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Pantone colors for autumn/winter 2016 and our bridesmaids dresses in these colors

At times, we simply have to turn to the experts for advice. Where it comes to wedding colors, the dizzying variety can easily cause us to swoon. For brides who are lost for choices, what better place to turn to than to the global expert on colors, Pantone, for inspiration on what’s hot and what’s not.

The Pantone color trends for Autumn/Winter 2016 brings us an unusual yet attractive mix of hues and shades from the color spectrum. This year, the theme featured is real and unreal, or absent and present. Mysterious as it sounds, the color palette is surprisingly fresh and perfect to work with.

If you are to get married in the coming months of this year, it is a great place to begin, and we suggest starting with your bridesmaids. After all, nothing highlights the color theme of your wedding, as much as the colors that your wedding party sports.

It is once again time to shuffle through our unbelievably extensive collection of bridesmaids dresses, and find out the our favorites in the most happening colors this year. So, let’s begin.

Beautiful in Black

Gone are the days, when black wasn’t an appropriate color for a wedding. Now, it is the newest “Prestige” color, and one that adds a mysterious vibe to your wedding. Perfect for the indoors, it will stand out and is great for a formal ceremony. As the ultimate neutral, you can pair it with any other color in bouquets and other accessories. And don’t overlook the fact that black is a universal favorite, so this is your go-to choice if you want your girls to use their bridesmaid dress more than once. Plus, black is refined, sophisticated and not to mention, grown-up.

Now let’s take a quick peek at our favorite dresses in black.


 

And for those of you brides who don’t want to go with black all the way, the Alfred Angelo bridesmaids collection brings you some fantastic color block beauties with black on the yoke. Here’s a sample.

Vibrant and White

More and more brides are now defying tradition, as they choose white for their bridesmaids. The modern bride knows that there is more than just one type of white, and it is impossible to confuse the bride with her bridesmaids, when her dress choice is done properly.

If you are a modern bride looking for a challenge, how about getting your bridesmaids to wear white on the most special day in your life? Just make sure that there is at least one factor that visibly sets you apart (ideally the dress hemline, the fabric or finish), and you can play all you want with other colors in your bouquets, accessories and rest of the wedding décor. White bridesmaids will complement any other décor color, and also add that necessary balance, with which you can make the rest of the colors in your palette pop. Also, a great choice if your wedding gown is not white, but a different hue. Take a closer look at the dresses featured below. Now, here are dresses that will be just fine for everyone’s taste, despite being white. Don’t you think?

And, here are these dazzling white beauties from our bridesmaids collections.


 

Glassy and gorgeous green

Unlike the mints and emeralds of the previous years, this year Pantone’s color palette draws our attention to two different types of greens—a cool,glassy green and the other a yellowish olive-like shade. Green is a beautiful color that is usually associated with spring and summer. Nevertheless, when done right, and it can intensify any other color used with it. It’s subtle but striking presence, will make a beautiful addition to your winter or autumn wedding landscape. When choosing this color, pay attention to the skin tone of your bridesmaids. Not all girls can easily sport every type of green. Nevertheless, with these two options that are in trend, you can mix and match options to find dresses that are suitable for every one of your bridesmaids. Take a look at the greens that are bound to make heads turn this year, through the dreamy bridesmaids dresses below.


 

Wow with Yellow

Yellow is a powerful, tropical color that acts like a ray of sunshine in the cold wintry weather scene. This winter, add an extra dose of joy to your winter palette with muted yellows that remind us of the serene skies and refreshing warmth of summer, that is far off. It is a color with a positive vibe to it. Nevertheless, exercise caution when adding yellow to your wedding colors, especially if you have other bold colors in your palette. Although yellow is a color that blends in with most other colors, you should be picky with the shade you choose, as not all yellows work equally well with other color combinations. Now, for some divinely, delightful yellow dresses to add sunny splendor to your wedding palette, check out what we have in store.


