Archive for the ‘Bridesmaid Dress’ Category

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Casual Bridesmaid Dresses For Every Woman

Friday, November 13th, 2009

What most people think of when they hear “bridesmaid dress” is a matronly, floor-length satin dress in an off-the-wall color. It’s pretty but in a frumpy manner and doesn’t really compliment the feminine form. This is the old bridesmaid dress tradition, nowadays brides have expanded their thinking and are choosing fun, flirty and fresh dresses for the most important women in their life to wear.

Today’s bridesmaid is confident yet not the center of attention, sexy yet appropriate and reserved, and casual. Sure there are formal gowns out there being worn but the trend is more casual attire so the ladies can feel comfortable in their own skin as they dance the night away. Additionally, unlike the satin prom gowns of past decades, these dresses can actually be reused and worn again for another event, night out or just daily running around town. Now not every dress can fit every woman. These are some tips for shopping for casual bridesmaid dresses to ensure a successful search and a dress that everyone is happy with.

Seasonal
Take the season of the wedding into consideration. There are a lot of different kinds of casual dresses and each season has its own styles that work within that season but perhaps not in another season. For example a long-sleeved sweater dress is perfect for a casual winter wedding but not a summer bash. Spring weddings warrant simple flowy chiffon dresses, summer some short flirty styles and fall weddings a tea-length tank design.

Time of day
Is the wedding in the morning, afternoon or at night? This will drastically change the dress you should choose. A night wedding is typically more formal and will be chillier so you should make some sort of arrangement for a covering such as a jacket, shawl or bolero that the ladies can put on. Or choose a casual dress that is heavier in weight which will hold in their body heat more efficiently.

Material
Satin is not a casual dress fabric but cotton and rayon are. Think about the type of fabric you’re looking into using. Silk can be casual depending on how it’s designed and whether or not there are accompanying fabrics. Look at the fabric and consider whether it fits your theme, style, tone, time of day and feel of your wedding. Then think about whether it’s casual or not.

Trendy looks
Trendy dresses are often very casual however they’re also trendy meaning they don’t look good on everyone, you have to see the look in the photo albums ten years later and they aren’t always a good trend. Thus choosing a trendy bridesmaid dress is often a scary decision because it’s not a certainty.

Styling
Any dress can be made more casual or more dressy depending on the accessories you pair it with.

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Beautiful Chiffon Bridesmaid Dress Designs

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

Chiffon is a great material to work with to create all sorts of women’s clothing because it stretches well, is easily dyed and has an ultra feminine look to it. Numerous dresses, both casual and formal, are made with chiffon. Most incorporate silk layers, satin or cotton/rayon blends, there are very few dresses made entirely out of chiffon because it’s quite sheer. Hollywood starlets have shown up in fashion spreads because of this problem because they obviously didn’t realize how the lighting and camera flashes would affect the look. So unless you want your bridesmaids to suddenly be the center of attention (and not in a good way), then you should avoid these pure-chiffon gowns altogether.  These are some great chiffon dress styles that you should consider when choosing your bridesmaid dresses.

Casual dresses
For a nice spring or summer wedding a lightweight chiffon dress is the perfect choice as it will keep the ladies cool and fit the season‘s fashions. This works even better for an outdoor ceremony where the look and feel of nature plays with the material and lets it flow freely. When it comes to casual there are lots of different looks, these three will help you find the one that fits your wedding day needs.

Boho chic
Thin Kate Hudson bohemian smart and you’re on track. Free flowing dresses are great for bridesmaid gowns as they are beautiful with very little effort and can be used in spring and summer weddings. Add a headband or some flowers in their hair and you can make them look hippie chic, perfect for a small, casual wedding.

Sunday casual
Think of something you might wear to church and that can make a great bridesmaid dress. Let it be patterned or printed and allow the chiffon to flow easy.

Short and flirty
Show some leg and bring those hemlines up. Short is fine for a fun, festive wedding. This usually works best for a party type setting or a summer wedding.

Formal dresses
Chiffon is most commonly used as a top sheer layer for formal gowns as a decorative element. It is great for adding light beading, sequins and rhinestone details to for that extra bit of shine and glam. The long layers of chiffon also create a sweet princess effect without being overly full. From prom to black tie business there’s a wide variety of formal wear and chiffon covers them all, these designs are the best choices to achieve bridesmaids’ bliss.

Runway chic
Choose something a little avant-garde and fashionista to make a statement. Jagged cut hemlines, various lengths and altered necklines or sleeves are all designer-like looks that are completely formal and make for fun bridesmaid dresses.

