Chances are, if it feels more like you, you’ll wear it with more confidenceFloral dress, €250, Farm Rio; Pave curve ring, €480, Akind; Diamond pebble necklace in 18k gold vermeil, €390 Akind; Cherry blossom print dress, €535, Stine Goya; Scarf blazer, €80, Michelle Keegan, Very; Top, €147, and skirt, €171, both Florere; Aqua dress, €240, Aligne;.Dress, €795, Bernadette, Brown Thomas; Asymmetric dress, €217.50, Marella, Arnotts; Polka dot dress, €200, green dress, €145, Monsoon Mon Jun 29 2026 - 06:00 • 3 MIN READNothing instils fear quite like dressing for an occasion. Not only do you need an outfit that feels comfortable, looks stylish, and adheres to the dress code, but in Ireland it also has to withstand the changeable weather – everything from sudden showers to strong sunshine – all while still looking polished from the afternoon to late into the evening. But maybe that’s why there’s usually a tried-and-tested formula people stick to, keeping the guesswork to a minimum and relying on a midi dress and sensible shoes. Or, on the other end of the spectrum, there’s the temptation to veer out of your comfort zone, wearing an outfit you wouldn’t normally wear just to fit into the occasionwear mould. And, in both scenarios, you end up wasting money on an outfit that will live in the back of your wardrobe, never to see the light again. But with the rise of rental platforms, Vinted, and affordable contemporary brands, there are plenty more options for more directional and personal occasionwear. The key to starting your search is not to automatically head straight to the occasion section when scrolling online. Some of the best pieces that are more in line with your personal style might not be marked as occasionwear, but with the right accessories and make-up, they can easily be jazzed up to feel more occasion-appropriate. A waistcoat and tailored trousers, a slip dress, and relaxed suiting all work just as well as a classic occasion dress.Chances are, if it feels more like you, you’ll wear it with more confidence, and you’ll want to rewear it again. “From a wedding, to a dinner, race day to a long weekend; the same dress, a different shoe, a different bag,” says senior womenswear designer Sarah Conn of Florere, who specialises in occasionwear. “Play with the styling and the whole look to make the outfit unique and individual each time. That’s how you end up with pieces that are truly timeless, reinvented with each wear.” Asymmetric Dress €217.50, Marella, Arnotts Dress, €99, Cos Aqua dress, €240, Aligne Floral dress, €250, Farm Rio Lace hem cami, €115, Whistles Lace hem skirt, €129, Whistles Top €147, and skirt, €171, both Florere Accessories can transform a dress you might already have in your wardrobe, freshening it up for another outing. You can keep the outfit simple and let the accessories do the talking. “A simple base is actually the best canvas,” says Anna Wallander, founder and chief executive of jewellery brand Akind. “It lets the jewellery breathe. For a slip dress, I’d layer a delicate diamond necklace close to the collarbone and add rings. Stacking across fingers feels considered and individual without trying too hard, and is such a modern way to dress for an event. For a suit or co-ord, I’d lean into cooler tones like silver or white gold, which work beautifully against tailoring and feel effortless rather than overdressed.” Diamond Pebble Necklace in 18k Gold Vermeil, €390 Akind Pave curve ring , €480, Akind If you want to look beyond the usual occasionwear style suspects, there are plenty of contemporary brands crafting interesting pieces. Australian labels such as Dissh, Leo Lin, Third Form and Alemais are worth keeping on the radar, as are Bernadette and Vi.ve.re, Aligne, Marques Almeida, The Are and Siedres. On the sustainable front, there’s Omnes, Reformation, Nobody’s Child and Irish brand Feri. Ireland has a slew of rental platforms too – established stalwarts such as Happy Days, High-end Hire and Drobey, and new-gen start-ups including The Rental Studio and Elan Rentals. Renting allows you to discover brands that may be new to you or sit outside your budget, and do so sustainably. It’s a handy way to experiment without the commitment, expense or buyer’s remorse. Whether you decide to rent, shop second-hand, or buy something new, practicality and comfort need to come into play; they really do make a difference to how you’ll enjoy the day. Ask yourself: can you sit down in the outfit, eat, dance, and stay in it all day? Layers are also important for combating inclement weather. Try an oversized blazer, a tailored cropped jacket, or an embellished cover-up, or opt for a long-sleeve number to skip the decision of which jacket to wear. If you want to add a little 2026 flavour to your look, keep an eye out for trending shades, including butter yellow, powder pink, and richer hues like tomato red, cobalt blue, and pistachio green. Print-wise, florals will always signal a summer occasion, but this season they have gone supersized, while polka dots offer a playful alternative. If you want to bring drama with detail, scarf-and-cape dresses are trending this season, as are lace-trimmed satin slip dresses and dresses decked out in fringing.Cherry blossom print dress, €535, Stine Goya Dress, €795, Bernadette, Brown Thomas Ruffle polka dot dress, €88, Michelle Keegan, Very Polka dot dress, €199, Whistles Scarf blazer, €80, Michelle Keegan, Very IN THIS SECTION