Contributors:

• PHOTOGRAPHY: SARAH ELLEN TREACHER |
• STYLING: FLORENCE STRICKLAND

Summer is almost here and if you’re anything like us, your diary is starting to fill up. You’ve RSVP’d to a wedding. You’ve booked your race-day tickets. Your bank holiday plans are locked in. All that’s left are the outfits.

And that’s where we come in.

Welcome back to FLANNELS 3-Ways, your styling BFF, where we break down three ways to dress for three different occasions. This time we’re tackling summer occasion dressing.

A wedding outfit that impresses without upstaging the happy couple? A race-day look that would impress Julia Roberts? A day-to-night look for a laidback bank holiday? We’ve got you covered.

Consider this your summer occasionwear playbook, ft. Fear of God, Jacquemus and Acne Studios.

We’ve all seen coverage of Ascot: the high-octane glamour, the razor-sharp morning coats, the statement headpieces that make you stop mid-scroll. Taking your place in the stands or walking into the marquee is an invitation to make an entrance. While there are dress codes to observe, use them as a starting point and interpret them in a way that reads now. And let’s be honest, you don’t need a gravity-defying fascinator or an impossibly stiff top hat to do that (although please do check the dress codes as they are strict...)

Your usual uniform won’t cut it. But excess isn’t the answer either. The trick? Keeping your look pared back. Think a few key pieces in soft, neutral tones. You can add drama with pops of metallic accents. And because you’ll be at the racecourse well into the evening, go for lighter fabrics that breathe.

So, here’s how to make that entrance, without trying too hard.

For dresses for horse races, we always rate Givenchy. The Parisian house has a way with pieces that deliver structure and fluidity in equal measure, which is exactly what race day calls for.

This season, Givenchy’s Slashed Poplin Dress is the one to know. In a fresh white, it's breezy, light and made for the heat. Nodding to shirting without being obvious, the button-down front lets you wear it off the shoulder by day. Done up, it keeps you warm in the evening. But the real flex? The draped detailing at the waist and skirt does the heavy lifting, taking the idea of a simple white shirt and elevating it a whole new level.

Keep your shoes comfortable (and ready for grass) with Versace’s Espadrille Wedges. The jute soles keep the neutrals in check, and the ribbon ankle strap and iconic Medusa logo add extra polish.

For the bag, Bottega Veneta’s Andiamo Clutch is our pick. In gold, it brings the drama against the dress’ clean, white poplin, and the structured shape holds its own at the bar or at dinner in the racecourse restaurant. Even better, there’s plenty of room inside for your essentials; key for those mid-event touch-ups.

Finish with Saint Laurent’s Hoop Earrings, gold to echo the clutch, and Miu Miu shades to keep the sun in check.

You might be tempted to reach for a three-piece suit for race days. But hear us out: don't. Instead, break with tradition and look to Fear of God. The American label has always been a firm FLANNELS favourite, and Jerry Lorenzo’s design language (relaxed proportions and tailoring reframed through a softer lens) makes it the natural pick to rewrite the race-day rule book.

Its two-piece set proves the point. Think a lapel-less jacket with a cropped length and asymmetrical shape, teamed with straight-cut trousers in a wide, fluid fit. Together they create a slouchy look that still reads smart. It's a subtle subversion of classic suiting codes, pulled back with the grey mouline wool blend.

Team the look with Maison Kitsuné's Resort Shirt. On first glance it might read casual but layer the camp collar over the jacket's neckline and you've got a sharp look that reads now, with a knowing nod to the '70s style we've seen creeping into the conversation.

For footwear, a loafer never fails. Maison Margiela's Décortiqué Loafers play with expectations, deconstructing the shoe with cut lines and contrasting materials. The exposed construction nods to the brand's heritage, anchoring the look without dulling its edge. Fitting for a look that challenges the norm.

Finally, keep your accessories restrained. Prada sunglasses for the bright sun and a Tissot watch because every outfit needs a quiet power move.

Summer weddings have their own rhythm. Longer days mean longer photos, longer speeches and dancing that doesn't stop until the lights come up.

You can't pull focus from the happy couple, that's a given. But there's no reason you can't aim to be the best-dressed guest at weddings this summer. White might be reserved for the top table, but the rest of the palette is open seating.

The trick is dressing with intent. Whether it's an upscale registry office, a ceremony at a country house or a destination wedding on tropical sands, there are a few through-lines that always land whatever the dress code. Think considered separates with tailored details for him, and playful femininity and elevated accessories for her.

Land it right, and you're the guest they remember for the right reasons. This is Wedding Guest Style 101.

If there's one brand that we trust to see you through from the ceremony to the taxi home at the end of the night, it's Jacquemus. With pieces made to move with you through the day and imbued with a romantic and summery feel, the French house feels tailormade for the brief.

Start, as always, with the dress. The label's Agave Midi Dress in pale pink leans into the romantic qualities of the day. Stitched pleats from the neckline to the hips flatter your figure, while the flared detailing on the skirt adds a playful touch that will have you twirling around the dancefloor, until the DJ begins to pack away his decks.

