Tag: hemline

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Charming Choices: An Essential Guide to the Diverse Styles of Flower Girl Dresses!

Flower girls are precious little angels who add a touch of innocence to your wedding ceremony! Little girls dressed in beautiful dresses, and scattering flowers as they cruise down the aisle are absolutely enchanting. Although flower girls are not an essential part of the wedding party, the beauty that they bring to the ceremony is unbeatable. Hence, it is no wonder that many brides decide to have them at their wedding.

Since they are part of your wedding party, it is important that their outfits also match the theme of your wedding. You may not have as many options as with bridesmaids dresses, in flower girls dresses. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing them.

  • Your flower girls will typically be between the ages of 3 and 8. At this age, they are not old enough to manage a high-maintenance dress. So, choose one that is simple but effective.
  • Young girls grow quickly. Hence, it is best that you buy the dress closer to the wedding. This way you can ensure that it will fit her.
  • Comfort should be one of the most important factors when choosing your flower girl’s dress. Avoid dresses that are too long, too tight or too warm. This can irritate your flower girl and spoil her mood.
  • Don’t expect your flower girl to sit still and take good care of her dress, so she looks fresh at the wedding. Not all girls are capable of doing that at their age. So, choose fabric that is wrinkle free and you needn’t worry about her spoiling her dress.
  • Although the common practice is to choose a dress that is a miniature version of the bride’s outfit, this isn’t necessary. Your flower girl can have a dress that is colorful, matches the bridesmaids dress colors or in any way ties to the theme of the wedding. If you choose a white or ivory dress for your flower girl, consider adding accent colors that match the wedding color palette, with suitable accessories.
  • Flower girl dresses can be expensive. So, be mindful of the parent’s budget when you choose a dress. Also, it would be a good idea to pick a dress that can be used by the girl again, so she gets more use out of it.
  • If you have more than one flower girl, either dress them up in the same dress or mix and match styles, colors and features, just like you would in the case of your bridesmaids dresses.
  • If your flower girl isn’t comfortable wearing a party dress, have her dress up in an outfit with pants or divided skirts that match the bridesmaids dresses. It doesn’t really matter as long as it comes together with the overall look.
  • Don’t forget your flower girl’s accessories when planning her look. Simple and convenient pieces of jewelry are the best. You can also think of adorable accessories like flower crowns and pretty waistbands for that extra dainty touch.
  • Your flower girl’s dress should match the formality of the event. A fancy-looking dress would be appropriate at a formal function. For a casual, outdoor event or an informal wedding, light, airy dresses would be better.

Now that we have covered the essential points that you should keep in mind when choosing your flower girl dresses, let us take a look at the various dress styles that are available to choose from.

V Neck Ivory Satin Champagne Tulle
V Neck Ivory Satin Champagne Tulle

Fairy-tale flower girl dresses

If you have your heart set on a princess wedding gown, a fairy tale flower girl dress would go well with your outfit. These dresses are typically miniature versions of ball gowns, with embellishments like lace, beading and hand embroidery. The dresses are usually floor length, but you can also have them altered to just skim the ankles, so it is comfortable for your flower girl to move around. Although fairy tale dresses are typically available in white and ivory, you may also be able to find them in different colors also.

Two-piece flower girl dresses

This is a versatile choice for brides who want to mix and match the top and skirt, to create the intended look. Here, the dress has a separate bodice and skirt, but when worn together, it will resemble a single dress. There are different options when you choose this alternative, and you can either have poufy flower girl dresses, or choose simple silhouettes that are easier to carry and comfortable to wear. The added benefit of a two-piece flower girl dress is that it allows you to mix and match different sizes, if your flower girl doesn’t really fit into a specific size. Thus, you can find a dress that fits her shoulders and her height correctly.

Full-length gown

Perfect for a formal wedding, these dresses are full-length, and extend just beyond the ankles to make sure it is comfortable for the little girl to carry it. Since it is a long dress, it is best to keep the details simple on it, so the bulk of the material isn’t overwhelming on the small frame. These dresses are usually created in A-line style, since this is easy to wear and looks good on most children. Full length gowns are available in color or white, and the skirt may either be pleated or plain. The dress shown here is from the Mori Lee collection, and features an empire waistline and sleeveless neckline.

Tea length dresses with poufy skirts

Very ornate and voluminous, this is a party dress style that is sure to look perfect at a formal ceremony. Usually fashioned in an A-line silhouette or ball gown style, the dress is characterized by the volume of its skirt. The fabrics used are net, tulle or organza, and sometimes it may feature a satin finish in the bodice and the lower layers of the skirt. Although the dress is short, it is still very effective as the skirt adds a dramatic overtone to the overall look. It is common to find the skirt gathered at various points and little flowers scattered at these gatherings for a beautiful effect.

