Dress: Custom made by Sohomode
Shoes: Milu
Necklace: Quick Brown Fox
I bought this second Sohomode dress (you can see my review of the first one here) a few months ago, and the moment it arrived I was smitten. The greens! The yellows! The pinks! The fabric’s sublime, and as ever Louise has created the most beautiful piece of wearable art. The bodice fits perfectly, the skirt falls to the perfect length, the waist is in the perfect place, and the skirt has the perfect amount of fullness to it. It’s just… perfect. (Also: pockets).
I wanted to save it for the perfect special occasion, and yesterday was that day.
Yesterday I was treated to the most perfect “Hen’s Day” that a girl like me could possibly dream of.
It may surprise you to discover that I’m not of the stretch-hummer riding, strip-clup visiting, penis-straw drinking variety of bride-in-training. I’ve been to the kind of hen’s night that culminates in a roomful of gaudily-dressed women in plastic tiaras drunkenly singing karaoke to one-another whilst gyrating awkwardly on a pole, and while I’m sure it was enormously fun for some, it’s the kind of thing that left me cold.
See, I’m not a big drinker: My Dad’s Chinese heritage has left me with a healthy serve of Asian Flush Syndrome, and it was only a year or so ago (after passing out on The Sophisticate for the second time after just a few drinks) that we discovered the miracle of Zantac. I still don’t drink a lot when I’m out. Add the fact that one of my bridesmaids is still a bit too young to visit bars, and one was pregnant (as were potentially two of my guests) and I knew it wouldn’t be a big booze-up.
Somehow, SOMEHOW, my wonderful bridesmaids took my meagre suggestions of “I don’t know, something classy. No novelty dicks” and turned it into a day that I’m still buzzing from.
We started with High Tea at Madame Brussels, moved on to dinner, then jumped into a maxi-taxi to the super-secret portion of the evening: a hilarious Grease-Singalong at the beautiful Astor Theatre. The night was topped off with cocktails back in the city, and I beat The Sophisticate home from his Buck’s by ten minutes.
Seriously, I’m still smiling. I had such an amazing time, and I’m so, SO thankful for having such an extraordinary bunch of ladyfriends. I love you guys, thank-you so much for coming and making my day so special. I adored every second of it.
Perfect pairings with the yellow! Congratulations again (I can’t remember if I’ve left a note on your engagement!) xoxo
Thanks Veronica 🙂
You look wonderful, Lilli! The dress is perfection on you & those yellow heels are divine…so worth the wait…& the hunt! I love Louise’s dresses & have 3 of them as well as two of her skirts which I can highly recommend…your new one makes me hanker after another. Thankfully (for my wallet) as I’m 8 months pregnant I’ve curtailed my clothes shopping in recent months.
Sounds like a fab hen’s night. Your friends clearly know you well. I have to sat that I’m totally with you on a more refined affair – I banned anything even vaguely penis-related from my low-key hen’s night.
Jo, you probably don’t want to know that Sohomode makes excellent maternity dresses too, do you? (Says the seven-month pregnant lady who loves hers!)
And looks ADORABLE, can I just add?
Oooh! Very tempting. Thanks for letting me know, Fiona. Good luck with your pregnancy…you don’t have long to go either!
Thanks Jo! I definitely agree with Fiona, though… being pregnant’s definitely not a barrier to getting another Sohomode dress! (Also, maybe I need a skirt… hmmmnnnn)
LOVE this one, Lilli! I have never seen a dress fit anyone so perfectly… Always tricky to find the right waist height and this little number just nails it – you look beautiful!
So great that you had a lovely hen night xx
Thanks Lis – it’s divine, isn’t it? And pretty affordable, too!
That sounds like a great Hens party! I think more girls these days are favouring the classy affairs. High tea is the perfect activity for a Hen’s.
That dress is amazing – definitely the kind of outfit I would wear too. Greens and yellows are awesome 🙂
Hi Esz – yep, High Tea was a perfect fit for me – and my friends too, phew! I think everyone had a good time, and no-one was bedridden the following day!
Heavenly dress- the colors are gorgeous and it is just sooooooo pretty!!!
Love the yellow heels and necklace- lively highlights of pop color.
I’ve organized a few hens for friends and yep, not a fan of tacky ones. Glad u enjoyed yours!
Thanks, Rochelle. I love the green – surprisingly I don’t have many green dresses (might have to change that!)
What a beautiful dress – you look stunning. May I ask what the name of the fabric is? It’s so beautiful.
Hey Sparkle – Louise only uses her own, privately sourced vintage fabrics. She called this one “Arden” for what it’s worth
This dress is perfect on you & your night sounds truly wonderful.
I adore the pops of yellow & the way you did your hair, gorgeous!
Thankyou, Katha! The mini buns hairdo is the perfect “oops, didn’t have time to dry my hair” style!
Wow! I always read your blog through google reader but I just had to stop by and say, amazing dress, great shoes, you just look stunning and so happy 🙂 yay!! Xo
Thanks Alana 🙂
Oh what an absolutely beautiful dress! I have favourited the link and will order one as my birthday treat in the summer, I adore the fact it has pockets! I love the way you’ve accessorised it too, just gorgeous.
And the hen sounds like an absolute dream, I’m absolutely with you about the hummer-variety! I think mine will be of a similar kind in a couple of months’ time! x
Thanks, Nazneen – definitely treat yourself, I love both my Sohomode dresses, Louise does wonderful work. Have fun with your hen’s too!
divine!!!!
