Shopbop Wedding Series: Bridesmaid Dresses, by Style Me Pretty

When we polled our soon-to-be or recent bride friends about where they turned for wedding inspiration, every last one of them said Style Me Pretty. A blog that specializes in all things bridal, Style Me Pretty looks at the hottest trends in the wedding world. We asked editor and founder Abby Larson to share her insights into selecting bridesmaid dresses.

Brides spend hours choosing exactly the right flowers, a space that reflects their style and personality, a perfect white dress, details that will make guests swoon. They choose their menu carefully and spend days going back and forth on cake flavors and first dance songs. At Style Me Pretty, we think the bridesmaid dress selection should be at the tippy top of that to-do list. Aside from the fact that happy maids equals way less stress for the bride-to-be, a well-frocked bridal party is also the perfect accessory to your wedding day style.

Let’s talk trends. The biggest trend we’ve seen lately is mismatched dresses. Not the standard one designer, different cuts mismatching. Instead, brides are choosing a palette and allowing their bridesmaids to choose a gown that represents one of the hues within that spectrum, all in different styles. Some may be long and jewel toned, others may be short and accessorized. Each is beautiful in its own right, and yet stunning as a group.

Different dresses in the same color palette. Photo by Erin Hearts Court.

We’re also seeing dresses that totally buck the bridesmaid dress tradition. Dresses that can and WILL be worn again. Whether it’s a collection of little black dresses, a fabulous printed frock, or a Pippa-style white gown, the goal is to give your girls something they are excited to wear.

As for colors, we’re obsessed with Pantone’s pick for the 2011 color of the year, Honeysuckle. Mix it up with pale pinks, champagnes, and nudes—gorgeousness defined.

Honeysuckle promises to be a bridesmaid favorite this wedding season.

And last but not least, don’t forget the accessories! From the whimsical to the sweet, accessories are the perfect way to take your bridesmaid looks to a chic new level.

Don’t forget the accessories! A pretty hairpiece can take your bridesmaid look to a new level.

See what we mean? Bridesmaid dresses are a perfect place for you to add a pop of color, spunk, and style to your wedding day. And don’t forget to look to your girls for ideas as well. After all, they know what looks good on them better than anyone else. If you trust your maids to select their own gowns, make sure to do a final review once everyone has their dress. You want to make sure the colors complement each other, and the styles don’t compete. We always suggest that you listen to your bridesmaids’ ideas, and then use their thoughts as a launching pad to selecting the perfect collection for your girls. It’s a win-win for all.

So there you have it. Bridesmaid Dresses 101. Just remember that you should gift your girls two things on your big day: confidence and style. If you follow those rules, you will have one very happy bridal party.

--Abby Larson
Style Me Pretty

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