Jan 16
After the event – what to do with old bridesmaid and formal dresses
You searched for the perfect formal dress for weeks, or perhaps a bride-to-be dragged you around the shops for months in search of her bridesmaid dresses. Once you found it, it was the most exciting moment, and you looked spectacular, but now the event has passed and you have a beautiful dress just sitting in your wardrobe.
We are lucky enough to be living in an era, where formal dresses are holding their appeal for a lot longer. Gone are the 80’s and 90’s, where women would wear ghastly satin and tulle puffy dresses. These days bridesmaids and formal dresses can be worn on many different occasions, like formals, cocktail events, or the races.
Here are some options for “After the Event”…
1. Store your dress correctly and save it for another formal event. You just never know when the next invitation is going to arrive and your dress may be just perfect for it. You can change up the style with different accessorises, hair and makeup.
2. You could also store it for future generations, your beautiful bridesmaid dress may just be the next ‘vintage must have’!
3. Refashion your dress. There are so many creative people out there, just jump onto Pinterest and you can spend hours checking out how people have refashioned their old bridesmaid, wedding and formal dresses into amazing new skirts, tops, even dolls clothes for their children. If you refashion an old formal dress, share it on our Facebook page!
4. One woman’s used dress is another woman’s new dress. If you really feel like you won’t wear your dress again, you can sell your dress on sites like ebay, gumtree or facebook groups. Alternatively, you may wish to donate your dress, so it can be used by underprivileged woman, or schools girls, who are attending formals. Speak with your local high school or charity organisation for more information.
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.Jan 12
The Red Dress – How to pull off a red dress
A red dress is an elegant and sexy dress, which creates a classic look, suitable for many formal occasions.
However red is a bold colour, a colour which exudes confidence and attracts attention, and many women tend to shy away from it, worried they cannot “pull it off”. But red is one of the easiest colours to add to your wardrobe and brighten your complexion.
With Christmas just around the corner, it’s the perfect occasion to try out a red dress at your next party or even Christmas Day.
Let’s look at our top tips for wearing a red dress, plus a selection of our favourite Stokes Thompson red dress designs…
1. Combine your red dress with neutral accessories and shoes. White, camel or black work best, as they allow the red dress to stand out. They compliment your dress, without overpowering your look. Also keep your makeup neutral and classic, if you want to try a red lipstick, we recommend taking your dress to a makeup artist, for assistance choosing the right shade. Professionals always get it right!
For a glamourous look, Holly Red is a silk georgette dress with hand beading over the bust, as well as small pleating around the waist giving the dress amazing fall and movement.
2. Choose a flowing or delicate fabric to soften the overall effect and create a classic style. Chiffon, silk or laces are beautiful fabrics to wear in red. You will look and feel feminine and elegant.Our Kiara Red dress is a perfect example of how a lace cut out back creates a classic, elegant look.
3. Choose a shade of red which suits your skin tone. There are many shades of red available,in either cool or warm undertones. Learn which tones suit your complexion in our blog “Why you should match your formal dress to your skin tone” and work with these shades.
For example: bright red, tangerines, and corals are great for warm skin tones, while maroon and deepreds are perfect for cool skin tones, like our Rose Garden Red dress.
4. Choosing the right shade of red is just half the job, just like with any dress, the most important factor is the cut and style. Does it suit your body shape? Do you feel comfortable? Is it appropriate for your event? Our blog “The perfect dress for your shape” will assist in your search for the perfect cut.
5. Own it! You’ve found the perfect red dress, now don’t hesitate, wear it! If you feel beautiful, confident, elegant, sexy and brave, your personality and mood will shine through and you will be the belle of the ball.
Copyright © 2015 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.Dec 04
Spring Racing Carnival, what to wear?
It’s September and that can only mean one thing, Spring Racing Carnival is back for another year.
So what are you going to wear?
The great thing about the Spring Racing Carnival is it’s a fantastic opportunity to try something new and bold.
This season’s trend is all about the 70’s! Think fringed skirts, bell sleeves and 70’s floral prints.
If you’re not feeling adventurous with a race day outfit, then choose an outfit which is classic and elegant. A dress or outfit which makes you feel good and suits you will work better than going current trend and missing the mark.
We love a classy knee-length hemline, capped sleeves and a feminine silhouette.
Our red dress and ivory dress both create a chic, elegant and comfortable look, which can be accessorised with an amazing hat or fascinator.
