No one wants to turn up at a formal function wearing the same as someone else, marking you at as a style sheep. Yet creating different looks for all the events of the summer can cause a financial as well as wardrobe crisis. Since colour-blocking is the biggest trend, try buying separates in clashing colour and mix and match to various events.

However, investing in classic looks does repay you in the end, through the cut, fabric and just the way a designer frock makes you feel, and therefore move. Confidence in the way you look is worth its weight in gold. The cost/cut compromise doesn’t need to be made at Bicester Village judging by the beauties I found up there.

My all time favourite is my Joan Holloway moment I had in Prada in the beautifully cut and sumptuous fabric of a raspberry beauty. I fear a diet post baby and some sturdy underwear would be called for, but the shape and length and cap sleeves would serve well for seasonal events that require a more modest dress code.

The zing of colours was seen all over the catwalk this season and has filtered down to the high street. Balance conservative shapes with outrageous tones, such as this skirt suit I found in Fendi or the rich plums and purples in Hobbs.

Fashion being a contrary mistress, the other big trend to counteract the rainbow colours, is softer florals, and there was a riot of flowers out to bloom on my visit. The floral shift and chic blazer I saw in the window of Dolce and Gabbana would work well on a mature lady, as would the wide skirt coat from Hobbs , whilst the fab monochrome frenzy of chiffon again from Dolce is a really fun look for a girl much taller and slimmer than my good self, but you couldn’t fail to be in a good mood wearing it, and ditto with the super cute multi coloured chiffon disc mini dress from DVF. Layering different floral patterns was done to great effect at D&G, and would quickly create a more zany, individual look. Try layering a floral jacket over a different floral dress.

Don’t be afraid to go long,  overseas weddings, garden parties and a day at the races provide you with a chance to show your style stripes, and by opting for something longer, in a delicate fabric you can create a striking silhouette as the fabric billows around your ankles, perfectly demonstrated in this lemon chiffon dress from Alexander MQueen and the tangerine and gold embellished kaftan from Temperley or the Grecian goddess look in red from Amanda Wakeley. Dresses so evocative, you could wish yourself away to a sunny beach by just wearing them.