Now is the time to be making your plans.

In fact, I’ve been getting SOS calls from women who need help getting ready for the Big Events on their calendar. Top of the list is the mother of the child having a bar or bat mitzvah, but there are also weddings, charity benefits, etc.

Here’s how to get ready without the stress:

1. Consult. Find out from hosts and friends what the dress code is and other pertinent information. What is the setting; who else will be there; what activities are planned. All this information can help you narrow the field of possible clothing options and help you avoid overwhelm.

2. Plan! All too often, women call me in a panic a week or two before the big event. Don’t wait! As soon as stores have the bulk of their fall merchandise in stock (late August), go on a shopping trip. See what’s in store. Do this online, too. Make a note of what you like and what might work. (A “secret” Pinterest board is great for keeping track of your wish list.)

3. Consult some more. Find a trusted advisor or a professional to bounce ideas off of. You’re looking for someone who will tell you honestly when something looks great on you (and when something does not.)

4. Finalize. Get the entire outfit in place now, when you have time. This means undergarments, accessories, outerwear, the whole thing. Don’t be caught paying for overnight shipping two days before your big event.

5. Rehearse. If the event is any grade at all above your normal life, do a dry run with your entire outfit — undergarments, accessories, etc. Walk around. Sit down. Don’t wait until the last minute to discover the glitches that can happen. (Static cling is one example. A skirt that REALLY rides up when you sit down is another. And of course shoes you can’t walk in.)