In a floor-length, ostrich feather and sequin-adorned black Marchesa ball dress, Spanish screen siren-goddess Penelope Cruz proved herself to be the belle of the red carpet at the World Premiere of the fourth Pirates of the Carribean movie on Saturday. The 37 year old’s ball dress was set off by a healthy olive glow, and absolutely no sign of any remaining baby weight, following the birth of her and Javier Bardem’s son in January.

Black Beauty- The Ball Dress that Stole the Show

The actress’ ball gown, embroidered with feather and jet crystals, was complimented by Chopard jewelry, while her hair was swept back into a simple up-do- perfectly balancing out her lavish ball dress.   In her ball gown, Penelope looked like decadence personified, while her co-star, the sexily eccentric Johnny Depp, opted for a Keith Richards inspired tux/jacket, posing alongside his Rolling Stone idol on the red carpet.   Depp admitted that while still filming, seeing Penelope pregnant and her and Bardem with their newborn son made him feel rather broody.

Ball Gowns for Hire – Rent a Ball Dress Fit for Penelope

A customized ball dress, getting your hands on Penelope’s Marchesa ball gown would be near next to impossible. However, the following ball gowns for hire come close to channeling Penelope’s black beauty ball dress glamour.   Strapless and floor-length, the divine swirl detailing on this Ruth Tarvydas ball dress will lend your ball gown the element of Penelope luxury you’re looking  for. Ball gown for hire: £99 (original price £600.)

The 100% silk, backless Hedron Organza ball dress by PPQ, with its ruffled detailing, lives up to its name as the ultimate statement maker.  Hire: £79, (this ball dress would usually retail for £724).  Be every inch the goddess in this seductive long ball gown with diamante shoulder strap detailing.

With its plunging neckline and classic cut, the ball dress is the epitome of sexy sophistication, while the shoulder straps add that touch of Penelope bling for all of us that won’t be splashing out on Chopard diamond drop earrings quite yet.  (For similar earrings why not check out the GMD jewellery to buy section, where you’ll find fabulous pieces such as these Martine Wester crystal statement earrings.) But back to the ball dress! Rent ball gown: £79.  Original RRP: £325.  

With the Henley Royal Regatta 2011 fast approaching, now is the time to start thinking about an outfit.  And with that, should come a  swift adherence to the dress code for the Henley Royal Regatta.  It’s important you get it right; get it wrong and you risk being turned away for not meeting the strict requirements of the assigned dress code for Henley Royal Regatta Stewards’ Enclosure.  (If you’re not going to be in the Stewards’ Enclosure then smart casual dress is more than acceptable. ) Thankfully in all 172 years of the rowing event’s existence, the dress code for the Henley Royal Regatta Stewards’ Enclosure has remained very much fixed in place.

Dress Code for Henley Royal Regatta – Dresses with Short Hemlines Beware!

That the dress code for Henley Royal Regatta is renowned for being particularly strict was proved at the event two years previously when a 22 year old girl from Ascot, Berkshire was turned away from the distinguished Stewards’ Enclosure at the Henley Royal Regatta. Wearing a strapless, ruffled peach dress from Reiss, student Lucy Mogford was turned away after guards told her her dress did not cover her knees, and therefore did not sufficiently meet the specified dress code for Henley Royal Regatta.  Even despite Miss Mogford’s protests that she had been allowed into the Royal Enclosure at Royal Ascot wearing the same dress earlier that year, Royal Henley Regatta stewards denied her entry to the Steward’s Enclosure.  While the student maintained she’d been allowed into the Royal Enclosure at Ascot earlier that year, the dress didn’t succeed in passing the strict dress code for Henley Royal Regatta test.

The Rules: Dress Code for Henley Royal Regatta Stewards’ Enclosure – Ladies

• A dress OR suit with a hemline below the knee
• Culottes, divided skirts, or trousers of any kind are NOT permitted
• Ladies are also encouraged to wear hats or fascinators

Henley Royal Regatta 2011

If you’re not a culottes fan, the no-culottes mandate might come as a welcome restriction.  The exacting hemline length rules, however, might serve more as an annoyance- high-street and even designer fashions don’t always run parallel to the dress code diktats of events such as Henley Royal Regatta.    However, with our online designer dress hire boutique catering to women with special occasions and events to go to, we guarantee that women in need of a dress that meets the requirements of the dress code for Henley Royal Regatta 2011 will have no trouble finding something that meets both their and the vigilant stewards’ approval.  Pictured are some of our suggestions for the perfect outfit, all of which are designer dresses for hire on our website.

‘Hmm, what to wear at a wedding?’ you’re thinking, as you glance at the invitation pinned to the fridge, tormenting you each and every time walk past it.  ‘An outfit for a wedding,’ you say to yourself.  ‘Can’t be that hard.’  But as you start to think about it in more detail, the ‘what to wear at a wedding question’ becomes a lot harder to answer. Deciding what to wear to a wedding requires getting the four ‘w’s (that’s who, what, where, and whens of the wedding) exactly right.

