Oct 29
Affordable Bridesmaid Dresses
Now that you have selected your bridesmaids, the next step is to think about what dress they’ll get to wear.
While many brides want to make sure they pick the perfect dress for their bridesmaids, it is important to consider costs, as it’s customary for bridesmaids to buy their own dresses.
Is it possible to find a beautiful and flattering bridesmaid dress which is affordable?
YES! Be a considerate bride and shop one of these amazing and affordable styles which have all been designed in collaboration with Melbourne Designer Hanni PLUS your bridesmaids can enjoy the added bonus of being able to wear these designs again…
Diva Foam Dress and Diva Pewter Dress are both a gorgeous polyester silk dress featuring a hand beaded bust and fan cap sleeves. The small gathering around the waist gives the dress amazing fall and movement.
The beautiful Holly Dress is a gorgeous silk georgette dress, featuring panels of pleating and hand beading over the bust.
The beautiful Juliette Dress is a gorgeous silk georgette strapless dress, with hand beaded feature on the waistline and a thigh split allowing great movement.
The beautiful Mozelle Dress is a gorgeous silk georgette strapless dress, featuring small pleating over the bust to create a flattering detailed look.
To view our entire range of bridesmaid and formal dresses, visit our online boutique.
Copyright © 2016 Stokes Thompson. All Rights Reserved. Contact Stokes Thompson or phone +61 7 3369 5119. This article may not be used without the prior written consent from the author. See below for more details…
DO YOU WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you include this text copy in its entirety: Do you have a special occasion coming up and need a special outfit? Stokes Thompson Design has a range to suit many occasions. Click here to view our Our Collections.Oct 29
The Blue Dress
Blue is a cool, calming colour, loved by designers!
It is the one colour most of us have plenty of in our wardrobe, as it suits all skin tones.
Therefore, a blue dress is a must have item.
The other great thing about blue is it suits just about everything, so pulling an exquisite formal outfit together is easy!
For a noble, elegant and sophisticated look, accessorise with metallic, think gold,rose gold, silver and bronze.
For a pop of colour and fun, we love to accessorise blue with red, coral, turquoiseor yellow.
To allow your blue dress to stand out and not overwhelm the dress, accessorise with nude coloured shoes and simple jewellery.
Whether you are attending a daytime or evening function, a blue dress will suit your occasion. Here are some of our favourite blue dresses:
The beautiful Aurora Floor Length Dress has been Designed and Made in Australia. With beautiful navy silk and sequin detailing on the bodice, it is the perfect dress for any formal occasion.
The Jockey Dress in sky blue is a vibrant colour, perfect for spring and summer formal events. The neckline and waist band features give this dress a fun and unique look.
The beautiful Lara dress is a collaboration between Stokes Thompson and Melbourne designer Hanni.
This gorgeous silk georgette one shoulder dress features hand beaded diamantes. It is a truly elegant gown, perfect for bridesmaids and black tie events.
The beautiful Sophia Dress is made from 100% Silk. This dress features a knee length hem, sleeves and pockets making it the perfect cocktail, evening or race day dress.
To shop these looks and to view our entire collection, visit our online boutique.
Copyright © 2016 Stokes Thompson. All Rights Reserved. Contact Stokes Thompson or phone +61 7 3369 5119. This article may not be used without the prior written consent from the author. See below for more details…
DO YOU WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you include this text copy in its entirety: Do you have a special occasion coming up and need a special outfit? Stokes Thompson Design has a range to suit many occasions. Click here to view our Our Collections.Sep 29
Spring Racing 2016 – what to wear
The sounds, the smells, the fashion and of course the Champagne! There is nothing quite like the Spring Racing Carnival.
It’s a wonderful opportunity to get dressed up and enjoy a great day with family and friends. Perhaps enter the Fashions on the Field and you might even come away with a little win!
While fashion has become a little more relaxed, there are a few key rules you should follow, when it comes to Spring Racing Etiquette.
