Kent Life fashion guru Paula Fry’s top tips for surviving an outdoor summer party in true British-style

Paula says …

As we drift head long into the end of summer, the marquees are still up, the barbeques are on, the chimineas are smokin’ and so are we! Smokin’ hot, as a matter of fact.

Here are my top tips for surviving an outdoor summer party in true British-style.

• Check the weather report! There is no point wearing your new chiffon, strapless maxi dress if it’s going to be 60 degrees, wet and windy. Dress accordingly.

• If you know you are going to be walking or standing in a grassy area, wear wedges or flats. Leave those heels at home sister and save yourself the embarrassment of getting stuck! If your toes are out, make sure your pedicure is doing you justice (it’s the small things that matter)

• Layer, layer, layer. If it’s hot, make sure you have a cover up in your bag for the evening when the temperature drops; a light jacket in linen, denim or cotton, a cute fringed kimono or soft cashmere cardi will work. Alternatively, you could take a long cotton scarf or pashmina to drape over your shoulders when you sun goes down.

• If it’s a daytime party, have a bottle of sunscreen handy. Tan lines or sunburn do not a good look make. Ditto, hat and sunglasses.

• If you decide to wear anything white, check that underwear. We need to be wearing nudes - not white, coloured or printed to avoid that faux pas of all faux pas.

• My favourite all-time garden party outfit has to be a simple maxi dress, wedge sandals, a straw trilby, cropped denim jacket and my Jackie O sunglasses. You could swap the denim jacket for a white blazer if the party calls for a more formal look.

• For added chic, go monochrome – with black or navy maxi or capri pants, with a white blazer and lashings of gold bangles and a red lip.

Sorted.