 

Warmth with Orange

In a welcome twist from the previously popular clementine, this year the preferred orange takes on a spicy and warm tone that is subtly sophisticated. Infused with cinnamon, camel and caramel, choose dresses with the orange shade barely there to be in line with the trend. The good thing about this twist to the tale is that these oranges blend in better with more color palettes, and do not stand out. This makes it easier to choose dresses that will work the mix ‘n’ match trend well. Plus, these colors are not too bold, and so will complement most skin tones as opposed to the characteristic brightness of the original orange shade. Here are the latest from our collection that give wings to the beautiful color.

 

Pleasantly purple

Purple has been in the limelight for quite some time, and this year is no different. With the color wheel spinning more towards the direction of muted berry colors, purple moves from bright to being a mellow and neutral shade. This is a fantastic color that yields a powerful color palette with neutrals like grey, white and black. It also livens up the atmosphere when combined with yellow, turquoise or green. While the former looks strikingly sophisticated, the latter is a pleasing palette of cheer. One of my favorite things about this color is that it is the one of the few colors that the various shades work together so perfectly, that blending or mixing various purples is a breeze. We have so many perfect purples in our collection, that it took quite a while to find out which of these will make the top list. So, here are our picks. What do you think of them?


 

Brilliant in blue

Blue is the eternal winter favorite, and this color works its way into almost every winter party. If not through the dresses, blue makes its presence felt in the rest of the décor. It could be how the color is synonymous with the cool gray weather of autumn and winter, or how a slight change in the shade can change the entire ambiance. This year’s Pantone’s blues however are submerged in greys and greens to create spell-binding colors that are unique and form excellent combinations with metallic colors. So, if your palette focuses on the metallic trend that is in vogue, check out how these bridesmaids dresses in exciting blues can work for your palette. We have two distinct looks, that are unique in their own way. Which of these will you be adopting at your wedding?


 

Don’t frown on brown

Warm and soft, the brown Pantone spectrum ranges from the rich red wine browns to the tan and spicy nutmeg shades. Brown has an overpowering presence, and it is a color that can work by itself or go well with various other colors in your palette. A dark neutral, that has a serious magnificent personality, it is perfect for a winter wedding where you want to warm up the wintry ambiance with a suitable choice of color. The darker the brown, the more formal the effect. It blends beautifully with muted pastels like peach and dusty pink, and can also work well with creams and milky white. Add a touch of silver as your metallic accent for sophistication, while gold gives it a dazzling dreamy finish.

Take a look a our wonderful brown dresses at Best for Bride, and choose the one that you think is best.


 

Richly regal in red

Red is a tried and tested color, that is effective with an almost explosive effect. Although the spectrum of red includes hues ranging from brightest to the serious and dull brown-reds, the most popular choice for winter and autumn remains cherry reds. These are, after all, synonymous with the holiday season. Nowadays, the combinations with red are unusual, thus breathing more life into this versatile and dramatic color. While red and gold have been the eternal holiday favorites, we can find red and navy, red and cream and red and pastels as the hot and happening combinations. To add fervor, joy and pops of color to your wedding palette, here are the reds that your bridesmaids would love to dress in.


 

Pretty in pastels

Ever since pastels entered the wedding scene, they have been a continuing trend. They are still in style this year, but this time take on bolder and more visible hues, in stark contrast with the muted, barely there look that was the characteristic feature of last year’s color palette. The pleasant thing about pastels is that you can choose any color in a pastel shade, and it will never be too overwhelming. Hence you can blend pastels into your palette, whether you want to mix it with another color or colors, or let it be by itself. The serene and calming composure of these colors work well in the cool weather, and generate a cool, but cosy ambiance. At Best for Bride, you can find bridesmaids dresses in every pastel shade you can possibly imagine. Due to space restrictions, we have narrowed down our choices to those featured here. But, these are just the tip of the iceberg, check out our gallery for many many more dresses in perfect pastels.


