It is a very popular dress code for weddings and functions, but what does the cocktail dress code mean?

Christian Dior was the first to name the early evening frock a “cocktail” dress in the late 1940s. It is a semi-formal dress, which basically means a floor length evening gown isn’t required and you can appropriately wear a dress with a knee length hem.

However it still needs to be somewhat formal and accessorised with dress shoes, i.e. no jeans allowed.

The most popular cocktail dress would undoubtedly be the “Little Black Dress”. It is a safe option that suits almost every woman and can be worn multiple times, accessorising with different colours for a different style.

But if you want to add some colour, here are our top 3 cocktail dresses:

1.     The Hanni Diva Foam Dress

This gorgeous polyester silk dress features a hand beaded bust and fan cap sleeves. The small gathering around the waist gives the dress amazing fall and movement. The soft colour is a perfect choice for a day time event or spring/summer.

2.     Sophia Cobalt Dress

This is probably one of my favourites, as the classic design and ¾ sleeves make it the perfect choice for an afternoon/evening event or for the cooler months. The cobalt blue colour is striking and on trend. This design transcends age, so it is suitable for all ages and is also available in black.

3.    Zebra Short Dress

Why not try a cocktail dress with a pattern or print. Our Silver/Black Patterned Zebra Sequin Dress is cool and comfortable for warmer months, or you can add a black blazer in Autumn/Winter. The high neckline and below the knee hem is flattering design for many women. The high Quality Polyester Nylon fabric means it travels well, perfect for a destination event.

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.

There are a lot of traditions surrounding a wedding ceremony; this may include your family traditions as well as society and religion.

The white wedding dress would have to be the most common of all.

The white wedding dress, which symbolises the purity of the soul, was brought about by Queen Victoria, when she wore a white gown to her wedding to Prince Albert on 10th February 1840, over 176 years ago. While she was not the first royal to wear white, red was a popular colour for brides during this era, she has been credited with starting this tradition.

In this modern era, many women are breaking this long standing tradition and opting for a coloured wedding dress that suits and reflects their personality and style.

The good news for the modern day bride is there are currently no rules when it comes to wearing colour on your wedding day! However if you are having trouble deciding what colour to wear, or what colour would suit your style of wedding we’ve picked our top 3!

1.       The Hanni Mozelle Tiffany  Dress

This beautiful soft aqua colour is suitable for a beach or garden wedding. The gorgeous silk georgette strapless dress features small pleating over the bust to create a flattering detailed look. Small gathering under the bust gives the dress amazing fall and movement.

2.       The Alicia Iris Dress

This silk floor length gown is both regal and sophisticated. It would be suitable for a church or chapel wedding ceremony. The flowing skirt has beautiful movement, perfect for the first bridal dance.

3.       The Aurora Navy Dress

Navy has been a top colour in recent fashion trends, and this transcends to formal wear as well. The Aurora gown features beautiful sequin detailing on the bodice and a georgette drape/bow on the front. This gown would look beautiful at a cocktail wedding.

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.

Green is a colour which often gets overlooked, especially for a formal or cocktail event.

However, it is a luxurious colour which has a lot of things going for it:

It is a colour which works beautifully with most complexions It transitions perfectly from a day to night event There are many different shades of green to compliment different events It is not a colour many people wear, which means you’ll be a stand out.

Let’s take a closer look at how to pull off wearing a green dress at your next formal event.

1.     Choose a shade of green which compliments the style of event you are attending. Light shades of green, or teals, look amazing at a daytime wedding or garden event. Bright greens are perfect for a beachside event and emerald looks sophisticated at an evening or black tie function.

Our Hanni Diva Foam Dress is short or long and is an ideal choice for weddings and bridesmaids.

2.     Along with choosing a beautiful shade of green for your event, make sure you choose one which suits your skin tone. You want your green dress to make you look radiant, not sea sick. You can learn more about choosing for your skin tone in our blog “Why you should match your formal dress to your skin tone”.

