3 Designer Dresses To Invest in Now

Over the past few years, there has been a growing trend for designer dresses that can serve more than just the one season. ‘Investment pieces’ has been the phrase on everyone’s lips and they don’t just mean investment in a financial sense. A great designer dress is not only a much wiser choice than lots of poor quality pieces that will be disgarded after a few wears but its also an investment in your personal style for both now and the future. Granted if you pick a lovely dress by the right designer, it may well be worth a bit of money if you were to sell it in years to come but if you pick the right designer dress, there is no way that you would want to part with it for love nor money in years to come.

We are talking about those pieces of clothing that are perfect for so many situations and always makes you feel amazing. The day dress that can easily be dressed up with a pair of heels for a party and manages to forgive just about anything including any number of cakes and the party dress that earns you countless compliments every time you wear it. A great designer dress doesn’t really follow the latest fashions, it sets its own style. Forget trendy dresses look for a dress that suits you and transcends the latest trends.

Stella McCartney – Shift Dress

Stella McCartney is known for her luxuriuos but wearable pieces including blazers, tailored jackets and day dresses. This simple and minimalistic dress is a perfect example of why her clothes are so popular. It is classic, beautifully made and suitable for so many ocassions. It is a true wardrobe hero. Wear with flats and a cashmere cardigan by day, a smart jacket for work and heels and statement jewellery for an evening out.

Alexander McQueen – Scarf Front Dress

Draped dresses have moved over from that transitional territory when they were considered to be merely a trend to become a classic item. They have been around with a growing army of followers to earn themselves that elite status of being a wardrobe staple. Where most people used to keep a little black dress for those parties and occasions when they just couldn’t make up their mind what to wear, the black draped dress has now become just as popular. Flattering to the extreme, it can cover just about any lumps and bumps. When choosing your draped designer dress styles you should opt for a designer or label that is known for their skilfull draping.

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania – Monday Taffeta Dress

For those who like to make a style statement but also want to look feminine and also own a piece of fashion history, Vivienne Westwood dress styles are perfect. All of the dresses in the Anglomania range are individual but stay true to the Vivienne Westwood signature style which says ‘I am stylish’, with attitude. This dress also has a feeling of princess about it, something that will never go out of fashion.

Ladies Designer Clothing AW11 – The Trends From NYFW

If you want to stay ahead of the game with fashion and ladies designer clothing then New York Fashion Week is a great way to do so. OK you might not be able to get along to New York to go to the shows but you can now watch the whole week via live streaming on the internet, how amazing is that? But for those of us  that have to go to work or just don’t have time to spend glued to our computers for a whole week, we have put a guide to the key trends in ladies designer clothing for AW11 as seen at New York Fashion Week.

Tribal Prints

Seen at Oscar De La Renta, Proenza Schouler and ADAM, tribal prints could well be a big trend this winter. With a monochrome tribal print shift dress, long dresses in rich coloured prints and sheer fabrics at ADAM and layered tribal designs in thick woven fabrics at Proenza Schouler.

Maxi Skirts and Long Dresses 

A key trend from the last few seasons that looks like it will be back again for AW11 the floor skimming maxi length dress was seen at Marc Jacobs and Caroline Herrera to name but a few. The skirts were quite full and made from thick luxurious fabrics, perfect for winter parties.

Checks and Plaid

For AW11 it looks like checks will be the new stripes. At Thakoon there was an eye poppingly bright draped style shift dress in red and blue check. At Tory Burch a much more subtle, but still very eye-catching brown and cream checked suit and at Betsey Johnson a full bright yellow checked skirt worn with red and black leopard print tights.

Velvet

Rich and sumptuous velvets are perfect for ladies designer clothing and party wear for the winter. There was a selection of dresses, trousers and suits made of rich jewel coloured velvet at Carlos Miele, Marc Jacobs, Milly, Carolina Herrera.

Polka Dots

Retro Polka dots will also be back for another season with ladylike midi and long dresses featuring at LAMB, Marc Jacobs and Diane Von Furstenberg.

