By Carla Challis

The shade: Electric Blue
When the Duchess of Cambridge and Blake Lively are both spotted wearing the same shade of blue, you know it’s a colour you’ve got to get on board with. Flattering to every skin tone under the sun, it’s an edgier alternative to tangerine or neon pink and much more wearable – heck, you can even break the cardinal sin of no black and blue with this nifty shade. For a real moment, team with complimentary dove grey or sherbet peach.

Try these true blue babies for yourself:

From left: Ducie Maxi Dress, McQ Alexander McQueen Shirt Dress, Yves Saint Laurent Linen Dress

The shape: Two for one
It’s not quite your regular BOGOF deal you’ll find in your local supermarket, but it’s close. The smartest girls are using their sartorial style to get two for the price of one with a skirt and top combi. If, like Marion Cottilard you like the look of a pencil skirt and top, this is a much easier way to achieve it as you benefit from the clean lines a dress provides whilst creating the illusion of separate pieces. Or make like Fan Bing Bing and choose an overlay dress for a cool, matching look.

Get your two for ones here!:

From left: Roland Mouret Maxi Dress, Carven Sculpted Dress, Schumacher Good Time Dress

The show: Anne Hathaway
This girl doesn’t let a little thing like a necessary pixie crop (which she apparently cried over when being cut) stop her from giving good dress. On the promo trail for her new movie The Dark Knight, Anne Hathaway has chosen a mix of girly yet contemporary gowns, from the Grecian inspired plunging Prabal Gurung to the stunning sixties shimmer Gucci. Our favourite though, by far, is the cute and cool gingham Stella McCartney cut-out – it complements her crop to the bone.

Choose your favourite Anne and have a go for yourself:

From left: Elliot Claire Cream Toned Gown, Richard Nicoll Cashmere Bustier Dress, Marni Cady Dress (just add a supersized necklace)

In attendance at the 10th (Absolute Return for Kids) Ark Gala, were William and Kate, at what was their first official engagement together. While William looked dapper in his black tie dinner jacket, all eyes were really on his wife.

Dressed in a blush sequinned Jenny Packham ball gown with ruffled shoulder detailing, the Duchess shone. Accesorizing her ball dress with matching clutch and LK Bennett shoes (we loved the cute bows on the ankle!), Kate’s entire ensemble was floorless.

What we were most excited about here at GMD was that Gala marked the first occasion since wedding her prince, that Kate has coveted a designer outfit/dress! (A £3,500 one at that!)  Not that normally we don’t admire Kate staying true to her love of the high-street.   Wonder if Kate paid for it? Or did she borrow the designer dress? It’s not like she can wear it again; think the press might notice!

Which is why we think Kate would make a model Girl Meets Dress ambassador for designer dress hire.   She could wear designer and then simply return it.  A much cheaper option for the Duchess.  And given her eye for a bargain, that resides in Kate’s everlasting love for the offerings of the high-street, we dare say she’d think it worthwhile to be saving a penny or two.  We know we’re biased, but is anyone with us on this?

Here are some dresses from our ball gown hire and prom dress hire collections to which we think the Duchess would be rather partial!

Dina Bar-El Penelope Ball Gown. Hire: £109. RRP: £700

Dina Bar-El Gold Silk Ball Gown. Hire: £99. RRP: £558.

Dina Bar-El Dina Ball Gown. Hire: £109. RRP: £600.

Dina Bar-El Deborah Ball Gown. Hire: £109. RRP: £520.

Less than 24 hours before her wedding day, Kate Middleton’s wedding dress remains shrouded in mystery.  With the world and his wife trying to guess the designer of the Prince’s soon to be wife’s dress, it’s no wonder the Guardian decided to send out an opinion poll on the matter.  ’Crowdsourcing’ the event, readers predicted a Libélula dress in ivory for the bride.  Our choice too- we happen to be big Libélula fans! (And we should mention, have a lovely range of Libélula dresses available to hire).  But for now, back to Kate Middleton’s wedding dress.  Of the 3,000 people that took part in the Guardian’s poll, 20% plumped for Temperley to dress the bride on her fast-approaching big day.

Kate Middleton’s Wedding Dress – Your Predictions

Inspired by this public effort, we decided to ask you on your Kate Middleton wedding dress designer favourite. Amongst some of the answers we got, popular choices included Kate Middleton designing the wedding dress herself, while other Tweeters hoped to be see Kate Middleton in a Libélula dress tomorrow.  Alexander McQueen (of course) featured on the Twitter grapevine, as did Issa, a strong candidate, that is, if Kate Middleton plumps for a non-British designer- unexpected, but then, perhaps it would prove a welcome surprise!

It’s June and summer is upon us, OK maybe we’re not  experiencing the sizzling scorcher of a summer the forecasters predicted as of yet, but here at Girl Meets Dress the weather won’t stop us getting excited about the prospect of a summer filled with glamorous events and fabulous dresses to wear to them.

If your calendar is already packed with garden parties, summer weddings, sporting events and other special occasions you will need to ensure that have a suitably stunning dress (or three) to wear.

Don’t get caught making the fashion faux pas of wearing the same dress to different events, who knows where and when

you might get photographed .Make sure your events are  perfectly styled with Girl meets Dress fool proof style guide to all you summer soirees.

If you’re lucky enough to visit the Cartier polo match you’ll need a tasteful dress that is smart

enough to please the Royals, who know? You might bump into one of the Princes. Why not channel some of Kate Middleton’s style in flirty feminine dresses that are elegant enough to see you through the day, and with a few added accessories transition seamlessly for evening

celebrations. This classic shift dress by Fendi is ideal for polo in an on trend nude tone, wear with

dark shades during the day and alternate with black accessories for evening glamour.

Perhaps you’ve got a big wedding to attend and you’re stuck for ideas of what to wear, well don’t get tempted to throw on something that will make you blend into the background, you’ll regret it when you see the wedding photos. Make a statement in this bold colour block dress by Ossie Clark for a fashion forward ensemble that is ideal for those trendy city weddings.

Make the most of the warm summer evening by arranging at date with your special someone

somewhere outside. This gorgeous chain print dress by Milly is ideal for British Riviera chic a suitable style should you wish to enjoy some fine food and wine on the terrace of romantic little bistro.

If your event is an altogether fancier affair and you’ve got a black tie event to attend opt for elegance in a floor length gown. A Maxi-Dress is a brilliant compromise for comfort at formal events, keeping a dignified amount of skin disclosed whilst creating the illusion of a slim and sexy silhouette.

Don’t forget if you’re still in a quandary as to what to wear to your event give our Style Advisors a call on 07867 785 814 to get a helping hand in finding you the perfect dress.