3.     Accessorise your green dress with gold, beige or black. Gold and green together is a match made in heaven, for a classic or more formal style. We do love seeing it teamed up with beige or caramel, for a more casual event like the races. A green dress with black tights, heels and jacket ooze’s sophistication during winter.

4.     Green works in perfect harmony with blue, just look at our amazing sea foam fabric in our Hanni Rose Garden  and Hanni Alicia designs. If you don’t feel confident wearing green as a block colour, try wearing it in a pattern or floral design.

5.     No matter what colour you choose to wear, make sure the dress style is right for your body shape. There is nothing worse than attending an event and feeling uncomfortable in your dress; you won’t be able to enjoy yourself.

Our Hanni Alicia dress suits most body shapes, and is comfortable and elegant, making it ideal for many different formal occasions. Plus the pistachio colour is just beautiful!

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.

Its official, Easter has been and the leaves are starting to turn golden; autumn has arrived!

And with it brings a new trend of fashion colours for you to choose from.

If you have a wedding to attend this winter or a special formal occasion, we’ve been keeping a close watch on recent fashions and we have a great round up of this season’s hottest colours for you.

1.     Trendy Teal and Turquoise. We love how these colours, usually associated with summer, have made their way into the Autumn/Winter scene. It adds a splash of colour and fun amongst a sea of black. Plus, if you have a destination wedding to attend in a warmer location, they make the perfection option.

Our Hanni Diva Foam Dress in teal, is made with polyester silk and features a hand beaded bust, and fan cap sleeves. Small gathering around the waist, gives the dress amazing fall and movement.

For a brighter option our Hanni Mozelle Tiffany Dress, is a strapless design, which features small pleating over the bust to create a flattering detailed look. Get this dress winter ready by adding a wrap or cape.

2.     Pretty Pastel. Dresses in Pinks, Lavender, Green and Ivory will give you a feminine look this Autumn/Winter. They can be beautifully accessorised with a faux fur wrap or cashmere cape in white, silver or caramel. Try wearing pastel colours in a long flowing dress, for a more romantic style. Our Hanni Aurora Iris Dress features; Pale Mauve silk, with Aurora plum sequinned detail at bodice and Mushroom silk georgette drape/bow at front. You may also like our best-selling Hanni Alicia Iris Dress, with beautiful lavender and Iris tones.

3.     Romantic Red. Stand out in a sea of pastels, in an amazing bold red dress. From bright red, to deep burgundy, a red dress will look stunning against an autumn backdrop. Red is one of the easiest colours to add to your wardrobe and brighten your complexion, read more on how to pull off wearing red, and view our gorgeous collection of red dresses, in our blog ‘The Red Dress’.

4.     Winter White. White is officially this year’s trendiest colour, with white on white especially popular. For a long time it was considered a faux pas to wear white to a wedding, this was reserved for the bride only. But in recent years, many couples have been opting for an all-white bridal party, and even an all-white wedding.

White doesn’t need to be saved for weddings; it’s a classic and sophisticated colour for many formal occasions and black tie affairs. Team our Hanni Juliette Dress or our Hanni Kiara White Dress, with a tuxedo for your partner to achieve the ultimate Hollywood glamour look.

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.

For the lucky ones, wedding dress shopping is a once in a lifetime affair.

It’s the most important dress many women will wear. Shopping for your wedding dress is exciting and fun, but many women can feel a lot of pressure, and become overwhelmed by the whole experience.

Let’s take a look at some key tips for making your wedding dress shopping a wonderful and successful experience.

1. Before you even make an appointment to try on wedding dresses, take the time to pre plan.

– What kind of wedding dress do you like and suits your personal style?

– What type of dress suits your body shape and skin tone?

– What style of dress is appropriate for your wedding?

2. Set your budget and stick to it. Trying on dresses which are over your budget can lead to disappointment and heartbreak.

3. Sometimes too much choice is a bad thing. Don’t try on too many dresses, it can leave you overwhelmed and confused. Ten is a great number to work with.