Red

From the red evening dress at Oscar De La Renta to the Michael Kors jumpsuit complete with red faux jacket there was plenty of festive cheer at the catwalk shows of New York Fashion Week. Grab yourself a long red evening dress if you want to really stand out from the crowd this winter.

Mustard

Another colour that will feature heavily for AW11 is mustard. The perfect rich autumnal colour and a great neutral alternative to last winters must have camel. Philip Lim and Derek Lam both featured mustard for a relaxed and understated but classic look.

So know you know what will be in fashion for AW11, you can stay ahead of the fashion pack but getting yourself some great ladies designer clothing that will still be on trend for the winter.

Milly Tribal Batik Cotton Shift Dress – Buy Now

Roksanda Ilincic Lame Skirt – Buy Now

Valentino Pleated Silk Red Evening Dress – Buy Now

3.1 Phillip Lim – Polka Dot Mini Dress – Buy Now

Aquascutum Checked Wool Blend Shift Dress- Buy Now

Keep up to date with News, Competitions & Promotions from Designer Dresses – SPAMFREE!

Harrods – A Famous Place To Buy Your Designer Dresses

Everyone has heard of the world famous Harrods, no? Not only is it a great place to buy designer dresses but also just about every luxurious item that you can think of from Laduree Macaroons to the latest perfumes and accessories. Visitors to London flock to Harrods to see what is on offer and see the shop that is the most famous place in the world to buy designer dresses. The department  store is located on Brompton Road, Knightsbridge and  plays host to a raft of celebrities and foreign visitors, it was most famously owned by business man Mohammed Al Fayed. It is the second biggest department store in the UK second only to Selfridges on Oxford street, just think about all of those amazing designer dresses that you could fit into that space!

For those who don’t get to visit Harrods quite as often as they would like or have never been there before, we have great news. You can now shop Harrods and all of its amazing designer dresses from the comfort of your own home. Harrods have their own retail website selling a wide range of  women’s wear including everything from day dresses to designer cocktail dresses plus accessories and beauty products.

Harrods stocks some of the worlds most celebrated designers, if you are looking for an amazing celebrity dress then it is definitely the place to find it. For a really special occasion Harrods also has some of the most exclusive evening gowns in the UK.

Here is a taster of just a few of the beautiful designer dresses that Harrods has to offer:

The Herve Leger Bandage Dress

The bandage dress by Herve Leger is the celebrity dress of the moment. Worn by everyone from Kate Winslet to Cheryl Cole, it is a very body con style with an amazing ability to flatter and streamline. Take your pick from of a variety of styles and colours of these  figure sculpting designer cocktail dresses. Wear with vertiginous heels for maximum impact.

Issa Dresses – Kate Middleton’s Favourite

Top marks to the buyers at Harrods for securing some of the hottest designers of the moment. Issa is one of Kate Middleton’s favourite labels and with the royal wedding just a few months away, is great for those looking to celebrate the big day with new designer cocktail dresses. The most recent Issa collection features vivid colours in softly draping chiffons and bohemian prints. This leopard print dress is a perfect example of how sophisticated and versatile Issa clothes are.

Halston Heritage – an Iconic Label

In the seventies the most sought after celebrity dresses were by the iconic brand Halston. Worn by Jackie Kennedy, Bianca Jagger and Angelica Houston Halston designs were the height of fashion. Now you can buy Halston Heritage from Harrods. The newer version of the ready to wear label that is proving to be immensely popular second time around as well. Recently the one shoulder draped cocktail dresses have been a big hit but we love this crystal embellished dress.

Going Out On The Town In Hot Pink Dresses

Despite whatever trends are out there at the moment, or predicted to be out there this coming season, one things for sure, when we get a chance us girls just love to wear Pink. This is a point not lost on our friends at Designer clothing store Van Mildert as they have recognised too when it comes to pinks, candy’s and corals that its an urge we can’t resist and the inner “Girly” just has to break free.

With the summer moving progressively nearer they’ve put together a collection of stunningly beautiful hot pink dresses that will become evermore popular over the coming months as the warmer weather draws ever closer and the big occasions of the summer start to encroach. So if you’ve got a big summer occasion to look forward to such as a birthday celebration, a wedding guest or a once in a life time holiday coming up well here’s your excuse to get hold of a belter of a designer dress.

