Dresses are good for so many different events from casual picnics in the park to more formal parties and events. But how do you decide which dress to put on for which occasion? And can some dresses multitask or be adapted for several situations?

When the weather is hot a summer dress may be the perfect solution to almost any outfit dilemma. There are plenty of different types of summer dress available and they can be suitable for all sorts of different occasions. They are both cool and comfortable to wear with loose fitting styles in natural fabrics being the coolest option. For everyday wear a summer dress is perfect. Shift dresses are the best for work wear but they can also easily be converted into going out dresses with the clever addition of some heels and some accessories or dressed down with ballet flats for a casual look. Maxi dresses, again are ideal for wearing in the day with a pair of gladiator sandals or glamming up for the evening with heels and a clutch. An effective type of maxi dress perhaps with a little embellishment also makes a great formal dress.

When it comes to going out dresses, the most versatile and timeless choice is the little black dress. The colour black is incredibly slimming and looks great with sparkly, metallic or brightly coloured accessories. But there are also a lot of other options that look perfect for a night out. Brightly coloured, beaded, sequined and patterned dresses all look amazing. Usually bold colours like black, white, red and blue look great for going out dresses as they are more noticeable in the lower light levels and less natural light that you get at night. For going out pretty much any length of dress goes from the mini to the maxi.

If you're attending an event where formal dress is needed, you will usually be expected to put on a long style of evening dress which is quite different to a casual or every day dress since it is made from luxurious fabrics and usually has fitted bodice with a full skirt or a straight style in a draped fabric. A formal dress is the only kind of dress that cannot be worn for many different events.

Sometimes a celebration or event will also demand semi formal outfit. This usually refers to a cocktail dress which may be shorter than a formal dress. It can be knee length or even shorter but is still created from a luxurious fabric and often features intricate details like beading.

Ultimately for day time events like weddings or a day at the races, an event dress would be the best choice. This is describes a range of gowns, usually knee length or below and often with patterns and bright or pastel colours. A celebration dress is usually worn with a smart jacket and a hat or fascinator. Many cocktail gowns are also suitable for occasion gowns and can easily be dressed up with the right accessories.