A-line skirts

A-line dresses are a flower girl favorite, and can be either short or long. Like the name suggests, the dress silhouette resembles the shape of an A, with the top part fitted closely to the body, and the skirt flaring out into the shape of an A from the waistline. There may be a demarcation at the waistline with a sash or waistband, usually in a different color. When choosing this style, you can consider adding a waistband in your theme color to match it to the overall look easily. Many variations are possible with the humble A-line silhouette. This includes a dropped waist, draping on the bodice, embellishments along the skirt and many more options.

Pick-up skirts

Another style that instantly dresses up your flower girl, dresses with pick-up skirts are elaborate and stylish. Here the hemline is gathered and pushed upwards at regular spacing, along the length of the skirt. This is usually done in different tiers, adding more texture and volume to the dress. This Mori Lee flower girl dress looks like it is bubbling with excitement, as it features a ruched skirt with several pickups along the length. The dark sash at the waist separates the bodice from the textured skirt.

Tiered skirts

Adding more volume to a buoyant skirt are tiered skirt styles that feature a layered arrangement of tiers. These make the dress very interesting. These are usually fashioned out of lace, tulle or similar soft fabrics, so it bounces along. For the tiers to be evident, the skirt has to be long, and so it usually ends at the ankles. Although the tiers are spectacular by itself, this dress may also feature other embellishments in the bodice or at the hemline. This is a dress pattern that will be loved by most little girls.

The Mori Lee 575 features three tiers, each of which is trimmed with a hint of dark color like red or black. The sleeveless dress is simply embellished with a bow at the waist, but it can be accessorized with a bolero-style jacket if desired.

Cap sleeves and short sleeve dresses

If you aren’t fond of the sleeveless feature that is common on flower girl dresses, you can consider dresses with sleeves. There are different sleeve lengths to choose from. These include cap sleeves, T-shirt sleeves and longer styles. The cap sleeve style is particularly endearing, especially when they are embellished with lace or hand embroidery. Short sleeves can also be done with lace, and this will help you match it to a vintage-inspired wedding theme.

The dress featured here is the G339 from the Aglaia collection. This dress not only has lace cap sleeves, but the pretty embellishments continue into a scalloped neckline and further into bodice and skirt  You may also like to check out the dresses here and here, done in similar styles.

Dresses with colorful accents

If you want your flower girl to be dressed with a little dash of color in her dress, you have two options—either choose colorful accessories like a sash or bow to go with her outfit. Otherwise, choose a dress that has just the right amount of color in it. Colors like red, blue and pink are easy to come by in flower girl collections. These dresses are usually in white, and have the hint of color done at the neckline, in the sleeves, waistline and in scattered embellishments.

 

The G3327 shown here is from the Aglaia collection, and is a beautiful dress in white, with red as an accent color. You can see how the red is kept to a minimum to just create the right impact without overpowering the white. Other white dresses with pretty accent colors in embellishments can be seen here and here.

Colorful flower girl dresses

If you wish to dress your flower girl in rich color, there are plenty of choices. From full-length dresses to shorter tea length dresses, these are available in a range of colors, designs and silhouettes. While colorful dresses are always attractive on young girls, ensure that the dress color goes well with the bridesmaids dress colors for a cohesive effect. Since you may not have as many color options as you have with bridesmaids dresses, you will have to choose from what is available or settle for the closest available color. Also consider the rest of the outfit like the shoes and other accessories. Make sure that they complement the color, so it doesn’t look weird together. A safe option would be to choose white or black shoes and socks, or those that match the color of the dress.

The Aglaia collection at Best for Bride contains plenty of colorful flower girl dresses. Most of them can be ordered in colors beside those shown in the pictures on our website. Shown here is the G3307 in a soft shade of blue, that is perfect for outdoor weddings in terms of silhouette, fabric and design. This dress has more embellishments and would be good for a formal ceremony,while it is also an in-between choice that would work for both a formal or informal wedding.

We hope this post has helped you understand the various options in flower girl dresses, for you to pick for your wedding day! This is just another detail you must plan, and it is easier than dressing up your bridesmaids. One factor in your favor is that dressing your flower girl wrong is almost impossible. So, have fun choosing her dress.

Take a look at our gallery of flower girl dresses for more choices and options. Head over to this link at Best for bride for this.

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Elegance in Every Era: 12 Fashion-Forward and Flattering Dress Styles for the Mother-of-the-Bride!

