Every year Buckingham Palace holds their Diplomatic Ball. The Dress code? White Tie.

This event is where jewels, gloves and the-less-black-the better are de rigueur.

Alternatively, ladies can wear formal National dress, but as you can imagine quite a few prefer to get beautifully gowned and coiffed. It’s a buffet: lots of standing around albeit in glorious surroundings so remember comfortable shoes are important –

White Tie ballgowns have a certain fullness and must reach the floor, but leave the trainers at home!

A helpful tip from the ladies at One Night Stand: golden ballet pumps work really well.