The shimmer of metal

Metallics are another trend that we will be revisiting this year. They add instant textural finesse to every outfit, and are a unique standalone element that cannot be compared to any other color. We can expect to see metallics in every color, beside the traditional gold, silver and copper that have been on the scene for sometime now. Whether done entirely or limited to a section of the dress, metallics add a signature style to any bridesmaid dress. This trend is in fact not restricted to our fashion choices for bridesmaids. Many brides are also opting for gold and silver dresses in place of the traditional white. The sheen of a metallic dress is glamorous and this instantly uplifts the style quotient of the entire party. Plus it is an option that blends well with any other color. Need I say more? Here are our favorite metallic bridesmaids dresses for this season.


That brings us to the end of the discussion on Pantone’s colors for autumn and winter 2016. We hope you had fun browsing through the beautiful bridesmaids dresses we featured here.

This and several hundred more options await you at our all our Best for Bride stores. If you have shortlisted any of these designs, or need to see more to make your final decision, continue on to our bridesmaids dress collections here. You will find an inexhaustible variety of designer dresses with every feature you can imagine. Available in a range of sizes, price ranges and from top designer labels in wedding dress collections, you will have no difficulty finding your choice, however specific it may be.  So, have fun picking the dresses for your wedding party from our collection.

For more wedding tips, advice and shopping information, continue visiting us on Best for Bride.

 

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Trendy mix and match dress ideas for your bridesmaids

The current trend in bridesmaids dresses is to mix and match various aspects of their outfits to create more visual interest. You can be more adventurous than go with the popular (read as safe!) option of mixing hues of a single shade, while keeping hemlines constant. Find the latest trends with these tips that we bring you, and try the ones that appeal to you. So, read on!

Contrasting colors that compliment each other

While choosing a single color palette for all your bridesmaids dresses is interesting, you can also opt to have them in complimentary shades. Take a look at the color wheel and choose sets of colors that fall opposite to each other, to find the shades that are complimentary. You can throw in a few doses of neutrals like grey or navy if you want to balance out the look. This however is purely optional.

rainbow-colors-154569_1280

Glitter and gems

via Best for Bride

Add more glitz and glamour to your wedding by dressing up your bridesmaids in dresses that are embellished with glitter and sparkles. Stick to a single palette of colors or a similar pattern, so the look is cohesive. Since the dresses will itself be elaborate and striking, make sure that the accessories are simple.

Patterns and prints

via Best for Bride

Forget the plain bridesmaids dresses and opt for ones with brilliant patterns and prints instead. To unify the look, consider picking dresses with similar patterns or hemlines from the same collection. Or keep the prints similar, and vary the colors. You can either go with elaborate prints, or simple geometric, polka dots and chevron. This is perfect for an outdoor garden or beach wedding. Printed dresses have a casual and cheery vibe, that will uplift the mood at your wedding and make everything more pleasant. The other great factor about this choice is that your bridesmaids will be able to use the dresses again. Other prints that are trending this year include animal prints and graphic 3D prints.

Brilliant in black

via Best for Bride

Now, here is an unusual but interesting color for your bridesmaids. Black is a shade that adds sophistication to any palette. So, you can employ it to your advantage, especially if you have a colorful wedding theme going. Consider having your bridesmaids in different designs in black. This is one color that suits almost any skin tone, and a black dress can definitely be worn more than once. If you are worried about whether the pictures will be boring without any color, consider adding brilliant pops of color through accessories like shoes, waistbands or headpieces.

Color block dresses

via Best for Bride

The latest trend on the fashion runways, use color blocking in your wedding for a spectacular effect. You can either set the stage by having all your bridesmaids in just two colors, or mix and match various colors for each outfit to create a stunning palette.

At Best for Bride, we have bridesmaids dress collections that fall into all these categories. Whether you want a traditional selection, or a bold and trendy one, this is the place to look at. Visit us today and find the perfect attire for your favorite girlfriends.