4. Wear appropriate underwear when trying on dresses and take a long a strapless bra.

5. If you have already chosen some special items you will be wearing on the day, take them along to see how they suit the dress e.g. jewellery, veil.

6. Lastly, and one of the most important tips, take along shoes in a similar height to those you will wear on your wedding day, so you can see how you can move in the dress and if the dress will require alterations.

Stokes Thompson has a beautiful collection of wedding dresses to suit every body shape and event.

Here are just a few of our favourites and you can view more in our online store here.

The beautiful Juliette dress is 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.

The Kiara is a gorgeous silk georgette dress, featuring a lace cut-out on the back, as well as small pleating around the waist giving the dress amazing fall and movement.

The Beautiful Rose Garden Floor Length Dress has been designed in Australia, featuring a beautiful, delicate lace.

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.

In 2012, UK laundry specialists Dr. Beckmann commissioned an online survey of over 2,000 women and found it takes approximately 30 hours to find the perfect Little Black Dress “LBD”.

30 hours! So why do women put themselves through 30 hours of shopping for one dress?

Because we enjoy it?

Because we know the end result is worth the search?

Or because we know the little black dress is an essential item for every woman’s wardrobe and finding the perfect one is like a rite of passage.

The little black dress (LBD)is a well-established fashion icon, originating from the 1920s designs of Coco Chanel and Jean Patou. There is a perfectly good reason why the LBD has its reputation, the neutral colour and typically simple designs allow the LBD to be long-lasting, versatile, flattering and affordable for most women. It is a classic, elegant, and sophisticated dress which is suitable for all body shapes, skin tones and formal occasions.

We’ve saved you 30 hours of searching, because we have 3 beautiful Little Black Dresses, perfect for all body shapes and formal occasions.

1. The beautiful Sophia Dress is made from 100% Silk. This dress features a knee length hem, sleeves and pockets. It can easily be accessorised for many different occasions.

2. The Rose Garden Black and Rose Garden Black Lace dresses are beautiful lace detailed Little Black Dresses. The floor length option is a perfect choice for black tie events or formal weddings. Both the knee and floor length dresses make a sensational bridesmaid outfit. The sophisticated design flatters many body shapes.

3. The Jockey Black dress is the Little Black Dress with a twist. It has a feature neckline and waist band in white, which adds some extra detail to the usual LBD design. Perfect for cocktail events, race days or day weddings.

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.

There is one accessory which is often overlooked when it comes to a daylight formal event – sunglasses.

Most people either love or loathe sunglasses at a formal event, and we can understand why.

They can dramatically change the feel of the event. Daylight formal events often have a more casual feel anyway, but this doesn’t mean jeans! For example, if you are attending a garden wedding you could opt for a cocktail look.

However, the Bride and Groom probably wouldn’t want their guests’ faces covered in large black sunglasses in all their photos, but the guests would like to be able to see the wedding in the sunshine, without having to worry about glare.

So let’s take a look at when it’s ok to wear sunglasses to a formal event, and how to successfully accessorise them to your outfit?

1.     It is not ok to wear sunglasses to a black-tie affair or very formal wedding. We are yet to find a pair of sunglasses that go with a floor length formal gown or tuxedo. If you receive an invitation to a wedding and the dress code is White Tie, Black Tie or Morning Suit, leave your sunglasses at home or in the car.

2.     You can think about accessorising your formal outfit with sunglasses if the event dress code is cocktail, smart casual or informal. Sunglasses are usually an acceptable accessory at other events like the races, charity and formal luncheons, engagement or birthday parties.

3.     If you feel sunglasses will be acceptable at the formal event you are attending, make a conscious effort to only wear them when needed. If you are being photographed its good etiquette to take them off for the photo, especially if you are part of the bridal party.