Fairytale princess
A puffy, multi-layered look provides the Cinderella effect that many brides seek for themselves and bridesmaids. A full chiffon dress can be paired with any top such as a bodice, strapless or even halter style. Give the ladies some sparkly bling to wear and you’re set.

Fitted sex goddess
A tight chiffon dress says the woman is confident and comfortable with her sexuality. A chiffon wrap dress is fitted and shows off her curves.

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Win a Dress Every Week

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

How would you like to win a made-to-measure dress, tailored to your exact specifications? Better yet, how you would you like to win a new dress every week?

We are happy to announce that we have just launched the “Win a Dress”  promo with our sister company DressTailor.com, and it is open to all Facebook users. Here is how you can join the promo.

First, visit http://apps.facebook.com/dresstailor;

Second, select the dress that you would like have from a fabulous library of dress designs;

Third, select the fabric of your choice;

Lastly, click the “win” button on the page.

Once you have completed the steps above, you will be registered for the weekly raffle that happens every Sunday. All entries will be reset after every Sunday draw, but you can join again every week.

So head on over to Facebook, http://apps.facebook.com/dresstailor and join the “Win a Dress” Promo.

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Why Black and White Bridesmaid Dresses Are Stunning Choices

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

blackandwhitebridesmaiddressBlack and white bridesmaid dresses aren’t the most popular choices but they should be. There is no doubt that black and white dresses are stunning for any occasion, weddings included. Here’s a look at why brides should go with black or white dresses for their bridal party as opposed to any other color regardless of the event’s chosen color scheme.

Black Thins
The color black is known to have magical slimming properties because of the way the eye perceives depth and the way light is absorbed into the coloring. Choosing a black bridesmaid dress will help your ladies feel comfortable in whatever you select because it will hide any bodily imperfections or insecurities they might have. Black fabric that fit’s the body tightly will still thin because the contours of where the fabric hugs are hidden with the coloring so no matter what you settle on as long as there is actual fabric you’ll be doing your bridesmaid a favor in helping out a softer body to make it look hard.

White is Classic
Who says only the bride can wear white? The all-white wedding look is actually very popular and can be quite stunning. It’s like an upscale Hamptons bash and can be a refreshing change for everyone involved. The photos will look clean and crisp as long as the whites all match each other.

Both Match Everything
Black and white match every other color so trying to find something that coordinates isn’t a problem at all. In fact you can easily set any color beside the black or white and have it look perfect. Black and white dresses are good as separates and good as a combined dress as well so you can select a black and white dress if you just don’t want one solid color or another.

Black is Easy to Shop For
Find a black dress is easy, they’re everywhere. So while some brides struggle to find that burgundy dress that just screams “pick me” as a bride looking for a black dress you’ll be met with choices everywhere you go. Black is the most common dress around thus shopping is simple.

White is Beautiful and Pure
There is something about a white dress that is just pure, innocent and beautiful. Putting on a white dress is instantly relaxing and soothing to the soul. White bridesmaid dresses are youthful (a fact any woman loves) and anyone who puts one on is given a bright, enlightened glow.

Both Defy Seasons
Black and white aren’t seasonal, they work all year around therefore you can find them all year round as well. Sure white is easier to find in the spring but it’s not like retailers but all white bridesmaid type dresses away for a whole season because they don’t. Black and white bridesmaid dresses can work for any season and any time of day.

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Stylish Bridesmaid Dresses for Larger Attendants

Friday, October 30th, 2009

For those brides with friends on the bigger size shopping for bridesmaid dresses for larger attendants can be a challenge. A lot of the time ladies with a little more on their bones feel awkward because traditional bridesmaid dresses aren’t made to fit bodies shaped like their own. So when looking for dresses there are some special notes you have to consider so that your friends still look fabulous and feel comfortable.

Avoid strapless looks
Strapless dresses stay up because of the bust pressing into the fabric. However for a larger person who typically has a larger size bust this style will just cut into their chest and make their boobs look squashed and be very uncomfortable. It’s an unflattering look in the bustline and all they’ll be doing all day is adjusting the top half of their dress.

Tea length
Too short and you’re getting scandalous, especially if they have some extra cushioning in their thigh region or cottage cheese flabby thighs and cellulite which they’d be self-conscious about. Too long and you’re just putting them in an A-line tent and taking away any hint of sexuality or true flirty femininity. That’s why a tea length cut is best. It shows off the ankles and calves giving the ladies some curves and definition but still covers up the less desirable areas. Also they don’t have to worry about the dress dragging on the ground or being blown up by the wind, they can be carefree and happy.

