - times have changed and one outfit now seems to fit all ages. Dressing your age is no longer limiting, it's all about dressing your body, your shape, your style and your attitude.
The simple rules

There are a few tips and rules that should be followed especially when it comes to dressing for a special occasion. Start by sorting through anything that may be too tight or too short. Constantly tugging at garments which are ill fitting is not flattering. We've all experienced the dread of going up a dress size in a garment but just remember a good fit is much more important than the number on a label. Likewise, too much cleavage is not attractive. If you are trying to achieve a sexy evening look keep it simple and classy - think one shoulder dresses for a touch of sophisticated summer glamour. Once you've found the perfect fitting garment, stop and think whether the garment is really you. At Simply You we are all about making the latest trends wearable for all body shapes. Keeping that in mind, wearing something which is just not you simply because it's the latest fashion trend is not going to work. Instead of trying to keep up with the forever changing world of fashion trends spend time working out the trends which work for you and the trends that you love.
Finishing touches
Now you've got your hands on your outfit for the occasion, it's time to think about the finishing touches. Make-up should be experimented with, make a mistake and a little make-up remover will give you a clean palette to start all over again with. Too much, in your face makeup though is definitely a thing of the past. Repeat the mantra 'less is more' and book time at your favourite beauty counter for a new, light colour palette. At the end of the day the number one thing to remember is fashion and beauty should be fun, keeping these simple tips in mind will just help make things a whole lot easier.
Got a fashion or style topic you'd like us to cover? Email Natalie at editor@simplyyou.co.nz