Party season is upon us, but that doesn’t mean you need to go out and buy a new dress for every event you are going to. In fact a couple of strategic dress purchases can last you the entire season – if you know how to change your look.

To help you get more bang for your party dress buck, here are seven tips to create a unique look with the same dress.

1. Pick your dress wisely

When picking a dress to wear multiple times you need to think about the events you will be attending and how you will be able to make it look different. While you want a dress that is flattering to your body shape, you also want to choose a print, pattern and colour that can be easily interchangeable with accessories you already have and with key pieces you want to buy.

With this in mind a plainer dress in a block colour can often be the best option for multiple wears as it can easily be changed and disguised with different accessories.

2. Start plain

When you wear your dress for the first time, keep it simple, wearing the dress on its own if possible or with understated accessories. The plainer you can go to the first event, the more options you will have in the coming months.

3. Brighten or distract with shoes

From bright colours and patterns to high heels and dressy ballet flats, your shoes give you the perfect opportunity to bring more impact to an outfit and change the look of your dress. Distract with patterns that complement your outfit, add bright colours or dress your outfit up or down with the type of shoe you choose.

4. Make use of jackets and cardigans

A tailored business jacket, trench coat, leather jacket, cardigan or evening jacket like our bronze silk sequined jacket can completely transform your outfit, with the added benefit of making it more versatile for different events.

From your friend’s beach wedding to your work Christmas party, a jacket can make the right dress ready for any occasion.

5. Add a scarf or wrap

Scarfs and wraps, like shoes, are another way to differentiate and add colour, not to mention warmth on those cooler evenings. Even the one scarf in a different style can add a different look to your outfit.

6. Jewellery

Adding jewellery is another great way to put a unique stamp on your outfit every time you wear it. The simpler your outfit the more daring you can be with your jewellery wearing long necklaces and earrings, chunky bracelets and cocktail rings. If you are already using other accessories as the key feature of your outfit simple, elegant, understated classic jewellery is ideal.

7. Accessorise

While shoes, scarfs, wraps and jewellery are certainly the start of accessorising your outfit also remember that you can change your look through hats, belts, tights and handbags.

Do you wear the same outfit multiple times? What are your style secrets?

Copyright © 2014 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…

Spring has sprung and so have new trends, patterns and colours on the catwalk. Coming into the peak of wedding season, and with so many other exciting events coming up like racing season, Christmas and New Years Eve parties, now is the time to plan your party and formal wear wardrobe to ensure you get the most for your fashion investment.

While there are some beautiful designs and trends on the catwalk, working out how we bring them into our own wardrobe and make our own fashion statement can be a bit of a challenge.

To help you we’re sharing four of our favourite trends this season that were also the inspiration for our 2014 Spring/Summer collection.

Mozelle Hanni

Diva Hanni

Pretty Pastels

Feminine designs are still very much in and what better way to express them then through pretty pastels and soft sorbet hues. Minty-green, lilac, baby blue, sorbet lemon, peach and pale, pale pink are all still among the favourite colours this season.

Accentuate your femininity further with sweetheart necklines and soft flowing gowns like the mint silk Georgette Mozelle Hanni gown, or beautiful beading like the hand beaded silk-satin and Georgette Diva Hanni gown in foam.

Pure White

Aurora Gown

Mermaid Gown

White is not just reserved for brides anymore (unless it is at a wedding), in fact all white is the growing trend this spring and summer and we love it for formal wear. From a fun, flirty, figure hugging white cocktail dress to a long, lacy dress like the Mermaid gown from our Spring/Summer 2014 Collection you can’t go wrong.

Think white is a little too bold for you? You also can’t go past beautiful ivory or champagne tones, like those used in the Aurora evening gown.

India Gown

Bold Lace

Lace has long been a favourite in formal wear and this spring and summer you have the opportunity to match it with bright, bold colours to create a feminine yet striking fashion statement.

Red is certainly our favourite bright colour this season being fun, bold and elegant – it also just so happens to be the inspiration for our take on this bold trend with the India gown opposite.

