Bridesmaids - SouthBound Bride

New Bridesmaid Fashion Trends to Look Out For This Season

10 August, 2016 by gaby

We’re still talking fashion but today we’re focusing on the bridesmaid end of the equation. I think when it comes to your girls you have two options – you can go for something that’s more classic and traditional, or you can have a little more fun and pick something on-trend. And yes, if you go for the second option, it’s going to look dated at some point – but then, don’t we all love looking at those pics from our parents and grandparents’ eras and checking out the fashion of the day? Of course, some brides manage to find their balance somewhere in the middle, by picking the more classic-looking of current styles. Whichever way yo go, it’s always worth keeping an eye on the runways in the years leading up to your big day, to get a sense of the cuts and textures and colours that will be available off-the-rack – and you may just fall in love with one of them! So with that in mind, I’ve rounded up ten of the trends that have already begun to make their way into our everyday fashion vocabulary, and that are sure to be the key new bridesmaid looks for 2017 – as well as some of my fave shopping links to get you started.
Top image: Aglow Photography/Alana van Heerden on SouthBound Bride

Millennial Pink Bridesmaid Dresses

4 July, 2016 by gaby

There’s no more classic look for bridesmaids than pink gowns, especially now that long bridesmaid dresses are so en vogue. Millennial pink is the colour of the moment, which makes this the perfect time to choose this classic pink, a few shades up from blush and yet still soft enough to be a pastel, for your girls. As always, we’ve rounded up some real wedding inspiration for you, along with a shopping guide so you can get the dusty rose bridesmaid dress look for yourself.
This post contains affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission on any sales made.

Mismatched Pastel Bridesmaid Dresses Done Right

16 June, 2016 by gaby

Photography: Anneli Marinovich | Make-up Artist: Ana Ospina Ruiz | Hair Stylist: Jo at Lovehair | Florist: Adventures in Flowers

You know how much we love perfectly mismatched bridesmaid dresses here on SBB, especially when they come in a range of the prettiest sorbet shades. A few years back I worked with the brilliant Maids to Measure on a styled shoot and their gowns are absolute perfection, so I was super excited to find out that this breakout label has just launched their collection at UK department store John Lewis. There are seven different styles and eight beautiful colours, so whatever your palette (or season), it makes co-ordinating your girls’ dresses an absolute dream. In fact, I was so excited that I decided to have a little play and put together three colour stories using the new Maids to Measure gowns and matching them up with stationery, flowers, table settings and pretty details. I’m seriously struggling to pick a favourite! (PS You can see the full Maids to Measure at John Lewis collection HERE.)
Shopping images and links in bold denote sponsored affiliate links. SouthBound Bride may earn a commission if a sale is made.

Feminine Bridesmaid Inspiration

29 February, 2016 by gaby

I’ve probably said this before, but one of my absolute favourite times in a wedding day is those blissful (and busy!) few hours spent between a bride and her retinue on the morning of the big day, sipping champagne and giggling with excitement as hair and makeup get done and the big moment approaches. It’s such a special time to spend with your girls – the women who have supported you, and loved you, and are there on this day to usher you into this next magical phase of your life. A memory to cherish. So I’m all for making sure that you all feel pretty and comfortable, even before the dresses are on and the shoe straps are tied. That’s one of the reasons I adore Plum Pretty Sugar, whose whisper-soft robes in garden-inspired prints are perfect for a wedding morning. But beyond that, the Plum Pretty Sugar accessories and apparel are part of a feminine, romantic lifestyle brand, and you’ll feel beautiful in their line long after the wedding day… the honeymoon, newlywed life – even on into maternity. So when Aisle Society bloggers Elizabeth Anne Designs & Coastal Bride teamed up with PPS to create a Southern styled shoot, you can imagine how excited I was to share the images! These pics take us right up to those moments before the walk down the aisle, with the girls in their dreamy PPS Couture bridesmaid gowns, and the beautiful, laughing bride, complete with protea bouquet (you know I love that!) And don’t forget that PPS ships to South Africa, and beyond.

