The late show

Launch parties, barbecues and buffets, less formal wedding and birthday and anniversary celebrations, christenings and house-warmings – these are the sort of eagerly anticipated, generally invited events that we really look forward to, where we want to mark the occasion with a specially prepared outfit, but don’t want to look as if we’re at an ambassador’s ball or some black tie dinner-dance.

Where possible, these events are held outdoors at least in part, with guests spilling out on to verandas and into gardens, and this too adds a less formal yet more magical edge to the evening. It can be difficult to gauge the tone of an event, however, and this is where the maxi dress, in particular, steps up to the mark. Say, you choose a one-shoulder or strapless maxi dress – if the party is more formal than you thought, add a luxurious gemstone necklace and clutch bag. On the other hand, if you get there and find it’s more casual, add bangles, muss up your hair, and create an overall boho overtone. One dress, two looks (make sure your clutch is large enough to carry supplies).

The same applies to volume tunic dresses, perfect with bare legs for the young, and with a boho-style two-piece outfit, an excellent way for more mature women and those with fuller figures to look glamorous, choosing a long simple tunic top in a bright colour (linen or textured cotton strikes the right note), with matching long skirt, teamed with fabulous chunky beads and a contrast clutch.