Shopping for your daughter’s wedding is very exciting. In fact, your daughter’s wedding is an occasion that gives you the opportunity to relive the excitement of shopping for your own wedding dress. This occasion is in fact more fun, since there are fewer rules, but more options. Although you may no longer be 20 years old, you are still fabulous and deserve to look your best on your daughter’s special day.

Nevertheless, there are certain factors to keep in mind when you buy your MOB dress. Let us look at what they are.

  • Every wedding has a color scheme and style. Be considerate and find a dress that works with the colors and the formality of the wedding your daughter has planned.
  • Look glamorous, but don’t upstage the bride with your dress choice. Make sure that your look won’t compete with that of the bride.
  • Although the above rule holds, this doesn’t mean you should dress down for your daughter’s wedding. Dress smart by making a choice that flatters your body type and makes you feel beautiful.
  • Make sure your dress works well with the wedding setting. It should be suitable for the weather at the time of the wedding, convenient to move around in and appropriate if there is a religious or cultural dress code for the event.

For more essential shopping tips for the mother-of-the-bride, we suggest you take a look at this post on the Knot website. 

Now, let’s move to the interesting part—Fashionable dress styles to choose from for your daughter’s wedding.

Every season shines the spotlight on new and evolving trends. Shopping isn’t the same when we cross 50, as our body starts to display signs of ageing. Nonetheless, there are plenty of stunning choices for women your age. All you have to do is keep an open mind. You are bound to find one that ticks all the boxes. Dresses for mature women are just as interesting as those for young ladies. The secret is to find a style that flatters your body type and is fashionable too.

So, first identify your body type. This will help you recognize dress styles that are sure to flatter you. This detailed guide on the 40 Plus Style website provides all the information you need. Check it out!

Then take a look at our list of fashionable and flattering dress styles available for mothers of brides. You are sure to find a hot and happening style that perfectly matches your vision here.

Dresses with sleeves

 

Most of us are reluctant to show off our upper arms, as these often show the signs of ageing. If this problem affects you, we suggest that you choose a gown with half or 3/4th length sleeves that covers up this area. You can further shift focus to another area of your body with a suitable design. We suggest a dress with a dramatic neckline or skirt to show off assets you are proud of. Remember that dresses with sleeves need another wow factor, to look beautiful. So, make sure your dress isn’t drab by choosing one with a statement style element that compensates for the long sleeves.

Fit and flare silhouette

This is a universally flattering silhouette, as the fit and flare suits almost every body type. While simple, it has an elegant finish and can be adapted to any dress length. The silhouette shows off the natural waistline and has a skirt which flows away from the body. This makes it ideal for camouflaging thin or thick hips. Find a fit and flare dress of the length that enhances your body structure. Consider adding an accessory like a belt or sash, if you want to draw attention to your waistline. Choose short dresses if the wedding has an informal tone. Long fit and flare gowns are stunning and the perfect choice for black tie weddings.

Separates

 

This versatile dress style is comfortable and perfectly suited for events in the summer. There is an undeniable sophistication and maturity to this dress style. Hence, it suits older women. Mix and match pieces, or go for a set that flatters you with its colors and details. It is a good idea to choose separates with textures that differ in the upper and lower halves to make it more interesting. With the mix-and-match option, you can easily pick pieces that blend with the theme and also reflect your personal style. Peplum tops are also a fantastic choice that you can pair with pencil skirts or trumpet skirts for a stylish finish.

Draped dress style

The draped style as a trendy introduction to the fashion scene continues to be very popular. Your dress can feature draping in any area. It could be at the neckline, at the waistline or even in the skirt. The best part of this style element is that it instantly highlights the said area. As a result, it can be used to distract from a less attractive area. The draping can be tight and neat, for a formal look. Choose a looser drape for a less formal setting. With such a dress style, it is best to avoid other embellishments in the rest of the dress, or you may end up with a cluttered look.

Column or sheath dress

This silhouette is one of the most flattering for mature women. It has a simple, streamlined look and extends to full-length or features a shorter hemline. The sheath flows naturally, embracing natural curves. The benefit of this style is that it creates the illusion of curves, even while emphasizing a naturally curvy figure. This is a great dress style if you have a straight body structure, since it adds more curves than you actually have. Sheaths are available with lace details, in satin or  chiffon and other breathable fabric. The simple style makes it perfect to pair with statement accessories and jewelry for an elegant look.

Lace dress

Another classic that keeps reinventing itself, the lace dress is a safe bet for the bride’s mother. These come in a stunning range of options in fabric, design and style. Nonetheless, lace has a timeless charm that makes it an unbeatable choice. Either go with an all-over lace dress or choose one with smaller, scattered lace details. For a modern twist, opt for laser-cut lace or 3-dimensional lace details that make it more attractive than traditional lace designs. So, if you want to look your charming, feminine self at your daughter’s wedding, lace it is!

