Finding something to wear for a special occasion can be surprisingly difficult. You want an outfit that feels different from your everyday wardrobe, suits the event and still feels like you.
Whether the invitation is for a wedding, cocktail party, long lunch, birthday celebration or holiday event, the starting point should be the occasion rather than simply choosing the first dress that catches your eye.
Margovil offers a broad collection of women's fashion, including dresses, jumpsuits, separates and resort styles. In this guide, we look at some of the different ways to approach occasion dressing and what Australian shoppers should consider when ordering online.
Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. Fashion Weekly may receive a commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. This does not affect our editorial content or the price you pay.
What is Margovil?
Margovil is an online women's fashion retailer with collections covering everything from casual styles and separates through to statement dresses, jumpsuits and occasionwear.
For anyone shopping specifically for an event, the breadth of the range makes it possible to explore different silhouettes rather than limiting yourself to one particular style of dress.
Explore the Margovil collection
1. Dressing for a wedding
A wedding is probably one of the most common occasions when we find ourselves searching for something new to wear.
Before choosing your outfit, look at the invitation. The dress code, venue and time of day can tell you a great deal about what will work.
A relaxed garden or beach wedding might call for a flowing midi or maxi dress, while an evening reception at a formal venue gives you more scope for an elevated silhouette, richer fabric or statement detailing.
Colour also deserves some thought. Unless the couple has specifically requested otherwise, avoiding white and very bridal-looking ivory or cream outfits remains the safer choice for wedding guests.
Fashion Weekly Tip: Check the dress code, venue and time of day before buying your wedding guest outfit. A garden wedding, beach ceremony and formal evening reception can call for very different looks.
2. Cocktail parties and evening events
Cocktail dressing gives you an opportunity to have a little more fun with your wardrobe.
This is where statement silhouettes, one-shoulder designs, fitted dresses, interesting necklines, metallic details and sequins can come into their own.
However, statement dressing does not mean every part of your outfit needs to compete for attention.
If the dress is dramatic, consider keeping your shoes, jewellery and bag relatively simple. If the dress itself is understated, accessories can become the focal point instead.
3. Long lunches and daytime occasions
Daytime events often require a slightly different approach.
For a birthday lunch, engagement celebration, races event or other daytime occasion, consider pieces that feel polished without looking overly formal.
Printed dresses, softer silhouettes, midi lengths and lighter fabrics can work particularly well for daytime dressing.
Think about comfort too. An outfit that looks wonderful standing in front of a mirror still needs to work when you are sitting, eating, walking and socialising for several hours.
4. Resort and holiday dressing
Special occasion dressing does not always involve a formal invitation.
Holidays often bring their own wardrobe requirements, from resort lunches and sunset drinks to dinners and celebrations.
Margovil has a dedicated selection of resort-oriented fashion, making this another part of the range worth exploring.
For a holiday wardrobe, look for pieces that can do more than one job. A maxi dress that works with flat sandals during the day may take on a completely different character with jewellery, a small evening bag and dressier shoes at night.
Fashion Weekly Tip: When buying for a holiday, think in outfits rather than individual garments. Pieces that work with several shoes, bags and accessories can give you more options without filling your suitcase.
5. What if you do not want to wear a dress?
An occasion outfit does not have to mean a dress.
A jumpsuit can create much of the impact of a statement dress while giving you a completely different silhouette. Coordinated separates can also be useful, particularly when you want pieces that can be worn again in different combinations.
Margovil carries jumpsuits, tops, skirts, trousers and other separates alongside its dress collections, so it is worth looking beyond the dress category before making a decision.
6. Maxi, midi or mini?
Length can completely change the character of an outfit.
Maxi dresses can create an elegant, flowing look and work particularly well for evening occasions, destination events and resort dressing.
Midi dresses are extremely versatile. Depending on the fabric and styling, they can work for weddings, lunches, cocktail events and many other occasions.
Mini dresses can be a fun choice for parties and less formal celebrations, particularly when balanced with the right footwear and accessories.
Rather than following a rule about which length you "should" wear, consider the event, the proportions of the garment and what makes you feel comfortable.
7. Pay attention to fabric and fit
Online fashion shopping requires a little more homework because you cannot try the garment on before purchasing it.
Look at the fabric composition and product description as well as the photographs.
A fabric with stretch can fit quite differently from a structured woven fabric, even when both garments carry the same size label.
It is also worth considering underwear before you buy. Low backs, cut-outs, strapless necklines and lighter fabrics may require a particular bra or undergarment.
8. Check the measurements, not just the size
This is particularly important when purchasing clothing from an international retailer.
Do not automatically assume that your usual Australian dress size will translate directly to the same numbered or lettered size on another website.
Check the retailer's current size information and, where available, measurements for the garment you are considering.
Compare these with your own measurements rather than simply ordering your usual size.
Fashion Weekly Tip: Keep your bust, waist and hip measurements saved in your phone. It makes checking international size charts much easier when shopping online.
Shopping at Margovil from Australia
Australian shoppers can currently order from Margovil, but there are several things worth knowing before purchasing.
- Ships to Australia: Yes
- Currency: Prices are currently charged in US dollars
- International shipping: Available to Australia
- Processing: Allow processing time in addition to the advertised delivery period
- Duties and taxes: Check whether any applicable destination charges may be payable
- Returns: Read the current return conditions before purchasing
Margovil currently publishes several shipping options for Australia, ranging from lower-cost standard delivery through to faster express services. Shipping prices and estimated delivery times can change, so check the current information at checkout before ordering.
9. Give yourself enough time
If you are shopping for a specific event, do not leave an international online order until the last minute.
Allow for order processing as well as international delivery, and ideally leave yourself enough time to try the garment on and resolve any sizing issue before the event.
This becomes particularly important for weddings and other occasions where replacing an unsuitable outfit a few days beforehand could be difficult.
10. Read the return conditions before ordering
Return policies are an important part of any online fashion purchase, particularly when buying internationally.
Before ordering, check the current Margovil returns information, including the return period, the condition garments must be in, who pays return shipping and whether sale or promotional items have different conditions.
Keep tags and packaging intact until you are certain that you are keeping the garment.
Finding your Margovil occasion look
The best special occasion outfit is not necessarily the most dramatic dress on the page.
Start with where you are going, how formal the event is and what you will actually be doing while you are there. Then think about silhouette, colour, fabric, comfort and how you will style the complete outfit.
Whether that leads you to a flowing maxi dress, a cocktail style, a jumpsuit or something completely unexpected, taking a little extra time before ordering can make online occasion shopping much easier.
Shop Margovil dresses and women's fashion
Prices, promotions, product availability, shipping charges, delivery estimates and return conditions can change. Check the retailer's website for current information before purchasing.