Lean into the playful mood with the Les Creoles Chiquito Earrings. Modelled on the label's iconic It Bag, they're a fun addition that will draw admiring glances during the sit-down meal and well into the evening. Stick with Jacquemus for the bag. The Small Bisou Chaine Bag in deep red pairs with the dress, and drapes beautifully from your shoulder or in your hand. It's got plenty of room for your beauty essentials, handy if the wedding vows make you shed a tear or two.

Step out of Jacquemus for your heels, and into Gianvito Rossi's Flavia Sandals. The mirror-effect leather will catch the sun (and dancefloor lights) just right and the laurel-leaf detailing is a small statement all of its own. And if the ceremony is outdoors, a pair of Miu Miu shades are a must, with pink-tinted lenses that match the dress.

Jacquemus doesn't stop at womenswear. The house has the menswear handled too, with the same romantic, summery sensibility running through the tailoring. Start with the Pastro Jacket. The linen-blend breathes easier than wool, so you don't have to worry about overheating. Meanwhile, the oversized fit continues the season's theme of disrupting convention. If you do want a closer fit, go a size down.

Match the jacket with the label's Cruising Trousers. Cut for a straight fit through the legs, pleated detailing lends a structured, smarter touch. The hero detail is the elasticated panel at the rear waist. Weddings mean you're up and down all day, and the panelling keeps you comfortable through every standing ovation and sit-down course.

For the shirting, keep embracing the unexpected and go for a polo. Leave Jacquemus behind and pull on Casablanca's Monogram polo. Whether layered under your jacket or worn as a standalone for the evening, it still reads formal. Our favourite moment? The all-over monogram in French terry, which delivers a hit of texture.

Elsewhere, Duke and Dexter's Pin-Up Loafers do the work, and the print across the vamps will provide plenty of conversation while you're waiting for photographs, standing at the bar, or stepping out for some fresh air. For accessories, Tissot's SRV watch is our go-to, especially with the crocodile skin-effect strap. Finish with a chain necklace to peek out from the open polo placket.

After the sharpness of race day and wedding guest dressing, the bank holiday is the exhale. No dress codes, no seating plans, no photographers, or venue staff calling the shots. Just a long weekend with laid-back plans and the chance to reset.

Accordingly, keep the mood casual and comfortable, but with a considered edge. That means leaving the tailoring and formality behind. Root your look in denim - the looser the fit the better. Keep your layering as relaxed as your plans. British bank holiday weather is famously unpredictable, so a piece you can shrug on and off is non-negotiable. Step out of your loafers and heels and into a pair of trainers. The bank holiday should feel easy and unhurried. Your wardrobe should match.

The brief this time is low-effort, high-impact. This is how to nail it.

Start at the top with The Couture Club. The Manchester-based label's relaxed but considered take on everyday staples makes it ideal for low-key bank holiday plans. Opt for its Funnel Neck Shell Jacket. In ecru, it grounds the rest of the look and leans into this season's preoccupation with neutrals. The ruched shaping at the waist cinches your figure, and the pleated accents on the sleeves add an unexpected detail.

Layer it over Casablanca's Ringer Baby Tee. The Parisian house wins us over every season with its vibrant colourways and après-sport mood. Here, the bold pops of orange on the centre graphic lift the neutrals, and the cropped length channels the '90s without tipping into pastiche. Casablanca takes the jeans too. Its Light Wash Graffiti Jeans caught our eye for the brand name worked into the rips and frayed detailing. It's a clever detail that quietly lands. Meanwhile, the faded indigo wash links back to the tee and continues the retro theme.

For shoes, Steve Madden's Asiel Trainers in suede are the move. They're built for comfort, ideal for an easy bank holiday. Their camel tone slips effortlessly into the rest of the edit and proves that the colour is no longer just an autumn/winter moment: it's transseasonal now.

To tie it together, accessorise with Acne Studios' Camero Shoulder Bag. It slots effortlessly under the arm and comes with plenty of room for your everyday essentials, ideal if your plans see you out and about. To finish, Ray-Ban sunglasses and Missoma's Chunky Gold Hoop Earrings. Unfussy. Simple. Done.

Cole Buxton is the go-to label when your bank holiday brief reads relaxed but intentional. It strips back graphics and loud branding, letting cut and fit do the work. Start with its Leather Collar Overshirt, the ideal piece to see off any unexpected long-weekend showers. Playing with proportions, the waistline is cropped and the sleeves elongated, furthering this season's theme of subtly defying the norm.

Underneath, opt for a knit polo from Ami Paris. The wavy, crochet-style Ajouré stitch is ideal for balmy weekends, and the two-tone striped design is a failsafe option that won't age. Our favourite moment? The playfully oversized de Coeur patch on the chest that just works.

Add a pair of God Made Denim Shorts. The label's Y2K aesthetic is on full display with the dark wash and faded detailing, while the baggy fit keeps things comfortable. Best of all, the rear pockets have been lowered onto the thighs, another nod to summer's anti-conventional energy.

Let Duke and Dexter take care of the footwear. Its NY Trainers come with a detachable fold-over tongue that nods to retro football boots. The eyelets on the inner sides keep things breathable when the weather warms. To finish, keep accessories simple. Vivienne Westwood's Horace necklace teamed with a Common Lines chain bracelet is all you need.