Q. My new boyfriend has asked me to go on a picnic with him next weekend but I’m not quite sure what to wear. I usually fancy a glamorous look - but think that my usual high heels and fitted frocks might be a little OTT for a day in the park. Have you any tips on what I could wear without looking too dressed up?
A. Ah, sometimes life is good. It's the middle of June. The sun is shining where I am and the Met office has predicted another scorching weekend, which in my mind means only one thing - picnic time. Happy days. There is nothing like a picnic in the park on a warm summer afternoon, with your basket packed and ready to go and the wine chilled - but it can raise one or two issues when it comes to fashion.
As you’ll be sitting on a rug, a mini skirt is not a wise choice because it will ride up, revealing acres of exposed thigh. A much wiser choice is a flowing maxi dress. Nothing beats it in terms of coverage, but you can still waft around, feel the breeze and sit cross-legged on a picnic rug.
However, if you're taking deck chairs you can dare to wear something more a little more revealing, so indulge your feminine side by choosing a pretty floral tea dress or a cute pair of city shorts worn with a simple t- shirt for a more casual look.
Remember to take a lightweight jacket with you when you leave the house. The Irish weather is too unpredictable to confidently leave the house without some kind of cover-up. Denim and canvas are classic fabrics that will protect you from a light drizzle, or drop in temperature and see you through to the evening. Nude jackets are a great way to pull together your outfit and keep it on trend. Nudes and pastels are key shades for summer, and a blazer is an easy, flatter-all way to follow the trend.
Remember that you’ll need a sizable bag to carry all your bits and pieces. Accessorize have a bag that's just the right size to carry a brolly , sun block and a pair of sunglasses and look suitably chic in the summer sun. Hot feet will appreciate a pair of breezy flip flops - Pennys are cheap and stylish while Dunnes and Debenhams are selling leather thongs that wouldn't look out of place in the city or a field. To finish your look, add a pashmina, a sun hat - and a large glass of Pimms.