However, its not lost on us that these designer dresses are not just a dress to wear for one occasion only, these hot pink designer dresses are investment pieces that need to work with different looks to get the most from them, to be worn time and time again regardless of the season. As and investment in your wardrobe, you should just as easily consider it in the warmth of a summer evening than in the cooler spring night or for a Christmas party for that matter, it all boils down to how you accessorise.

Accesorising is the key to any look to maintain the longevity of any wardrobe classic or capsule piece, so think not just about the dress but how to adapt the look just by adding a little garment here and there. So for example the D&G by Dolce and Gabbana Womens Stretch Satin Fuchsia Pink Dress is a classic sleeveless mini shift dress that could be worn equally well in the summer for example, if you can match with a pair of killer laboutins or Jimmy Choos, perhaps with a shawl to keep the chill off your shoulders. Alternatively in the cooler weather of spring or winter as Katie shows here in the photo, match with a D&G quilted leather jacket, Vivienne Westwood for Melissa Womens Temptation Black Shoes and a pair of black opaque tights to set the glam biker girl look off perfectly.

If you would like to see more from the Van Mildert Collections click the button below:

Michelle Obama Loves Red Evening Gowns By UK Designers

The fact that Michelle Obama loves evening gowns by UK designers is significant not just because she is something of  a style icon but also because she is America’s first lady. Her wardrobe is not just filled with a selection of dresses for a night out or occasional party like most of us, she has a selection of elaborate formal evening gowns for official state occasions and visits. Her clothing choices reflect not just her own personal taste but her role as an ambassador for the US.

Michelle has an elegant and sophisticated style as would be expected from this much scrutinised lady who is regularly photographed and pictured on television. She is often described as the ‘first lady of style’  and has championed a number of American designers. She has her pick of beautiful clothes from any of the international fashion designers which is why we are so pleased that she has recently chosen from some of the most beautiful of formal evening gowns by UK label Alexander McQueen.

When she accompanied her husband Barrack Obama to greet Hu Jintao, his Chinese counterpart on a state visit to the US, she wore not one but two dresses by UK designers. For the day time she wore an embroidered navy dress on designer Roksanda Ilinic. In the evening she changed into the most beautiful of formal red evening dresses, a modified version of a piece from the Alexander McQueen resort 2011 collection for an elaborate state dinner at the presidents official residence. The beautiful red evening gown featured a black feather like print. It was stunning and the perfect choice for such an occasion.

Following the sad death of Lee (Alexander) McQueen last year, the label has continued with Sarah Burton, who was at Alexander McQueens side for the past 16 years taking the helm. Whilst it is clear that no one could ever take Alexander McQueen’s place, Sarah has certainly risen to the challenge of taking the label into a new stage of its life. She has proven her ability with not only this dress but countless other formal evening gowns. She has managed to keep the signature style of the label but with a softer edge.

If you have an important event or occasion this year, why not follow Michelle Obama’s lead by choosing from some of these beautiful red designer dresses.

Valentino Pleated Red Evening Gown - this beautiful silk dress is in Valentino’s signature red has a flattering v neck and pleated bodice and wrap style waist.

Red Strapless by Bottega Veneta - for a slightly less formal occasion, this simple but very stylish red designer dress has  a concealed boned bodice.

Anoushka G Chiffon Wrap over Grecian Dress - another beautiful choice of formal evening gown this beautiful dress makes full use of draping with folds of extravagant silk chiffon.

Notte By Marchesa One Shoulder Organza Dress – this stunning red cocktail dress with dramatic ruffles is the perfect way to stand out from the crowd at a party.

Celebrity Designer Dresses – Who’s Wearing What?

Celebrity designer dresses are a great way of working out which styles and designers will be hot for the season ahead. Celebrities often get an early start on the rest of us as in the form of samples, gifts and previews from the designer collections. They will be spotted in a designer dress well before it is available to the public. They also have a huge influence on which styles will popular, take for example that Kate Middleton dress that everyone wants.  So which celebrity designer dresses are going to hot for SS11?

