Bridesmaid Dress Trends for Winter 2010
More and more brides are choosing winter weddings. Not only does winter provide a beautiful backdrop for a wedding ceremony, but getting married during the colder months also saves serious cash. Winter is the off-season for weddings, meaning everything from caterers to churches are cheaper and easier to book.
Getting married during the colder months can have its drawbacks, however. Most wedding resources only show fashions designed for warm weather wear, such as short and strapless bridesmaid dresses. This can make it a little more difficult for brides to choose gowns for their attendants, since those summery styles just won't work for winter. This winter, many of the hottest bridesmaid dress trends echo current women's fashion trends in general. Here are a few of the hottest styles of the season.
Sparkle
Shiny sequins, metallics and faux gems make this winter a shimmering season. Think a 21st century sophisticate's night at Studio 54. Pailettes, tonal sequins and toned-down lamé are all looking suddenly sexy. The structured shapes of this season's pieces add glitz, and mute what could otherwise be an overboard look. A sequined shift dress won't always look good, but it'll be a big hit at cocktail receptions this winter.
If you're going for the sparkly look, try toned-down versions for daytime weddings. Soft gold and other neutral shades will keep the dresses looking classy, and avoid outshining the bride. After dark, vibrant colors look more appropriate and festive.
Classy Color
Sexy, ladylike colors are in style this season, pairing well with the tailored styles currently in fashion. Neutral shades are being worn in a very elegant way this winter, lending themselves perfectly to bridesmaid dresses and other special occasion clothing. Swiss chocolate brown and gunmetal gray are among the most stylish neutral tones of the season. Deep, rich color shades are also in style this winter, with a focus on jewel tones. Navy blue, pine green and cranberry are all beautiful choices for bridesmaid dresses; look for darkened shades of your favorite colors to wear an air of seasonal drama.
Ruching
This year's fall and winter seasons featured tailored-looking, body-conscious pieces. Even the season's sweaters were designed to accentuate a woman's figure. One trend that really shows off the feminine form is ruching, a gathered fabric look that helps clothing drape appealingly.
A word of caution with ruched clothing is that it can be very flattering or completely unflattering, depending on the wearer. Ruching draws attention to areas where the fabric gathers, so look for a dress that maximizes your body's best features.
Modern Classic
The “something old, something new' rule doesn't have to be just for the bride. Playing off the classic shapes in style this season, bridesmaids might opt for a tailored look with a modern edge. An old-school, 60s-style shift dress gets an update when it's in a luxe fabric, while classic tea length bridesmaid dresses look fresh festooned with ruffles. One-shouldered party dresses are a sexy and sophisticated take on this trend, or try a classic shape in one of the season's hot colors.
If you wind up going with a classic bridesmaid's dress, make it modern with your accessories. Wear open-toed booties instead of heels, add a long strand of pearls, or try opaque colored tights. Get ideas from the bride about the look she's going for, and make it work with your dress.
If your local bridal salon doesn't feature weather-appropriate bridesmaid dresses, don't despair. Department stores and boutiques are bound to have plenty of stylish dresses in stock for the winter holiday party season. As a bonus, these are often less expensive and more wearable than traditional “wear once” bridesmaid dresses.
