Sartorial goddesses can get away with wearing the same coat in public again and again – so why should the fashion victims of the Facebook generation worry? Asks ROSEMARY MacCABE

FANCY DRESSING – as my mother might have called it, when they went to “dances” and men “courted” women – has always been a minefield. Dancing? Comfortable shoes are a priority, but a heel always puts one at an advantage, if only for the view. Theatre? Some decorum is in order – nylons and a decent handbag. Cinema and drinks? Denim is allowed, but one must make an effort with one’s top half so think embellishment or some form of tunic.

But the dawn of Facebook, and the predilection of every Tom, Dick and Harry for taking photographs that will then be posted early the next morning, has brought a new, more sinister problem: what can you wear that you haven’t already been papped in? If you wear the lace dress you wore last Friday, your friends on Facebook – whether or not the partygoers are the same – will see you in it and know you’ve already worn it and (here’s the rub) think you have just one fancy frock in your repertoire.

The worst culprits for these kinds of difficulties are the truly fancy frocks. You know the ones – patterns, glitz or bright colours stand out, and really, isn’t that the point? Nobody buys a dress of that ilk in order to blend in. Even camouflage makes some form of statement (albeit not the right one, unless you’re a member of All Saints and it’s 1995) and surely the most important aspect of saying something important is that you shouldn’t have to say it over and over again in assorted photo albums on Facebook?

Imagine the indignity: here I am saying “vintage fabulous” at the office party in November 2008; again at Kate’s housewarming in February 2009; and, oh, yes, again in March.

Us Irish have the ultimate problem in that our weather patterns don’t allow for much seasonal dressing. Irish March is much akin to Irish December, and so our wintery outfits need to be versatile enough to allow for several outings over the course of what is, inevitably, a nine-month cold spell.

Of course, fashion rules are meant to be broken, and one of the world’s most photographed women, Vogue editor Anna Wintour – who has to contend with albums above and beyond “out and about in December ’09” – has been photographed on more than one occasion wearing the exact same snakeskin coat (hardly a wall-blender). But Anna (I feel I can call her “Anna”, having seen the September issue and having read various interviews with her in which she seems only slightly less frightening than I had been led to believe) is a sartorial goddess, and if she loves a coat, then, by God, she’ll wear it over and over again.

The difference is that you are no Anna. Nor am I, and for that reason, some caution is advised. Firstly, don’t waste your money on a recognisable print – you will quickly tire of seeing it all over your friends’ Facebook albums and, indeed, in your wardrobe.

Secondly, use prints and colour to accessorise your basics. This ensures that all ensembles look different and prevents you and your legions of fans from growing bored looking at what is, ostensibly, the same photograph of you in various settings.

Thirdly, avoid cameras as much as is possible without giving the impression that you are being sought by Interpol for something unsavoury. You will create an air of allure that the Facebook generation seems to have lost and, regardless of what you’re wearing, this will make you unique.

My fourth and final piece of advice? Stay in. Put on a pair of tracksuit bottoms and watch True Bloodwhile stalking others on Facebook instead. OMG! Is she, like, totally wearing the same dress at two different parties?!