Trend Report

Party Season Pieces

Thursday October 23

Explore the best party season pieces instore now at Milford Centre.

See Trudi Bennett’s expert advice on dressing to feel your best this Party Season!

Blue Illusion Pleated Wide Leg Pant $199.99

Are you the person who secretly dreads summer invites like work parties, weddings and other events because of the worry of what to wear? You are not alone. Many people drag out the same dress they’ve worn to the previous three Xmas parties or last wedding, feeling tired from a busy year and tired of wearing the same outfit! So do yourself a favour this season and think about purchasing a lovely, confidence-boosting new outfit.

DRESSES

There are so many great options with event wear at Milford Shopping Centre at the moment. An obvious and easy choice is either a party dress, suit or jumpsuit. These outfits need no other co-ordination, other than great shoes and nice bag.

This season it’s all about colour (bold and beautiful), patterns (pretty and floral) and interesting textures (lace and velvet). Get that neckline right, make sure the outfit shows your shape and pick a colour that makes your eyes, skin and hair shine.

Moochi Resume Dress $429.99

Trenery Multi Wrap Floral Dress $449.00

Decjuba Nolita Dress $219.90

Blue Illusion One Shoulder Maxi Dress $199.99

Flo and Frankie Saben Giselle Bag $478.90

Storm V-neck Nadja Dress $389.00

Coco & Belle Lilly Dress $119.90

Storm Shirred Maxi Dress $329.00

Identity Ashley Bloom Dress $329.00

Identity Marlton Dress $340.00

Skirt & Top

Option two is the skirt and top combo. It’s versatile too, as you can split it up and wear each piece with different options next year. Every body shape suits a gradual A-line skirt, which is fitted over your thighs and falls to be slightly fuller past this point. But this season, I can’t look past all the gorgeous, coloured satin bias cut skirts, which teamed with a top that balances the shape of the skirt, looks fab. This modern style is super flattering and add amazing shoes and killer accessories; and you can’t go too far wrong.

Flo & Frankie Ivy Champagne Satin Bias Midi Skirt $119.90

Decjuba Thea Twist Printed Top $99.99 & Midi Skirt $114.90

Merchant 1948 Sparks Platform Heel $239.90

Evening Top & Trousers

Lastly, let’s not forget the dress trousers and evening top option. By evening top, I mean something that’s different from your day-to-day clothing. It needs to have nice fabric – think lace, velvet or sheer – and a flattering neckline. Those with a larger chest stick to lower necklines that show some skin from the top of the cleavage upwards. Smaller busted women may like to choose a halter neck, which is a really flattering style not normally worn day to day.

STYLE TIP: If you don’t want to expose your arms, a wrap cardigan, or dressy blazer over the top solves this problem. I especially like evening tops with some embellishment or sparkles on them!

It says I’m GOING OUT!

Repertoire Starlight Cami $289.90

Sportscraft Nili Wide Leg Jean $169.99

Identity Andie Jacket $399.99

Seasalt Cornwall Vanessa Cardigan $115.00

Accessories

Lastly, like the icing on a cake, the accessories are essential. It’s amazing how even the most non-descript outfit can be transformed by layering some fabulous necklaces, a chunky bracelet or statement earrings.

Stay tuned, as next month I’ll be writing about how to style accessories to give any outfit a lift...

Embrace the Occasion!

If you’re feeling happier about how you look this party season, it means you’ll enjoy yourself more. Don’t let the stress of feeling like you have nothing to wear bring you down. If you want to embrace the occasion and ditch the old outfit, take the time to find something you feel a million dollars in. It will make you sparkle with confidence during this very twinkly season.

– Trudi Bennett,

Instagram & Facebook @wardrobeflair

More about Trudi Bennett.

Trudi’s love affair with all things stylish ignited after living in London for six years. Upon her return to Wellington – and a couple of children later – Trudi gave her lucky friends’ a ‘wardrobe revamp’. These transformations led to many people contacting her for impeccable fashion advice. Previously a journalist in both London and NZ, she began the journey of researching and creating Wardrobe Flair in 2005.

Since then Trudi has styled numerous individuals, and has worked with new and existing corporate companies, presenting fashion segments on TV and being a Fashion Blogger for shopping centres and radio stations.

Trudi follows an instinctual, logical and practical approach to finding colours, shapes and styles that suit everyone’s unique needs. She is completely passionate about building people’s confidence. She thrives in showing individuals their strengths in dressing and most importantly, making it easy in this busy day and age.

Step into the world of Fashion with Trudi, the fabulous style guru, click the button below to see more on her website below.