White Tie: The most extravagant of all the dress codes and also the most unlikely, white tie means a full length gown. Go big or go home for this one.

Sarah Jessica Parker at the 2014 Met Gala

White Tie: This is the one time you can be as over-the-top as you can possibly imagine. But remember, try to keep it classic and elegant at the same time. A black and white palette is a great place to start and finish.

Zoe Saldana at the 2016 Met Gala

White Tie: A bold red lip is perfection in this case and to really add drama, don a pair of black or white silk gloves.

Kate Bosworth at the 2017 Met Gala

Black Tie: While this dress code is also extravagant , it is slightly more low key than White Tie. Here, we can be a little more interesting in terms of the colour and style of gown.

Emily Ratajkowski at the 2017 Met Gala

Black Tie: This is a great opportunity to try a bit of sparkle or even a divine pastel shade with billowy sleeves.

Rooney Mara at the 73rd Golden Globes

Black Tie: In this case, you can also be a little sexier with fit and neckline – but don’t forget to wear a gown that hits the floor in length.

Dakota Johnson at the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Formal: One notch down again, the main transition from Black Tie to Formal is the change in length of your dress. A gown is still strongly suggested, but try one that doesn’t hit the floor so you can show off your footwear.

Zoe Saldana at the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 After Party

Formal: Velvet, crepe de chine & wool/silk blends are a great choice for a Formal occasion. Add a pair of diamond earrings as well as a pair of statement pumps, and you’re ready to go.

Julianne Moore attends the Chopard SPACE Party at Cannes 2017

Formal: Top tip – for a nighttime event, black is an obvious choice. For a wedding, avoid black and white and instead try a floral print or a muted tone of the colour that suits you best.

Diane Kruger attends the Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring Summer Show 2017

Semi-formal: This is the one most likely to be advised on a wedding invitation, but can be a real humdinger to decipher. A mid-length dress made out of a cotton, thick lace, or a thin silk is your best bet here.

Killia Marynska at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival

Semi-formal: Try a beautiful sundress teamed with a stunning pair of court shoes and your hair pulled back into a low bun, or make like Kirsten and opt for ladylike lace in a midi length.

Kirsten Dunst at Paris Fashion Week 2017

Semi-formal: Baby doll dress styles are coming back on the radar of late and will be a top choice for our next semi-formal occasion.

Kate Bosworth at the annual Slavery for Freedom Gala 2017

Cocktail: Bookmark this page because you will likely need to dress cocktail-appropriate at some point for evening work functions. A two-piece suit completely fits the bill here and is worth giving a go.

Izabel Goulart at Cannes 2017

Cocktail: If suits aren’t really your thing, keep with the theme of dresses, but this time try something a little shorter and/or a little tighter. If you would like to do a mini dress, cocktail is definitely the time to do so.

Liu Wen attends the Harper’s Bazaar Celebrates 150 Most Fashionable Women 2017

Cocktail: This is also a good opportunity to try colour and pattern.

Alexa Chung at the Serpentine Gallery Summer Party 2015

Smart-Casual: This dress code seems to throw people the most, but in fact it’s not that tricky – simple, even. Think of pairing a dressy skirt in a luxe texture such as leather, with a cashmere jumper and a pair of pointed stilettos and BINGO, you’ve got it.

Negin Mirsalehi and Camila Coelho attend Christian Dior Cruise 2018

Smart-Casual: Jeans, with a white shirt and heels is another classic option or a t-shirt, black blazer, mini-skirt, again with heels.

Olivia Palermo attends the Oliver Peoples Pour Berluti Launch Celebration 2017

Smart-Casual: Our top tip is to wear two casual things and two dressy things… put them all together, voila!

Leandra Medine attends the CHANEL Tribeca Film Festival Artists Dinner 2017

Casual: You’ll be happy to know that this dress code is the equivalent to a ‘get out of jail free card’ and almost anything goes!

Cleo Wade attends Christian Dior Cruise 2018 Welcome Dinner at Gladstone’s Malibu 2017

Casual: A cute little jacket or a statement coat can top off a casual outfit rather nicely.

Olivia Palermo seen in Paris 2017

Casual: For day, you can also add a fabulous pair of sunglasses, Isabel Marant sneakers and a designer mini bag for the optimum in casual cool.

Kate Bosworth at Coachella Festival 2015