Derby day is traditionally a black and white affair, and some traditions just shouldn’t be broken. Look at styling a white-on-white outfit, as it is still the most on trend option.
If you’re heading to a Melbourne Cup event this year, thenit’s all about colour. You could choose a bold colour but 2015 sees a lot of pastel as well. The Luxe hippie 70’s floral prints and Japanese inspired floral prints, are a great choice for Melbourne Cup 2015.
Our teal dress creates pretty pastel spring look, while our Japanese Garden dress and Iris Hibiscus dress will have you dressed in this season’s hottest trend.
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.Dec 04
How to style your beach wedding dress
A beach would have to be one of the most romantic settings for a wedding.
It does provoke a more casual theme, compared with a ballroom or church.
A beach wedding dress is usually a light, flowing material and elegantly simple.
So how do you accessorise and style your beach wedding dress?
Here are 5 tips to help you create a beautiful beach wedding look:
1. Decide on your theme and choose a dress which compliments it. Your overall theme is “beach” but are you also incorporating a vintage, classic romantic or modern theme? We have three beautiful examples of a perfect beach wedding dress.
Our white lace dress really captures a vintage beach theme, the lace detailing and flowing skirt looks beautiful gliding up a wedding aisle.
Our long white dress has a delicate crystal detailing and full skirt, which gives a classic romantic feel and is sure to wow your guests.
While our white diamante dress with high side split, crystal detailing and sweet-heart neckline is a beautiful, sophisticated and modern design, for those wanting a high fashion look.
2. Once you have decided on your wedding theme and chosen your dress, you can now start to accessorise. Pearls compliment a beach wedding theme flawlessly. A pearl necklace and earrings or bracelet will add glamour and elegance, along with keeping to your theme.
3. Flowers are always a striking accessory for a wedding; why not try a floral hair garland for a vintage or romantic look. A floral corsage is a creative alternative to a bouquet.
A beach wedding allows for an exotic feel, so take the opportunity to see what exotic flowers are available to use.
4. Shoes or bare feet? This is completely up to your personal preference and the theme of your day. You can even wear crystal embellished thongs! Just ensure the length of your dress is perfect for your footwear, so you are not tripping on the front of your hem.
5. Bridesmaids! A beautifully styled bridal party will always compliment a bride & groom and enhance the overall theme of your wedding.
Ensure your bridesmaids dresses are beach friendly. This is a great opportunity for a classic knee length style. You may wish to draw inspiration for the dress colour from the location.
Our teal dress provides a light, flowing design with subtle embellishment to effortlessly take it from day to night.
Our aqua dress is a beautiful pop of colour for a coastal location.
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.Dec 04
How to co-ordinate your formal dress with a suit
Party season is about to kick off. There are school formals, weddings, Christmas parties and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
For those of you who will be attending a special occasion with a date, or your wedding is coming up and you want to pull off a striking couple effect, we have some tricks to make it happen!
1. Black and White is always right. If you want to play it safe, while still looking remarkable, a tuxedo will match any formal dress. A black and white tuxedo or suit combination will compliment many formal dress colours and will especially look alluring next to a white wedding dress.
2. Colour. Matching a formal dress colour and suit tie exactly is so 1990. These days you can still look individual but striking together. Choose colours which compliment yourselves and each other’s outfit. An aqua formal dress and a red tie are going to clash but a cream or navy tie will balance the aqua dress and show sophistication.
3. Work with a particular style. A striking couple effect can be achieved if your style matches. The Beckhams are masters of creating a “power couple” effect. Take a look through some magazines, Pinterest or blogs for inspiration. Then take these images when you go out to purchase or hire your outfit.
4. Play with accessories and indulge in subtle similarities. Are there cufflinks or a tie clip to match your jewellery? Perhaps the suits pocket square has a pattern or colour to match your clutch. These subtle similarities will draw the outfits together but won’t be obvious to the naked eye.
For further inspiration, take a look through our extensive formal and wedding dress catalogue here.
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.Dec 04
The do’s and don’ts on wearing floral designs
Spring and summer, provide a wonderful opportunity to play with different floral fabrics and styles.
From dresses, skirts, tops, even shoes, there is a way to incorporate a floral design into your wardrobe.
Floral designs can be bold and bright or pretty in pastel, so how do you choose the right design for you?
Here are our Top Tips for choosing the right floral design for you:
1. Choose an age appropriate design. In your 20’s and 30’s you can safely experiment with bold colour or sweet floral designs. Floral blooms in reds and pinks are striking on a black background and can add a touch of sophistication and provide a difference to the‘little black dress’.
