It’s nearing that time of year when companies down tools for a few hours, crack open the Pimms and entertain their staff and clients at their annual summer parties, and choosing the right cocktail dress is crucial.

Whilst it’s a chance for everyone to let their hair down a bit and get to know each other outside of the routine work setting, it’s also an opportunity for you to do some networking and impress the right people. Here we give you a few tips on choosing the right cocktail dress to make a lasting impression for all the right reasons:

1. Keep it classy

Think formal dress, think Coco, think Keira Knightly, think Olivia Palermo. These stylish ladies ooze sophistication and at a corporate function, you’ll want to be taken seriously.

We’re not advising head-to-toe coverage, but do avoid showing too much flesh – no matter how toned your legs are, or how big your cup size, less is always more at a corporate get-together.

2. Show personality

Whilst it’s important to dress appropriately amongst workmates, your choice of outfit says a lot about you as a person. Don’t be afraid of opting for current trends, such as asymmetric shapes or wearing bright colours, particularly the ones that you know suit you. You natural female instinct will tell you when something is a bit too risky.

3. Stay in your comfort zone

There’s nothing more off-putting than a hemline that won’t stay put, a strap that’s just a little bit too loose or feeling conscious about what you’re wearing. When you’re talking to important clients or influential bosses your attention should be fixed firmly on the topic of conversation. Choose a dress in a shape that’s familiar to your body and make sure it fits. Being comfortable will give you one less thing to worry about, so that you can focus on impressing those around you and bagging that promotion!

GMD makes high fashion affordable by housing a range of designer dresses to rent. You can even try them on in the weeks before your party to make sure it fits and that you feel comfortable. Whether you’re fun and outgoing or quiet and reserved, let GMD help you find the perfect dress for your staff party.

Glasgow, Manchester, Essex and Edingburgh have been the most popular destinations for dress hire this month with Glasgow being twice as popular as Essex.

Over the last few weeks we have been noticing quite a few fashion trends, or shall we say Dress Hire trends, most notably about destinations. So much so that we’ve decided to celebrate our top City every month in a series of posts exclusively about that city. What a treat.

So…what’s been happening in Glasgow you ask?

Well…

We’ve been sending quite a few Ball gowns and Asymetric Dresses over to Glasgow and upon a bit of investigation it turns out that low and behold Glasgow has this last month celebrated the Scottish Fashion Awards, Glam in the City  AND the West End Festival. Quite a bit of things to look faboulus for indeed.

The Scottish Fashion Awards seem to have gone down very well with pop stars like Paolo Nutini (from Puma advert song “New Shoes” fame) and Diana Vickers (Singer of “Once” – very fun summery song for getting in the mood) joining fashion designers including Jonathan Saunders and Amanda Wakeley in the fifth anniversary of the awards in Glasgow.

Glasgow School of Art graduate Saunders took the top prize of the night, Designer of the Year – Go Jonathan!, while up-and-coming talent Holly Fulton, whose work appeared in Sex And The City 2, was voted Young Designer of the Year, come-on the girls! (ps: Hire dresses from Sex and the city film here).

Other than that what about Glam in the City?

Glam in the City is a Scottish festival which every year picks a Miss Scotland and gives women of all ages the chance to get clued up on everything they need to look their best, be it Sunbed advice or Handbag analysis….yes it turns out their is such a thing……

So there you have it Glasgow is Girl Meets Dress’ Dress Hire destination of the month.

Stay tuned!

ps: Turns out the West End Festival is a bit of a weird one, not very glamourus at all, more of a fun outdoor family thing.

With Glastonbury in full swing we were standing around the coffee machine this pm wondering which dress each of our favourite artists would be. With so many to choose from we thought we would narrow it down to which occassion each of our celebrities would hire a dress for and make a collection of posts every week. e.g. Lily Allen would be a sexy casual type of dress hire like Party Dresses or Cocktail Dresses … o and nearly forgot of course Celebrity Dresses as well of course.

So, I’ll start this week with my favourite of them all Lily Allen:

Lily Allen: Singer

About:Birth name: Lily Rose Beatrice Allen
Born: 2 May 1985  (age 25)
HQ: Hammersmith, London

Recent press: Lily Allen has been very busy these past few months working on leaving the music industry behind. Press suggests she is about to start a vintage store Lucy in Disguise later this year and that Channel 4 will be filming it…so keep an ear out.

Dressing occasion: Glamour Solo Artist of the Year Award.

While her dress was very nice

Exhibit A: Courtesey of Mail Online

Lily Allen in a flowing Gothic black gown

This other one might have really stolen some limelight – While still staying true to her long black dress theme this Dinar Bar-El > Greta Dress has been highly sought after for red carpet events already.

Dinar Bar-El Greta Dress - Hire for 2nights £109

Check out the dress here >

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.