I am going to a couple of formal social events in the summer and I have been looking around for some suitable clothing for me and my family. It is quite hard to find something which is suitable for any possible weather condition, is formal enough but not too much, is not black or white but not overly colourful and that we will wear again. It sounds like a big ask but I am sick of buying formal dresses and never wearing them again. I do have some in my wardrobe and I suppose my first stop should be there really to see whether I can wear any of them, perhaps accessorising them up to make them look more fashionable. I can get a nice modern pair of women’s shoes probably a classic court shoe which will work in hot and rainy weather and maybe a nice clutch bag. My husband is easy to dress, I am sure that he has a suit and shirt and tie we can dry clean for him. My children are much harder. The range of formal teen clothing is either a prom dress or a bridesmaids dress and neither of them, are appropriate. The floral dresses seem far too immature and so I am a bit stuck. We will have to start searching really early I think.