Color blocking

This style allows camouflage of less desirable assets, while accentuating the areas of your body you love. Color blocking can be done vertically, horizontally, or even in geometric or alternating patterns. The style you choose will determine the overall effect you achieve with it. It works on both tall and short women, and you have options in both long and short dresses. Make your color choice wisely, since this will decide the overall effect. Colors close to each other on the wheel have a slimming effect, while contrasting colors have a more dramatic effect.

Empire waistline

This is the perfect style to hide bulges in the waist and stomach area. The empire waistline rests above the natural waistline, with a bodice that cuts just below the bust. Most dresses with this feature have layered voluminous skirts that entirely hide the waist and hips. It creates a statement look, and is just right for a formal effect. Dresses that come with long, flowy fabric skirts are also suitable for outdoor weddings in garden settings or even the beach. The style shifts attention to the neckline and bust, adding more dimension to this area. So, it is a style to consider if you are naturally small-busted.

Bold prints

Best-suited for fun and casual themes, bold prints instantly uplift and make a dress look cheerful. So, let this be your go-to dress style if your daughter has a casual-theme wedding. Choose from geometric prints, stripes, florals or classic designs to find one that matches the theme. With bold prints, you do not need many accessories to complete your look. In fact, we suggest you keep the accessories to a minimum, so it doesn’t look too busy. Just a pair of statement earrings, or a pretty clutch should be sufficient to complete your look.

Rocking red

Red is a color that immediately steals the show, and hence one you should consider wearing. It has a cheerful, energetic vibe that will help you look ultra-stylish. So, choose a shade of red that matches your complexion, and you do not need more to be noticed. Red dresses, whether short or long, are equally attractive. Take care that the cut and fit flatter your natural shape and the silhouette fits snugly along your natural curves. Keep the jewelry and accessories simple, as the color speaks for itself. If you aren’t too sure of wearing the brighter shades of red, settle for maroon or wine red for a subtle effect. You may also want to make sure that the red you choose will go well with the colors in the wedding theme, before you commit to it.

Pastel and neutral combination

Here is another combination that will turn heads your way. Most neutrals combine beautifully with pastel shades to add elegance and sophistication to an outfit. These are age-appropriate combinations that also give you plenty of accessory options. Pair it with a printed clutch, glitzy earrings or a statement necklace and shoes to be a glamorous mother of the bride. The combination goes well with pearl jewelry, and it also works with silver, gold or platinum finishes.

Embellished neckline on long dark silhouette

If there is one detail you should nail when choosing your outfit, it is the neckline. Most women over 50 prefer to avoid deep, low-cut necklines that draw attention to their chest and jaws. So, pick a dress with a high neckline, like a halter or scoop with embellishments in the area. The benefit of this style is that it is simple yet stylish. Embellishments like embroidery, sequins or even crystal and rhinestone details look beautiful against dark colors in the rest of the dress. When such details appear on a full-length gown, adjusting the rest of your look for the formal occasion is easy. You can also find plenty of shorter dresses in our collection with details confined to the neckline alone. These are better suited for semi-formal and casual wedding themes.

Now, tell us which of these styles do you like most?

Do you prefer the glamorous, deep dark colours or classic lace and prints that will never go out of style? Take your time to decide. For it isn’t every day that your daughter gets married. So, plan your look carefully for this special once-in-a-lifetime occasion and make sure everyone remembers how happy and beautiful you looked on this day.

All the dresses featured here are from our Mother-of-the-bride collection at Best for Bride. They are available in a range of sizes and some of the dresses are available in color variants. We suggest you look at the Mother of the bride dress collection here for more details on these dresses. You can also see the rest of our collection here.

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Unveiling Elegance: Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Lace Wedding Dresses!

Lace and weddings are a match made in heaven. Hence, it is no wonder that this fabric is the mainstay of wedding fashion and continues to be popular. Lace has recently evolved from romantic, ethereal and wispy forms to crisp, laser-cut wedding gown details. Nevertheless, the charm of this delicate fabric never ceases to impress.

Today, the wedding dress market has plenty of options in lace wedding dresses. There are allover lace gowns as well as dresses trimmed with lace in select locations. The options are numerous with lace details in the bodice, neckline, yoke or sleeves. One of the reasons for this astounding variety is that there are many different types of lace. Also, there are numerous ways in which designers add it to a dress.

Join me today, as I discuss the different factors you should know if you are in the market for a lace wedding gown.