Kate Middleton

Of course Kate Middleton is the celebrity of the moment, with the Royal wedding set for the spring. All eyes are on what Kate is wearing and she has shown that even Royals can mix designer and high street and look amazingly stylish. Most  notably she has recently been pictured wearing an elegant Issa dress to announce her engagement to Prince William and a dress by Reiss for her official engagement photographs. The question that everyone is still desperate to know is who will designer the royal wedding dress and what will it look like, easily the most more influential celebrity designer dress of the year and one that is likely to be copied for many years to come.

Kate’s favourite label Issa is likely to be big news this summer.

Silk Jersey Dress by Issa

Rhihanna

Currently enjoying huge  global success in the music industry, Rhihanna also keeps us all captivated with her bold dress sense. Recently she has been spotted in lots of floral dresses and all over floral prints including a Stella McCartney outfit, a stunning ankle length Jean Paul Gaultier ankle length 50′s style dress and a red poppy playsuit. Other good places to look for pretty floral designer dresses for the summer are D& G and Mulberry.

D & G Mimosa Shift Dress

Emma Bunton

Emma Bunton has recently announced that she is pregnant and due to give birth in May. As with so many other celebrities she is likely to continue to work throughout her pregnancy presenting the hit TV show Dancing on Ice. She has already decided that she will be wearing dresses from the label Project D by Danni Minogue, presumably those that will allow for a little expansion.

Snow Drop Dress by Project D by Danni and Tabitha

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman star of the latest blockbuster film black swan is another star that has recently announced that she is pregnant. She is also making the most of celebrity designer dresses that conceal that baby bump in style. For the recent Palm Springs film festival in California she wore an elegant dress from the Vionnet SS11 collection with white chiffon shirt style top and black ruffle hem. The collar and cuffs were both embellished with gold studs.

Silk Crepe V Neck Dress by Vionnet

Finally, there is nothing like an awards ceremony for checking out the latest celebrity designer dresses. At the recent Golden Globes Awards some of the most notable outfits were Jennifer Anniston in a simple but stunning one shouldered Versace dress, Mariah Carey in a full length Herve Leger bandage dress, Drew Barrymore in a nude  coloured Versace gown with crystal embellishments at the shoulder and hip and Sandra Bullock in a deep purple Bottega Veneta chiffon gown.

5 Style Resolutions For 2011

A great investment piece -silk satin shift dress by Dolce and Gabbana

A wardrobe staple – Ozzy cotton dress by Isabel Marant

A piece of British fashion history -  Vivienne Westwood Anglomania teal samurai friday dress

With Christmas offering the chance get dressed up in your favourite designer party dresses, new year is a great time to reflect on your style and think about style resolutions for the year ahead. Being super stylish is all about wearing clothes that suit your body shape, lifestyle, budget and personality. You should be comfortable and confident in your choice of outfit and you will look and feel great. Here are 5 style resolution that will help you make the most of your wardrobe.

1. Instead of buying lots of impulse buys save up for one beautiful designer dress   – not only will this help you to build a stylish wardrobe that will last for many years, it will also be so much more satisfying to buy something that you have saved up for. Key investment pieces include a shift dress by Dolce & Gabbana  or a corset dress by Vivienne Westwood. Why not invest in a classic little black dress by your favourite designer, this is sure to get plenty of wear and compliments. Isabel Marant does some very stylish day dresses and separates.

2. Audit your wardrobe - before you buy anything new have a look at what you have already got and what you need more of. Make sure that you fill the gaps and not just buy more of what you have already got. There is no point in buying more evening wear if you already have lots but rarely go out in the evening, look for beautiful day dresses instead.

3. Add some personality to your outfits -your outfits should be personal to you and should reflect your personality. If you are feminine with  a bright and bubbly personality, why not try swapping your jeans for some floral dresses. You can also add accessories to transform a simple piece like a shift dress into a unique outfit. Styling your own outfits can be so much fun so why not give it a go?

