SPRING 2026
The Australian Women's JournalFashion, Lifestyle & Everyday Inspiration
Fashion & Style
Love to Dress Up, Not Keen on Feeling Overdressed?
A garden party, a long lunch, a holiday dinner: some days call for something a little special. We're exploring an easy, flowing dress in a joyful white painterly print that feels like an occasion without feeling stiff, along with a few lovely ways to wear it.
By Louise Hartley
Fashion & Lifestyle Contributor
Have you ever had an invitation on the fridge and thought, what on earth am I going to wear?
You want to look lovely. It's a birthday lunch, a garden party or a dinner out on holiday, and you'd like to feel a little bit special.
But so many occasion dresses are fitted, structured or simply uncomfortable after an hour at the table.
And your everyday clothes don't quite feel right for the day either.
That's where a relaxed, flowing maxi dress can come into its own.
With a soft drape and a beautiful print or colour, it feels dressed up without trying too hard, which is perfect for the warmer months across Australia and New Zealand.
And this season, we're taking a closer look at a particularly striking white painterly dress from Beaumont Melbourne.
OCCASION WARDROBEWhen Occasion Dresses Feel Like Too Much
Structured occasion dresses have their place.
They look smart and make a statement in photos.
But for a long lunch, a warm afternoon or an evening that goes on a little later than planned, you might find yourself wanting something easier.
A flowing maxi is an alternative worth considering.
A relaxed shape that falls softly over the body means nothing pulls or pinches when you sit down, while the full length keeps the look elegant.
For a garden party, simple sandals and a small handbag might be all you need.
For a dinner out, you can add a pair of gold earrings and a light wrap for later in the evening.
And when the print or colour does the work, there's no need for a complicated outfit at all.
The nicest occasion pieces are often the ones you can actually relax in.
COLOUR & STYLEOne Style, Different Ways to Wear It
One of the lovely things about a white painterly dress is how many ways you can wear it.
The bright brushstrokes of orange, pink, yellow, green and blue make a joyful statement on their own, so you can keep your accessories simple.
With nude sandals and a cream bag, it feels fresh and light for a garden party or a long lunch.
With gold sandals and a pair of statement earrings that pick up one of the colours, it becomes lovely for a dinner out.
And because the base is white, it pairs easily with a soft cardigan or wrap in almost any shade you already own.
Rather than following every new trend, it's often more useful to think about the shoes and accessories you already enjoy wearing.
A good occasion dress should make getting ready easier, not leave you wondering what to wear with it.
"A lovely occasion outfit doesn't need to be complicated. Sometimes the right dress does most of the work."
The Australian Woman's Journal · Style Notes
EVERYDAY INSPIRATIONThree Easy Ways to Style a Flowing Maxi
One of the most useful things about a relaxed maxi dress is that you can wear it for all sorts of special occasions.
The secret is keeping the rest of your outfit simple.
For a garden party
The dress, flat strappy sandals and a small cream handbag make an easy combination.
Let the print do the talking and keep your jewellery light.
For a long lunch with friends
Add a pair of gold earrings and a soft wrap in one of the colours from the print.
It looks polished without feeling too formal.
For a holiday evening
The white print with neat sandals and a simple clutch is lovely for dinner by the water.
Bring a light cardigan or wrap for when the evening breeze picks up.
There's no need to buy a whole new wardrobe for one occasion. It's often one beautiful piece, worn with what you already own, that works best.
Dressing for an occasion doesn't have to mean choosing between feeling special and feeling comfortable.
Sometimes a relaxed, flowing dress can be just what you're looking for.
With simple sandals, a small handbag and a joyful print, it's easy to put together an outfit for the season's celebrations.
The Lorraine Abstract Drape Maxi Dress is one style worth exploring if you enjoy a softer, more relaxed silhouette.
You can view the available colours, check the size guide and explore the current product options directly at Beaumont Melbourne.
And whatever you're celebrating this season, choosing pieces that suit your own style is always a good place to start.