Characteristics of Lace

This decorative fabric may use any of many different types of fibers. Thus, laces are made from Nylon, polyester, wool, silk, cotton and even linen fibers. Better quality laces have small stitches and use fine thread.

The delicate nature of lace makes it susceptible to damage. So, this fragile fabric requires a lot of care. Although it doesn’t unravel, it can lose shape and tear if roughly handled. Traditionally lace was handmade. However, much of the lace available today is sewn by machines.For more details on the general properties of lace, visit the Fabrics International website.

The different details on the lace determine whether it renders a modern or antique look to a dress. Antique lace features significant contrast between the dense and openwork sections. Meanwhile, modern lace has sharp details with similar texture throughout the surface. Antique lace is difficult to create, and hence more expensive.

Most of the lace used in wedding dresses is machine-made. This is usually because handmade lace involves a lot of time and labor. With so much effort involved, it is nearly impossible to make enough lace for an entire wedding dress. Nevertheless, handmade lace is usually seen in smaller sections of wedding dresses. It is used in trims for the neckline, sleeves, or hemline.

Lace by itself renders a whimsical, feminine and romantic look to a wedding gown. Lace also includes embellishments like rhinestones and crystal embroidery, so it is opulent and perfect for a bridal look.

If you look at wedding dresses, you will see more than just one type of lace. The variety of lace determines the overall impact of the gown. Most of the lace in wedding gowns is open-patterned. Seldom do we see wedding dresses that are entirely made from lace. Designers usually use the fabric as an overlay over other heavier fabrics to create a contrasting effect that highlights the intricate details on it.

Let us now look at the different varieties of lace commonly used in wedding dresses.

Types of lace commonly used in wedding dresses.

Bridal dresses with lace effects are very endearing. This fabric’s delicate and wispy nature makes it a great choice for the dreamy, romantic look that most brides seek. The beauty of lace gowns is that it is perfect for most wedding styles. While a short lace dress is ideal for an outdoor garden or rustic barn wedding, full-length sensual lace gowns suit traditional banquet venues. At the same time, lace-embellished dresses blend in with beach venues. Traditional gowns with lace trims are ideal for castles and similar heritage wedding sites.

Here are the different bridal lace varieties commonly used in wedding dresses.

Alencon Lace

Alencon lace is the queen of laces. It gets its name from Alencon in France, where it first originated. This lace resembles cotton in texture. The raised cording above the pattern characterizes this type of lace. Genuine Alencon lace is incredibly soft. This is in fact the defining factor of how authentic a sample is.

Alencon lace has floral motifs on a net background. Typical designs include Victorian floral details like cabbage roses, daisies, scrolls and medallions. It will usually have an eyelet or bearded edge. For more information on identifying Alencon lace, visit this article on Lady Violette. 

Chantilly Lace

Another type of lace that originated in France, Chantilly Lace, is very delicate. When compared with Alencon lace, this lace usually features larger flowers. There are many folds within the details. This gives the lace a rich, frothy effect. Vintage Chantilly lace is expensive and in high demand. Chantilly lace uses dense and light detailing through suitable half and whole stitches. This creates a shadowy effect. Original Chantilly lace was always black. The reinventions of this classic are white and are now used widely in wedding dresses.

Brocade Lace

This type of lace has rich fabric weaving and a raised pattern. Metallic gold and silver threads add to its grandeur. Brocade lace may also use coloured silk threads instead of traditional white. Brocade lace is usually manufactured using Shuttle loom weaving. Unlike Alencon and Chantilly laces, brocade lace is thicker and doesn’t possess its characteristic delicate effect.

Embroidered lace

As the name suggests, this lace type has motifs resembling embroidery on a base material. Hence, there is a pronounced three-dimensional effect. Appliques are strewn over the length of the fabric. Commonly used patterns include interconnected floral motifs that stretch over the entire length. The thickness of the base material varies between thin illusion netting and thicker material. For better effect, tulle is usually placed below the embroidered lace layer.

Eyelet lace

via Wikipedia

Eyelet lace is a unique style with cut-outs in the fabric and trimmed with thread. The sizes and shapes of the holes may vary. It is typically created in cotton, satin or silk. Eyelet lace is popular for Boho weddings, as it has a modern, flirty look. Unlike other types of lace, eyelet lace has a seamless effect. It stands out on its own without a base layer. However, the intricate cut-out designs are prominent when layered over a contrasting fabric. It is not a traditional choice. Hence, it is better suited to modern, casual wedding styles. Although it works for any wedding style, eyelet lace wedding dresses look best at beach and garden weddings.