4. Shop for your body shape – you should always wear the types of clothes that you love, but if you stick to those that enhance your body shape  you will always look and feel great. There are plenty of books and magazines that give advice on which styles of clothes suit which body shapes, you can try some out and see which you like. Once you have found the key styles that work best for you, you can still have some fun using colour, texture and pattern.

5. Compare your options - there are so many different choices of stylish dresses that you should spend a little time researching the options before buying. You can compare price, quality, colours and styles to find the designer dresses that really suit you. Impulse buying might give you a rush of excitement in the short term, but in the long term it won’t really benefit your wardrobe. You may also save yourself some money when you discover amazingly stylish dresses at great prices. The Outnet is usually is a good starting point for discounted designer clothes.

How To Get The Best Designer Dresses On Sale

Once Christmas is done and dusted, there will be only one thing on any serious fashionistas mind and that is the sales. There is definitely an art to sales shopping. Those that plan and think carefully about it will end up with some amazing bargains including designer dresses on sale or maybe a beautiful handbag. Designer dresses and evening gowns on sale are particularly good buys because they are usually quite expensive items but also great investments that you are likely to hang onto for years to come. Just imagine how you will feel on New Years Eve in a dress that you have only paid a fraction of the real price for.

Only buy what you need

If you buy designer dresses on sale that you will never wear, they are not a bargain. You should only buy what you need and should have a good look through your wardrobe to beforehand to identify the gaps. Be aware of your danger zones! If you have a wardrobe full of shoes but can never resist buying a new pair steer well clear of the shoe department on sales day.

The early bird gets the worm

The best bargains will be snapped up straight away. Make sure that you know what date and time the sales start for your favourite stores. Have an early night the night before and get up early to make sure that you are there early. Each extra hour that you spend in bed in the morning could mean missing out on some of the most amazing designer dresses on sale, you can catch up with your sleep later.

Plan in advance

In order to stand the best chance of getting exactly what you want, you need to know exactly what that is. Write yourself a wish list in priority order and then set yourself a budget. You may not be able to get everything that you want on your list so have some second choices ready. You should also where possible try on items in advance. In the sales, shops, may not have changing rooms available and trying on can waste valuable time.

Shopping Online or Offline

There are advantages and disadvantages to shopping the sales both online and offline. For anyone who loves online dress shopping, the online sales may be your best option. You can shop from the comfort of your own home, cup of tea in hand. It is quicker and less exhausting than visiting the shops but can be equally as frustrating. There may be different items available in the online sales but you are also at the mercy of the website and your internet connection. Visiting the actual shops will work better for you if you know a particular shop and are familiar with the stock. It is also the best choice for those who like to see or feel the clothes before they buy and have sharp elbows.

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Rose New Drape Tunic - 50% off at My Wardrobe

Paul Smith Ruffle Shift Dress – 50% off at My Wardrobe

Sequin Dress by Biba – 50% off at House of Fraser

Jersey Maxi Dress By Biba – 25% off at House of Fraser

Why BCBG Dresses Are The Latest Must Have

Ask any fashionista in the know and they will tell you that one of the latest must have pieces of clothing are BCBG dresses. Dresses by the American label are literally flying off the rails at the moment with BCBG evening dresses being a big hit with celebrities for the red carpet. If you don’t already recognise the name BCBG it is the label  of much loved  Azria who has also been the designer for Herve Leger  since 2007. There has been a massive following of his cult designer dresses in the UK and around the globe. Celebrities including Kate Winslet, Victoria Beckham, Cheryl Cole and Sarah Michelle Gellar are all fans of the super body con bandage dress which hugs and sculpts the body to perfection. The BCBG dress is a stand alone piece which makes a huge style statement and requires little or nothing in the way of accessories.

The initials BCBG are from the French phrase  ’Bon chic, bon genre’ meaning ‘Good style, good attitude’. Whilst the designer Max Azria is French (born in Tunisia), his label has an American spirit about it which is cleverly combined with a European sophistication. The brand just goes from strength to strength with everyone wanting to have  BGBC Max Azria dresses. But what is it that is so special about the designer and the brand and why are BCBG dresses the latest must have?