Kiara Gown

Classic Glamour

Take a step back in time and a step up in the fashion stakes by combining classic colours with a more classic look. Combine lace, sheer panelling, and long, light, flowing materials to channel the old-style glamour of beauties past. Need a little inspiration? Check out our Kiara gown, a favourite among our newest collection.

What will you be wearing this party season?

Interested in our upcoming collection? Contact us today.

Copyright © 2014 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…

While some fashion rules were made to be broken, others like dressing for your body shape to accentuate your best assets are wise to follow.

But how do you know which evening dress will accentuate your best assets, particularly when you buy online without trying them on first? We’ve got you covered with this quick and easy guide to making evening wear work for you.

Southern Aurora Dress

Amplifying your bust

If you are looking to add more volume around the bust area look for dresses with ruffles and fine details like the Southern Aurora dress you see here. Sweetheart necklines, spaghetti straps and cap sleeves can also help to create an illusion of a bigger bust.

Drawing attention to your upper body

Black Opal

Halter-neck dresses and low-plunging necklines like the Black Opal dress (to the right) accentuate your upper body and draw attention to your chest and face.

Strapless dresses are also perfect for drawing attention away from your hips and towards your shoulders. For a winning combination to accentuate your upper body a strapless dress with a sweetheart neckline and a statement necklace or earrings.

Geometric Dress

Drawing attention to your lower body

A-line skirts are ideal for creating more volume on your lower body and cinching you in at the waist. Flowing dresses with layers of material teamed with a belt like the Geometric dress you see here can also add more volume to your lower half particularly when there is a heavy block colour at the bottom.

Also, never underestimate the power of a gorgeous pair of shoes to attract attention downward!

Creating curves

Lightning Ridge Dress

Peplum dresses and asymmetric dresses like the Lightning Ridge dress you see to the right can give the illusion of a curvaceous figure.

Accentuate this further by choosing a dress that brings attention to your waist through pattern or paneling, or by adding a wide belt in a contrasting colour.

If you are a rectangular shape and want more defined hips, try Blouson dresses that gather around the waist and upper hip.

Emerald Sands Dress

Hiding your tummy

When it comes to hiding your tummy, look for soft draping fabrics and avoid clingy, stretchy fabrics. Don’t take that as an invitation to go to the other extreme though and get a dress with no shape.

A dress like the Emerald Sands one you see here is ideal as it is looser around the stomach, yet still defines the waist and has a plunging neckline, drawing the eyes upward.

Now remember this as intended to be a guide only. The next time you are out and about shopping try on a few different styles and see what works for you – you never know you might just be the exception to the rule!

Do you have any fashion tips for accentuating your best assets?

Copyright © 2014 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…

Fashion is a serious business. But as serious as it is, some of the hard and fast rules of years gone by are starting to be bent and broken, allowing each of us as individuals to find our own unique style.

But how do you know which rules to bend, break and keep? We’ve got the scope, here are six fashion rules you should be breaking or bending that will ensure you look your best while making your own fashion statement.

Rule #1 – Don’t mix prints and patterns

This is the first rule you need to cross off your list right now! You can absolutely mix prints and patterns, particularly if you are wearing colours in similar shades or hues. Still put some thought into the combination though as they need to have something in common to not look too busy.

Not sure where to start? We’ve put together some tips for mixing patterns and prints to make it easy for you. If you are just starting to break this rule and want to tone it down a little, stick to neutral or pastel colours before you graduate to bold colours and patterns.

Blue and green are a great colour combination

Rule #2 – Certain colours should never be combined

Ever heard of the fashion rule “blue and green must never been seen”? Well it’s time to break this one. Blue and green are a great colour combination; you only need to take a look at our Seafoam dress to see!

Black, brown and navy were also a fashion faux pas yet are quite acceptable now – and a great look particularly if you are using one through accessories. Be adventurous in your colour choices, spice up your wardrobe and see what works best for you.

Rule #3 -Your shoes need to match your belt or handbag

No they don’t! As long as they go with what you are wearing that is all that really matters – and sometimes they don’t even need to do that. Our only suggestion would be to pick where you want to make the biggest statement, and where you want the eye to focus.

