Bridesmaids

Classic black and white with a fresh modern design. 

Image via Oscar PR Girl.

Color

After a year of navys, charcoals, blacks and neutrals for your girls, will 2012 be the year of the return of color?


Image via Tumblr.

Prints

You know, with the right type of design,  prints could make a big, big splash in the bridesmaids world.  Thoughts?


Image via Max Mara.

Made to Order

Shopping for a bridal gown or bridesmaid dress can be an overwhelming experience for any gal new to the wedding scene. One of the most confusing aspects of purchasing your dress can be determining a size, especially since we savvy shoppers are used to purchasing a size 2, 4, 6, or 8 right off the rack.

Here are a few tips on helping you navigate the confusing world of made to order bridal and bridesmaid gown sizing:

• Sizing varies between different designers, so even though you may have worn a size 0 in Amsale, that doesn't mean you'll be a size 0 in Jenny Yoo.
  

• Most designers will ask for a bust waist and hip measurement.  If you can't have the consultant measure you, head to your local tailor.  Keep in mind the bust measurement is not your bra band size and the waist measurement is not where you wear your jeans.  Make sure you provide the correct measurements otherwise you might end up with an incorrect size!

• Using your measurements, your consultant will help determine a numerical size (0, 2, 4, 6, etc) to order. Once you receive the dress, you will most likely need alterations.

• Keep in mind that most dresses are made to order, not made to measure.  Even though you provide your measurements, that does not mean the dress is made to your specifications. 
  

• Always refer to the Designer's Size Chart and discuss any questions you might have with your consultant prior to finalizing your order.
  

• Because dresses are made to order, you only get one chance to get the right size since most likely there isn't anything to exchange or return, should you order an incorrect size.

Happy shopping!

Image via Oscar PR Girl.

Incorporating Color

I'm often asked by many a bride on how to incorporate a bold color into their wedding without looking too trendy. Instead of including your color story in the bridesmaid dresses, linens, chair covers and everything in between, think of using a more restrained hand.

Case in point? This divine wedding from Colin Cowie that uses a bold splash of color in the bridesmaid dresses and the awe inspiring florals.

Beautiful isn't it?



Image via Colin Cowie.

A Sharp Idea

How about using some color pencil inspiration when deciding your bridesmaid dress color scheme? Why didn't we do this before!


Image via Tumblr.

Laying It All Out

A little tip for your wedding party attire. If you're planning on having all your bridesmaids wear all different styles and/or wearing multiple shades of the same color, lay out all the potential dresses so you know what you will be seeing on your wedding day. Also, try and see if you can get all the potential color swatches you will be using to make sure all the colors go well together!


Image via The Coveteur.

Bridesmaids Revisited: The Supernaturals

It's becoming quite the trend to have your bridesmaids choose a dress in the color palette of your choice, bride.

Might I make the case to choose a neutral for your color story?

With a neutral, your girls will look so timeless, not to mention any type of sparkle will effortlessly chic.

Image via Vogue.

Fab Frocks Friday: Waves

To long chiffon gowns in the most delicate of wave colors.


Image via Tumblr.

Bloomingdales: The Wedding Shop

If finding the right look for all your wedding festivities seems more daunting that planning your wedding, look no further than The Bloomingdale's Wedding Shop!

From the engagement party to the bridal shower and even the ceremony, Bloomies offers the finest from fashion greats such as Amsale, Rebecca Taylor, Nicole Miller, BCBGMaxAzria. And fret not non-bridal party gals - Bloomies also has something for all the fashionable guests invited to the wedding.

Images via Bloomingdales.

Love Takes Time

What better gift to give that love and time? Show your love with this ultrachic reversible necklace from Marc Jacobs.

Image via Nordstrom.

The Bridesmaids + The Naturals

Rich neutrals deliver a look that is both timeless and modern. Brides, won't you consider this color palette for your bridesmaids? And do remember, when working with neutrals, your bridesmaid's will look best with shades that compliment their skin tones. So mix it up! Not only will your bridesmaids thank you, but you'll also create a sumptuous color story that will have everyone thinking what a fashionista you are!