Detailed bustlines
Since you’re likely to avoid a dress with any deep V-necks or other revealing necklines as bulging breasts or those in constant danger of falling out isn’t flattering or sexy for a wedding so instead give the bustline a boost with some detailing. Choose a dress with beading or sequins and embroidery to draw attention to this area and keep the eyes focused up, not on a wider waist or overly full hip region.

Stretchable fabrics
Fabrics that don’t stretch or breathe are too form fitting and won’t fit every body type thus you’ll be left with the unflattering bulges and pockets of fat that no one wants. Stretchable fabrics are much more forgiving and will work with every body instead of against it. Rayon and cotton/lycra blends are great because they move with the body as it moves instead of over forcing an unnecessary stretch and simply falling loose. Satin is almost never good for a larger bridesmaid for it is too tough and doesn’t have any “give” to it.

Belted high-waist dresses
Creating a high-waist helps hide a bigger belly and makes for the illusion of a longer body thus thinning it out instantly. Choose a dress with a built-in high waist belt. This is a trendy style which is flattering on most anyone and one that your bridesmaids will be thankful for because of its instant slimming effects. Try to go with a good one or two-inch wide belt, too large will defeat the belt look but too thin will just accentuate the belly bulge instead of hiding it.

Image Source: http://www.zimbio.com/Prom+Dresses/articles/292/Dress+day+Plus+Size+Line+Gown

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How to Avoid Ugly Bridesmaid Dresses

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

We’ve all been there, standing beside a close friend as she says “I do” dressed in an ugly bridesmaid dress wishing we were sitting in the seats hidden away with the rest of the guests. For some reason there is a terrible stigma that goes with the bridesmaid dress. Some people believe a bride chooses a hideous dress because she doesn’t want anyone to outshine her on her most special day. Others contribute it to the simple fact that it’s nearly impossible to find a dress that looks fabulous on every bridesmaid. While you may not choose an outfit that absolutely everyone falls head over heels over it is easy to make sure that you avoid an atrocious dress which no one likes. Here are some ways to make your ladies in waiting happy and stop the flow of unnecessary “I’m not wearing that” tears.

Assess the Ladies’ Bodies
Look over your girls’ bodies. Examine their curves and be honest about what their assets are as well as their areas to hide. No one is perfect and you’re not picking them apart in a mean way, you are just trying to find the best way to highlight everyone and make them all look stunning so don’t feel bad about analyzing your girlfriends’  figures.

Inquire about their Preferences
Ask each girl what she likes and doesn’t like. Be sure to mention that you aren’t sure you’ll be able to make everyone happy but that you want to know how they feel about various styles and what they think looks best on them individually. Even asking them just this once will make them feel more included in the process and happier no matter what you decide on.

Have a Fashion Show Day
Invite all your girls out and go dress shopping. Ask them to all try on a bunch of different dresses so you can see how various styles and cuts look on each lady. Take digital photos if you want to be able to look back at how the styles varied.

Shop on Your Own
Go out shopping on your own without the girls around so you can look at all the styles and make a decision without being influenced by one person more than another. This will help you make sure you choose what is best for everyone, not just your best “best friend” or the lady who happens to tag along that day.

Narrow Down the Selections
If you don’t want to make the final decision then gather everyone and narrow down the options. Have each lady vote on their favorite and then it’s simply a matter of what dress gets the most votes that is chosen. This eliminates you from being to blame in the grand scheme of things because you essentially let them all decide (even though you limited the selection).

Create Options
If you still don’t want to responsible for choosing the dress or simply cannot come to any conclusions then just let the ladies select their own dress. Give them a list of boundaries or some specifications of what the dress should be such as the color or length and then make sure you approve each dress. Avoiding an ugly bridesmaid dress is then in their hands and they can’t complain because they picked it themselves.

Image Source: http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2007/04/20/calling-all-bri/

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Easy Ways To Design The Perfect Bridesmaid Dress

Monday, October 26th, 2009

perfectbridesmaiddressThe perfect bridesmaid dress, it seems like an illusion at times. Most women don’t have the same taste in clothes let alone the same body types and the more attendants you have the more opinions, variations and considerations you have to deal with. This can all lead to a disastrous dilemma for a bride trying to make sense of everything and choose something she and her ladies like. Thus many brides decide to design a dress for their bridesmaids as it is then set in stone and she can select the most number of features possible to highlight everyone’s assets and ensure it’s something she enjoys and approves of as well. Designing the dress is actually quite easy and there are a number of ways it can be done.

