A lot of people struggle with wearing red. It’s easier to wear more subtle colours and to not stick out in a  crowd. Sometimes, though, a little bit of colour in our wardrobe doesn’t harm. Lately we have seen more and more celebrities wearing a little red dress on the red carpet so we thought it time to give some styling tips on how to wear it:

Red silk dress © Gucci

1. Keep it neutral.

Pair your little red dress with nude pumps for a sleek, summery look that is fresh and polished (see picture). Acutally you will notice that this combination is often chosen if you pay attention.  Of course, a pair Louboutins always work, but I think there are much more affordable aternatives that look just as stunning.

2. Keep it simple.
Don’t go overboard with accessories.  Actually you wouldn’t need any accessories at all and let the dress speak for itself. If you want to wear jewellery, try a statement necklace or large pair of dangly earrings. Keep it simple and pick one piece only .

3. Keep it young.
Great news: to look great you don’t need a fancy hair do, just wear your hair down. Long locks (slightly tousled) are what makes this look work.  We think the beach-ier the better.  Save the fancy up-dos for the holiday parties.

Rated: from 424 votes

Maxi-Dress © Goddiva

The sexy Maxi-Dress is back again for another Summer. Long, swish and super comfortable, the maxi-dress has been a long time in hitting the high street. Long dresses such as these are very practical indeed - us ladies can last a few days before we have worry about releasing the razor from it’s hiding place in the bathroom cabinet. Gone are those long summer days when we spend hours plucking, shaving and waxing.

With this style of dress falling down to the ankles, it actually elongates the body and can make even the shortest of women appear to add a couple of inches.  A casual strapless maxi-dress works great as a summer evening outfit and covers any last minute binge-bumps underneath the smooth fabric. Team it with a cute clutch and some flat sandals and you’ll be fighting them off.

The perfect maxi can be hard to find, however. The latest style, made of jersey, may not be for everyone as this may often accentuate those parts of the body you want to draw eyes away from.. If you see a gorgeous dress on someone in the street, don’t be afraid to stop them and ask where they bought it. I’m sure they’ll be only too flattered to share.

Maxi-dresses first made an appearance a couple of years ago when stylists like Sass and Bide or Stella McCartney brought them out onto the catwalks. These were not dresses the average lady could afford. Now, however, many high street stores offer good quality, not unreasonably priced, maxi-dresses. So you have no excuse.

Rated: from 379 votes

source: stock.xchng © lusi

Have you ever given consideration to designing or even making your own dress or night dress? I don’t know about you but sometimes I have very firm ideas of exactly the dress I want to wear to a party. I can visualise it in my head but for the love of God can’t find it in any high street store or even some of the designer sites on the internet.

I am not particularly crafty and I really don’t have the fingers for intricate detailing, so the prospect of actually making my own “formal dress” fills me with dread. I can’t use a sewing machine, hell I can’t even thread a needle let alone follow a pattern. So I was relieved to hear that there are people out there who can turn the idea in your head into an actual unique piece made just for you.

Better still these amazing people can deliver your dress to you within ten days, which really appeals to my impatient streak.

How does it work? Quite simply there are three simple steps; the first is to choose the fabric you would like to feel against your skin. I decided to opt for a formal dress I had seen on TV and try and recreate it. I picked liquid gold in organza silk. The process is to pick from a variety of sections on your body, upper half, neckline, waist, sleeves and the lower panel, ending with the total look of your dress.

You can even add on a few trimmings, corsages, belts, bows, you name it, you have got it, better still, you can then order the same style in one or two different colours.

It’s quite addictive so if you want to have a look and try it out for yourself you might need to set aside some time a bit longer than 5 minutes.

Rated: from 2813 votes

source: © shopzilla - hafize ozbudak

Feathers are all the rage. Whether it’s full on feather dresses or just adding a little feathery fringe to a short dress, this style and design is very now and will certainly make you stand out from the crowd.

My personal favourite designs are of the short strapless dress variety covered all over in spindly feathers of the same colour. I recently saw a gorgeous creation on Georgina Chapman in a magazine. She looked like snow!

The vintage style is also perfect with feathers. Long flowing gowns in pastel colours look gorgeous with a few feathers on the lower skirt. It gives a 20’s feel to the cocktail dress and looks effortlessly divine.

As ruffles are very much in fashion at the moment, you might want to consider an above the knee dress and replace the tiers of fabric with tiers of closely packs feathers. It’s very Swan Lake and imagine how they will feel when they brush against your skin.

If you worry that it might be a bit over the top for your liking just going for a hint of feathery fun might be the answer. A little feathered trim on a plain shift sequined dress would be great, you could even, if you were daring enough, sew them on yourself.

Combine feathers, ruffles and corsages and frankly you will steal the show.

Rated: from 2817 votes

source: stock.xchng © jivaya

Ladies and gentleman I have waited for this day. Being an avid watcher of all things Sex and the City, do you remember the moment in the credits when Carrie sees herself on the side of the bus? She’s wearing a tutu and I have always, always wanted one.

Now it’s possible. Without wanting to look too ballerina about it, it was a welcome surprise that I found a skirt I fell in love with. Its brilliant pillar box red and is covered in sequins and it’s a steal at £12. I don’t for the love of God know when I would wear it, so I thought perhaps I should go for a slightly plainer one and see if I could get away with it.

For £10, they had a plain black version that if I put some tights on and a little vest and my boots would be sensational. You will see me standing at the bus station soon, pretending to be waiting for a bus that might just have my face on it. It won’t, but we can all dream.