Guipure or Venetian Lace

We can quickly identify Guipure or Venetian lace by looking at the links between different motifs. In the case of Alencon and Chantilly lace, the motifs connect through thin mesh or net-like structures. This has a wispy effect. In Venetian lace, dense plaits or thick strands replace this mesh structure. This forms a clear outline for the lace motif. Guipure lace is one of the oldest types of bridal lace. It is still favoured by many designers for its distinct quality.

Now that we know about the different types of wedding dress lace, let us look at how lace transforms a dress based on where it appears. I have also included suitable examples from our collection to illustrate each.

Allover lace wedding dress

Allover lace adorns this cap-sleeve fit and flare gown from the Sans Pareil collection. Wispy floral motifs span the entire length of the gown, creating uniform texture throughout the silhouette. There are no other embellishments on the dress. Despite this, the gown is beautiful in its unique way. Brides can accessorize with many options to achieve the intended look. The floral motifs create a vintage effect, and the dress suits vintage and traditional wedding styles.

Lace trims the tiers and hemline

In this vintage wedding gown from the Mori Lee collection, the tiers in the skirt have lace trims. The embroidered lace appliques on the tiers contrast beautifully against the pale ivory background. The dress has a feminine, youthful vibe, and the lace trim’s very presence enhances the gown’s glamour.

Lace bodice

A wedding dress looks beautiful when the bodice has lace embellishments. This effect contrasts beautifully against a smooth skirt. Alternately, the lace bodice also works well with layered or satin skirts. This mix of textures in the bodice and skirt creates a unique effect. Here is a gown from the Mori Lee collection that achieves the desired effect. The dress has a simple A-line silhouette, but the lace motifs in the bodice contrast beautifully with the soft pleats in the skirt.

Lace yoke and sleeves

Chantilly lace creates a mesmerizing effect for this A-line wedding gown from the Sans Pareil collection. Lace details adorn the yoke and full sleeves. Elaborate swirls spread over the entire misty collar. They extend into illusion sleeves for a slimming effect. This is in direct contrast with the silky satin skirt and textured waistband. Additionally, the slight collar has a scalloped edge with intricate detailing, ensuring that every part of the dress is a work of art.

Scalloped lace hemline

Alencon lace sweeps over the hemline of this wispy Mori Lee Wedding dress. The light, airy fabric forms a beautiful base for the white lace appliques. A scalloped hemline completes the length of this gown in full style. The delicate floral clusters also extend to the rear and into the train, creating a romantic feel.

Lace back detail

Lace appliques frame the cut-out back of this enchanting Mori Lee gown. The re-embroidered appliques appear on a barely-there sheer base, which creates a mesmerizing effect. Scalloped floral edges frame the cut-out. Lace appliques further extend into the skirt and thin towards the pleated layers. The light breezy sheer layer stands out against the off-white layers below it in the fully gathered skirt. Although the lace back features simple details, it is the statement feature of this delightful bridal gown.

Embellished lace details

We spoke earlier about how embellishments on lace add luxury and elegance to a wedding gown. Lace appliques in this Sophia Tolli gown have beautiful crystal and bead details. This adds an opulent touch to the gown. While the golden and silver hues add shimmer and shine, they also create a gently textured finish that accentuates the bridal effect of this gown.

Irrespective of whether a dress has sparse lace details or appears throughout the entire length of a wedding gown, this classic element is bridal in every way. The charm of this bridal element cannot be achieved by any other fabric, and hence it will continue as a bridal staple in years to come.

Apart from wedding dresses, lace is also an essential element in veils used by brides. The wispy nature of this fabric and its fluttering feel is just right to complete the bridal trousseau. Furthermore, lace is also typical in wedding garters, as trims for the bridal bouquet and neckpieces. Finally, many brides make handkerchiefs and bouquet embellishments with lace from heirloom wedding gowns is often made into handkerchiefs and bouquets by brides, as their something old.

Best for Bride has a fantastic collection of lace wedding gowns. Browse through all our designer collections and you are sure to find a wide range of gowns that suit your vision. In addition to this, you can also find enchanting lace dresses in our bridesmaids collection and dresses for special occasions. Visit our dress gallery today to explore all the different options available to include this heirloom-quality style element in your big day.

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10 new and exciting bridesmaids dress ideas

Bridesmaids in matching outfits, and resembling big balls of cotton candy! These belong to the past. Today’s brides are smart and sensible, and want their bridesmaids to look and feel great on their big day. For this to happen, it is quintessential to toss the old rule book and make way for new rules for dressing up your bridesmaids.

So, here are few ideas that will help you dress your handpicked girls to look fabulous and add extra drama and excitement to your wedding scenery. Enjoy!

