Rosé all day (and night)
For a fresh take on partywear, match your dress to your drink. Emma McCarthy raises a glass to summer’s social shade
WHEN contemplating a refreshing, foolproof accompaniment to a balmy midsummer’s eve party, you can’t go wrong with rosé. And I don’t mean the stuff that comes bottled from Provence (because you don’t need me to tell you that that is always a good choice). Instead, the hue — pale, crisp with just a hint of strawberry — has been splashed across this season’s social circuit in liberal quantities.
At the V&A summer party last month, the rosé was flowing on the red carpet (which incidentally, was also blush pink just for the occasion). Among those to top the best-dressed list were Angolan model Maria Borges, who chose a caped, encrusted jumpsuit from British couturiers Ralph & Russo, and Amber Le Bon, who paired her dusky pink silk slip with a cream tux jacket.
The previous evening, rosé was also on the menu at the Serpentine summer party for the likes of Laura Jackson, who opted for a powder pink sequined gown by Gucci, and rising star Ellie Bamber, who chose a sweet tulle-overlay mini dress topped off with a fuchsia bow. Victoria Beckham’s blushing sundress, Sarah Paulson’s stunning scalloped Valentino gown and Brie Larson’s dreamy polka-dot confection by Carolina Herrera are further proof that dressing to match your drink is a truly great idea this summer.
But before you top up your partywear with an extra-large helping of rosé it’s worth noting that, just like a fine wine, not every pink will suit every palate.
If in doubt, pale is more interesting than punchy — think pinot gris over zinfandel — and pair with neutral, complementary colours. If it’s a summer wedding you’re shopping for, Stine Goya’s long blushpink dress is Instagram gold, while Preen’s romantic ruffled tulle option is an ideal option for those with champagne budgets. If it’s cocktail hour you’re catering for, Racil’s sumptuous peach-tinted silk slip is an excellent crowd-pleaser and will go brilliantly paired with a sharp blazer in a matching shade flung over the top.
As for those with sweeter tastes, Topshop’s sugar-pink chiffon style, complete with pie-crust collar, smocked sleeves and tiered frills, is the perfect party piece.
Cheers to that.