Rated: from 2898 votes

source: stock.xchng © lockstockb - wedding dress

What do you wear to a wedding if you are the mother of the bride? You can’t copy the “bride’s dress” by choosing white, and please God, you must not be seen dead in insipid pastel colours, especially if it’s a winter wedding.

Here are some tips:

Make a statement: Your outfit needs to tell everyone that you are exceptionally significant in the wedding. Ushers and fathers have it easy, with the tails and top hats that the other male guests aren’t wearing, but women need to make a little more effort. Fuchsia makes a bold statement, providing you won’t be clashing with the bridesmaids. It can be dressed down slightly for the boring day part and once you take off your jacket, you can floor the opposition ie: the groom’s mother!

Make sure you feel comfortable: You have probably taken over half the wedding guest list, so it’s a given that distant friends and family will be in attendance. It’s important to look great but not at the expense of being uncomfortable. Weddings are notoriously long days, so ensure the materials are luxurious and feel soft against your skin.

Ban frumpiness: A half inch the wrong way on the hem can be the decider between stunning and frumpy! Don’t make that mistake; get some opinions from people you trust. When the eyes aren’t following the “bride’s dress”, they’re analysing your outfit. So give them something great to look at!

Rated: from 3105 votes

Paisley Print Dress © Paul Smith

In September two of my friends are getting married and the usual question has come up: what am I going to wear? Over the weekend I have been searching the web to find a nice dress for the wedding. A few weeks ago I saw a lady on the tube wearing a really nice dark blue dress and since then I decided that for this year’s wedding celebrations, I am going to go for dark blue dress, too. The colour is elegant and very flattering on your figure. But it turned out to be rather a difficult hunt to find a similar dress. After spending an hour online and coming up with nothing not finding anything similar, I gave up.
And imagine my surprise this morning on my way to work, when I saw a blue dress in one of the shopping windows. There it was, waiting for me to try it on. So I went into the store and within minutes I was in the changing room and the dress fit perfectly. Now I don’t have to worry about finding a suitable dress anymore, it just leaves the matching shoes, handbag and accessories…. Should I wear a waistbelt with it?

Rated: from 1757 votes

fashionable leopard print dress ©Shopzilla

Celebrities are showing us their love for leopard skin and it continues to be a hot fashion trend this autumn. So why not add a touch of wild and exotic–ness to your wardrobe.   From animal printed clothes to leopard print footwear and accessories such as wallets and handbags, there is plenty from which to pick and choose.  Your money will be well invested as it seems this classic animal-print will never really go out of style.

Animal and leopard print clothes may not be for everyone as not every woman feels comfortable wearing this type of print.  Some may think a leopard dress looks a little overdone and should be reserved for the catwalk. But  these women should be proven they are wrong, as there are plenty of combination possibilities.  Everyone can follow this trend without looking like they’re going to a fancy dress party. Choose a single piece of animal print clothing or accessories and combine it with a plain outfit.   Accessories will pimp up your outfit and make the perfect sexy party outfit.  If you are a fashionista who wants draw attention then you should consider investing in an animal print jacket this season to invest in an animal print jacket and the looks will definitely follow you. The Leopard print jacket goes very nicely with jeans and slim black pants.

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Rated: from 2310 votes

source: stock.xchng © pinkfetish

One shoulder dresses add a touch of glamour to any occasion. It also shows a little extra flesh but still leaving a lot to the imagination.

There are some outstanding designs in the little black party dress department. The Christian Lacroix Asymmetric pleat dress is breath taking, it’s made from black silk organza and looks absolutely stunning. Intricate draped detailing and a full contrast bubble skirt make this design a little different from all the rest.

For a more simple style Alexander McQueen has created a “party dress” that oozes elegance, charm and subtle chic. I firmly believe that slipping into this little number will set your confidence soaring, you will enter the room and absolutely know in no uncertain terms that you look fantastic. Made from silk satin, it has alluring appeal. A strapped neckline frames the shoulders beautifully and the hemline is draped with a contrast crepe lining adding a touch of glamour.

Sporting a giant bow which is exceptionally fashionable right now, I decided that we would steer it all away from black blackness of the little black dress and go for a tad more metallic gold. Made of gold Lurex, the bow is attached to the side of the waist and the dress has ruched detailing as well as a slit up the back and a hidden zip wisping up the side.

Whatever style you choose, you will feel a million dollars in the creation of your choice. The one shoulder dress is a particular favourite on the red carpet and its popularity has certainly surged this year at the awards ceremony.

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Rated: from 1770 votes

source: stock.xchng © ignacioleo

Synonymous with style, flair, and oozing sexiness, the Latin dances are notoriously hot to watch and the clothes should say the same. Salsa dancing and the tango are Latin and require equal amounts of pizzazz with regards to the dress as they do the steps.

Bold colours add a touch of flare and the dress should really move, so fringes and ruffles are a must for this look.

You need to have the hips for this look with many dresses slashed at the waist and the line is cut very low resting on your hips, so everything is on show. Think Shakira or even a touch of J Lo. You can achieve this look not only with the dress but also with hair accessories and pinned back hair styles.

Latin is not the exclusive domain of Strictly Come Dancing. It works as a party dress and a beach dress as well as a ballgown. Try it for yourself and feel sexy and flirty before you have even stepped out of the house. I found a sensational creation it bright bold red, a completely bare stomach except for a few straps in a cross design joining the skirt which is fringed also in red and features a shawl like waist. From the rear it’s totally backless as the neckline is a halter neck style.

You need confidence to carry off this look and if you don’t have it, you soon will when you put on one of these designs and step outside. Traffic will stop, jaws will drop and you will have no problem getting a taxi back home!

Rated: from 2315 votes