Main image: Instagram @mariadelaord. 

A summer wedding is always an opportunity to go all out, but that doesn’t mean your outfit has to be new, either. This was the case for Digital Editor of The Gloss, Síomha Connolly, who borrowed a COS shift dress for a friend’s wedding in Co Wicklow, during the recent heatwave.

“The dress was a few years old from COS and I borrowed it from my mum; I actually wanted to buy it at the time so was secretly delighted when she did, instead. I love its simple shape, the loose fit – I think the shift style works well with a pair of nude platform mules” she says. When it comes to a minimal look, the devil is in the detail: Siomha finished her outfit with a woven clutch by Irish designer Ale Walsh, found at a sample sale, a pearl necklace by MyFrkl, an Alighieri pendant and a gold chain bracelet by Missoma. 

Now that socialising is back on the cards, our next big event look should have circularity in mind, according to Connolly. “There is no shame in re-wearing (or sharing!) pieces in your wardrobe; that’s one thing I always try to keep in mind. I get excited by my clothes and look forward to occasions when I can wear my more dressy pieces again and again. And if you don’t have something that suits your next event, be sure to go hunting in your friend/sister/mum/cousin’s wardrobes to find something to borrow before you buy,” Siomha says.

Halterneck maxi dress, €125, at COS.

Camisole maxi-dress, Sister Jane, €70 for a three day rental, at Happy Days.

Dressing for a black tie occasion can be daunting, but it’s also an opportunity to lean into the trends, and looks, that you love the most. When PR and marketing consultant Laura O’Brien attended a black tie event this summer she knew she wanted something classic, with a twist. “I knew I wanted something long length, with a burst of colour. This dress from Preen by Thornton Bregazzi was just the ticket. I fell in love with this designer when I first discovered their collection in Brown Thomas: Preen dresses are made from delicate devoré silk and hang beautifully. I really love the long sleeve and relaxed shape of this dress,” she says. 

With a dress so statement-making, Laura kept the rest of her outfit simple, styling it with gold Christian Louboutin sandals, a Saint Laurent gold bag and Alexis Bittar earrings from Loulerie. “My top tip for getting dressed for a summer soirée is to embrace colour. I adore black but love to have fun with colour for seasonal events,” Laura says. Don’t forget the practicalities, either: “A block heel is essential on grass terrain!” 

Gabrielle dress, €1,600; www.ullajohnson.com. 

Voluminous satin dress, €27.99, at H&M.

Personal shopper and stylist Isabel Gleeson doesn’t shy away from romance. In fact, an ethereal dress is practically a staple in her wardrobe. “I spend most of the Irish winter dreaming of being back in my romantic summer dresses so this Neve & Noor dress (pictured) is a dream to wear. There is no mistaking this dress for high street and that is one of the reasons I love it,” she says. 

Isabel wore the frilled dress from the eco-friendly label to a garden party in Sandycove – she put some thought into the accessories, too. “I wore white strappy, block heel sandals from Topshop and a white clutch to suit the base colour of the dress. My nails were also painted white – it was definitely a very considered look!” she says. 

We all should take advantage of the good weather while we still can, according to Gleeson. “Have fun with your outfit, wear some colour and make the most of dressing for the last bit of summer we have. Before we know it, we will be back in coats and boots so this is a time to dress up and celebrate,” she says.

Georgette floral dress, Ganni, €275, at Brown Thomas. 

Swiss dot organic cotton dress, Dôen, €564.31; www.net-a-porter.com.