1. Bridesmaid dresses are ugly
2. When five or more women are forced to wear the same dress, there is very little likelihood that all of those women will like the dress well enough to want to wear it the first time, let alone again.
3. Bridesmaid dresses just don't seem to fit quite right usually
Solution: don't buy bridesmaid dresses. This is a decision that I have already made, but now I must live with the consequences which are that I must come up with an alternate plan. Ideas:
1. Everyone wears dresses they already own
+ low cost, the girls certainly like their dresses, will wear again, illusion of no hassle
- do not match at all, some girls may not already have one, hassle comes in when you have to choose all different dresses from your friends' closets
2. Everyone wears the same dress from a regular retail store
+ not an ugly bridesmaid dress, no alterations needed, probably lower cost than a traditional bridesmaid dress
- tough to find a springy dress in a retail store in December, may not look good on everyone, everyone may not like it, lots of shopping around required.
3. Everyone wears different, but coordinated dresses purchased from one or multiple regular retail stores
+ everyone gets input in their dress, everyone likes their dress, will wear again, dresses fit properly, no alterations needed, looks pretty
- pain in the rear to pick out multiple dresses on one's own, don't want to burden bridesmaids by forcing them to go find a dress matching your stipulations, tough to find springy dresses in a retail store in December.
So, what is a girl to do? Oh geeze, I don't know, but here's what I am looking for in a bridesmaid dress:
1. my bridesmaids like it
2. does not cost my bridesmaids a bunch of money
3. coordinates with the style of my dress (lace, kinda vintage looking, deep v-neck)
4. has straps
From left to right, top to bottom:
1. Nylon-and-tulle wrap-top dress by Max and Cleo, $188- unfortunately this one is not locatable online. I think it is not for sale anymore. It is definitely my favorite!
2. Beaded waist shantung dress by JS Boutique, $188- not the right color, but whatever.
3. Rosette-trim taffeta dress by S.L. fashions, $78- too short.
4. Silk chiffon beaded dress by Adrianna Papell, $200- maybe its just because the girl looks so happy in the picture... I don't know. I just kinda liked it.
5. Glimmering Magnolia Dress from Anthropologie, $198- When I first saw this dress it was from the back, and I thought it was excellent... then I saw the huge pink sequined flower plastered across the chest...
6. Taffeta halter dress by Adriana Papell, $150- I like this one.
Now actual bridesmaid dresses that I think are okay:
1. Mori Lee Affairs Style 831 in azure, $172.
2. Mori Lee Affairs Style 836 in azure, $156.
3. Mori Lee Affairs Style 732 in aubergine, $146
4. Eden Maids Style 7200 in cornflower, $150
5. David's Bridal Cotton Sateen Sleeveless Short Dress in Marine, $79.99
6. David's Bridal Short Crinkle Chiffon Dress in Mermaid
7. David's Bridal knockoff of no. 6 above in teal, $149