Our Monet Dress in Pink and Grey is a great choice for a cocktail event or the races.
Small floral patterns provide a soft, sweet look, which works beautifully at a garden wedding or daytime formal function.
In your 40’s and 50’s bolder and large floral patterns provide a fun alternative to block colours. Abstract and classic floral designs are classy and elegant.
To manage an overall balance with your floral outfit, wear simple jewellery if you choose a large scale floral design. Small floral prints can be matched with some bold statement jewellery pieces.
2. Colours. The best thing about floral designs is the variety of colours they can provide. Classically they offer a beautiful assortment of colours which can easily be coordinated with black or neutral accessories.
Although you may like a particular design, ask yourself if it will match your skin tone. A floral design could wash you out if it doesn’t compliment your skin tone. Visit our blog on choosing the right colour for your skin tone for more information.
Our Sage Dress,is striking in cobalt blue and green, and ideal for any special occasion.
3. Don’t mix and match your floral designs, leave it to professional stylists. If you want to wear a floral design use it once in your outfit. Don’t match a floral dress with a floral bag or shoes. Same again for a floral skirt, which you don’t want to match with a different floral top.
Too much floral can take away from the beautiful designs and look too busy.
Pick a colour out from your floral design and match your accessories and other garments with it.
4. Fabrics play a big part in the overall look your floral design delivers. If you’re trying to achieve a dreamy, romantic or vintage style, a flowing chiffon fabric in pastel and mute floral tones will be perfect. For a sleek and bold look, a floral design in rayon-spandex fabric will skim over your body.
We love our Baby Doll Hibiscus dress, in pale mauve with contrasting silk flowing waterfall panel at the front and bodice ruching.
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.Dec 04
Over Thirty and fabulous
Being invited to a black tie or formal event is not something that should fill you with panic and dread, especially in your 30’s, 40’s and beyond.
While many formal dresses are designed for those in their teens and twenties, there are still many beautiful designs and styles to suit a mature woman.
The most important rule, for any woman not matter what her age, is to dress appropriate for the event.
If you keep it simple, refined and elegant, you will look and feel beautiful.
Here are our favourite designs for your 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and beyond:
Choose a dress with beautiful detailing or embellishment, such as the lace detailing on our Kiara Dress or sequin bodice on our Crystal Amethyst dress. Both offer a comfortable amount of coverage, while still looking young, on trend and classy.
2. In your 40’s…
Show off your best asset. Perhaps it’s your legs, waist or arms. By your 40’s you should be aware of what you feel comfortable in and what suits your body shape. If you need help, check out our blog, dressing for your body shape.
Our Sophia Cobalt dress and our Rose Garden Watermelon Dress, are exceptionally flattering for most body shapes. A conservative knee length skirt is both classic and elegant. Both designs enhance your body shape with a beautiful neckline.
3. In your 50’s and beyond…
No matter what your age, every woman wants to feel like a princess or queen for just one night. Look for a dress which makes you feel beautiful, comfortable and regal. Our Alicia Iris dress will make you feel like a queen, with its chiffon overlay, embellishment and flowing skirt.It has been our most popular dress with women searching for formal wedding guest garments, and also Mother of the Bride/Groom dresses. While looking stylish, it is also understated and unlikely to overshadow the bride.
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 02
Why you should match your formal dress to your skin tone
Colour is kind but it can also be cruel.
It has a subtle way of either making you look radiant or washing you right out.It’s important to know which colours are best suited to your complexion. It will make choosing a formal dress much less stressful and can narrow down the search, if you know what colours to look for.
The basic rule when it comes to knowing which colours work best for you is to understand if you are warm or cool skin tone.
If you have warm colouring, you will most likely have some of these traits:
Your complexion has peach or yellow undertones and can be ivory, golden-brown, rich-brown, beige. Your natural hair colour is auburn, chestnut, coppery brown, golden blonde or red. Your eye colour is hazel, brown or light green. Those with warm skin toneslook fabulous in the following colours: copper, gold, yellows, reds and browns – especially if they are a rich, earthy shade. Peach, coral, and ivory also look amazing on a warm skin tone.
Stokes Thompson formal dresses which are best suited to a warm skin tone include:
If you have cool colouring, you will most likely have some of these traits:
Your complexion has pink or blue undertones and can bepale, fair, olive, black. Your natural hair colouring is white, ash blonde, black or dark brown. Your eye colour is blue, green ordark brown.Those with cool skin tones should wear silver, blues, greens, pinks, or purples. Black or white also looks amazing on a cool skin tone.