1. Always wear a headpiece. And why not! They are fun and fashionable at the races. Whether you choose a hat or a fascinator, ensure it suits your outfit. You can read more in our blog “Accessorising your formal outfit with a hat or fascinator”.
2. Maintain your modesty and dress with appropriateness. Don’t wear anything too tight or revealing. Think classic, elegant and refined. There is an abundance of colours and prints which can be fun yet classy. Florals, lace and silk are a must for Spring Carnival Racing. Choose an outfit which flatters your body shape and ensure your under garments work with the outfit.
3. Take note of any particular rules for the different Spring Carnival events. Most traditionally, Derby Day necessitates only Black & White outfits. Breaking these traditions is a big fashion faux par.
Here are some of our favourite Spring Carnival Dresses:
The Alicia Pistachio Dress is an exquisite and unique colour choice for Spring. Made from silk, this knee length design has beautiful embellishment for that extra special touch.
The Jockey Dress in Black is a perfect Derby Day design. This little black dress with a twist has white detailing on the neckline and waist. Designed and made in Australia.
The Rose Garden Red Dress makes a beautiful and bold statement. Yet the delicate lace detailing makes it perfect for Spring.
Black Opal is a knee length silk dress with black polyester microgette contrast ruffled sleeves. This easy wearing design is perfect for special occasions.
Sep 28
Top 4 Spring/Summer 2016 Wardrobe Essentials
It’s time to discard all those layers and embrace the beautiful spring weather.
We love to start the season with a few new key pieces that you can mix and match with your favourite denim, jacket, sandals or sunglasses.
What items are a must in your wardrobe this Spring/Summer?
Well the good news is…the top 4 are all super comfy and ultra-trendy!
The classic floral dress is a firm favourite of ours. Its feminine and romantic style can be worn at day or night functions. With a huge variety of patterns and colours to choose from, it’s easy to find a floral dress that will suit you.
Some of our favourite designs include:
The beautiful Monet Dress in Pink/Grey is made of soft silk and sits below the knee. With a classic round neck line and flattering sleeve, it’s perfect for a garden wedding or spring races.
The Rose Garden Hibiscus Green Dress is the epitome of Spring/Summer! This beautiful floral dress sits at knee length and has an elegant A-line design to suit most body shapes. It is ideal for beach weddings, garden events and resort wear.
The Hibiscus Champaign Dress is one of our client’s favourites! This easy to wear dress, is made from silk chiffon and sits at knee length with full length sleeves. This gorgeous Fabric was designed in Australia. The Hibiscus Champaign dress is ideal for evening resort wear and special occasion wear.
2. White Sneakers
Smart white sneakers are not going anywhere in 2016. Celebrities are styling their white sneakers with classic denim and dresses of all different designs, from casual to formal! These shoes are definitely a must have item!
Photo: FameFlynetUK/FAMEFLYNET PICTURES Photo: The Urban Spotter
3. Striped T-Shirt
This Spring/Summer must have has been around for a couple of years now. The classic striped t-shirt. It is so easy to wear and can be dressed down with white sneakers or dressed up with a tailored jacket and heels.
4. Statement Earrings
We love accessorising our formal dresses with exquisite jewellery and statement earrings. Earrings are always stunning when paired with a strapless gown. This season you will see them bigger and better and even filled with beautiful gems, which are sure to match your Stokes Thompson Dress!
To view more of our floral designs or strapless gowns, visit our online boutique.
Aug 23
Spring/Summer 2016 must have formal dress colours
Spring is just around the corner. Not only are we getting excited for the warmer weather and the thought of relaxing by the water. But what about the fashions!
The 2016 Spring/Summer colours trends are some of the best we have seen. From bold and bright, to soft and feminine, there is a colour to suit everyone!
Pantone says “Colors this season transport us to a happier, sunnier place where we feel free to express a wittier version of our real selves.”
We are all for a happier, sunnier place, so what are the top 10 colours seen on the catwalk for formal dresses?
