What to wear for a summer simchah? We asked a stylist for her top tips

1) Plan ahead

As soon as you get the invitation to an event, start looking for your perfect outfit. You never know what will be available closer to the time, or if you’ll still find it in your size. That means, if you see something you love, grab it - even if your son’s barmitzvah is in two years’ time. Event wear, particularly evening wear, isn’t as subject to changing trends as ready-to-wear, so it’s unlikely to date. Planning ahead also gives you time for alterations and to find makeup, hairstyles and accessories that complement your outfit.

2) Pay close attention to the invitation

What time of day is the event? Where is it being held? Is it indoors or outdoors? What you wear to a garden party in August is going to be very different from an outfit for a ballroom party at the Dorchester. Be clear on the dress code and bear in mind any themes or colour codes that you need to adhere to. If there’s a 1970s theme, that doesn’t mean you need to go dressed in full Abba Live regalia, just that your outfit has a nod to the 70s, which you can achieve with little details. Be mindful of what your host is asking. At the end of the day, you want to look great, but the party is about the host not you.

Respect the venue too. If part of it’s in a synagogue, dress appropriately - cover your arms, and wear a higher neckline. You don’t need to buy a separate ‘modest’ outfit. You can simply add a jacket or a wrap, and wear hats, headbands or scarves. You could even cover your head by wearing a wig. The Kardashians do it, so why not?

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 27: Kim Kardashian attends 2nd Annual Midori Green Halloween Party at Avenue on October 27, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images)Getty Images

3) Understand dress codes

Many people are confused by dress codes. If the invitation states smart-casual, you want to be relaxed but still polished, and not overly formal. A jumpsuit or a pussy-bow blouse tucked into a maxi length leather skirt could work. Statement accessories like sparkly shoes or big earrings can elevate a casual outfit into a smart-casual one.

Cocktail means semi formal - ready to party but not red carpet. Think embellished midi or mini dresses, a tuxedo-style suit or an embellished A-line dress.

Black tie is formal evening wear: floor length gowns in luxurious fabrics, or shorter dresses that are embellished with sequins, embroidery, or a big bow on the shoulder.

3) Focus on fabrics

For summer events, lightweight fabrics are key. Avoid velvet, heavy brocade or leather because they trap heat and don’t breathe well. But also make sure your outfit isn’t made from polyester because you’ll end up with sweat patches. Instead, look for cotton, silk, chiffon, georgette, linen or crepe, which will keep you cool and comfortable.

4) Be prepared

UK summers often mean hot days but cold nights, which is a challenge when dressing for events that begin in the afternoon heat and carry on late into the evening. Make sure you take an extra layer you can throw on, like a shawl, jacket, cardigan or shrug. But don’t just grab the first thing you find - it has to complement the neckline and colour of your outfit, and shouldn’t add bulk. If you’re wearing a highly-embellished dress, you just want something plain and neutral. With a gown or cocktail dress, a cashmere shawl or faux fur wrap are the best options. Otherwise, you’ll end the evening draped in your husband’s ill-fitting jacket.

5) Always take a pair of flat shoes

Not many of us can wear heels for 10 hours straight, especially if dancing is involved. Pack flat shoes you can change into. I wore platform flip-flops from Amazon at my wedding reception. They were ugly, but stayed hidden under my long dress. Also remember, feet swell in summer heat, so even the most comfortable shoes rub. It’s a good idea to pack plasters in your handbag in case of blisters.

6) Don’t be afraid to re-use outfits

A lot of women feel pressure to buy a new dress for every event. But that’s neither desirable nor achievable for many of us. If you have lots of events to attend this summer, avoid a heavily embellished or brightly coloured dress and instead go for something simple, understated and elegant that can be dressed up with accessories. A black slip dress can be glammed up for evening with a diamond or diamante choker and earrings. The same dress, with a printed blazer, will work for a bar mitzvah. Don’t be afraid to play around with colours, particularly contrasting colours. A strapless, yellow dress will look amazing with a bold turquoise necklace. For inspiration, refer to an online colour wheel.

7) Make friends with your local tailor

The key to looking fabulous is not expense, but fit. Buy the best quality you can afford, whether it’s a 1000-pound designer gown or a high street jumpsuit, and get it tailored to your body. Make sure the hemline sits perfectly against the shoes you’ll wear, that the sleeves end at the right point, and lift the shoulders or have the waist taken in if necessary. I have a dress from Zara that I had tailored, and people keep asking me if it’s Valentino.

Dress for your bust first, particularly for corseted dresses or those with inbuilt bras. Buy the size that fits your cups, even if the rest of the dress is too large. It’s easy to take in the waist, but you can’t make the bra part larger.

8) Don’t skimp on underwear

Good underwear is the most important part of any outfit, but it so often gets overlooked. Get a bra fitting. An ill-fitting bra won’t show under a baggy jumper, but it will ruin the line of an evening dress. Take your outfit to the lingerie department so you can try it on with different bras.

Seamless pants and shape wear are also a must, even if you’re slim. Evening wear fabrics tend to be delicate, so they’ll show the outline of your underwear, as well as every fleshy lump and bump. Shape wear smooths everything out.

My best ever tip is to invest in kinesiology tape - the type physiotherapists use. It sticks to the skin, doesn’t irritate, and won’t come off if you sweat. If you’re wearing a revealing dress, it will guard against embarrassing accidents. You can even use it instead of bra - just stick it under your breasts and hoist everything up, then attach it to your shoulders.

US fashion designer Sarah Staudinger gets on a taxi boat to leave the Gritti Palace Hotel ahead of the wedding of Amazon's founder Jeff Bezos with Lauren Sanchez in Venice in June. The right underwear is key to wearing a revealing dress like this (Photo Getty Images)AFP via Getty Images

9) Where to shop

Event dressing doesn’t have to mean big spending. Mango always has a stunning selection of formal wear and gowns, and ASOS has incredible dresses for under £100. Zara is great for cocktail dresses, and Karen Millen has some very hot pieces.

But if you do have money to invest, head for the Harrods evening wear department, where you’ll find gowns by Jenny Packham and Oscar de la Renta, who create designs that are works of art. They’ll set you back anything from £3000 to £20,000.

You don’t have to spend that much to buy a standout design. For under £1000, my go-to brand is Mac Dugall, which is great for modest evening wear. For sexier, more figure-hugging options, Self-portrait does beautiful embellished dresses. I also recommend Solace London, Bronx and Banco and Retrofete.

If you’re only likely to wear something once, think about renting. You can get a showstopping top designer dress for an affordable price, and you won’t have to worry about storing it afterwards. Try HURR or By Rotation for rental options.

But if you’re worried about wearing the same dress as another guest, consider buying vintage or second hand. Vestiaire Collective is great for this. You may not need to buy anything. Consider getting a tailor to alter the neckline or hemline of an old favourite that looks dated, to create a brand new dress.

10) Stay true to yourself

Understand your body, your proportions and colouring, and get to know what looks good on you. It’s hard to plan an outfit if you don’t know your personal style. Once you do, it helps you narrow down options. Dressing well isn’t about wearing the latest fashion, but about presenting an elevated version of yourself.

If the prospect of buying an event for a simchah seems too daunting, or you hate shopping, hire a stylist. They’ll help you work out what you want, will understand your proportions and know where to find outfits that suit you. They’ll also help take you out of your comfort zone, so you can experiment with shapes, colours and styles you may not have dared to try before.

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@lara.thestylist