dressing up

Did you miss me? MIA for a week. Mom says it was just because I love her so much I wanted to give her a bit more face time. I do love my momma! I haven't been totally absent. I've essentially been microblogging: Pinterest! If you haven't heard about it or used it, it's about time you did. I'm addicted.

If there was one thing I knew for sure about my bridesmaids it was that I wanted them in blue.

1. jenny yoo 2. armani collezioni 3. bhldn 4. diane von furstenberg 5. aqua

Specifically, navy blue. Well, or royal blue. Even more specifically, a beautiful shade of blue on one of the lovely silk taffeta ensembles from J. Crew.

j. crew 1. blakely 2. bow monde 3. nanine 4. mika

Unfortunately, when I began this dreaming of bridesmaids, J. Crew wasn't offering any kind of desirable blue in the fabric. I didn't waver. I was sure that when it came time to order J. Crew would have come to their senses. They now have a couple of blues...we're not quite to ordering yet.

This collection was perfect. Short. Fun. Elegant. Re-wearable.

Mom raised a red flag. Sometimes people's knees are not quite so quite. I brushed that one off as one of her oddities. {though she has a point - knees aren't always one's loveliest attribute.

Then, an excited bridesmaid sent me this little gem.

j. crew: arabelle long

It's so romantic. Ethereal. Diaphanous. {and, yes, it comes in blue, i just wanted to capture the detail in the bodice}. Maybe short silk taffeta isn't the way to go {though these haven't been ruled out. we first must do some in person scouting}.

I had previously entertained other options {see the top row of photos}. There is certainly more romance in a flowier fabric...

Continuing my search, I also found myself pulled toward styles that were either only available in a non-color (champagne, blush,etc.) or simply looked better in said non-color.

bcbg 1. 2. 

Our entire mood is romantic. These lovelies fit the bill. And their fashionable {read: re-wearable. that is, of course, re-wearable at a more formal occasion}

The search continues.

In my perusal of what seems like every bridesmaid gown designer on the market {hyperbole, yes. not by much. i scoured.} I found some new must-sees.

May I introduce Priscilla of Boston (and her offspring Vineyard & Melissa Sweet):

1. vineyard 2. priscilla of boston 3. priscilla of boston 4. vineyard

So much to choose from. Short. Long. Fabrics of all types. Colors and colors {and non-colors for good measure}.

1. priscilla of boston 2. priscilla of boston 3. vineyard 4. priscilla of boston 5. vineyard

Some lean more toward elegant than ethereal. On this point, I could go either way. This is where the shopping comes in.

melissa sweet

There is also this little number that I had to throw in for fun. Great dress, not quite the fabric I have in mind. Not in our setting.

Finally the belle of the ball: Amsale.

I love her bridal gowns, though I don't see myself in one. But her bridesmaids dresses...I'm completely sold. {though they are a bit pricey. really what bridesmaids dresses aren't?}

amsale 1. 2.

There's the sleek chic in jersey. Definitely re-wearable.

amsale 1. 2. 3. 4.

Then there are the billowy lot with rosette details. {trying to steer clear of odd "wedding-y" details that make them less marketable for multi-use.

amsale 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Then there are these more simple styles. Absolutely stunning. I feel pretty just looking at them. Romantic. Feminine. They come in blue. I have a new love. I can't wait to go shopping.

amsale

I couldn't leave out this beauty. After all, this was one of the dresses on my be-my-bridesmaid cards {and was independently inspired, I had not yet found this particular dress in real-life}

So my goals for my ladies:

*Choose something they're head-over-heals in love with. This is why I love love love bridesmaids in different styles, same color, same fabric {though same fabric may be flexible depending on how it all looks}. You get to look your best and therefore feel your best and therefore look amazing in pictures {photography = priority 1}.

*Choose something they can wear again. Seriously. Not just the "oh you'll wear it all the time" kind of thing. But the "omg I just found a picture of my bridesmaid in her dress and she hasn't even worn it to the wedding yet" {no joke, found that problem in a wedicate article. and ladies, that does not mean i want you to actually wear the dress before the wedding}

That means: no silk dup, no matte satin, avoid satin if at all possible, no weird "wedding-y" details/appliques.

*Don't break the bank. As I've mentioned, I have expensive taste. Bridesmaids dresses are, by nature, expensive. But, when it comes down to it, the first two criteria must be met to justify the expense. I, however, don't want to be the bride that puts her loved ones in the poor house for a dress. {my general rule for buying is to spend more on an absolute love than spend less for a wear it once and never look at it again. but, in this case, it's not my money.}

Please note: if you have not had your fill of bridesmaid dress love you can find more on my Pinterest board designed specifically for the topic: my lovely ladies