Dare to be creative. If the shade doesn’t match it doesn’t matter it’s the overall look that counts, in fact using the same colour in a different shades can add more depth to your outfit. Try different textures and colours to see what look feels right to you.

Rule #4 – Sequins only for evenings

You can wear sequins, glitter and sparkle during the day too, the trick is to keep it simple and not over the top. If you are going to wear sequins or a shimmering fabric team it with denim or neutral colours and keep your jewellery simple.

Rule #5 – Less is more with jewellery

This is a rule you can bend. If your outfit is already busy or if you are going to work or a more conservative affair than yes less can be more. But for all other times you can feel free to make a bold statement with your jewellery.

Adding jewellery is a quick and easy way to make a plain colour and simple design more eye catching and give your casual jeans and t-shirt look a little more class. If you are going to wear more jewellery pick the piece of jewellery you most want to draw attention to. Is it your large earrings, a statement necklace, an armful or bangles or a cocktail ring or two?

Black and red are becoming acceptable to wear to a wedding

Rule #6 – You can’t wear red or black to a wedding

With most weddings moving away from these traditional rules, and bridesmaid dresses coming in all different colours, black and red are becoming acceptable to wear to a wedding (just keep the bride in mind).

Even still, it is a good idea to tone down these solid bold colours with a pattern or print like our Crimson Paisley dress, or add a coloured or neutral jacket (depending on the colour you choose) or different coloured accessories.

With so many bridesmaids being dressed in red and black, you may want to ask what colour the bridesmaids will be wearing to avoid coming in the same colour.

What fashion rules do you break?

Copyright © 2014 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…

When it comes to choosing the right outfit for an event, there is often a lot to think about. But perhaps one of the most important considerations is the colour and pattern you choose. While you want to capture attention with your outfit, you want admiration rather than someone questioning its appropriateness.

So how do you choose the right colour dress for the next event you are attending? Here are six tips to help.

1. Get to know what colours look good on you

Not every colour will suit you, in fact some colours can completely wash you out, so it is important to get to know what colours look good on you and suit your skin tone. If you aren’t sure, put aside the time to go shopping with a very honest friend and try on a host of colours. If you don’t have a friend who can make it along, take pictures of yourself in the mirror with each outfit for reference.

2. Take into consideration your fashion choices

If you aren’t very adventurous when it comes to fashion, and you couldn’t see yourself wearing that brightly patterned cocktail dress more than once, then opt for a more classic, block colour you can wear again and dress up with different accessories and shoes.

A red dress can be bold and striking

3. Think about the weather and season

If it is a rainy day white and pale pastels might not be the best choice – unless of course it is your wedding day! Depending on the material, there is a good chance it could become transparent when wet, and show every mark – including the unfortunate mud streaks that can fling up the back of a long dress while walking on wet, muddy ground.

On the other hand, you may want to avoid wearing darker colours on a hot summer’s day that can retain more heat, particularly if you will spending most of the day outside.

4. Consider the event you are going to attend

Different events and dress codes can often determine the colour you choose to wear. For example a business launch, awards ceremony, or high-end networking event may call for a more conservative, classic colour range. Where a garden luncheon, charity event or beach wedding may give you more flexibility and choice when it comes to colours and patterns.

5. Draw on current trends

If you want to go for a more fashion forward look, opt for a dress in the season’s best colours. If you find the current colours are a little too vibrant or plain for your liking, or not the most flattering in a full block colour, look at patterns that incorporate them or bring them out through your accessories.

6. Know what statement you want to make

Different colours can make different statements, for example black can be slimming and elegant, burgundy and navy can convey sophistication and bright red can be bold and striking. As a general rule, dark colours tend to express more authority and power, bright colours tend to be more friendly and fun and pastels can be considered more classy.

While there are many factors to consider when choosing the colour you wear, perhaps the most important factor is to make sure you are comfortable and confident as this will ultimately determine how you look and feel at the event.

Do you agonise over colours or do you look for a dress you like and take whatever colour it comes in?

Copyright © 2014 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…