The beauty of these dresses is that they are both practical and incredibly stylish, just what the modern women needs from her hard working wardrobe. The BCBG evening dresses combine opulence and luxury and most importantly are incredibly flattering. Of course, it always helps when a brand has a celebrity following, but the desirability of Max Azria goes well beyond the fact that he designs so many celebrity dresses. He has designed couture dresses for some of the biggest celebrity names to wear on the catwalk including Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez and Catherine Zeta Jones.  Angela Jolie, Halle Berry, Sharon Stone and Alicia Keys have all also worn BGBG dresses for major events.

BCBG dresses are a real investment purchase, the sort of clothing that will always look amazingly stylish and will never go out of fashion. They are incredibly chic and yet unlike the dresses designed for Herve Leger, they are not just celebrity dresses, they are a price that normal women can afford. They are also fun and interesting to look at with ruffles and bandage styles being key features.

You can buy this Herve Leger foil dressat Selfridges for a mere snip at £1415. It is very much the signature style of the designer.

Or  you could opt for this BCBG MAXAZRIA tunic which is a real bargain in the My Wardrobe sale at only £59. Wear it every day with leggings or save it for the summer to slip over your bikini at the beach.

Bruce Oldfield To Design Kate’s Royal Wedding Dress?

There has been so much speculation over the past few weeks as to who will be designing the future Queen’s wedding dress for the Royal Wedding of the decade. So far there have been a number of names bandied around including Issa, one of Kate’s favourite designers, Philippa Lepley and Amanda Wakely. Whilst no official announcement has yet been made, there has been ‘talk’ that Bruce Oldfield is going to be the chosen designer. Kate Middleton is likely to follow in the foot steps of many of the royals who wear very stylish but modest wedding dresses.

It would definitely make sense that Kate chooses a designer who has an extensive track record of creating beautiful dresses for celebrity a lists and royals. He also dressed Princess Diana on a number of occasions. No one is saying anything on the choice of Royal wedding dress but there has been a rush of bets being placed on the designer Bruce Oldfield so much so that on Wednesday bookmakers Paddy Powers closed their books on the designer choice due the large number of bets being placed on Bruce.

Bruce Oldfield’s career in Fashion Design has spanned 37 years and during that time he has made a name for himself particularly with his couture evening wear. Despite having a difficult start in life as a Barnado’s boy, he showed a passion for designing at an early age when he used to make clothes for his sisters dolls. When he graduated from Central St Martins in 1973 to critical acclaim he was spotted by Henri Bendel and later returned to London with his first show. He later started to make couture clothes for individual clients (including the Princess of Wales) and launched his ready to wear collection which has included some beautiful white dresses.

Bruce was awarded an OBE in 1990 for his services to the fashion industry and continues to dress British and international royalty, European Aristocracy and celebrities including Sienna Miller, Catherine Zeta Jones, Charlotte Rampling, Jerry Hall and Joan Collins to name but a few. He was even involved in the redesign of the McDonalds uniform in 2008!

In the past Bruce has been vocal on his views on British Fashion including the lack of support given to designers, the mass market for clothes and the vulgar style way that the young dress. He has also criticised amongst other Victoria Beckham and dished out advice including ‘wear less make up’, avoid ridiculously oversized bags  and how not to over accessorise. It therefore seems highly likely that if Bruce Oldfield does design the royal wedding dress that it will be a simple and very stylish affair. His dresses aim to flatter and are structured to give that little extra help. He also designs modest wedding dresses fit for a princess for his own collection of stylish and modern wedding dresses.

For any brides who will be sharing the same wedding anniversary or getting married next year like Kate and William, here are some designer white dresses which would make stunning modern wedding dresses.

Valentino – Strapless Silk Georgette Flower Gown

This dress has a simple but elegant shape and a flattering empire line. We love the intricate floral embellishment which will look great for a spring wedding.

Thurley – Cornelli Silk Georgette Gown

This dress by an Australian based designer has a romantic look. It has beautiful detail and subtle draping on the skirt.

Calvin Klein – Folded Silk Blend Dress

This dress is made from a luxurious white wool and silk blend and has ultra modern sculptural folds for a modern bride.

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