Wales Business Awards: Style Guide

This is your moment.

You’ve built, led, delivered. And now it’s time to celebrate at the Wales Business Awards. But before we raise a glass at the Mercure, it’s time to answer the question “What will I wear?”. From dress-code decoding to colour palettes, flattering fits to celebrity inspiration…here’s your one stop guide to finding your perfect look.

The Dress Code: Black Tie at Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel & Spa

Black tie is the brief: formal, evening-ready, elevated. Traditionally, that meant floor-length gowns, but now there’s more flexibility.

Black tie is defined by how it’s finished and styled. Think refined fabrics—silk, satin, velvet, chiffon—and an overall sense of polish. And that applies whether that’s floor-length or cocktail, tailored suiting or modern eveningwear.

The challenge we all face at events like this, is that it’s a step away from everyday dressing, and finding a look is less instinctive. You want to meet the moment, while still feeling like you. This guide is here to help.

Colours of the Season

There are two clear directions this season—and both work for black tie, depending on how you wear them.

MTK minimalism

Think champagne tones, soft metallics, and light pastels—quieter colours that rely on fabric and finish to make an impact. Cloud Dancer leads here, setting the tone for something clean, understated, and considered.

Bold is Back

But then on the flip-side, bold is officially back. Tomato reds, hot pinks, bright greens, and brilliant blues—colours that bring energy into the room without needing much else.

Finding What Works for You

Trends are one thing, but the difference is in how a colour sits on you—especially under evening lighting. Colour analysis is the process of working out which shades lift your skin, and highlight your features.

The good news is, finding your best shades is easier than it sounds:

DIY Colour Analysis

01

Set it up properly

Stand facing a window in natural daylight. Remove makeup if you can, and wear something neutral. This makes it much easier to see what’s actually happening.

02

Test warm vs cool

Take a look at your veins in your wrist. If they're green/olive, you're warm. If they're blue/purple, you're cool. Jewellery can also help highlight. Gold complements warm, silver suits cool. Hold something gold or champagne near your face, then something silver or icy-toned. If gold lifts your skin → you likely suit warmer tones (champagne, red, green, earthy shades). If silver looks better → you likely suit cooler tones (pink, blue, jewel tones, black).

03

Test soft vs bold

Now compare a softer shade (champagne, blush, pastel) with something bolder (red, cobalt, hot pink). If softer shades look effortless → lean into MTK minimalism. If bold shades bring you to life → go for statement colour.

04

Sanity check in a mirror or photo

The right colour will make your skin look clearer, brighter, and more even. The wrong one will make you look slightly tired, flat, or washed out.

Dressing for Your Shape

The difference between a good outfit and a great one isn’t the trend—it’s the silhouette.
Understanding your shape is what makes everything else fall into place. Here’s how to approach it.

Step 1: Identify Your Shape (Quickly)

You don’t need measurements—just look at your proportions:

Shoulders and hips balanced, with a defined waist → hourglass.

Hips wider than shoulders → pear.

Shoulders wider than hips → inverted triangle.

Little difference between shoulders, waist, and hips → straight.

Fuller bust and through the middle → heart.

Step 2: Choose Shapes That Work With You

Hourglass

Lean into shape—this is where structured, defined pieces work best.

Lean into fitted dresses, wrap styles or tailored pieces that highlight the waist.

Inverted Triangle

Soften the top and add balance through the lower half. Try simpler necklines and pair with wide-leg trousers or fuller skirts.

Pear

Balance the top half and keep the lower half clean.

Statement shoulders or structured tops would be perfect for you!

Straight

Create shape through cut and detail. Look for cinched waists, draping, or strong tailoring.

Heart

Think fluid, directional shapes. Asymmetric skirts, wrap details, and off-centre cuts create movement and definition, giving structure without heaviness.

Where to Look

We hope this helps you on your style journey!

We're SO-ME

Hi! We're Connie & Molly, two sisters from Cardiff on a mission to simplify online shopping. Our platform is here to help you on every step of your style journey - allowing you to shop new and pre-loved options from multiple sites in one place. We can't wait to offer you rental options too...but until we do...here are some fantastic local options:

Shop at Minnie May. Shop at Revaya.

See you at the awards! Connie & Molly x