We've all been to weddings where it's obvious that the bridesmaids were uncomfortable in their outfits, which may have been too restrictive, revealing, ill-fitting or in the wrong colour (not all skin tones look good in lavender). Marianne Chow of online fashion boutique, BeStarck, points out that these ladies will be with you the entire day — from the gatecrashing to the dinner banquet, so the least you can do is to make sure they have some say in their outfit or can move around comfortably in it. And the best part: She says the rules are changing when it comes to having your main ladies wear different colours and dress styles! Here are her answers on how to dress your bridesmaids:
What are some tips to dressing up the bridesmaids for a picture-perfect squad?
I believe comfort should always come first. The role of a bridesmaid is no mean feat especially in humid Singapore. Put them in outfits they feel relaxed and comfortable in so that they'll be naturally confident and always camera-ready!
What are some of the trends for bridesmaids' outfits?
Pastel shades such as blush pink, mint, sky blue complement Asian skin tones beautifully and look amazing in pictures, so they're always be in trend. For styles, we've seen more brides asking for maxi dresses as they're comfortable and easy to move around in. If you're looking for something unique and more sophisticated, we have darker colors, which are always flattering and makes the photos 'pop' more against the bride's white gown.
Do the dresses have to exactly the same in terms of style and colour?
This really depends on the bride. While having the same colour throughout seems to be a popular choice still, we recommend having different shades of a colour or a theme (eg. Summer) where we mix and match vibrant colours. These themes are sure to stand out in photos.
What's the best way to accessorise the ensembles?
Flowers, of course! A simple bouquet is probably the easiest way to accessorise bridesmaids dresses. If you want something more boho, flower wreaths are a big trend now as it frees up the bridesmaids' hands. And you don't have to get fancy or expensive flowers, simple always does the trick.
Is it acceptable for bridesmaids to wear black or pants?
Black is usually frowned upon for Asian weddings, but couples nowadays are more modern and they dress up black outfits with brightly coloured accessories like hats, flowers or shoes. Jumpsuits, although not a common choice, are on trend now and can look very chic and stylish. They're also practical especially when bridesmaids have to bend down to help with the gown train or the bride's shoes.
What's your advice to brides who are planning their bridesmaids outfits?
Many brides cannot visualise a complete picture of their ideal outfits right off the bat, so it's important to decide on a single theme and not have too many options. Once decided, use photos as references to see how your chosen colours look when combined. Everyone has different preferences, so getting too many people involved could drag out the decision-making. The bride should allocate one or two key people to help her decide on a theme, and the rest will naturally fall in place.
