Brides blog

November 30, 2009

Choose Bridesmaid Dresses By Body Shape

It’s a good thing then that you can choose to make your bridesmaids wear the same dress color albeit in varying styles to suit their body shapes. Here then are basic guidelines to match your bridesmaids’ body shape with their dresses.

Full Figure
You don’t only choose plus size bridesmaid dresses, you should choose bridesmaid dresses that are as simple as can be in terms of fabric embellishments like ruffles and fluff to achieve a slimming effect. If you must choose puffy skirts, balance the volume with a small shawl or shrug.

As much as possible, you have to steer clear of two-tone bridesmaid dresses because these will only shorten the silhouette and hence make your full-figured bridesmaid look more, well, full-figured. Styles like halter bridesmaid dresses, empire waist bridesmaid dressess, A Line bridesmaid dresses, crossover necklines and bias cut skirts are ideal to accentuate full figures while hiding the flaws.

And if your bridesmaid is worried about a wide waist, then you can always let her use a darker-colored sash to slim it down. Who says that your bridesmaids must look like clones of each other?

Pear Shape

For the pear-shaped bridesmaids, you can design bridesmaid dresses that downplay their biggest flaw, no pun intended, which are their largish hips. First, opt for halter bridesmaid dresses since these necklines broaden the shoulders and, hence, provide the illusion of smaller hips.

Second, necklines with pretty details can distract attention away from heavy hips. Just make sure that said neckline complements the shape of the face.

Third, the skirts must either be A-line or subtly flared or pleated/gathered at the front/back. This way, the heavy bottom will not be emphasized. If possible, design the bridesmaid dress with a cinched waist to provide more definition.

Just make sure that you don’t incorporate all these suggestion in one dress lest your bridesmaid appear confused, style-wise. Just choose one that you can both agree on.

Tall

You can opt for bridesmaid dresses that break the long lines of a tall bridesmaid. Pretty details at the hips and waist like sashes and belts will do the trick of providing definition between the torso and the lower limbs.

Depending on the bridesmaid’s choice, she can either choose to wear a tea length bridesmaid dresses or a floor-length gown. Either one can highlight the desirable feature of a tall girl. Just make sure though that the other bridesmaids will look as tall as she is by allowing them to wear high heels. Well, except for a beach wedding, that is.

Petite

In this instance, you have to design bridesmaid dresses that will elongate the body. This can be achieved through short skirts preferably short bridesmaid dresses, spaghetti straps bridesmaid dresses and fitted dresses that provide an illusion of length, dropped waist bodices for longer-looking torsos and higher necklines.
Just make sure that your petite bridesmaid does not come dressed in floor-length dresses as she will surely look like a small child playing pretend party. Keep the dress short and you will make her look tall. And high heels do help!

Again, your bridesmaids don’t have to wear identical clothes if they don’t have similar body shapes. Your friendship is more important than wrangling over the prettiest design for her!

November 29, 2009

Thanksgiving Style Guide for Every Dining Occasion

As a stylist, the last thing I’m thinking come Thanksgiving morning is when to get the stuffing started. Instead, it’s all about how to look great when I’m stuffed!
This day is dedicated to giving thanks with friends, family and lots of food, but there is no reason you shouldn’t look and feel your best while partaking in the festivities. As far as elastic waistbands go – never a good idea. Instead, pick a look that is going to be figure flattering and comfortable at the same time.
Your outfit choice will most likely depend on a few factors: where your dinner is taking place (home, friend’s house, restaurant, significant other’s house etc.), time of day, and guest attire are key things to keep in mind.
If your Thanksgiving is about family and food in a casual setting, go for a pair of boyfriend jeans (rolled up at the bottom), a tank, a colorful cardigan, pashmina, a few bangles and some cute flats. This is an easy look to transition from dinner table to couch or even play with some little family members. Whatever you do, DO NOT WEAR sweats, it’s just wrong.
If your family is like mine, and you will be attending Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant, play up the holiday and bring out your best. Go for a great dress, and think empire waist prom dresses, to give you some extra room. Embellishment is also a great way to sparkle on a special evening – sequins are all over the stores. Opt for tights and high heels to really glam it up, the Empire Waist Evening Dresses will add up too. If your wedding will be arranged at the Thanksgiving day, the Empire Waist Wedding Dresses and Empire Waist Bridesmaid Dresses would spot you through the party night.
If you are spending time with friends or possibly meeting a new set of family members, go for a more conservative look. Think J.Crew east coast prep – you can’t go wrong with a shift dress and cardigan. Also draw attention to the décolletage; this feminine part of the body is perfect for detracting from anything that may be bulging below.
A couple general tips to follow; stay away from Kimono sleeves or anything that might pick up food before it hits your mouth. Avoid lighter colors – cranberry sauce can attack at any moment. Steer clear of ugly Christmas sweaters and light-up cornucopia pins, and allow the turkey-shaped salt and pepper shakers their glory-moment. And don’t forget Thanksgiving is about friends, family, and giving thanks, so smile and grant your favorite Thursday of the year the consideration it deserves by looking your best!