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How to get the mix ‘n’ match bridesmaids dress trend right—5 Dress combinations that work

The Mix ‘n’ Match bridesmaid dresses trend is catching on, and with good reason. Having all your bridesmaids dressed in the same attire from head to toe is boring, and the uniform does little justice to helping your girls shine in their entirely similar outfits. Today’s brides are intelligent, smart women who want to make sure their best friends and sisters look splendid on their big day. Appreciating their individuality by choosing different dresses for each of them goes a long way in reinforcing this idea. Plus, bridesmaids are your favorite girlfriends, and you want them to be satisfied and comfortable in what they wear.

There is however a catch to employing the mix ‘n’ match trend. It is not something that will just fall into place. You, as the bride, have to play a big role in building a cohesive look for your bridesmaids, as only then will your bridal party acquire the intended effect when they all come together. Fortunately, you do not have to seek the services of a personal stylist to get this right. An idea of what combinations work can help you get through, and here are some sure hits.

1.Same color but different styles

One place where many brides go wrong is in choosing a particular color and giving bridesmaids free reign to pick a dress that they like as long as it falls into this color spectrum. Well, it may work for certain colors like black, gray or gold, but not any other. Unless your bridesmaids go shopping together and you or someone else oversees what they choose, you will not know if the shades they pick will work together. This is a recipe for disaster.

Let me make things a little clearer. There are a thousand different shades of green, some with hints of blue in them, others with hints of yellow. If your six bridesmaids each picked out their own version of green, it is likely that at least one of them will look drastically different from the rest.

Instead, give your girls free reign over the style of dress they choose, as long as they stick with dresses from a single designer collection. This is because most designers offer the same colors, in different styles. For example, these different pink dresses from the Dessy Collection would work like a charm, don’t you think?

2.Pretty in prints and patterns

In a welcome deviation to the single solid color for bridesmaids dresses, you can render a personal touch to each outfit with interesting prints and patterns. Not only does this add oodles of style, it is fashionable and your girls will get better use out of these dresses than just at your wedding. One unique idea I found on the Every last detail blog is to limit your bridesmaids to a single shade, but pick a patterned dress for your maid of honor. How interesting is that? Check out their blog page at the link above for more details and pictures related to this idea.

You could also mix patterned dresses and dresses in the same solid base color for a different effect. Above is a stunning dress from the Dessy Bridesmaids collection with a speckled pattern. Imagine how beautiful it would look when mixed with a dress in solid grey or navy to get a beautiful effect. For example, the dress featured below could be a befitting combination for this rococo speckled gray dress.

The soft texture and speckles of prints on the rococo lace dress complement the beautiful gray chiffon dress with the ruched bodice. Although both dresses possess individual style, you can still create a cohesive look with both of them.

3.Mix and match textures to impress

Yet another great way to mix and match bridesmaids dresses, but in a safe way is to mix textures in exactly the same color. Take a look at this image of buoyant beautiful bridesmaids in lavender. Notice how each of the dresses are entirely different from the other, but the breezy fabrics used in different ways in each of these dresses render a cohesive look to all the women. The main attractive factor about this style of mixing and matching dresses, is that you can find dresses that suit the personalities of all your bridesmaids. This allows you to not just find stylish dresses for each of them, you can also make sure that all their looks come together.

2015 bridesmaid trends
Image Credit: Parekh Cards, via Flickr [CC BY SA-2.0]

When opting for this method, remember that you will have to invest more time and effort, as slight differences in color or entirely different fabrics can change the overall look. To make sure you nail it, you will have to see all the dresses together, and have a dress rehearsal to make sure that they go together as intended.

4.Dusty and pastel palettes

Give each of your bridesmaids her unique look by choosing soft pastels or dusty barely there colors that do not compete with each other. Although we initially discussed that different hues in a single color are not a great idea, pastels are an exception to this rule, as all the colors are muted, and create a beautiful palette with a subtle hint of refreshing color.

