The Perfect Dress For Spring Summer Weddings, A Day At The Races and Special Occasions.

Wedding season is upon us as is races season. In fact, much like the Christmas and New Year period, it's a time of year when invitations to events and special occasions begin to increase in frequency. During my twenties and early thirties, I went to countless weddings of university friends, cousins, (I have a lot), peers and work colleagues, so I was justified in buying two or three formal outfits each season, which I'd wear to several, knowing they wouldn't be seen by the same group of people. Hats were still very much in vogue and fascinators were just beginning their wedding ubiquity; everything was really rather formal. 

Now I'm in my forties, most of my friends and family members are already married and those that aren't, are choosing to tie the knot in a much more relaxed way, meaning my need for occasionwear is greatly reduced. That being said, I went to the evening reception of a cousin last weekend and although I have got numerous beautiful dresses, I wanted something a little more special. What I didn't want though was something that I'd only wear once- it needed to be more versatile than that, (you know by now I expect things to work hard for me). I decided to look at smaller brands and returned to Alie Street, from where I got the gorgeous chilli red fifties-inspired ponte dress I wore for my daughter's 16th birthday party.  Because it's a small brand, it minimises the chance of turning up wearing the same dress as someone else and I love it because the clothes are designed and made in Britain.

I teamed it with my leopard print strappy high heels firstly because I adore them and secondly because there are similar shades within the print of the dress and other than my rose-gold watch and a small pair of earrings, I felt it needed no further accessorising on this occasion.

I'll take this dress away on holiday when I return to Nerja in summer and will wear it with a pair of espadrilles, a stack of casual, lightweight, summery bracelets and a straw clutch and I see no reason why it couldn't be worn with a denim jacket and a pair of Converse for a summer barbecue and with a fascinator and wrap for a church wedding or a day at the races.