Gypsy Boho from Jacoba Clothing

It’s Fri-yay, and yay indeed, because I am super excited to share this lookbook feature with you! As you know, I am always on the hunt for pretty, on-trend bridesmaid fashion, and I’m a huge fan of local brand, Jacoba (who by the way, are not just for bridesmaids, because they are awesome for MoBs, guest outfits, formalwear, and even brides themselves!). Why? Because Jacoba dresses are not only great to look at, they are super comfy to wear, and they’re made in a range of styles that genuinely suit ladies of all shapes and sizes and ages and skin tones. There’s nothing worse than seeing a pretty dress on a model and going to try it on yourself and then… well. We all know what changing room despair feels like. But Jacoba uses gorgeous models in realistic shapes to show off their clothes, so you can see what it would actually look like on your girls, and there’s something super flattering for everyone. And here’s the best part – they come in ALL THE COLOURS. 40 of them in fact. So you just pick what you like, choose your size and colour, click click and order, and you’re done! They deliver worldwide, and also have a shop in Tyger Waterfront, where you and your bridal party can try on dresses in person. So that’s why I love the brand, and today we’re showcasing their latest lookbook, which takes an on-trend dark and moody spin on the boho trend, and shows you how you can make your girls look like gypsy goddesses on your big day! I’m loving the way that accessories comepletely transform each look, and how little lace and sheer details make each dress special in their own right! There’s even a deliciously dark tablescape. Let’s take a look, shall we?

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Chic Velvet Bridesmaid Dresses

Velvet Bridesmaid Dress Inspiration | SouthBound Bride

Ok, I give in. Velvet is officially a thing again. And as much as the fact it’s a ’90s throwback makes me feel old (so, so old), I have to admit, I’m kind of loving the way that velvet’s working out for weddings this time around. Not least when it comes to bridesmaid dresses! There are some seriously pretty velvet bridesmaid gowns out there at the moment, both from big names like Jenny Yoo and Twobirds, and from high street stores like ASOS. As autumn hits us here in South Africa, it’s the perfect time to consider this luxe, elegant fabric for your bridal party – and I have just the inspirational images and shopping choices to help you along the way! *Shopping sources in this post use affiliate links. This means SBB may earn a commission if you make a purchase from our links. 

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Reiss Spring Wedding Collection for Stylish Guests, Modern Mothers of the Bride and Best-dressed Bridesmaids

Reiss Spring Wedding Collection 2018

Weddings are the best, obviously, but we all know that finding that perfect occasionwear can be a challenge, especially if you’re going to be front and centre as the mother of the bride (or groom!) or a bridesmaid. After all, there’s a fine line between bold and on trend and… 27 Dresses. So what’s a stylish gal to do? Answer: head to Reiss, one of my favourite fashion retailers, who have just released their gorgeous Spring wedding edit. Taking inspiration from far-flung destinations, the collection includes both polished, city-ready looks and carefree dresses that invoke a sense of wanderlust. From pantsuits to wrap dresses, there’s great choices for both modern mamas who want to avoid the frump, and bridesmaids looking for fresh looks with beautiful fabrics and tailoring – and of course, there’s lots of lovely choices for wedding guest outfits too. I’m super excited to be partnering with this fashion-forward brand to bring you their new collection, shot on location in Morocco, as well as some ideas for how to style some of my favourite pieces. *Links in bold denote affiliate links.

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Trend Alert: Bridesmaid Separates!

Time for some fashion, lovelies! One of the trends that I am LOVING at the moment for bridesmaids is separates – everything from crop tops to more demure shirts and skirts, flirty tea length tulle, and maxi beauties. This was originally going to be a general bridesmaid separates inspiration post, but when I started researching it, I found that there was one label that was popping up again and again for the coming season – I always love Coast‘s bridesmaid offerings, but they’re knocking it out of the park at the moment with this look. Exhibit A: their first separates style a couple of years back, which I pinned and which has been repinned a gazillion times, but if anything, the new styles are even more fabulous. So I just had to show them off! (This post includes affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission on any sales.)

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Spanish Flamenco Wedding Inspiration by Jacoba Clothing

Lush Colorful Bouquet | Credit: Jacoba Clothing/PhotoKru

It’s Fashion Friday, you guys, so not only are we bringing you the best in wedding gowns for 2017, but I have some brilliant local fashion inspiration to share with you today, courtesy of our talented friends at Jacoba Clothing. This shoot was inspired by the bright colours and bold movements of flamenco dancers, and it’s full of the most beautiful bright florals and table decor, which just serve to highlight how pretty Jacoba’s dresses are. A stunning combination of comfort and detail, whether you’re wearing one as a bride or bridesmaid, you’re going to feel like a million pesetas (well, Euro, but whatever) and be ready to click those castanets and dance the night away (flamenco dance moves not guaranteed).

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New Bridesmaid Fashion Trends to Look Out For This Season

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

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Millennial Pink Bridesmaid Dresses

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.

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Mismatched Pastel Bridesmaid Dresses Done Right

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.

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Bridesmaids in Jumpsuits

Jumpsuit Bridesmaid Trend

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.

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Long White Bridesmaid Dresses

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 the long white gowns 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.

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