The debs season is upon us, and mothers and daughters are having a fine (or perhaps a tortuous) time selecting that dress. ROSEMARY MACCABEtakes a glamorous view of dressing up, and puts together an assortment of pieces for a swish 1920s look

THERE’S A STORY that goes around about a bride who wrote on her wedding invitations “no Coast dresses”, knowing there was a strong chance that many of her guests would turn up in the popular high-street brand, a brand that was also responsible for dressing her bridesmaids. It may be the stuff of urban legend, but it’s no joke – the words “black tie”, whether pertaining to weddings, debs, or just the odd fancy “do”, often strike fear into the heart of even the most creative and adventurous dressers.

The trick to standing out at an event that has a strict dress code is thinking both within and outside the box. For black tie, move away from strapless satin dresses and take inspiration from bygone eras for truly original and eye-catching formal wear.

For this shoot, we looked to the 1920s – but rather than source vintage clothing, which can sometimes look more fancy dress than just plain fancy, we looked to the high-street and Irish designers for a quirky and individual take on vintage-inspired clothing.

Tim Ryan’s fringed cardigan was paired with pleated trousers from Topshop and an embellished cropped top from Asos. A drop-waisted, sequined Rachel Gilbert dress, a shade too short for polite society, was layered over a sheer maxi skirt for a touch of risque glamour.

Don’t be afraid to embrace the fun and glamour of dressing up in the form of faux fur, sequins, and interesting details such as pleating and fringing. A debs’ ball – indeed any kind of ball – should be an event to relish and enjoy, not to fear. And don’t think that looking classy has to be expensive. One star item can be enough to set off an outfit, and that one piece doesn’t have to cost the earth. It will hopefully be the stuff of memories.