What to wear and when

The questions are usually fraught with panic and frustration in an attempt to dress appropriately. What does semi-formal, smart-casual or elegantly casual mean? Can I wear trousers to a formal occasion or must it be a dress?

In the days when women wouldn't dare wear anything less casual than an evening gown to the theatre and hats were the order of the day for a wedding, women were clear about what the parameters were for appropriate dressing.

These days, semi-formal can mean a cocktail dress or a pair of nice jeans with a dressy top and a pair of high heels. It all depends on the culture of the event and the people attending.

Women are also very comfort driven when it comes to dressing these days, both textile and design wise. For me, I love any excuse to dress up. All I need is the slightest hint of a "formal, semi-formal" occasion and I'm deciding which cocktail outfit I'm going to wear. For some women, even just the thought of having to source such an item sends them reeling.

So how do we deal with this undefined ordeal? Well, in my experience, most rush out to the mall a few days before (or the day before) the big event, in hope of finding something suitable. Out of desperation, women usually spend a lot of money on something they will never wear again and don't even feel fabulous in.

The question is, how do you go about this differently? How do you find an outfit that fits well, is suitable for the occasion and that you will wear again and feel fabulous in?

Planning is essential
The simple answer to this question is plan. Although it sounds so simple, it's the obvious answer women often miss.

Here are some tips to make planning for your glamourous events effortless