Here comes the Bridesmaid

The honour of being a bridesmaid used to be a mixed blessing; despite participating in a friend’s happy occasion, it seemed the price to pay was wearing an outfit of someone else’s choosing, then have the photographic evidence preserved on the mantelpiece for years to come. Happily, the current trend seems to be for bridesmaids to select their own gowns, and, in group situations, to follow a loose colour scheme rather clone themselves in one style ill-suited to different heights and body shapes. Many High Street and contemporary women’s wear brands are wise to this with some wonderful bridesmaid-appropriate dresses at a range of price-points.

The sartorial sins of traditional bridesmaids dresses; shiny fabric, excess ruching or frills, sickly pastel shades are no longer de rigueur. However, although the rules have relaxed considerably, bridesmaids still need a point of difference with the other guests, so a printed trouser suit is unlikely to cut it. The intelligent way of choosing perfect bridesmaid attire would be include one or two traditional elements in an otherwise modern dress. For example, blush pink but in a simple unfussy shape, playing with texture, like appliqued petals or sheer chiffon panels, or try a simple colourway with no embellishment but an interesting cut, like a racer-back or a skater dress with gathered full-skirt. You could also go for a traditional shiny fabric and colour, but a two-piece – like a full maxi skirt and simple T-shirt. Playing with lengths and necklines between your bridal party while everyone sticks to a colour scheme can work well too.

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An occasion when the pressure of the day can mean otherwise confident women panic and become tempted to over-compensate, worrying about the photo album. The buzzword to bear in mind is glamour, but in a chic, rather than an overstated way. Think Coco Chanel rather than Joan Collins for starters. Should the question of a hat rear its head, think quality, rather than quantity. A lovely design, even a headband, pillbox or even clip-on will add a certain panache to the whole ensemble, but without looking like fancy dress or an Eliza Doolittle costume. There’s no obligation to wear a high street fascinator – there are some fantastic contemporary milliners who can supply something far more original, fashion forward and playful without necessarily breaking the bank. As to the dress, colour and print are both a good idea, an abstract design being a wonderful alternative to floral, if mumsiness is to be avoided. A silk dress in a relaxed fit is certainly appropriately formal and will hold its own in the glamour stakes without competing or clashing with the bridal party.