WOMEN’S OCCASION WEAR
Tailored suits and separates for the races, awards, celebrations and every event where you want to look sharp without reaching for a dress.
You have an event. It is not a wedding and it is not black-tie, but you want to look like you made an effort. Maybe it is a day at the races. An awards lunch. A christening. A big birthday. A work event where the dress code says “smart” and leaves you to figure out the rest.
Most women default to a dress because the alternatives feel harder to get right. But a tailored suit or a sharp pair of separates can be just as striking and far more useful afterwards. The difference is that a suit is built to fit your body, not sized to a label. It sits where it should, moves when you move, and looks as good at the end of the day as it did at the start.
We make occasion wear to your exact measurements, in cloths you choose, with every detail set to the event and the dress code. Whether you have a clear picture or no idea where to start, your tailor will help you work it out.
For black-tie and evening tailoring, see our Evening Wear page. For bridal tailoring, see our Women’s Wedding page.
Consultations in our Mayfair showroom, at home, or by video. Fittings also held in Manchester, Zurich and New York.
RACE DAYS AND SPORTING EVENTS
Ascot, Cheltenham, Henley and beyond. A tailored suit that fits the dress code and stands out from the crowd.
What To Wear
Race days have their own rules, and they vary by enclosure. Royal Ascot is the strictest. Other events are more relaxed. Your tailor will know the dress code for your event and help you stay on the right side of it.
A tailored suit in a bold colour or a rich texture is the strongest option. A fitted blazer with wide-leg trousers works just as well if a full suit feels like too much. Summer race days call for lighter cloths: linen, silk blends, and open-weave wools that breathe in the heat.
Colour
Race days are one of the few occasions where colour is expected. Deep rose, cobalt, emerald, dusty pink, cream, and bright primaries all work depending on the event and the time of year. Your tailor will help match the colour to your skin tone and the setting.
AWARDS WORK EVENTS AND CORPORATE FUNCTIONS
When the dress code is a step up from the office but not quite evening formal. A suit that says you belong in the room.
Reading The "Dress Code"
“Smart,” “formal,” “cocktail” and “business formal” all mean slightly different things, but the answer is usually the same: something sharper than your work clothes that fits the room. A tailored suit in a richer cloth, a bolder colour, or a three-piece is often all you need.
If the event says “black-tie optional,” a tailored suit with silk detailing works well. For full black-tie, see our Evening Wear page.
What To Consider
Time of day matters. A daytime awards lunch calls for different cloth and colour than an evening gala. The venue matters too. A City hotel is different from a country house. And if you know the room will be full of dark suits and safe dresses, a well-chosen colour or a sharp silhouette helps you stand out without trying too hard.
CELEBRATIONS AND MILESTONES
Christenings, big birthdays, graduations and family events. Smart without being stiff, personal without being loud.
What These Events Need
A christening, a milestone birthday, a graduation, or a family event usually needs something smart but relaxed. A lounge suit in a colour you love is almost always right. Navy, mid-grey, or a softer shade like sage or dusty blue works for most settings. A three-piece adds a bit of occasion. A waistcoat on its own with tailored trousers is another option for warmer days.
These are good events for personal touches. A bold lining. A contrast button. A cloth with some texture. Small things that show you put thought into it without drawing too much attention.
Getting Wear Out Of It
A suit made for one day should work for many. A good cloth in a colour you like works at future events, dinners, and even the office. We always think about the second, third and fourth time you will wear it, not just the first.
CLOTH, COLOUR AND STYLE
Wools, silks, linens and blends across the full colour range. Picked for the season, the setting, and how you want to feel.
Choosing Cloth
The cloth sets the tone. A fine wool in a rich colour reads polished. A silk-wool blend catches light and moves well. A lighter linen or cotton works for outdoor summer events. Your tailor will bring samples so you can see and feel the range. What works for a winter awards dinner is very different from what works for a July garden party.
Colour
There are no fixed rules beyond the dress code. We make occasion wear in everything from classic navy and charcoal to dusty pink, sage, burgundy, cream, cobalt and bold primaries. If you have a colour in mind, we will find a cloth to match. If you are not sure, your tailor will help based on your skin tone, the event, and what you already own.
Style
You are not limited to a matching two-piece. A blazer and contrast trouser. A waistcoat worn on its own with a silk shirt. A long-line jacket with wide-leg trousers. We make what suits the event and what suits you, not what a tailor thinks a woman should wear to something smart.
FIT AND PROCESS
How we work with you from first consultation to final fitting. Built around your body, your schedule and your event date.
How The Fitting Works
Women’s tailoring is different from men’s. The fit points are different. The curves are different. The way cloth sits across the bust, waist and hips needs more care and more skill. We take detailed measurements at your first visit, assess your posture, and talk through the silhouette you want. From there, we build a pattern and cut the cloth.
You will have two to three fittings before the piece is finished. At each one, we check the fit, make adjustments, and make sure you are happy with how it looks and feels. The whole process takes about 6 to 8 weeks.
If You Have Never Had Anything Tailored Before
That is completely fine. Many of our women’s clients are coming to a tailor for the first time. The consultation is relaxed and there is no pressure to know what you want before you walk in. We will show you options, talk through what suits your shape, and help you make decisions at your own pace. This is meant to be enjoyable, not stressful.
Timeline
We suggest booking at least 8 to 10 weeks before your event. That gives us time for cloth, cutting, fittings and any tweaks. If your event is sooner, talk to us. We can often work to tighter deadlines.
START WITH A CONVERSATION
Got an event coming up? Book a consultation and we will talk through the dress code, the venue, and what will work for your shape and your style. No pressure. Just an honest chat about getting it right.
We see clients in London (Mayfair), Manchester, Zurich and New York. Home visits and video calls also available.
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Nathalie May – Tailor at Fielding & Nicholson
