Preloved Occasionwear for the summer social season!

Hurrah! The summer social season has begun and we can start planning our occasion outfits which work equally as well for summer weddings or parties you may have been invited to.

Build your outfit from toe to top, as you’ll need practical but stylish footwear for the sporting events, apart from the occasions that are all about the hat! Ladies Day at Ascot and the Goodwood Qatar festival is when your outfit should be decided from top to toe. Start with the hat/ hatinator, and work your way down.

Of course, you have to keep an eye on the weather forecast. For Wimbledon you may be sat courtside in blazing sun or for Henley you may be caught in showers; start to plan now and you’ll be prepared for whatever the British weather has in store.

Below I’ve put together a few of the events you may be going to and as we head towards June buying your occasion wear preloved means you may have more spending money for a flutter on the horses or a tub of strawberries and cream!

Royal Ascot 20^th-24^th June Ladies Day Thursday 22^nd June

The Royal Ascot dress code does vary for particular enclosures, so do check the website for any updates.

In the Royal Enclosure, which is for members only, there is a stricter dress code. Strapless, one shoulder or bardot necklines are not permitted; if you opt for a trouser suit it asks that the material be matching and hem length below the knee.

Also, you must wear a hat in The Royal Enclosure, fascinators are not permitted, and hats or headpieces are also required in The Queen Anne Enclosure and The Village Enclosure. We have some beautiful headwear like this feather & twirl detail hatinator from Isabella Josie in a teal shade.

Henley Royal Regatta Tues 27^th June - Sun 2^nd July

If you attend in the Stewards enclosure it is expected for you to wear a hemline below the knee and whilst hats are optional many embrace the occasion to wear them. For the Regatta Enclosure think floaty and breezy midi dresses, but beware too short a skirt can result in a breeze showing more than you bargained for!

Team this Phase Eight print dress with a low wedge and Jigsaw straw bag for an effortlessly stylish riverside look, or click on this link for more style inspiration.

 Wimbledon Mon 3^rd July-Sun 16^th July

You may be surprised to know that there is no official dress code for Wimbledon but there is a list of forbidden items, ripped/torn jeans, running vests, dirty trainers/sports shoes.

If you are lucky enough to be in the royal box then take inspiration from the Princess of Wales, now a patron of the All England club, she has been attending the tournament since 2011,

Weather permitting plan for a hat to keep the sun off, like our Reiss stripe paper straw one below, as well as sunglasses and an umbrella, unless your game is on centre court, where the roof will close when the heavens open!

If you usually wear trousers then opt for loose trousers with a sleeveless blazer, very much a fashionable look for this summer. Or team a relaxed blazer with tailored shorts, think Billie Piper’s Wimbledon look from 2021.

Also consider white, unlike if you’re a wedding guest this is a colour you can embrace!  Our crochet Phase Eight dress would be perfect with our Hobbs leather plait mule and we suggest a dainty crossbody bag so you can hold onto your Pimm’s or strawberries & cream without getting a dollop on yourself!

‘Glorious Goodwood’ Qatar festival Tues 1^st Aug -Sat 5^th Aug

Ladies Day Thursday 3^rd August

A more formal dress code is in place for the Richmond enclosure, imagine a summer garden party style. Whilst there is no formal dress code for the Gordon or Lennox enclosures all guests are encouraged to make an effort and look dressed for the occasion.

Whilst a Panama hat is more traditionally worn by the men it looks equally as good on ladies. We love our Reiss /Christys collaboration colour block Panama!

If you want to wear a high heel we recommend buying some clear heel protectors, however a wedge, like our Boden metallic sandal or block heel shoe are a more practical style on uneven grass.

On Ladies day you can really make an entrance! This Snoxell Gwyther flower and feather hatinator with an elevated wedge, like these pretty bow Tory Burch shoes , and gorgeous silk blend print dress from Rebecca Taylor would definitely be our bookies favourite look of the day.

All the items shown above are currently available on our website, just click on the relevant links, and for more occasion wear always check out our website or visit us in both stores.

We’re always happy to help you put together your outfit whatever the occasion and look forward to seeing you soon!

Yvette & Karen x

Article by Karen Skagerlind.