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With the spring racing season in full swing, fashion blogger Jasmin Howell of Friend in Fashion reveals her top three looks to up the style stakes

HOW TO MASTER OCCASION DRESSING

With the spring racing season in full swing, fashion blogger Jasmin Howell of Friend in Fashion reveals her top three looks to up the style stakes

Shop Jasmin’s picks

Dress to impress

I love any opportunity to dress up and play around with styling, and event dressing is just that extra bit special. But how to get it right? For me, first and foremost is comfort. The difference between a good and a great outfit is always the fit. Understand your body shape and what complements it. I tend to steer clear of trends and instead focus on shapes and styles that suit my figure.

I always start with a great dress – even if the print or colour is simple, the cut has to be amazing. Accessories form the perfect finishing touches.

This black velvet dress would be great for Derby Day. It’s so elegant and flattering; the silhouette is simply divine. The white floral embroidery has a tiny splash of green for an understated twist on traditional black and white, and the midi length means it can be dressed up or down easily with key accessories.

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Standout style

Statement colour works brilliantly for special occasions, and this cobalt-blue dress would be perfect for a wedding or the races.

When it comes to any event where you’re likely to be standing for most of it, great footwear is a must. That means choosing styles that not only look good, but which you’ll still be comfortable in after hours of wear. And that’s why I would wear white pumps with this dress – formal but comfy – teamed with some minimal silver jewellery. A word of caution, though: avoid wearing a brand-new pair of shoes. At the very least, walk around the house in them for a few days first to ‘mould’ them to your feet – you’ll thank me, I promise!

Shop Jasmin’s picks

Green day

This swing dress is really chic and can be worn casually with flat sandals or dressed up with a stiletto. The cotton blend lends itself to being a great day dress or, with the right accessory – like a complementary bucket bag – a lovely statement piece for after dark.

Shop Jasmin’s picks

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