Stokes Thompson formal dresses which are best suited to a cool skin tone include:
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 12
How to choose a formal dress for larger breasts
Choosing the right dress for a formal, wedding or black-tie event can be stressful. We all want to find the perfect dress that is going to make us feel beautiful and confident.
If you are blessed with larger breasts, it can be difficult to find a formal dress to accentuate your womanly curves, without over exposing. We have put together some great tips on choosing a dress which flatters your silhouette.
1. Take the attention away from your chest by drawing focus up or down. You can draw focus down by choosing a dark colour fabric on top and matching with an embellished or lighter coloured skirt. Alternatively choose a cocktail length dress and show off your legs, our red cocktail dress with lace overlay is perfect taking focus away from your chest. Draw attention upwards by accessorising with drop down earrings.
2. Wrap dresses are a must-have dress for larger breasted woman; they accentuate the waste and create a beautiful neckline. A wrap dress will separate your breasts and really show off your waist. For a more formal look, choose a chiffon fabric or accessorise with a statement necklace.
3. Necklines. Scoops and V- necklines are the two best options for larger breasts, and luckily these are usually the most common in formal dresses.
Highneck lines can make your breasts look larger than they are. If you want to try a high neckline choose a dress with an illusion neckline, as this will give you delicate coverage.
Strapless is not recommended, however if you really want to wear strapless, ensure the dress or your under garments have structure, keeping your breasts within the dress, and not overflowing.
Our ivory and white dresses are a great example of the perfect neckline to suit larger breasts.
4. To balance your top half and create a beautiful silhouette, choose a dress with thick straps, short or three quarter sleeves. A sleeve can still look very formal, elegant and sophisticated, just look at our beautiful purple and royal blue dresses.
5. Most importantly, a dress is only as flattering as your under garments, choose a well-fitted bra, which provides support and structure. You can also find flattering slips and camisoles to enhance your shape.
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.Jul 27
Top 5 Bridesmaid Dress Trends for 2015
With Pinterest and Instagram, there is so much more choice and inspiration these days for planning your wedding day. So why can it be so difficult to choose your bridesmaid dresses? Well, no one bridesmaid is the same, so choosing a colour and style that suits everyone can be a nightmare, especially if everyone has a different opinion. Plus you ideally would like the dresses to fit in with your wedding theme.
To help you navigate the world of bridesmaid dresses, we have put together 5 top trends for 2015 and some beautiful Stokes Thompson suggestions.
1. Pretty Patterns. Particularly, romantic floral patterns are popular for Spring/Summer 2015/16 weddings. Perfect for a garden wedding or vintage/bohemian themed wedding. Your bridesmaids will love this too as printed dresses are perfect for other occasions too.
2. Mix and Match. Whether you’re mixing up your colours or mixing up your styles, this trend is likely to stay for a long time. This trend is an excellent way to create individual looks for your bridesmaids and choose styles which suit their body shapes.
Having trouble choosing a colour for your bridesmaid dresses? Not to worry, having a different colour for each dress can really add interest to the look of your bridal party. Choosing different shades in the same colour will create a beautiful ombré effect.
Our teal dress is a beautiful bridesmaid dress, which can be mixed and matched in a long dress with capped sleeves or short flowing skirt.
3. Maid of Honour Dress. Your maid of honour is a special person to you and they have probably been busy supporting you throughout your wedding preparations. Why not make them stand out a little? This trend is becoming increasingly popular in 2015. If you’re looking for a subtle way to make them stand out, why not try an embellished detail, like our blue dress. The crystal embellishment on the shoulder adds a truly special touch and is perfect for your maid of honour.
4. Illusion Necklines. This trend has a romantic and traditional appeal. The illusion covering, can be a high neck, bateau, off the shoulder or v-neckline. Beautiful fabrics like lace, tulle or beaded embellishments create a beautiful look.
Our red dress offers a stunning keyhole illusion design with lace detailing.
5. Ivory or White. What was once a wedding faux par, is now the trendiest bridesmaid style. Are you ready to embrace an all-white wedding? Many brides are now opting for white or ivory bridesmaid dresses to complement their own. This trend is sophisticated and elegant, and will suit almost any wedding theme. However, you mustchoose the right dress, so it doesn’t overshadow the bride.
Our white lace dress and our ivory dress are feminine and elegant and will complement a more embellished bridal gown.
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.