The Kindest Cut - Flattering Dresses For Bridesmaids

When you are shopping for bridesmaid dresses, there are many things to keep in mind. You want the dresses to fit the style of your wedding, look good with your bridal gown, and be in a pretty color. One thing that some brides overlook is whether or not the dress will be flattering on all of her bridesmaids.
Shopping for bridesmaid dresses is never easy. It can be so challenging to find a dress that really fits all of your requirements, from color to style to fabric. For many brides, when they finally do find something they really love, they turn over the price tag and gasp - $650 for a dress?! If you know that your bridesmaids cannot afford your favorite dress, you can be back at square one.
It is no wonder that amid all of the other difficulties surrounding finding the perfect dress for your attendants that looking for a gown in the most flattering cut can be forgotten. If your bridal party is made up exclusively of swimsuit models, you may have nothing to worry about. However, if your friends and sisters are average American women with a wide range of shapes and sizes, seeking the kindest cut for all of them is extremely important.
I recently saw a very elegant wedding party being photographed in the courtyard of an exclusive hotel. The bridesmaids' dresses were a beautiful shade of bluish-purple in a soft flowing fabric. They had a wide neckline with a gathered fabric under the bustline that flowed into the skirt. The dresses were absolutely gorgeous, but...they did not flatter the figures of at least half of the attendants. The soft fabric was totally unforgiving, and emphasized every bump and ripple on the less svelte bridesmaids. The gathered fabric under the bust did not lay properly on some of the other girls, and the wide neckline was slipping off the shoulders of all of the attendants. Although the dress was surely beautiful, it was not a good choice for this group of bridesmaids.
To avoid this problem, the bride should carefully assess the figures of her bridesmaids, as well as their coloring and build before ordering the dresses. It would also be very smart to have a couple of your attendants with different figures try on any gown that you are considering. That way you can discover any flaws in the cut of the dress before the day of the wedding.
If your bridesmaids feel comfortable in the dress they are wearing, they will also look more beautiful and confident. It would be better to pick a slightly plain dress in a truly flattering cut than a more interesting dress that does not look attractive on everyone. A simple gown can always be dressed up with the wedding jewelry that you give as bridesmaid gifts. Jewelry like chandelier earrings, an elaborate necklace, or a sparkly brooch make great bridesmaid gifts, and are the perfect way to add personality to their dresses.
One of the easiest ways to make sure that every one of your attendants looks terrific in their dress is to let her pick it out herself. Many brides will designate a color, and possibly a fabric, and let each bridesmaid choose her own silhouette. Another great option is to go with a line of dresses that are also available as separates. This can be especially helpful for women who may be a different size on the top than the bottom. The other nice thing about the separates is that you end up with a group of bridesmaids who are beautifully coordinated, but they do not look like they were stamped from cookie cutters.
Making sure that her bridesmaids look and feel their best is one of the nicest things that a bride can do for her friends. Take the time to choose a dress that will be flattering and attractive on all of your attendants. Besides, turn about is fair play: if one of your bridesmaids ever asks you to be in her wedding, you want to be sure that she doesn't put you in a hideous dress as revenge!
Look to Bridget for advice on planning your wedding. Check out how we can help with your bridesmaids jewelry at SilverlandJewelry.com. Bridesmaid jewelry gifts are the perfect way for a bride to show her appreciation for her attendants.