Summer nights

While the reliably miserable weather has made us a pretty resilient bunch, when we do finally manage to steal a handful of pleasant nights out we can be prone to fretting over what to wear and how to prime our pasty skin.

This year, with so many wearable trends (and a mass of tanning products available), there is absolutely no reason to worry.

Whether you’re going to a chic bar, garden wedding party, snazzy awards dinner, or just round to your friend’s for a barbecue, there will be something for you in our ultimate summer dress code.

For outdoor events like the races or a country wedding, floral patterns and white floaty dresses are a safe option. But with so many exciting bright hues around, it’s definitely worth experimenting. Try flirty aqua and tangerine shades for early evening events – you’ll stand out from the crowd while looking ultra feminine. Remember that freshly cut lawns are not exactly killer heel friendly so take the opportunity to rock the 70s vibe with block heel sandals or wedges.

Moving into the city to a funky bar it’s time to really be bold with colours and retro styles. Ocean shades of purple and turquoise have splashed onto the high street this summer and there’s nothing more disco-diva than a cobalt blue drenched silk dress or flared jumpsuit.

A more casual but equally eye-popping look for a few drinks with your closest gal pals is cropped skinny jeans or Capri trousers combined with a floral blouse or pretty gipsy top.

Leave your blue denim in the wardrobe and opt for whiter than white or citrus shades on the bottom half and wear with contrasting coloured block heels.

We’ve even got something for after-work drinks – the occasion that decades of fashion conscious women have struggled to perfect. It’s time to banish anything grey or black to the loft and invest in a dazzling new work frock. We love this yellow full-circle 50s style dress from Dorothy Perkins. And all that is required for a slick day to night transformation is a touch of lippy and cute clutch.

Finally – the weekend barbecue. Slip into a comfortable pattern maxi dress. There’s plenty of room for a few sausages and with so much detail going on in the latest bohemian folk mosaics, a splat of tomato ketchup won’t look too much out of place. If you do happen to get a bit nippy when the cool night falls, you can always add an American style fringed suede shirt or, if all else fails, wrap up in one of your old faithful cardigans.