November 23, 2009

Your Wedding Dress: Find the Right Fit for You

To get a wedding dress with the perfect fit, it’s essential to determine the most flattering shape for your figure. Not only will you be more comfortable on your wedding day, you’ll also look and feel more beautiful than you ever expected. Check out the list of basic wedding dress silhouettes at the right, then use the descriptions below to assess your body type. Study up on our lists of dos and don’ts for each one.
Hourglass
You have a big chest, big hips, and a thin waist (that is, curves in all the right places).
• Wedding Dress Dos: Empire Waist Bridesmaid Dresses with a dropped waist will show off your figure; pair it with a sweetheart neckline to show off your chest. Or for something a little more curvaceous, try a fit-and-flare gown like a mermaid or trumpet style
• Wedding Dress Don’ts: ball gowns or Empire Waist Evening Dresses may make you look disproportioned.
Short Waist
Your body is naturally proportioned, except for the small distance from your ribs to your hips.
Keep in mind that while your weight may fluctuate between the time you buy your gown and the day of your wedding, your actual body type will remain the same. So even if you’re planning to drop 20 pounds before exchanging vows, choose the gown that fits your body type today.
• Wedding Dress Dos: A Princess-line silhouette — fitted at the bodice and opening up gradually to a full skirt — elegantly elongates your figure; if you love your shoulders, try a portrait or halter neckline. A slightly dropped-waist gown will also lengthen your torso.
• Wedding Dress Don’ts: A sheath will make your short waist more obvious.
Thick Waist
Same as above, but instead of a short waist, yours is undefined: The line from your shoulders to your hips is straight.
• Wedding Dress Dos: An Empire waist wedding dress will deemphasize your waistline and give you a long, lean look.
• Wedding Dress Don’ts: A Princess-line or basque waist will draw too much attention to your middle.
Full Figure
More voluptuous than most, you’ve got full breasts, a bit of a tummy, and round hips and butt.
• Wedding Dress Dos: A ball gown wedding dress will hide quite a bit, and an A-line silhouette looks great on everyone.
• Wedding Dress Don’ts: A sheath will make you look heavier than you are; avoid spaghetti straps.
Pear Shape
Just like the fruit, you’re small on top and heavy on the bottom.
• Wedding Dress Dos: A basque waist or strapless ball gown will cover your bottom half and put the focus on your better half; an Empire dress will hug the tiniest part of your body and disguise your lower half.
• Wedding Dress Don’ts: A sheath, frankly, will be unflattering. A trumpet- or mermaid-style gown will draw attention to your bottom.
Thin
Short or tall, there’s not a whole lot of meat on your bones. You boast that certain kind of ballerina beauty.
• Wedding Dress Dos: Empire Waist Prom Dresses will make you look like a fairy-tale princess, and a sheath would be perfect for you.
• Wedding Dress Don’ts: Almost all silhouettes will flatter your figure, but stay away from portrait, off-the-shoulder, or halter necklines if your collarbone is too bony.
Petite
You’re probably not the star of the basketball team — you’ve got a tiny frame.
• Empire Waist Wedding Dresses Dos: It’s best to keep it simple — when you’re small, a big, elaborate gown can sometimes look as if it’s wearing you rather than the other way around. A sheath or A-line dress will work well.
Empire Waist Wedding Dresses Don’ts: Almost all silhouettes will flatter your figure, though a big ball gown may overwhelm.

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