4.     There are a few key factors to choosing the right pair of sunglasses to compliment your outfit:

a)     Choose a colour which compliments your dress or suit. Black will look amazing with dark colours but if you are wearing pastel it is going to clash, try a brown, gold or silver frame.

b)    Simple styles with fine lines look more formal and will compliment more outfits, than a chunky frame.

c)     Style your hair and makeup with your sunglasses in mind. A heavy smoky eye might run and rub behind your sunglasses. Choosing to wear your hair up or down, may affect the way the sunglasses suit your outfit, so try a few combinations.

d)    Don’t wear sunglasses with a mirror or multi-coloured glass, they will instantly make you look more casual and should be left for the beach.

With so many styles to choose from, you could find the perfect sunglasses within your budget to suit your formal outfit, but if in doubt, they are not a necessity so leave them off.

If you’re looking for a formal dress for your next formal event click here to view our collection.

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.

Valentine’s Day is celebrated all around the world. A day, were we celebrate our love for those dearest to us, and even our own self-love.

Whether you have a romantic date planned, an evening with some friends, or you’re going to spoil yourself with a new dress, we’ve picked our Top 5 Valentine’s Day Dresses which will have you feeling the love.

1.  The Beautiful Rose Garden Knee Length Dress, can be worn to the office with a blazer, or out to dinner, or cocktail event. The red lace and featured neckline, makes this dress a sophisticated and understated option.

2.  Valentine’s Day is a very popular wedding date, with many couples wishing to celebrate their marriage on this day of love. If you have a wedding or formal event to attend, we have the perfect dress. The beautiful Holly dress is a gorgeous silk georgette dress, featuring panels of pleating and hand beading over the bust, as well as small pleating around the waist giving the dress amazing fall and movement.

You’ll be ready to dance for hours. 3.  If someone special is planning to ‘woo you’ this Valentine’s Day with a romantic date, you will feel amazing in the beautiful Kiara dress. 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.

4.  Nothing says romance quite like Lace. The Beautiful Alicia Knee Length Dress, is a White Silk Lace dress featuring a detailed neckline and v- neck bust, with lace sleeves. A perfect dress for dinner with friends or those dearest to you.

5.  While it is always fun to be bold and wear red on occasions like Valentine’s Day, nothing says classic, elegant, and beautiful like a Little Black Dress. The beautiful Sophia Dress, made from 100% silk, looks gorgeous on most shapes and ages, it is an absolute must have for every wardrobe.

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.

Ok, how many of you choose your formal shoes before your dress?!!

While some might think this is silly, as it narrows down your dress choices, but it can have benefits.

Sometimes reducing choices and already having a style in mind, can help with your formal dress hunt. It’s a great way to ensure the correct length of your dress, and have your dress fitted perfectly, plus it’s usually easier to carry your shoes around while trying on dresses, instead of the other way around.

No matter which way, shoes can often make the outfit, so let’s take a look at this season’s must have styles…

1.     Suede – suede heels and sandals add a touch of class to a beautiful formal dress, especially in rich colours like maroon, teal and black. This elegant material is the perfect accessory to a great little black dress, like our Sophia Dress or Rose Garden Dress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.     Metallic – metallic heels make a fabulous statement to any formal dress. Plus they are so easy to match with a clutch and statement necklace.

Match a gorgeous metallic shoe, with our Zebra Dress or Diva Pewter dress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.     Natural Leather – looks amazing and is so versatile from day to night. Particularly with a woven detail. Perfect for a garden wedding, day at the races or outdoor formal function.

We love a natural leather heel with our Dusty Flamingo Dress and our Rose Garden Watermelon Dress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.     Pointed Toes are the go! Matching a formal dress with a closed, pointed toe shoe, adds an extra touch of refinement and is best suited for a black tie event. Pointed Toes with a sling back, low heel, are particularly on trend this season.

Our Alicia Iris Dress and Holly Red Dress, would be perfectly complimented with a pointed toe heel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.     Fancy Flats are so on trend! So, if you don’t like heels, or your dress is best suited to flats, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. For a more formal affair, choose a flat with some beautiful embellishment or a gorgeous fabric.

Our Diva Foam Short Dress or our Rose Garden Hibiscus Dress, both look exceptionally beautiful with a fancy flat shoe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.