Rule 1: Mix up the textures

Here is an interesting way to give each of your bridesmaids their unique style, while keeping the look cohesive–Choose dresses in the same shade but different fabrics. With this simple switch in fabric choices, you change the overall look, but with subtlety. This option also helps brides who aren’t very sure of how to do the mix ‘n’ match concept to get it right. Dresses in the same shade but using different fabrics will easily go together, and the difference in texture will add an extra dimension of fun. Most designer collections give you plenty of colors for each design, and this allows your bridesmaids enough choices. They can choose from lace and tulle, to satin and charmeuse. Another factor is that as the fabric changes, so does the price of the dress. So, this allows your bridesmaids to choose a dress for their budget, as long as the desired color is chosen. As long as there aren’t too many accessories, it is bound to bring all the bridesmaids together. Just make sure you confirm that the dresses are of the same shade, before you give a thumbs up.

We have an example here to illustrate this idea.

Our first pick is the vintage style 8622L from the Alfred Angelo collection, in a gray color and created in soft net.

We have paired it with the 7342L from the same collection, which is an organza gown in a similar shade. Notice how the different fabrics give either dress a distinct personality, even while they come together beautifully!

Rule 2: Color block with one constant

Color blocking is an easy and uncomplicated way to bring more than one color into your bridesmaids outfits. Dressing up your bridesmaids in the same colors can resemble the original pattern of having all matching bridesmaids. This doesn’t do justice to allowing your bridesmaids shine individually. The better option is to mix up color block dresses, with different colors. However, keep one color constant throughout, so that there is a unifying factor that brings their looks together.

Let us demonstrate this with an example. Take a look at the 7344S from the Alfred Angelo bridesmaids collection.  It features color blocking with a black bodice and a gray skirt.

A dress that will work well with it is the 7345S from the same collection with a black bodice and soft beige skirt.  Although distinct from the first, the black bodices are strikingly similar, and this will bind the two looks together. These dresses can be chosen in any color shade in the skirt, and so make a perfect choice to play with color blocking.

Rule 3: Neutral color dresses with accessories that pop

There are two advantages to choosing bridesmaids dresses in neutral shades—your bridesmaids are more likely to use the dress again and the colors are usually easy to mix into any color palette. White, black, brown, gray and navy are neutrals that are easy to work with and form great pairings with most color palettes. These are also shades that look good on almost every skin tone. So, your bridesmaids will not have to worry about how the color clashes with their complexion.

The result is that everyone is happy, except for one small issue; not all neutral colored dresses can make that strong presence you require for your wedding. The solution—dress it up a notch with accessories in bold colors that will not go unnoticed. Choose shoes, belts or jewelry, and it will instantly add the necessary punch of color to your bridesmaids outfits. It will certainly be a better idea than having your girls dressed in unusual colors that they may not appreciate. Since they are paired with a neutral, there is no chance of the accessories going overboard. And, how about making these your bridesmaids gifts? That way, they get to use it on your wedding day and show it off. So, you now no how to add peach, sunset yellow or bubblegum pink to your bridesmaids outfits without making your girls cringe.

Take a look at this picture to see what we mean. Here, the bridesmaids dresses are a sober beige, and a bright dose of color is added through colorful heels and bouquets. By mixing up the colors, the result is interesting and lively.

The colorful bridesmaids
Image Credits: Ms.Phoenix,via Flickr,CC BY 2.0

 Rule 4: Neutral color dresses with zingy metal and jewel tone accessories

For an ultra-stylish and glamorous look, choose neutral colored dresses and pair it with bright and beautifully designed golden accessories. There are two benefits to this choice—your bridesmaids will most likely use the neutral dress again, and the metallic accessories will also work for them on another occasion. So it is a win-win situation, where they can get the best value for their money.

Here is a beautiful black evening gown, the J4003 from the lovely Jadore collection at Best for Bride.

Featuring a wide cut scoop neckline, sheath silhouette and softly sculpted cap sleeves, the gown is a beauty by itself. However, pairing it with an oversize gold necklace, waistband and bracelet makes it a dress that personifies Hollywood glamour. We are sure your bridesmaids will be excited to have a look like this. With such brilliant accessories, they will have that festive dressy look, perfect for a wedding day. The best part is that the dress being in a neutral shade gives them so many options to dress it up differently on another occasion. So, it’s definitely not a dress that will be exiled to the confines of their closets after your big celebration.

