Q. Hi Jordan,
I am a bridesmaid in a wedding, and the bride has chosen a navy dress but is allowing all of her bridesmaids to accessorize themselves. I tend to like funkier jewelry and colorful shoes, but I don’t want to be too flamboyant or draw attention away from the bride. Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks so much,
Dorianne
A. If the bride hasn’t given any specific direction with regards to jewelry, that probably means that it’s important to her that each of her bridesmaids look like themselves and feel comfortable.
That said, you’re right not to want to pull attention by choosing over-the-top accessories; unless the event is very informal or has a costume-y theme you should choose simple accessories that accent the dress (and your lovely self) without being too showy. While I love, say, orange shoes with a navy dress, this is not the time to break them out…because when those formal photos come back, your fashion statement will be all anyone can see.
For jewelry, I’d steer clear of anything too large, ornate, or colorful (in case the shade doesn’t work with the color scheme the bride chose), and stick to shoes in a classic neutral (as a bonus, you’ll be able to wear them again and again). That isn’t to say, though, that you can’t add your own twist to the look.
If you’re looking for a jumping-off point, try taking a cue from the bouquet:
– If the bouquet is loose and informal, try a pair of simple gold hoops and sandals with an unusual detail.
– You can try pulling one of the colors from your bouquet into your accessories; just keep it subtle and elegant, and go for nude shoes to keep the look streamlined.
– If the bride has gone for a classic bouquet like red roses, chances are she wants the whole affair to look timeless: you can’t go wrong with a pearl necklace (I like a multistrand set) and simple black pumps.
– For an elegant look, go for rose gold or Art Deco-style jewelry, like a pair of earrings with tassels.
Have fun!
x
J