A Designer Wedding Outfit? What to Wear at a Wedding – Tailoring it for the Occasion

No matter the ‘who’, (whose wedding you’re attending) in getting what to wear to a wedding right, your outfit needs  to make the right kind of statement – not one of the ‘upstage the bride’ kinds, nor one of the ‘far too casual for a wedding’ kind. An outfit for a wedding needs to give off all the right impressions; it’s as much a symbol of your feelings toward the due-to-be wed couple as anything.  A shabby outfit for a wedding spells indifference, while an outfit for a wedding that is overdone and outshines the bridal gown itself, might spell disaster/embarrassment for multiple parties.

What Do I Wear to a Wedding? What to Wear at any Wedding

Depending on the ‘when’ and the ‘where’ of the big day, you may need to tailor you outfit for a wedding choice accordingly.  A fail-safe option is almost certainly a dress; go for something simple in cut and pattern, that you can dress up or down depending on the scale and tone of the event.  Trousers risk looking a bit too alternative, unless alternative or low-key is the order of the (wedding) day, then they are probably best left to the men.  Meanwhile, skirts can look chic, but getting a hemline and style that is both age appropriate and right for the occasion and time of year can be tricky. 

Designer Wedding Outfit Hire

‘ What do you I wear to wedding?’ you ask your work colleague.  ‘A designer wedding outfit?’ they suggest.  ‘Won’t that be expensive?’ you ask.   ‘Not if you go for designer dress hire,’ she refutes.   A designer wedding outfit doesn’t have to be expensive if you go down the route of designer dress hire.   We give you some lovely designer wedding outfit suggestions that will guarantee you look spot on, with an outfit for a wedding that ticks all four wedding  ‘w’s.   Dress up or down, with or without tights depending on the weather- versatility is everything when it comes to your designer wedding outfit! Click on each designer wedding outfit to learn more about hiring it.

1.LaDress olive tunic (left). Hire: prices start at £69.  Accesorize your designer dress outfit with this Blaguette square cocktail ring and NY straw clutch.

2. Beyond Vintage batwing dress (bottom).  Hire: prices start at £79 (RRP: £270.) Team with a chic cropped jacket and minimal accesories such as this Wilbur & Gussie ‘Edith’  leopard clutch and these labradorite drop earrings from Blaguette; a designer wedding outfit for all seasons!

3. Jonathan Saunders long silk dress. Hire: £179 (RRP: £1, 259). Blue clutch: Wilbur & Gussie.  Wear with earrings from 2. or cocktail ring from 1. 

Did you know you that when you hire a Girl Meets Dress dress (try saying that 5 times fast!) you get to keep it for 2 nights? Why would I want to wear the same dress 2 nights in a row, you ask? Well with a little clever styling and some celebrity inspiration, you can take your dress to a whole new level for a second night running – unless, of course, your first night was so raucous the thought of leaving your bed is more than you can handle.

Take this gorgeous Fendi dress – just £169 for 2 nights. Luscious and luxurious in 100% silk, this stunning dress has real red carpet credentials.

{Sleeveless Silk A-Line Dress by Fendi}

Carey Mulligan is Hollywood’s darling, and her red carpet style is coveted by editors of glossy magazines the world over. Pictured here in Miu Miu, she unexpectedly pairs her sweet dress with opaque black tights and leg lengthening black heels finish the look. Accesorise with a pixie crop, or a cute up-do if you have longer hair. And remember – when channelling Mulligan’s style, less is more: no need to go overboard with accessories, the simple belt is enough.

Pair your classic pastel Fendi from our collection with Wolford tights, taking this dress from spring to bitter, English winter in one fell swoop. Towering black heels are a must, keeping your toes inches away from puddles, or go for a shoe boot if you feel like upping the ante.

This sophisticated yet sweet dress would be perfect for a date, special dinner, office party – you name it! The options are endless.

For a true red carpet look, bring a date whose pockets are extremely useful for all your essentials – lipstick, phone, etc. Celebs never carry a handbag on the red carpet, why should you?

Alexa Chung is truly the Queen of Cool, and the perfect inspiration for our ‘day after’ outfit. Alexa’s quirky cool style lends itself perfectly to ‘the second night out on the trot’ – and, if you ask me, I am sure she is more than partial to a good knees up!

As much as this Fendi is the perfect glamourous outfit for that special event, it is also ideal for a relaxed day or evening spent with friends. Make like Alexa and pair with last nights opaques, or go for some patterned or deep jewel-coloured tights.

‘Borrow’ your date’s cardigan, swap the removable belt for a vintage find and throw on a a cosy, knitted scarf. Luckily for you, tousled hair is part of the look, and last night’s make-up is more of a do than a don’t. For the true Alexa experience, don’t forget your brogues!

Head to the pub for some ‘hair of the dog’ or have a brisk stroll around town to perk you up (bacon sarnie, optional). Your friends will all be dying to know your secret – go on, share the love: Girl Meets Dress £20 gift vouchers bought now are worth £50!

{L-R Wolford Tights, Kurt Geiger Evie Courts, ASOS Tobago Shoe Boots, Topshop Knitted Tip Cardigan, ASOS Mini Doctor’s Bag, Topshop Zig Zag Snood, Pieces Ulf Double Wrap Belt at ASOS, Topshop Kamille Brogues}

By Catherine Sprunt.