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Q. I am the matron of honor for my best friend’s up and coming wedding.  I would like to know if it is appropriate or inappropriate for me to wear a cream color dress with silver/blue trim for the rehearsal dinner.  Please help…I have been struggling with this decision. Thank you for any help or advice that you can give me.
-Dress Stress

A. Why are you fretting?  It sounds like you’ve taken careful consideration by choosing an elegant dress for the rehearsal dinner.  Slip on the dress, accessories and a gorgeous smile and enjoy the dinner.

Q. I’m getting married on July 1st and uncertain what to give my four bridesmaids as gifts. I’d like to stick to a budget of $100 for each friend. Help, I don’t want to disappoint them.
-Giddy about Getting Married 

A. Don’t overthink your gift giving.  Remember that this is your wedding and a focused, prepared gift can be easily achieved and loved by all your friends without blowing your budget. Also, don’t assume the gift has to be a part of or worn on the wedding day. 

Since your wedding is in July, I have two suggestions: one that focuses on summer fun and one that is truly indicative of their styles. 

Screenshot-3Idea 1:

Purchase canvas tote bags like the much loved ones from Lands’ End and have them monogrammed for each of your bridesmaids. Then fill each with a big oversized beach towel, a cute photo album (include a special photo of you and your friend on the first page), flip flops and an inexpensive sunless tanner.  All together these items should total about $100 spent for each girl. 

06Ba8F5718C6717A8Bd9Cac7B4A69Ee6-1Idea 2:

Give a piece of jewelry that will be treasured and fits each girl’s style.  Choose a pretty necklace, a beaded bracelet or dangly earrings that will dazzle with many outfits in your friend’s wardrobe. When buying jewelry for about $100 or less for each bridesmaid, don’t fret if one item is $99 and another is $60.  The point is that you’re giving a gift that you believe they’ll enjoy.

Leaf Branch Charm Necklace, shown above, $65 at mrejewelry.com

Breath Believe Pearl-1personalized necklace, $95 at haleym.com

Chm 3 Tiered NecklaceChristie Martin 3 Tiered personalized necklace, $105 at girlshop.com

Q. I would like to know if black strappy sandals will be okay to wear with a yellow dress?  I know that black goes with everything but I just want to make sure.
-Color Confusion 

A. I’m a little concerned about the severity of black sandals with a yellow dress and the unfortunate reminder of a bumble bee.  I don’t know if your yellow dress is formal or not, but there are so many light, bright, and soft colored sandals for Spring that would work with a yellow dress.  Consider pastels, metallics and even a pattern to brighten up the look of your dress rather than create a heavy sullen effect with black sandals. Here are just a few gold and white selections to give you a head start:

173207-Whi

MAXSTUDIO ´Orient Express´ Sandal
$138.95 at
nordstrom.com

174177-1
Nine West ‘Emerie’ Sandal
$68.95 at
nordstrom.com


174298-1

Laundry by Shelli Segal ‘Syna’ Sandal
$155 at
nordstrom.com

A. I have a question about ponchos.  I bought a light pink crochet poncho during the end of last winter and have only worn it once. I’d like to wear it again this spring but I noticed that nobody seems to wear ponchos anymore. I’m wondering, are they completely “out” this year?  Thanks for creating a venue where we fashion wobbly girls can get the low down without seeming dumb.
-Poncho Perplexed

A. As with everything in fashion from clothes to shoes to accessories, there are items that are “in” and items that are “out” each season.  Your poncho is, unfortunately, considered by many fashion editors and designers to be “out” this season.  It joins the multiple variations of the shrug that have also been such a hit for the last year. But, and this is a big BUT, if you absolutely love it and it looks great on you, then go ahead and wear it a few times.  But then put it in the back of your closet or pack it with your winter sweaters and realize that fashion is cyclical, so inevitably the poncho trend will return within a few years.

Q. I’m having a garden wedding this spring and am having a really hard time finding shoes.  I originally bought some silver ballet flats to wear with my simple, elegant A-line gown.  My toes peek out when I walk and the closed flats do not look very good. I really need to find something that looks great, won’t sink into the lawn and won’t make me tower over my fiancé (less then 2 1/2 inches). As far as color goes I’d love silver or white, but I’d even wear pink shoes. 
-Standing my ground   

A. Trying to navigate the outdoors on your wedding day can be tricky - you want a fabulous shoe that will fit the look of your dress, but you don’t want to get stuck in the dirt and lose your graceful poise.  Here are a few silver sandal suggestions that won’t have you sinking into the lawn or towering over your fiancé.

Barely there heels that easily navigate the grounds:

37468

kate spade ‘boisterous’ sandal
$295 at nordstrom.com

37466

kate spade ‘bauble’ sandal
$350 at nordstrom.com

 






A small heel to give you some height and still show off a pretty pedicure:

827-241210-D

Lumiani ‘Quarto’
$89.95 at zappos.com


3832-227181-D
Nina ‘Whist’
$82.95 at zappos.com

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