Pretty Maids

Isn’t Spring a great time to shop?!! I can’t help myself when the weather warms up. As soon as there’s a bit of sun – you’re dying to get out of black. (or if you don’t live in Melbourne then the darker heavier colours you have been layering all winter). Suddenly you want a pretty spring frock and they are everywhere this year. It’s a great season for dress shopping. This advice is based on my expert trawling about that has been taking up a lot of my time lately! There are so many gorgeous ladylike floral prints, vintage lace, embroidery and everything from cute “Alice In Wonderland” styles to soft, feminine shift shapes. What a great year for bridesmaid’s frocks!

In my shopping frenzy I have been snapping up pretty prints and lacey detailed pieces and I keep seeing girlie frills, great colours and sweet fabrics that would work brilliantly for the wedding party amongst the racks. There’s some excellent colours around too - vibrant and appealing like turquoise and purple as well as lots of cream & white and those muted tones of antique cream, pink and latte.
Long gone are the pastel full-length sheaths that were ubiquitous once at a wedding. These days the trend is toward great dresses that can be worn again by the bridesmaid – a big bonus if you have to pay for this dress, which is the norm. If it’s a fab frock then it’s perfect for the races or a party or another wedding!! Also even better you can choose a style that suits you. I think it looks great when all the girls wear something that really flatters their body shape even if the outfits are a bit different. If the colours or the fabric matches then it still works for the wedding theme but it’s a more modern look. Very stylish! It’s a win win for bride and maid!

Check these pics of very spunky frocks from designer Jenny Bannister in Melbourne’s current season and a couple from Thurley’s catwalk show. Below are some other links to my very favourite local designers. I LOVE all these labels so check them out for your special bridal attendants as I think they could work. Enjoy your shopping…. I am.

http://www.roseandruby.com/

http://www.mossandspy.com.au

http://www.whitesuede.com

http://www.fleurwood.com/collection/spring08/index.html