Lisa Dobbs, personal stylist at John Lewis in High Wycombe shares the fantastic and inspiring selection of occasion wear, hats, shoes and accessories to suit your style for every event in your calendar .

This year the choice is endless with tailored pieces from all the fashion houses such as in Guipre, Condici and Michaela Louisa, to name a few, lace, metallicised lace, silks and chiffons in beautiful patterns and colours to suit your most flattering colour palette.

The strong summer look this year features abstract and painterly prints from brands Gerard Darel, Damsel in a Dress, Frank Lyman and Jaeger. Pretty florals, graphic print and chiffon/silk shirt dresses from Hobbs, Ted Baker and Ralph Lauren.

If you’re aiming for a classic, sleek and tailored style, look to ranges that have several interchangeable dresses with matching occasion coats or jackets and also Jacques Vert and Gina Bacconi for stunning dress and jacket combinations, or to Hobbs for their elegant tiered lace dress and jacket – so chic.

Some ladies prefer dresses with sleeves – yet there are always more sleeveless options -this is solved by Gina Bacconi’s ingenious mesh sleeve undergarments in ‘filigree’, ‘spot’ or a plain ‘stretch mesh’ worn under your dress to magically transforms your look!

To ensure a truly unique outfit, try mix and matching between brands, with your jacket, bolero or pashmina from a different brand to your dress, keeping the fabrics a compatible texture.

Another key trend is the fuller look midi-skirts in oversized abstract and floral prints. This look is best styled with pointed toe shoes to enhance and elongate your lower leg.
Draw your outfit together with up-to-the-minute metallic clutch bags and choose from a wide range of fascinators, hatinators and hats.

Remember – your event may have a dress code, these depend on which enclosures you will be visiting. Whilst there is a lot of emphasis on fashion at the big race meetings such as Royal Ascot, The Investec Derby or The Henley Regatta or Festival, dress codes are generally more relaxed at other venues.

Premier or Members Enclosures will often require smart casual attire – if you’re unsure of what the dress code entails on a particular day though, it is best to check with the racecourse. Officials can be strict about entry to anyone unsuitably dressed.

This is especially true at Royal Ascot where the rules are very stringent. Strapless, halter or spaghetti-strap dresses are banned, as are obvious midriffs. Straps must be wider than an inch; dresses and skirts must be at least knee-length.

Hats are necessary in the Royal Enclosure and Grandstand. Fascinators are forbidden, as is any headpiece with a base of less than 4in (10cm). Trousers must be full-length.

Rules regarding hemlines, shoulder strap widths and size of hats will be detailed on the event websites for all race-goers and Regattas, log-on to get informed.’

www.phylliscourt.co.uk          |          www.henley-festival.co.uk

www.hrr.co.uk                            |         www.ascot.co.u

For further advice and guidance through the vast array of outfits on offer, you can book a free appointment with one of the Personal stylists at John Lewis High Wycombe, Swish in Marlow and No 25/Pizazz in Bourne End.  For Millinery we have many bespoke offerings, locally, from Gorgeous and Glorious and HeadCandy.