Dress Up Time
Take all your ladies out and have them try on a wide variety of dresses with various necklines, lengths, sleeves and even kinds of fabric. Take pictures of each lady in each dress so you can compare what looks good and what doesn’t between everyone.

Cut and Paste
Print the photos you took then cut and paste the elements you like. You’ll basically be making a mosaic Picasso looking bridesmaid dress if you use parts from different girls and dresses. This however will let you see all the elements combined to give you a better idea of what the combination really looks like.

Sketch It Out
Get some good old fashioned paper and pencil and sketch out your design. Use the Picasso cut and paste figure as your base for the drawing if you did that, if not then start from scratch with your ideas and just begin putting the pencil to paper. The sketch doesn’t have to be perfect so don’t beat yourself up over your stick figure design, just get the ideas down.

Online Dress Design
For those who are drawing challenged or just don’t even want to attempt trying to make a realistic looking dress there is such a thing as the internet. Not only is the internet great for researching dresses it’s also perfect for designing the bridesmaid dresses of your dreams. Find a site that lets you create dresses virtually. These sites give you a body to dress then you begin incorporating different elements such as the necklines, sleeves and so on. You can create numerous designs, easily switch things in and out to see how they look and have some fun creating any dress you can imagine. The best part is it’s so easy that anyone can do it and then you just print the diagrams and you have your design before your eyes in minutes. With technology like this there’s no reason you should let anything stop you from designing the perfect bridesmaid dress.

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Discount Bridesmaid Dresses: How to Find a Stunning Dress for Less

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

discountbridesmaiddressSome people say there’s no such thing as a discount bridesmaid dress, well they just don’t know what they’re talking about. While the average price of a bridesmaid dress in the United States is between $120 and $150 that doesn’t mean you can’t find a killer design for $30 because well, it surely can be done. The biggest mistake brides make is assuming that the only acceptable dresses are those found at upscale bridal shops in the newest styles. These are of course sold at what is considered “top of the line prices.” However simply making a little adjustment in your shopping routine can help you and your ladies save lots of money while still looking fabulous at the same time.

End of Season
Shopping for clothing out of season is always the best deal. If your wedding colors are bright orange and yellow you’ll be able to find steals on dresses in these colors at the end of spring and end of summer. You may end up having to shop further ahead of schedule than most but the savings can be worth it. If you happen to be using out of season colors this could work to your benefit though because you can easily get those yellow dresses at the end of summer for your perfect fall wedding.

Smaller Dress Stores
Instead of only browsing the large chain stores try looking through some smaller dress shops. It’s usually best to still stick with stores that have more than one location because you’ll likely need a dress in multiple sizes and you will need to be sure they can get it in various sizes for you, a boutique may not be able to accommodate your needs. These smaller dress store also normally price their attire much lower than the traditional formal bridal and wedding stores so if you can find something on sale in one of these you’re guaranteed a killer deal.

Alterations
If you’re a bride who happens to have a bunch of friends getting married at the same time and you’re all in each other’s weddings you might be able to get away with using some of the same dresses and having some alterations done to make them different from one wedding to the next and then the cost is lowered because you’re only actually buying the dress once and then paying to have it altered for each wedding.

Making them from Scratch
Have the dresses made from scratch. Sketch out your design and have a seamstress or someone you know make the dresses from scratch. You can also find actual dress patterns and then choose the fabric and make them from this. Making your dresses will save you a lot of money however it is also a good deal of work.

Choose Your Own
Let each bridesmaid choose her own dress. Give your ladies their parameters (color, length, fabric, etc.) and then allow them to find something that works well on their particular body so then they’ll be happy and comfortable. Plus letting them do the shopping enables them to find a cute discount bridesmaid dress so they can save some cash as well.

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Choosing the Designer Bridesmaid Dress

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

designerbridesmaiddressDesigner bridesmaid dresses have become just as popular as designer weddings dresses nowadays because bridesmaids and their brides are seeking to make everyone look as stunning as possible to ensure stellar photographs. Since this has become the new “it” thing in wedding planning every fashion designer around seems to have created a line specifically for the style-conscience bridal party. From the runway to the aisle, fashion is taking storm in the wedding industry. But with so many choices how can a bride make such an important decision and be sure it’s the right dress? And why should you choose a designer dress in the first place?