Rule 5: Go to different lengths to vary the style

Of the different ways to keep a consistent look but add drama, one of our favorites is to vary the lengths of the various gowns while keeping the color or print constant. This gives you ample choice to choose dresses in lengths that suit different body shapes and ages. So, if you have bridesmaids from different age groups and looking entirely distinct, you can easily vary the look yet bring it all together with dresses of varying hemlines. We look at dresses from the Mori Lee bridesmaids collection to bring you two examples of dresses that can achieve this look effortlessly.

Our first choice is the navy blue tulle 112 bridesmaid gown from the Mori Lee Tulle Affairs collection.

A full-length gown in tulle, with a sweetheart neckline and interesting criss-cross ruched bodice, this dress is elegant and looks best on both tall and short bridesmaids.

Here, we pair it with the Mori Lee 11100 from the same collection.

This dress has an illusion lace neckline and cap sleeves, and a short and fun skirt that ends a little above the knee. Although the two dresses are entirely different, they make a splendid combination because of the matching color. Hence you have suitable choices both for the women who want to look elegant and the bold and fun-loving bridesmaids in your wedding party.

Rule 6: Go from dark to light in a single color

Choose colors like red or yellow, and ask your bridesmaids to pick dresses in different shades of this color. This will keep the spectrum constant, but with interesting variation. This ombre trend has been in the limelight for a while now, and is an exciting way to dress up your bridesmaids. The only thing you should remember when choosing this option for dressing your bridesmaids, is that you should choose colors that cannot vary too much. Green, purple and blue are colors that can go totally wrong, if this happens. This is because colors like turquoise can fall into both shades, although it may look entirely different from pure shades like navy blue and mint green. So, choose colors that can vary only in the intensity of the black and white they may contain, when you choose this method.

Rule 7: One color with different prints

Printed bridesmaids dresses are interesting and exciting. While you may be tempted to choose the same prints for all your bridesmaids, it is a better idea to look around and find dresses in the same color with different prints instead. This will add a subtle variation to the look, and each bridesmaid will be unique in her own way. The unifying factor will be the color that all the dresses feature, and this is all that is required to bring the overall look together. You can also consider mixing up dresses that have prints all over with those where the prints are limited to chosen areas on the dress, like the yoke or hemline. Here are two dresses from the Jadore collection. The first is the J6013 from the Jadore collection, with black prints on a beige base.

The next is the J5009 from the same collection, with the same combination of colors done entirely different.

Rule 8: Alternate plain and print

In this option, your job is relatively easy. All you have to do is finalize a color and choose one plain and one printed bridesmaid dress in it. Alternate this choice for your bridesmaids, so you have equal numbers wearing the plain colored dress, and the same number wearing printed dresses. By keeping the designs uniform and the hemlines of both styles the same, the entire group looks well coordinated and classy.

Here is a wedding party that has achieved this result with alternate plain and printed purple dresses.

@shoopsmoo &#bridesmaids
Image Credits:leesean, via Flickr, CC BY 2.0

The printed purple dresses feature very subtle white floral prints all over the length of the gown. The dresses blend well with the plain purple dresses that the rest of the bridesmaids wear. What we specifically loved about this combination is that the plain dresses are not exactly similar, each one features a different neckline. Thus we can safely conclude that each bridesmaid has her distinct style of dress, and yet gels in with the group seamlessly.

Rule 9: Add variety with infinity dresses

Infinity dresses are basically dresses that can be worn in various different styles. It is the true convertible dress. Here, the fabric left in the neckline and bodice to be wrapped in different ways to yield different looks. By draping the top half of the dress in different ways, you can achieve different necklines like the one-shoulder strap, strapless neckline, cap-sleeve look and more. This dress allows each of your bridesmaids to wear the style that flatters her most. Hence, it is versatile and everyone ends up happy. With this choice, you play it safe by choosing the same color for all. Even so, each has her personal style enhanced with a suitable pattern.

Rule 10: Same style, different prints

We have seen prints and plains as well as textures in the same color and pattern. Now, the only one left to experiment with is prints in the same pattern. This is a fun and exciting way to make your bridesmaids stand out from the rest of the crowd. Printed dresses make them look different from typical bridesmaids, but the unifying design brings the entire party together instantly. Here is a sample.

The Lil' Getting Ready Bridesmaid Dress Styled Shoot.
Image Credits: Plum Pretty Sugar, via Flickr, CC BY 2.0

In this picture, the pretty bridesmaids sport strapless dresses with vibrant prints. The hemline is uniform, and ends at mid-thigh. The dress also features a bow detail at the waistline, making all three dresses unusually cohesive.

Hope you now have enough inspiration to mix and match and perfect your bridesmaids dress looks. For more exciting inputs on styling your wedding, as well as for all your wedding shopping needs, continue visiting us at Best for Bride—your one stop bridal destination.