The six anti-ageing dos and don’ts for occasionwear – from the color it is best to NEVER put on to the accent that provides 20 years, reveals vogue skilled CAMILLA RIDLEY-DAY

Spring is here, and it’s quite possibly my favourite time of year – because with its arrival comes the promise of warmer days and the weddings and parties that are now filling my diary.

Which is why, unsurprisingly, major brands from John Lewis to ME+EM tell me their occasion wear sales begin to surge during March. And why not? After all, every fashion-conscious woman knows that planning an outfit is a big part of a highly anticipated day out.

Starting now will not only help you bag the best pieces before anyone else on the guest list, it also means you’ll avoid the pitfalls of an unflattering last-minute panic buy. However, don’t even think about clicking ‘add to basket’ until you’ve read my fail-safe ‘dos and don’ts’ guide to frump-free dressing. Get ready to be the chicest, most youthful-looking guest at every event!

Frump-free florals

DO: Make a statement in graphic prints.

DON’T: Wear ‘granny-style’ vintage florals.

This year florals are all about having fun, so skip the ditsy vintage styles that, I’m sorry to say, have ‘granny’s tea party’ written all over them. Bright and bold is the youthful way to go. Just look at the statement sleeves on this dress (below), an investment purchase from Celia B (£300, celiab.com) that’s covered in exquisite tiny petals which banish any upper arm concerns with a playful anti-ageing effect.

Dress, £300, celiab.com; shoes, £199, penelopechilvers.com; hat, from £385, camillarose.co.uk; necklaces, £270 and £240; earrings, £180; rings, £130 and £110, sorujewellery.com

Focus on fabrics

DO: Be brave and mix up fabrics and texture.

DON’T: Think you’ll cut the mustard in simple cotton.

If boho style is your thing, don’t be convinced by the rails of floaty shapeless dresses in every high-street store at this time of year. Believe me, they are not your friend. Want to know a secret? On every fashion editor’s list for spring is a suede jacket, teamed with a paisley co-ord in sumptuous silk. This cropped one hits the waist at just the right point, so it’s ideal with dresses too. Top tip: bookmark Marks & Spencer this April and snap up the Autograph suede jacket when it lands – it’s guaranteed to be a red-hot sell-out.

Colour is the key 

DO: Buy black with interesting details.

DON’T: Wear red: too attention-seeking.

Vogue recently decreed black was no longer a no-no at a wedding and we won’t disagree! Timeless and flattering, the only mistake you can make is to go to plain. The key is detailing – like with this peplum frill dress with buttons by Self Portrait (£380, net-a-porter.com), which ticks all the fashion boxes, especially when it’s topped off with a bold hat. Add a pop of colour with an accessory or lip colour.

Building blocks 

DO: Embrace tonal drenching.

DON’T: Mix and match shades.

If you’re really after outfit staying power, try wearing a chic block colour from top to toe in one of this season’s shades. It’s guaranteed to give you much more bang for your buck. Brit brand Albaray’s powder blue dress is simple elegance (£130, albaray.co.uk), and its detachable belt means it’s perfect for more relaxed occasions as well.

FYI: I’ve styled the dress with a Boden belt in silver, to add some interest to the look.

Chuck out your pashmina 

DO: Add some flare with a silk scarf.

DON’T: Pop on that same old pashmina you’ve had since the Nineties.

These days silk scarves add cool and youthful French vibes to your outfit in an instant. That said, you have to tread carefully – sling that old pashmina around your shoulders and you’ll add a decade or two! Also, give those dated pointed courts a rest and wear a metallic flat, like this Dune pair (£79, dunelondon.com), or a chunky platform for comfy and effortless glamour, perfect for dancing all night. Just don’t forget to give them a protective spray (£7.99, Todd at amazon.co.uk). 

Pop on a three-piece suit 

DO: Invest in a tailored three-piece suit.

DON’T: Wear a crop jacket and matching shift dress.

Looking to shake it up as the un-mumsy mother of the bride? The fashion gods have answered your prayers because there’s nothing cooler than a coordinated tailored suit, the waistcoat adding extra polish and style kudos. ME+EM has seen sales of this  mint green suit soar (£745, meandem.com) – not surprising given that the shade was all over the catwalks and is officially one of this summer’s must-have colours. For less formal events, you can wear each piece individually with other items, boosting that all-important cost-per-wear ratio. What’s not to love?