• Rose Quartz – Pantone 13-1520 • Peach Echo – Pantone 16-1548 • Serenity – Pantone 15-3919 • Snorkel Blue – Pantone 19-4049 • Buttercup – Pantone 12-0752 • Limpet Shell – Pantone 13-4810 • Lilac Gray – Pantone 16-3905 • Fiesta – Pantone 17-1564 • Iced Coffee – Pantone 15-1040 • Green Flash – Pantone 15-0146
If you’ve got a special occasion, formal, wedding or even the races to attend this Spring/Summer, take a look at some of our unique designs, on trend with this seasons colour.
Our beautiful Dusk floor length dress is the perfect complement to the Rose Quartz trend. Soft, gentle, luxurious and composed, this colour is absolutely stunning as a bridesmaid dress in spring.
Looking for perfection in peach this spring/summer? Our Rose Garden knee length dress will turn heads and keep you cool and comfortable in the heat.
Take a bold approach to spring and wear the gorgeous colour snorkel blue. Our Sophia Dress in cobalt is the perfect for cocktail or race day dresses.
Are you loving Lilac Grey this season? Our Alicia Dress is a great option for a formal, ball or wedding. Made from silk and featuring a stunning embellishment, you will be the belle of the ball.
For more stunning designs for your next formal occasion or wedding visit our online boutique or come in store Shop 2 / 2 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington QLD. We offer alterations to ensure your gown is a perfect fit.
Copyright © 2016 Stokes Thompson. All Rights Reserved. Contact Stokes Thompson or phone +61 7 3369 5119. This article may not be used without the prior written consent from the author. See below for more details…
DO YOU WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you include this text copy in its entirety: Do you have a special occasion coming up and need a special outfit? Stokes Thompson Design has a range to suit many occasions. Click here to view our Our Collections.Aug 23
Accessorising your formal outfit with a hat or fascinator
Horse racing is a popular event in many countries. Some of the most popular and richest races include the Kentucky Derby, The Royal Ascot, Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Dubai World Cup and of course The Melbourne Cup here in Australia.
But of course it’s not only about the horse races, fashion plays a vital role.
The races are a fantastic event to wear something a little different, make a statement and show off your personality.
Putting together the perfect race day outfit is a top to toe affair, as hats and fascinator’s are a traditional part of race day attire.
So how do you co-ordinate a formal dress with a hat? Here are our top tips and some perfect race day dresses.
1. Try to purchase your outfit first, or know what colour suits you best. It is very hard to colour match a hat exactly with your outfit, so try to complement the outfit with the hat and look at simple colours.
2. Don’t rush into buying a hat or fascinator. Make sure you try on different styles to see what you like. The perfect design for you should work with the shape of your face.
3. Don’t forget to try different materials. Feathers, flowers, netting and embellishment adds an extra special touch.
4. While it’s hard to match your colours, it’s important to match your styles. If your dress has straight lines, try a box hat. For long flowing dresses, large brim hats add a romantic touch. It’s all about getting the style right from top to toe.
5. Make sure it’s comfortable and you can wear it all day. You don’t want a headache, or to have to take it off half way through the day, only to have hat hair.
6. If you are going to be wearing sunglasses as well, ensure they work with your hat and don’t over power your look.
Our Top 3 most popular race day dresses are:
The Sophia Dress in cobalt is made from 100% Silk. This dress features a knee length hem, sleeves and pockets making it the race day dress.
The Beautiful Evening Sky Dress has been designed and made in Australia. Featuring a ruffle bust detailing, it’s sleeveless, cool and comfortable to wear. The beautiful Champagne colour is easily accessorised.
The Zebra Short Dress makes a real statement, yet is utter sophistication when teamed with a Black Hat or Fascinator. This easy care dress travels well, is comfortable and can effortlessly transition from day to night.
To view more of our race day fashions visit our store or online boutique. We’d love to see how you accessorise your Stokes Dress with a hat or fascinator; share your photos on our Facebook Page.
Copyright © 2016 Stokes Thompson. All Rights Reserved. Contact Stokes Thompson or phone +61 7 3369 5119. This article may not be used without the prior written consent from the author. See below for more details…
DO YOU WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you include this text copy in its entirety: Do you have a special occasion coming up and need a special outfit? Stokes Thompson Design has a range to suit many occasions. Click here to view our Our Collections.Aug 01
How sleeves affect your silhouette
It’s amazing how the different elements of a gown work together to create an overall effect or silhouette.