Thanks, Mandy!
Okay, lots of things to say in this post so let’s start from the top.
a) That dress is beyond fabulous and you look INCREDIBLE. I love that those photos illustrate how happy you are 🙂 I love, love, love your other Sohomode dress but I think I love this one even more, if possible. Green is definitely your colour. Also, it’s official: I need a Sohomode dress, like right now.
b) Your hen’s night sounds AMAZING. I am at the age where all of my friends are getting married and I’ve been to a floppity-jillion hens nights lately. The penis straw ones are just NOT FUN, mainly because most people don’t have that sort of personality and even the bride I find is sort of merrily trying to pretend she’s having fun. I sort of dread those ones because at 26, I just feel like I’m too old to be wandering around with an inflatable penis and woo-hooing.
I am the chief bridesmaid in two weddings this year and both the brides would much prefer something like your hen’s night.
c) I’m not sure when the actual wedding date is but if I forget, I just wanted to wish you a truly wonderful wedding. I’ve been reading your blog since you broke up with your ex and I was so happy when you found love with the Sophisticate. What you have sounds so wonderful and I wish you both a lifetime of happiness.
OK, that was super long-winded, apologies! Will be keeping my fingers crossed for good weather xx
Thanks, Jess, that means a lot 🙂
a) Yes you do.
b) lucky you, having to plan two hen’s dos in one year! Have fun, and I can thoroughly recommend high tea, followed by a Grease singalong!
c) end of Jan (eek!), and thankyou! It’s so nice to have readers who’ve been along for the whole wonderful ride. 🙂
Firstly – your hen do sounds perfect! Mine was very similar – a chilled out weekend of eating lots, spa days and taking over a boutique hotel!
The dress is beautiful – I am very tempted to save up and buy one. I’m hoping the three friends we have who got engaged recently will have weddings soon and that will give me the perfect excuse to buy it!
Sounds like a good excuse to me, Claire! I LOVE my two dresses, seriously, they’re some of the favourite items in my wardrobe.
I had a small hen’s night because I am terrified of dick straws, anything inflatable and velcro.
I had a sleepover party and we watched Audrey Hepburn movies all night. It was wonderful. Plus it suited me because I am a cross between a 10 year old and an old lady. I skipped the middle.
I am so happy you found your way of celebrating. Just as everyone should.
You look magnificent. Just gorgeous.
xxx
Thankyou, Toni – I, too, am a cross between a 10 year old & an old lady. I had such a fun time – no tequila shots required.
So beautiful, that really is the perfect dress!
Thanks Rapunzel, I thought so 🙂
Your dress is gorgeous!!! I’m so glad you had a fabulous time.
Thanks Gretchen – I had the BEST time, so happy, LOVE my brideys <3
I couldn’t let this opportunity go by without wishing you all the best for your wedding in a couple of weeks…I am looking forward to seeing some photos after the big event…
This dress is beautiful – just the right amount of everything…I just love the fabric and cut and it looks sensational on you… Sharon – Dymocks Doncaster
Thanks Sharon – Lots of pics coming, promise!
Hi there,
I’ve been following your posts for an age now, and just always come away inspired by your style!
I came across this website the other day and had to think of you, thought it may be up your alley.
All the best with your upcoming wedding, you sound like you have everything under control!
x Michelle
oops forgot the website…
http://www.houseofdots.nl
Lilli, I can see why you love the dress! It’s gorgeous! And best yet, it fits you perfectly and is most flattering. For me, the deal breaker is the too long length. This one seems to hit you right at the knee, which to me, is the perfect length. So glad your night turned out so spectacular. You’re getting closer to your special day! 🙂
Oh lili, you are a true treasure
You look so very beautiful
Love love the yellow accents,
It has been a delight working with you
Thankyou so much.
You look incredible!!!! Just lovely – a definite OMG moment. Best of luck with the next couple of weeks xx
ADORABLE! I love this dress and the yellow shoes. I wonder if I could pull this dress off. You look amazing. Congrats on the wedding! I have my own to look forward to in October.
Woo! Good luck with your planning. Hope it’s all going well so far!
We just did a brunch for my hens. My bridesmaid got each person to write lovely things about me on postcards for me to keep – but first they read them out 🙂 Then afterwards a trip to Savers in Brunswick for some vintage shopping and then an art show – perfect..
Oh, that sounds lovely, linda. I like that idea 🙂
You look ridiculously stunning, you have some of the most beautiful clothing I’ve ever seen and this dress is a prime example! It fits you like a glove and is such a gorgeous pattern. Congratulations on the successful Hen party and I’m glad to hear you were thrown one that fit you and made you happy, it sounds like a fabulous time.
<3Honeysuckelle
Thankyou, Honeysuckelle! I had the best time, honestly!
You look fabulous! Love the dress!
Me too! It’s my 2nd favourite current dress. (My first favourite is white, hint hint!)
You look fab in this little number and I am so sorry I could not make it to what sounds like a FAB hen’s day! I know all the words to Grease too…yep that’s all the songs and the script! 😉 So glad you had a ball.
It was LOVELY! The Astor does the Grease singalong regularly through the year! You should totally go, I think KG just about fell off her chair laughing, so you could probably twist her arm to join you!
Amazing look! I love your dress and your shoes and the colours are awesome 🙂 you are very beautyful! 🙂