Quality Counts
“You get what you pay for.” quality does count for a good dress and if you want to find a dress that is well made, luxurious and will hold up over time then a designer dress is your thing. Even though they may not be cheap you will be able to keep the, for a long time because the quality of material, design and manufacturing is so it will last unlike some cheaper dresses which might fall apart after just one or two wearings and washings.

Recycle and Reuse
Designer dresses tend to look a little less “bridemaid-like” and thus your ladies will be able to actually wear them again, hopefully without even having to alter them any. This makes it worth spending more on because they can get more for their money and think of the dress as an investment in their wardrobe versus something they’ll just wear that one time for your wedding. Or they can give it to another girlfriend to wear for an event and the dress can essentially be recycled by being passed around.

Name Brands
Some people are really into name brands and showing off their labels. Think “Sex and the City.” You get a designer dress, you want to wear it and show it off, it’s just part of the territory it seems. There is nothing wrong with wanting to wear a designer gown every now and then, so go ahead and let the girls spoil themselves or if you have funding to do so splurge and purchase the dresses for the girls as their gifts, they’ll feel like princesses in their beautiful dresses.

How Do You Know What Designer is Right for You?
It’s simple, look at the designs. One designer’s looks will certainly be more favorable to you than another so just review their portfolio of work and their current lines to see what sparks your interest and seems to coordinate the best with your wedding overall. Remember that there is a style to a wedding in itself and the attire you choose should work with that overall style so as not to stand out and seem out of place. Designer bridesmaid dresses can be a highlight of your wedding if you decide to invest a little time and money into finding just the right dress.

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Beautiful Cold Weather Bridesmaid Dresses

Monday, October 19th, 2009

Most dresses in general are made for warmer weather so for the fall or winter wedding finding attractive cold weather bridesmaid dresses can be a challenge. In cold weather you most certainly need something that will cover the bare shoulders and arms of the girls, at least to some degree. If the wedding is outdoors in the snow you will definitely have to choose a combination with a jacket of some sort or else your entire wedding party will hate you and quite possibly all fall ill. Finding an attractive cold weather bridesmaid dress isn’t impossible, in fact there are lots of options for the discerning bride determined to make her wedding the best it can possibly be and put a smile on her bridesmaids’ faces.

Sweater Dress
The sweater dress is usually thought of as casual but there are some really nice, more formal styles you can find made of higher quality cotton and wool blends. Pair the sweater dress with some thick tights or colored leggings and your ladies will stay warm while still looking fresh, fun and sexy. This work especially well on all body types as the sweater dress itself can be form fitting or fit somewhat loosely hiding less favorable aspects of the body on each individual lady. Pair this with a trendy pair of heeled boots for a fashion forward look.

Turtleneck Styles
Turtleneck style dresses can keep the girls nice and toasty. The sleeve and back cuts can vary so you may end up choosing something backless and adding a covering so that if the reception is indoors they can take off the covering and have a flattering, sexy dress underneath to enjoy as opposed to remaining entirely covered up the entire time.

Petticoat Combination
The petticoat look is ever so darling and entirely classic. Pair a petticoat with a dress or find a matching combination. For the wedding party photos you can try some pictures with coats on and some them off. Plus this allows your bridesmaids to use outfits later as dresses or coats alone as well as the combined effect if they so choose.

Attached Shawl Dress
This is a common style in bridesmaid fashion, the attached (or detached) shawl. Having an attached shawl ensure you won’t lose it and that you can easily wrap it in the same manner from girl to girl as it falls across the dress and shoulders in a very specific manner. Wrap their shoulders and back up for the cold outdoors time and then they can let it hang loose or tie it around their waist (depending on how it’s attached) for a new belted look later.

Gloved Looks
Adding gloves create a new perspective of a dress as well as keeps some little bridesmaids’ arms warmer. Go with long gloves for sleeveless or strapless dresses and short gloves for those with actual sleeves.

Pants Dress
Choose a pants dress. These one piece outfits have a flowing chiffon layer across the bottom that wraps around the tush and opens up in the front. Since the chiffon moves well and covers it looks like the bottom half is a skirting not actual pants because the pants legs are also made of the same chiffon material. This keeps the ladies warmer because they have actual pants but creates the illusion of a formal, full length dress. The top half is entirely up to your choosing then as well. Dressing a bridesmaid for a cold weather wedding isn’t impossible, it just requires a bit of creativity to make her bridesmaid dress stylish and exciting.

Image Source: http://www.ehow.com/how_4532044_pick-bridesmaid-dresses-winter-wedding.html

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