Sleeve length, skirt length, cut, fabric, pattern, colour…they all play their part and they either work with your body shape or against it.
Most of us suffer from a few body hang up’s, with many women feeling self-conscious about showing off their arms. Let’s take a look at the different sleeve lengths and how it can transform how your silhouette appears.
Who would have thought sleeve length would play such an important role!
A sleeveless gown or dress creates the illusion of an unbroken line.With your arm visible from shoulder to wrist, a sleeve doesn’t portion off your arm. While you think showing off your arms is a bad thing, it can often look the most flattering, so next time why not give a sleeveless dress a try. You may be pleasantly surprised!
Our most popular sleeveless designs include our Mozelle Tiffany Dress, our Rose Garden Dress in Watermelon and our Kiara Red Dress.
The Short Sleeve is probably classified as the harshest length, as it bisects the upper arm and visually widens it. On the plus side, draws attention to the bust line, if you wish to show this off.
Our most popular short sleeve designs include our Jockey Dress in Black, the Eclipse Dress and our famous Monet Dress.
The Three Quarter Sleeve is said to be the most flattering, as it makes your legs look longer and your arms slimmer. It does draw attention directly to your mid-section, so if this is the area you wish to disguise, try a different sleeve length.
Our most popular three quarter sleeve designs include the sell-out Alicia Iris Gown and the Sophia Dress in Cobalt.
Long sleeves are a perfect solution for women who would like to distract from their arms. The long sleeve creates a long slim arm; however it does draw attention to the hips and makes legs look shorter. To counter act this, try a long sleeve with a short skirt, like our Hibiscus Dress available in Champagne or Iris.
To view our entire collection, please visit our online boutique.
Copyright © 2016 Stokes Thompson. All Rights Reserved. Contact Stokes Thompson or phone +61 7 3369 5119. This article may not be used without the prior written consent from the author. See below for more details…
DO YOU WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you include this text copy in its entirety: Do you have a special occasion coming up and need a special outfit? Stokes Thompson Design has a range to suit many occasions. Click here to view our Our Collections.Aug 01
How to take care of an embellishment on a dress
Some of the most beautiful wedding gowns and formal dresses have the most delicate embellishments and fabrics.
We are so often drawn to that extra bit of sparkle, to make us feel extra glamourous or beautiful; we often overlook the care that needs to be taken to preserve these intricate details.
If you own a dress or are looking to purchase a dress with an embellishment, here are some helpful tips to take care of it.
Washing
1. Firstly, take into consideration the type of fabric of the dress. Every material has its own different method of washing. Read the label for specific instructions on taking care of your fabric.
2. Take a closer look at how the embellishment is applied. Some are attached by glue, sewing or rivets. Most likely in a formal gown your embellishment would have been hand sewn.
For the best care in washing your dress, use a hand wash method. Take special care not to stretch, twist or squeeze your embellished dress, as this can cause breakage.
Ironing
Never apply heat to your embellishments. If you need to press your dress, use a steam iron on a very low heat and move around the embellishment. You can also apply a muslin cloth over the top as extra protection.
Storage
There are a couple of different ways to store your embellished dress. If you wear it often, store in a proper dress bag in the back of your wardrobe. For a wedding gown, store with acid-free tissue or in an acid-free box. This needs to be changed every 2-4 years.
Dresses should always be stored in a cool, dry place.
If in doubt always seek the advice of a trusted and professional dry cleaner.
Some of our favourite and most popular embellished designs are:
Our Diva Pewter Dress, our Juliette Dress available in Black or White, and our Lara Cobalt Dress.
To view more of our embellished gowns, or our wedding gowns for under $1,000, please visit our online boutique.