Bridesmaids in Jumpsuits

19 February, 2016 by gaby

Well, here’s a trend I never thought I would be covering, let alone coveting: bridesmaid jumpsuits! You may have noticed that jumpsuits, pantsuits and rompers are all over the catwalks, to the extent that brides in jumpsuits are a thing now and looking absolutely gorgeous doing it. And where brides lead, bridesmaids will follow, or vice versa. Bridesmaids in pants and jumpsuits, while not super common, have been popping up as a very chic (and comfy) alternative to the traditional dress or even skirt and top. And I have to say, I actually love the look. I think it’s the mix of sexy but not revealing, and formal but not too formal, that makes jumpsuits such a great occasionwear fit to a wedding. Of course, this isn’t everyone’s thing – I could definitely see it more at a sophisticated city soiree than a romantic countryside affair, but if it appeals, go for it. And even if not for your girls, all the jumpsuits in the ‘shop the look’ section below would make fab rehearsal dinner/going away outfits for a bride-to-be! *Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

Long White Bridesmaid Dresses

5 February, 2016 by gaby

Long bridesmaid dresses are so en vogue right now, and with good reason – they’re elegant and oh so flattering. Add a long twist on the little white bridesmaid dress trend and you have a look that’s supremely lovely – sweet, summery and a little angelic! Whether you pair your long white bridesmaid dresses with glamorous updos or boho crowns, it’s a beautiful way to dress your girls for the big day – and don’t worry, the bride is never upstaged! This is one of the top looks for the season (as seen most recently on SBB in Pedro & Chelsea’s wedding a couple of weeks ago), so I thought it was high time I gathered some inspiration and ideas to get the look.

*Shopping sources in this post use affiliate links. This means SBB may earn a commission if you make a purchase from our links.

Dusty Blue Bridesmaid Dresses

22 January, 2016 by gaby

To finish off our fashionable Friday, we’re taking some time to gawk at some gorgeous dusty blue bridesmaid dresses. I just love dusty blue weddings – this periwinkle/cornflower hybrid is super pretty and super flattering thanks to its cool tone, which makes it perfect for bridesmaids whatever your wedding theme or style. Yesterday, in fact, we featured a lovely wedding with Serenity bridesmaids, and they looked amazing, so I thought it was the perfect time to pull out some inspiration and shopping ideas.
This post contains affiliate links. SBB may receive a commission on any sales made.

Silver Sparkle Bridesmaid Dresses

11 January, 2016 by gaby

Hello lovelies! This time of year, we always do a whole heap ‘o bridesmaid posts, to inspire all you new brides as you start out on the journey of colour scheme choosing and bridesmaid asking and dress shopping. The good news? There are SO SO many gorgeous looks to choose for your girls. The bad news? Picking one! Sequins and sparkle have been a huge trend over the past couple of years, but most of the time we’re talking gold or rose gold when it comes to bridesmaids. But now we’re seeing more cool silvers, and I personally love this elegant twist on bling. Tell me you don’t feel the same after seeing these beauties!

Best of 2015: Bridesmaids

22 December, 2015 by gaby

I absolutely LOVE bridesmaid fashion – as you may have noticed by the fact that I regularly round up inspiration from the web and from my favourite shops! It’s such a gorgeous way not only to express your colour palette, but to make your favourite girls look absolutely gorgeous as they help to walk you down the aisle! And as always, bridesmaid fashion has evolved throughout 2015 – from ice cream pastels to pastel prints, for example, or cute little cocktail length gowns to long, elegant ones. There are so many wonderful looks to choose from, and this was seriously a bumper category to narrow down, but in the end I’ve nailed it down to yours and my Top 20. We’ll be breaking some of these down into shoppable ideas in the new year, but for now, let’s take a look back.

Monsoon Flowergirl Dress Inspiration

8 December, 2015 by gaby

With the festive season comes party season and that means party dresses – and not just for adult ladies either. Little ladies also have a chance to get their glam frocks on, and that means there’s great pickin’s when it comes to dresses that would make for adorable flower girl gowns. I’m personally partial to flowergirls rocking tiny versions of dresses I wish I could wear myself, and Monsoon happens to be brilliant at them – this season there’s more tulle and sequin and floral applique going on than ever before and I love it. So I thought I would round up ten of my favourite party gowns and combine them with some of our favourite inspiration boards to show you how party can translate perfectly into wedding where these little dresses are concerned. The only part that sucks? Knowing I am way, waaaaay to old to fit into them.Read More