Plan first

Work out what you actually need

Before you shop, list the events you’re dressing for. It sounds obvious, but it stops you buying a dress for a party you don’t have, and it helps you see where one outfit can do two jobs.

• Write down the events and the settings. A lunch at a restaurant, a backyard barbecue, a long table at a family home and an evening function each have different needs.
• Check the time of day and whether it is indoors or out. Outdoor daytime events in an Australian December are hot. Air-conditioned venues can be cold.
• Aim for three outfits, not seven. One dress that works day and night, one dressy pant outfit, and one printed or coloured dress for casual gatherings will cover most calendars.
• Think about what you’ll be doing. Sitting for hours at a table, standing with a drink, helping in the kitchen, and carrying a plate all affect what is comfortable.

The one-dress answer

A dress that works from lunch to dinner

If you only buy one thing, make it a fluid dress with a sleeve and a hem at or below the knee. A smooth Maché fabric has a soft lustre and a fluid fall, so it looks dressed with very little added, and it moves with you when you sit.

Change the mood with accessories: tan leather and woven bags for a daytime lunch, silver jewellery and metallic sandals for the evening.

Fabric and fit

What to look for when it’s hot

A summer Christmas calls for fabric that breathes and a shape that gives you room. These are the things we check in the fitting room:

• Fabric weight. Look for fluid, light fabrics that skim rather than cling. Cotton, rayon and Maché-style jerseys are usually more comfortable than heavy or stiff fabrics.
• Sleeves. A short or three-quarter sleeve gives coverage without being hot, and is useful if you prefer not to show your upper arms.
• Lining. A lined dress sits better and is less likely to show every line. Unlined light fabrics may need a slip.
• Neckline. A V-neck, scoop or wrap neckline is easy to wear and flattering on most women. Check that it stays in place when you lean forward.
• Waist and hem. A softly defined waist or an A-line skirt gives room after a big meal. Check that the hem is comfortable when you sit, and not too short.
• Colour in the sun. Darker colours show perspiration less in some fabrics, while pale ones show marks. Try the dress in daylight.

Colour, without the fuss

Festive colour that still feels like you

You don’t need to wear red head to toe. A single colour piece, whether a warm tango dress or a bold print, is enough to read as festive. If you’d rather keep things quiet, a black or navy base with one bright accessory does the same job.

Printed midi dresses are another easy route: the pattern does the work, so you can keep jewellery and shoes simple.

Evening pant outfits

Dressed-up pants: the Pace Pant and the Soft Capri

If a dress isn’t for you, a good pant can be every bit as dressed up. Two of our favourites for evening are the Pace Pant and the Soft Capri, both from Mela Purdie, both in Maché. Maché has a smooth surface, a fluid fall and a little lustre, so the pants look polished without feeling stiff. They are pull-on styles with an easy waist, which suits a long evening of sitting, standing and eating.

Pace Pant: the wide, cropped leg

The Pace Pant is a wide-leg crop pant that holds a clean line and creates movement as you walk. It comes in black, white and navy. Black or navy with a silky blouse and a metallic or heeled sandal reads as evening. White is lovely for a summer celebration.

Soft Capri: the tapered, slightly cropped leg

The Soft Capri has a tapered leg and a slightly cropped finish, which gives definition under a loose top or blouse. It comes in black, French navy, jade and white. It is a good choice if you prefer a narrower leg to a wide one.

Tops to wear with them

Choose a top with some finish, in Mela Purdie or Joseph Ribkoff, so the pants and top work as one outfit. A fluid blouse, a soft shirt worn loose, a shell or a camisole with a little shimmer all work. The Audrey Tank, a sleeveless top that is lovely worn solo or layered, is another easy option.

Why we choose Mela Purdie and Joseph Ribkoff

Both labels are known for travel fabrics: fluid, comfortable fabrics designed to be worn, packed and worn again. That makes them a sensible choice for evening outfits that need to cope with a long day, a hot room, a suitcase or a wardrobe you want to use all year.

• They travel well. Mela Purdie’s Maché is a technical fabric with a smooth surface and a fluid fall, and many of the pieces sit in our Travel Clothing collection.
• They move with you. Pull-on waists, stretch and a fluid drape suit sitting, standing, eating and dancing.
• They look polished without effort. A subtle lustre and a clean line mean a simple outfit looks dressed.
• They suit easy care. Always check the care label on the piece you choose, but these fabrics are chosen for everyday practicality.
• They keep earning their place. Wear the same pants to dinner, the office or on a holiday, and change the look with the top.
• Mela Purdie is designed and made in Australia. A good reason to choose pieces that last.

Five outfit formulas

• Polished and simple: Pace Pant in black with the Balcony Blouse, gold or silver earrings and a heeled sandal.
• Festive shimmer: Pace Pant in black or navy with the Joseph Ribkoff Metallic Knit Camisole in Mahogany, a light layer for air-conditioning and a metallic sandal.
• Relaxed evening: Soft Capri in black with the Soft Stand Shirt worn loose, a statement necklace and a dressy flat sandal.
• Smart and simple: Soft Capri in navy with the Tab Shell in French Navy, tan leather accessories and a slim sandal.
• Summer celebration: Pace Pant in white with the Audrey Tank, a woven bag and tan or metallic sandals.

Underneath

The foundations that change how it looks

What you wear under your outfit affects how it hangs. A well-fitted bra, ideally fitted by a professional, makes a real difference, and so can a comfortable smoothing layer if it makes you feel better in a dress. We cover both in our wedding guest guide.

• Choose the outfit first, then book the bra fitting and take the outfit with you.
• Do a full trial run at home. Wear it all together for an hour, then sit, stand and lift your arms.
• Choose comfort over compression. A long lunch in the heat is not the time to find that something is too tight.

The long day

Comfort details that matter at a party

• Shoes. A block heel or a wedge is kinder than a thin heel on lawns and outdoor paving. Bring flats for later.
• A bag that works. A structured bag that closes securely and sits comfortably on your shoulder or arm leaves a hand free for a drink.
• A light layer. Air-conditioned venues and evening breezes can be cool.
• A spare plan. Pack tissues, blotting papers, plasters and a small sewing kit or safety pins.

Wear it again

Choose pieces that last beyond December

A dress you can wear again in January is better value and kinder to the planet. Think about whether you could wear it to a summer lunch, a wedding or a dinner, and whether a different jacket, shoes or jewellery would change its look. Unless it is a very formal event, avoid anything that is only right for one party.