I do believe the art of dressing up is going a bit extinct. I've always been an advocate for making an effort daily (because yolo), or at the very least for special occasions! My first burst of excitement for an event is the idea of putting a look together.

Vintage event wear is undoubtedly my favourite type of find. There is nothing better than seeing an 80s party frock or the plume of a silk cocktail dress peeking out of a rack. I have a (hoarders?) habit of buying event pieces whether I need them or not in order to have a selection to choose from whenever I am (rarely) invited somewhere.

So my final vintage collection before I go on maternity leave — the RSVP EDIT — is a love letter to vintage event wear and a nod to the large percentage of my wardrobe that consists of fancy pieces awaiting an invite.

It is important to have a store of options in case of spontaneous needs. I truly believe that if you see a vintage gem it should be purchased and hoarded until the right wedding or garden party presents itself. All of the looks contained in this blog are a byproduct of that practice.

I do not believe in culling something you haven't worn yet just because it's been sitting neglected for 7 years. Trust your instinct, it's time will come.

For vintage event wear, the appeal is multifaceted. The singularity factor is huge for anyone like me with a visceral aversion to being within a 2km radius of someone in a similar outfit.

There is the sustainability aspect of not adding more stuff into rotation when we can already clothe the next 10 generations with what already exists on earth.

But there is also the creativity factor. That vintage allows you to step outside prevailing trends and experiment.

I really enjoy the challenge of 'modernising' vintage, bringing it into the moment, by pairing it with unexpected textures or accessories.

A big tip to avoid a kind of retro cosplay look is to mix and match eras and add your own touches. Like if you're going with a very 80s puff taffeta number, pair it with a contemporary shoe or modern hair look. If something is looking 'costumey,' figure out a way to subvert it.

For big events I spend a bit of time looking at my favourite designers' recent runways, and then pop online to search for second hand versions. Contemporary designers are always referencing the past so it is an affordable and fun way to stay ahead of things.

Some of my favourite designers are Maryam Nassir Zadeh, Rejina Pyo, ACNE Studios, Khaite, Magda Butrym, Molly Goddard, Phoebe Philo, Paloma Wool, ALAÏA.