Copyright © 2016 Stokes Thompson. All Rights Reserved. Contact Stokes Thompson or phone +61 7 3369 5119. This article may not be used without the prior written consent from the author. See below for more details…
DO YOU WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you include this text copy in its entirety: Do you have a special occasion coming up and need a special outfit? Stokes Thompson Design has a range to suit many occasions. Click here to view our Our Collections.Jun 26
Buying a wedding gown for under $1,000
Every woman dreams of the perfect wedding.
Part of that dream is wearing a beautiful gown and looking our absolute best.
A designer wedding gown doesn’t need to cost thousands of dollars. In fact, you can find beautiful, unique and innovative designer wedding gowns for less than $1,000. There are a variety of styles and designs to suit every body shape.
It’s true! This isn’t a myth and we’ll show you how.
Each of these wedding gowns is available to purchase in our online boutique or visit our store on Latrobe Terrace, Paddington Brisbane. We offer dress alterations and also custom designs, so please speak to our team for more information.
The beautiful Juliette dress is a collaboration between Brisbane based Designer Stokes Thompson and Melbourne Designer Hanni. This gorgeous silk georgette strapless dress has a hand beaded feature on the waistline and a thigh split allowing great movement.
$850
The beautiful Rose Garden White Lace Floor Length Dress has been designed Australia. It features a beautiful lace overlay, a detailed neckline and pleating on the back of the skirt to give amazing movement.
$850
The beautiful Kiara dress is a collaboration between Stokes Thompson and Melbourne designer Hanni. This gorgeous silk georgette dress features a lace cut-out on the back, as well as small pleating around the waist, giving the dress amazing fall and movement.
$900
A knee length wedding dress can look just as sophisticated as a floor length gown, when designed perfectly. Just as our Alicia White Lace Dress is. It features beautiful lace sleeves and a deep v-neckline.
$500
The Beautiful Aurora Antique Ivory Floor Length Dress has been designed and made in Australia. It features Antique Ivory Silk, sequinned detail on the bodice and a silk georgette drape/bow at front.
$700
There you have it, five amazing wedding gowns for under $1,000. To view more wedding gowns and our amazing bridesmaid dress designs, please visit or store or our online boutique.
Copyright © 2016 Stokes Thompson. All Rights Reserved. Contact Stokes Thompson or phone +61 7 3369 5119. This article may not be used without the prior written consent from the author. See below for more details…
DO YOU WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you include this text copy in its entirety: Do you have a special occasion coming up and need a special outfit? Stokes Thompson Design has a range to suit many occasions. Click here to view our Our Collections.Jun 26
Packing smart for a destination wedding
What was once a more common practice for second weddings;modern couples are opting to turn their weddings into an experience by creating a mini-getaway for their guests.
Last year, the Bride to Be magazine ‘Cost of Love Survey’ concluded the average Australian wedding now costs $65,482. With destination weddings said to be no more expensive than a traditional wedding, usually because the guest list is lower, it’s no wonder they are becoming more popular.
So if you’ve been invited to a destination wedding, here are some tips to help you pack smarter:
1. Pre plan! Choose your wedding outfit well in advance. Select a dress which travels well and requires minimal accessories. Make sure you take into consideration the destination, weather and theme of the wedding. We have an amazing selection of dresses prefect for a destination wedding, here are just a few and you can view more in our online boutique.
2. Resort wear. You will probably require casual wear for a couple of days. Again, choose an outfit which travels well and can be worn from poolside to dinner so you can reduce the amount of luggage. Here are some beautiful resort wear dresses from Stokes Thompson.
3. Instead of traveling with a large wedding gift, gift the bride and groom with a voucher or money.
4. Purchase travel size toiletries or bottles to transfer your hair products and skin care into.
5. Don’t forget your passport, tickets and any other essential travel documents.
Copyright © 2016 Stokes Thompson. All Rights Reserved. Contact Stokes Thompson or phone +61 7 3369 5119. This article may not be used without the prior written consent from the author. See below for more details…
DO YOU WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you include this text copy in its entirety: Do you have a special occasion coming up and need a special outfit? Stokes Thompson Design has a range to suit many occasions. Click here to view our Our Collections.