How to dress for summer events, no matter the weather

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I would like help on how to stay warm and stylish at summer events that take place outdoors or at night!

Ah! I had that same problem at a family wedding this month. You would think that in the summer months of June to August we would be safe from this type of problem, but sadly that cannot be guaranteed in the UK.

For my cousin’s outdoor wedding, which was followed by a reception in a beautiful open-sided tipi, I wore an organza dress by Sir, not unlike this gorgeous organza dress by Staud, available to hire from Hurr (sadly, only in petite sizes, from £72 for four days). hurrcollective.com) Being diaphanous and transparent does not exactly help to maintain heat.

Knowing I could always remove my underlayers if I got too hot, I layered a superfine silk Hanro camisole under my matching slip dress. Silk is smart: Like merino, it can help regulate body temperature in both hot and cold environments.

Next, I layered a sleeveless linen-blend vest (the one from the Victoria Beckham x Mango collaboration) over the dress and over that a thick linen blazer from Raey. We all know that layers trap air between them to keep the wearer warm, and this worked pretty well. I even took off the blazer at one point when the sun momentarily peeked through.

The dress in question is leg-baring, like most summer options. I wore my silver Jigsaw sandals (similar to these, £79, puzzle-online.com), paired with a pair of thin metallic merino socks from Cos (these sheer ones are rather tasty, £7, cos.com) — another item that is easy to remove and store in my bag if my feet get hot enough.

In order for this to work and not feel like you’re trying too hard or auditioning to play a kindergartener, you need the sock to match the sandal. And I’m afraid that doesn’t work with all sandals. Avoid espadrille soles, cork wedges, and the like. They look a little odd with a sock. Any sole with toe straps won’t work unless you have a tabi sock.

If that’s really not your thing, then opt for a closed-toe shoe or a slingback shoe – I simply couldn’t resist this cheerful striped offering from LK Bennett (£289, en:lkbennett.com) It would look great with simple wide-leg pants.

If you prefer to wear pants, don’t feel obligated to wear a dress to weddings or parties. Pants are a great option and offer more coverage. If you’re petite, be careful not to add bulky clothing or too much embellishment. The taller you are, the more layers you can wear.

Suits are also an option. Trust Max Mara to offer you a spectacular red one (£460, net-a-porter.com). You can add a simple silk T-shirt (try Joseph, Pinko or Twinset), a long-sleeved top plus a waistcoat, or go for the full suit with matching jacket (£1,045, en.maxmara.com). Equally wonderful is Paul Smith’s bright, wrinkle-free wool hopsack, a hit in orange (£492, en.paulsmith.com).

Something about the collar always gives you warmth. This silky blouse from LilySilk looks elegant and chic (£165, lilysilk.com), or select a textured silk fabric from Ulla Johnson if you have a smaller bust (£363, net-a-porter.com). For a fuller bust, this silk-blend V-neckline from Calvin Klein will keep you comfortable (£120, calvinklein.es).

Alternatively, why not wear something spectacular that you won’t want to take off? Wiggy Kit’s striking opera coat can be worn with the matching dress if you wish, and pretend you’re in Rome rather than the Kent countryside (£765, en:wiggykit.com).

Fine cashmere also works. This N Peal model is available in a nice variety of colours (£265, farfetch.com). Both Thom Browne and Miu Miu have quirky, expensive cardigans, while Self Portrait has a buttoned lurex cardigan that is very versatile and can be paired with jeans for the weekend (£360, farfetch.com) For events, wear it over a simple dress or a midi skirt.

For something a little more elegant, super-lightweight cashmere scarves can be wrapped or layered over any outfit, and can also be worn over a jacket or coat. Rise and Fall’s fine cashmere scarves come in 10 delicious shades (£185, rise and fall.co). If you want something smaller, check out the ultra-lightweight scarves from Scotland’s Begg x Co (£395, beggxco.com). This orange would enhance a navy suit or dress, and the ballet slipper shade looks fantastic against black.

And there you have it. Don’t let anyone tell you that you have to sacrifice comfort for style.