You shall go to the ball (wearing the new dress range from Asos)

Forget polyester prom gowns, the search for the perfect dress is over thanks to the new formal-wear collections from Asos

Model wears neon lace dress, £110; available from asos.com

It’s the time of the year when invitations for weddings, summer balls and sporting events start to pile up, inducing the inevitable occasion-wear outfit crisis. Nothing creates panic quite like a mandatory dress code.

Fortunately, the formal-wear options for those seeking to up the ante in the sartorial stakes on a budget just got a whole lot more interesting. Asos, the behemoth online retailer that in fashion terms sells just about everything and the kitchen sink, has this season hugely extended its occasion-wear offering.

From embellished shift dresses and organza florals to brocade co-ordinates and laser-cut lace – you name it, they’ve got it, and at hard-to-argue-with prices. The retailer hasn’t skimped on the accessories either, with blinged-up bags and jewel-encrusted shoes to complete the look.

Bridesmaids have a particularly bad deal, given the lack of choice involved in choosing their attire. At worst the result is an unflattering and uncomfortable outfit that will continue to haunt your Facebook feed for at least the next month.

Luckily for budding bridesmaids, Asos is also making the foray into wedding attire, with a 30-piece bridesmaid dress collection.

There’s no such thing as one dress fits all with tulle maxi dresses, bias cut gowns and playful mini dresses in mix-and‑match colours, prints and shapes – ideal for dressing a wedding party of varying shapes and sizes – without arguments.

asos.com