How to decide what to wear to an event?

Here are a few tips on how to decide what to wear for a night out, special occasion or event. These steps are not concrete, they are merely how I decided what to wear and how I go about doing it.

Step 1
Think about the venue. Where are you going? Will you be outside? What will the temperature be like? What about what's underfoot and how far you will be walking? Is it formal or the dreaded smart-casual dress code? All the questions will help you determine the level of smartness, if you'll need a cover up and what footwear is best. Keep the venue in mind as you dress.

Example: Last night we were going for a pub crawl in a seaside town, it would be breezy and we'd be walking up some hills between bars. Therefore, I decided to take my pashmina and wear my flat gold ballet pumps. This way both are practical but still fun enough for a night out.

Step 2
Pick one item of clothing and think about how to adapt it to the occasion. I wanted to wear my new wrap dress but on it's own I would be too cold and too dressy. So, I paired it with my black trousers to look more trendy for the bars.

Step 3
I then thought about what jewelry would pull the look I am going for into reality. A necklace to accentuate the dresses neckline and pick out the print colour. I wore quite a chunky necklace so big earrings would have been a mistake. Balance is important with accessorise.

Step 4
If you need a bag take the smallest one you can fit all your essentials in and if your outfits already too fussy keep it black or a neutral colour. The same with a cover up, take a simple pashmina in a neutral shade black, cream, or a light pink possibly so as not to clash with anything else. Shoes need to reflect the occasion more than any other part of your outfit, you can dress an outfit up or down depending on your choice of footwear. For example, the more swanky the venue the higher you can afford to go with your shoe.

Tip
It is probably best to start with the clothing and work outwards. Think main piece (dress/top/new purchase to show off), then seperates that match, then jewelry to bring outfit together and finally which shoes, bag and cover up?

Tip
Think about how short your skirt is and how low your neckline goes. If you are going to a wedding or funeral you want to look respectable. If you're worried about looking OTT wear a vest top under a low cut top or cool tights and boots with a mini skirt. Balance any revealing top with a more conservative bottom and vice versa, otherwise you'll look like a tart whatever your age!