Image from Donna Karan via Fashion Gone Rogue.

Inspiration to Reality: Multicolor Bridesmaid Dresses

When you seen this fabulously chic bridal party, you will just swoon with delight!

The look: an utterly romantic soft palette of pastel shades represented by the prettiest crinkle chiffon dresses from Jenny Yoo, Amsale and Priscilla of Boston. Don't you love how each girl wears a different dress to show off her own personal style!

To make this dream into your reality don't be afraid to use color, color, color! Using at least three or more shades in a like palette will illustrate your color story to perfection.

Thank you to all of today's modern, fashion forward brides that are so willing to push the borders of bridal fashion.


Image by Lane Dittoe via Twirl.

Get Wed with Thread!

Jenny Yoo Sample Sale!

A Beautiful Wedding from The Cherry Blossom Girl

No doubt you've seen this beautiful, utterly romantic, très chic wedding over at The Cherry Blossom Girl.

A divine custom gown by Maria Lucia Hohan plus the all the couture accessories a girl and bride could ever ask for!

C'est l'amour!

Images by Marianne Taylor via The Cherry Blossom Girl.

J.Crew + The Romantics

Last week we left off with a charming shot of the cast of the upcoming movie "The Romantics" in all their J.Crew finery. Here's a few more shots to satisfy your curiosity . . .

Too cute!

Images via The Neo-Traditionalist.

Wedding Wish Wednesday: Nicole from Thread

I'm so excited to introduce to all my fabulous reader's this week's wedding expert Nicole from Thread! Besides being one of the loveliest and nicest gals in the wedding and fashion industry, Nicole is Thread's PR Director and the charming voice behind their must read blog with a veritable treasure trove of savvy advice for brides.

Here's Nicole's tips on that to die for straight out of the magazine look but often hard to achieve in real life look for your bridesmaids.

Mixing and Matching Colors 101: Some simplified advice for taking the big step away from the Identical Bridesmaid Dress.

Do know that choosing one color (say, grey) in various shades is the easiest way to pull off a 'mixture' of color when it comes to bridesmaid dresses.

Do stick to similar, if not the same, fabrics when mixing colors. A blue seersucker dress just won't work well, for instance, with a green chiffon dress.

Don't be afraid to mix styles and colors of the dresses, so long as there is one uniting theme, such as the detailing, the print, the fabric or the length.

Don't shy away from mixing bold, contrasting hues. So long as you have a 'color inspiration', such as the sunset, it will work. (The foolproof trick here again, folks, is to stick to similar styles and fabrics.)

Images via Thread Bridesmaid.

Just Because . . .

. . . sometimes you can't wait until Friday to share so much loveliness.

Dainty pearls, beehive up-do, knee high socks, retro eyeliner, cozy sweater, and soft layers of chiffon. Perfect touches for any bridesmaid.

And if there's a soft meadow in the vicinity, all the merrier!

Image by Jimmy Backius via Elle Sweden August 2010.

Thread Social Summer Sample Sale!

If you didn't get a chance to peruse all the pretties at the Thread Social sale one Gilt, you're in luck because next week is Thread Social's Summer Sample Sale!

What can you expect at a Thread Social sale? Rows of highly coveted dresses seen in the glossies like Vogue, Elle, and Harper's Bazaar, just to name a few. This staple of the fashion set is sure to fulfill all your wardrobe needs for every summer wedding, shindig, fête, first date, picnic in the park, rehearsal dinner, and everything in between. And did I mention you can probably coordinate an entire fashion forward bridal party look with said dresses?

So get to the sale and let your creativity blossom! For all you ladies unable to take that trip to Thread Social's New York City studios, the lovely ladies will be taking orders via email, web, and phone!

Methinks it's a yes to the dress! and that dress, and that dress, and that dress . . . ;).


Image via Thread Social.