Bridesmaids 6
Image Credit: outreachr.com, via Flickr [ CC BY 2.0]

A pastel palette is perfect for your bridesmaids dresses, if you are a bride who wants color at her wedding, but not ones with overpowering intensity. Pastels are pleasant, but soft, and so they are bound to mix together well. Imagine your beautiful bridesmaids in a rainbow of pastels similar to what you see in the image here. Need I say more about how stunning the effect will be?      Dusty colors look sophisticated, and they add grace and elegance to the stride of your bridesmaids. Since most dusty colors are almost neutral in appearance, you needn’t worry about whether they will blend together. This is in fact one of the easiest ways to coordinate your bridesmaids outfits. Experiment with different necklines, patterns and styles by keeping the fabric uniform, and you simply cannot go wrong.

5.Varied necklines and unified hemlines A simple but effective way to employ the mix and match trend, without experimenting too much, is to simply choose different dresses in the same color, and vary necklines. There are two advantages to following this idea

  • You allow your bridesmaids to pick a neckline that they are most comfortable in
  • The color and length are unifying factors, and you needn’t worry about whether the bridal party look will come together.

Let’s face it, not all your bridesmaids may feel comfortable showing off their shoulders and decolletage in a dress with a sweetheart neckline. A few of them, on the other hand, may appreciate the chance to showcase their slender neck and toned arms in a strapless gown. By varying the neckline and sleeves, you make sure each girl has a dress with a unique style quotient, and this makes it easier for them to find a dress that suits them. You will also have to put in lesser effort to find your bridesmaids dresses. All you have to do is choose a color that works, and then explore the various options in sleeves and necklines and find those that will work for each of the bridesmaids. It is easy to find bridesmaids dresses in different patterns but the exact color, when you choose from a single collection. Here’s a wedding picture, where they’ve got it right. Don’t you see how it is cohesive, yet individual?

bright bridesmaids
Image Credit: Jodie Wilson via Flickr [CC BY 2.0]

Now that you have enough pictures to draw inspiration from, you are all set to go shopping for your bridesmaids dresses.

Before you go start, we thought of running you through the common mistakes you should try to avoid.

#Forgetting about texture

We cannot stress enough on the impact that is created by varying textures. The same color can look entirely different when it is applied using two different types of fabric. So, pay close attention to texture when you choose the dresses. This is especially important if your bridesmaids go shopping individually, as you may end up with entirely random looks when they come together, if the textures are distinct. The best way around this is for you to specify the fabric.

# Not paying attention to the mood of the event

I’ve said it a hundred times before, and will reiterate that everything boils down to cohesion. Not only should the bridesmaids dresses go together, but they should also coordinate well with the venue and the ambiance. Before you finalize your bridesmaids dresses, make sure that they are suitable for the style of wedding you have planned. Dresses that are appropriate for a formal indoor wedding can be totally inappropriate for an outdoor beach wedding. The fix is to first determine the venue and understand the mood of the event; then choose bridesmaids dresses that will complement the theme and style of the wedding.

# Choosing bridesmaids dresses in the main theme colors, however bright or bold they may be

Many brides believe that their bridesmaids should be dressed in the central color theme, even if it doesn’t complement their skin tone. Do you agree? If you do, it is likely that your bridesmaids will not be smiling with satisfaction at your wedding. After all, they too want to look great on your big day. Wearing a color that isn’t flattering but does the opposite will ruin their chances of looking good in your wedding pictures.

Fortunately, there is an easy fix to ensure everyone is happy. All you have to do is dress your bridesmaids in a neutral color that complements your wedding palette. Check out this article on universal bridesmaids dress colors for some valuable tips. Bring in the central color used in your wedding theme through your accessories. There are many smart ways to incorporate this. You can opt for colorful bouquets, attractive accessories like shoes or belts, or a beautiful necklace. Now, do you think your bridesmaids will be a lot happier with the colors you’ve chosen for your wedding.

#Varying more than two features

While mixing and matching is fun, you should limit the extent to which you use it. Stick with just one or two factors. If you vary several features all at once, it will not only look disjointed, but the entire intent of using it is defeated. The last thing you want is to put in all that effort in planning your bridal party look to the last detail, and leave your guests to believe that you just went with what was available. Remember that it is difficult to satisfy everyone of your bridesmaids. So, draw the plug on what has to be uniform. Keep the fabric and color uniform, and allow them to choose their favorite neckline or sleeve length. Or keep the neckline and hemline uniform, and vary the pattern and color. By doing this, you can ensure that the overall look isn’t chaotic.

This covers all you need to know, so your bridesmaids are happy in different dresses that tie to the central theme, yet different in their own respect. Will you be going with this trend for your wedding? If so, what will your choices be based on? Do let us know through your comments.

Finding bridesmaids dresses of any type, size, pattern or color is now easy with our collection at Best for Bride. Make your choice from leading designer collections including the Dessy Bridesmaids collection, Mori Lee, Angeline Faccenda, After Six and more. Whether you would like to stick with a single designer collection, or check out your options from different designer collections, we have all the options you want in-store, along with some fabulous offers to help you save money.

Visit our online bridesmaids dress gallery to browse through all our collections and choose the ones that you like best. Remember that every pattern you see online is available in a range of colors, so customization has never been more easy. With every dress featured here available in all sizes, you needn’t look anywhere else to find all you need for your entire bridal party.

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Accessorize with Flair: Expert Styling Tips to Elevate Your Bridesmaids’ Look!

Your bridesmaids have an important role to play in your wedding. When they look good, the entire wedding feels good. So, you have to make sure that you pay close attention to how they will be dressed.

In most cases bridesmaids pay from their pockets for their dresses. The least the bride can do for these women who agree to happily shoulder their responsibilities is to buy them their accessories. Don’t you agree?

These simple styling tips will help you choose the right accessories for your bridesmaid’s dresses.

#Tip 1

Shop for accessories only after choosing the dresses

While there are accessories that go well with almost any dress, they aren’t necessarily the best choice. So, wait till you buy the bridesmaids dresses, to go shopping for their accessories. This way, you will avoid wasting time and can make a better selection.

#Tip 2

Simple dresses go with bold accessories and vice-versa

This is a very simple rule that many women fail to follow. Be it for a wedding or a cocktail party, the dress or accessories are not the main focus, but the woman wearing it. Balancing the dress with supporting accessories for an uncluttered and elegant look. Keep the accessories minimum for an embellished dress (like a sequined or patterned one or one in a bold colour). If the dress is relatively simple or in neutral shades with little to no accents, dress it up with attractive accessories.

#Tip 3

Let the neckline decide whether a necklace is necessary

Necklaces are accessories that can make or break a look. Not all dresses need necklaces to look great. For example, wearing a necklace with a halter dress would be too much. On the other hand, a sweetheart or bateau neckline would be emphasized with a pretty necklace.

#Tip 4

Don’t be scared to experiment with color

There is more than one way to add color to your bridesmaid’s outfits. While the obvious choice is a colourful dress, you should remember that not all colours look good on all women. You want your best friends to love their look, don’t you? If you prefer neutrals and toned-down colors for their dresses, add pops of color with bright and bold accessories. This may be with shoes, waistbands or jewelry. The effect is enhanced when colours are paired with the neutral background of their dresses.

#Tip 5

Mix and match accessories to suit each bridesmaid’s taste, but keep the look cohesive

bracelets

Your bridesmaids have different personalities. Respect their individuality and let their looks reflect who they are. The accessories you choose for each woman should suit her taste and match her style. This way, you can make them all happy. The only thing to remember when choosing the accessories is to keep one-factor uniform throughout. This could either be the color, the design or the impact it creates.

Now that you know what to look out for when choosing bridesmaids accessories, how about finding the perfect dresses for your pretty friends? Visit our online store at Best for Bride for designer collections of the best bridesmaids gowns in all styles and price ranges.