The Calyx

Wedded Bling

Ok, so you have the man, you’ve got the ring, you have a guest list and now you’re leafing through countless pages of your favorite bridal magazine searching for that perfect dress.  But what to wear? Do you go for the dress you’ve been dreaming about since you practiced walking down the aisle with your kindergarden sweetheart, or is it time to take stock of your body, physical shape, best features and choose something that will accentuate everything you’d like to flaunt?

My vote is for the later, and here is why. A dress is only as fabulous as the woman wearing it.  So drop your pre-conceived ideas about the dress you always imagined yourself in, take off all your clothes (keep the stilettos) and stand in front of a mirror!  Really, even you prudish little imps who are considering more sensible footwear must take stock of your assets.

When I talk about your assets, I am talking about your body and its best features, and I am also talking about the assets you already have in your jewelry box. Everything. A full appraisal of all your resources is an absolute must before you pick out a dress, or you risk looking like a Christmas tree, worse yet a lopsided Frasier Fir.

Now ladies, think… Is there something in your arsenal that you know you absolutely have to sport on your wedding day? You mother’s pearls, your grandmother’s Edwardian bracelet, that macaroni necklace your sister made you in first grade? Got a fabulous diamond riviere you’ve been dying to flaunt, or is your jewelry box full of trendy trinkets only fit for a night out at the male review?  Again, think!

This is your starting point, so let’s figure out all the constraints before we book an appointment at the bridal salon.  If you have a special jewel you know will be worn as you walk down the aisle, put it on, right away. As you stand there in front of the mirror in all your glory and your strappy Jimmy Choos, consider how best to accentuate that jewel. If you have nothing in the bauble department, don’t despair.  I have oodles of  suggestions on what to sport on your wedding day. As far as I’m concerned, the girl without a jewel to flaunt has more options in the dress department as she is starting with a blank slate and can get more creative.

Next, take a look at your physical features. Let’s be honest, we all have a flaw we wish we could hide, and a blessing from mother nature we want to accentuate, so let’s focus on the positive.  Tall and thin? You can wear anything so we won’t talk about you.

Short and stumpy? You want to look taller and slimmer and here’s how to do it.  Focus on the top part of your body, your neckline, your hair and your bustline. The viewer’s eye should fall as high on your body as possible. This means an updo that lifts your hair up high, a more prominent necklace that draws the eye up to your décolleté or a halter that reaches up behind your neck drawing attention towards your upper extremities.  Need I explain that you should not wear the big necklace and the halter at the same time? Choose one or the other.  Everything about your look, your hair, your jewelry and your dress should be focused up top, so decorate your top with slightly weightier pieces like the ones in the first row below.

Got bodacious curves a la Monica Belucci? The viewer’s eye should fall on the torso. If you’ve got some meat on you, wear pieces that are properly balanced to your weight.  You could choose a straight cut dress which will automatically hug the curves, or a waist cinching number that will exaggerate them making you look like Marilyn Monroe. A necklace that reaches straight down to the bosom will accentuate your assets.

Rail thin? Wear simpler, smaller jewelry so the accessories don’t overpower you. A delicate strand of crystals might accentuate your lithe physique creating a more graceful look.  Choose pieces from the second row above.

When choosing jewelry, keep in mind that with a more elaborate dress, less is more. You don’t want your bling to compete with your the beads, crystals, pearls, embroidery or whatever else you have going on on your dress.  On the other hand, if you are wearing a statement piece of jewelry, then keep the dress as simple as possible.  Take note of the runway shots of all the dresses in your favorite bridal magazine and try to emulate them. Notice that the professional shots of models always show a balance between the dress and the jewelry. The jewlery is there to accentuate the best features of the dress and the body. You never see a bold jewel combined with an elaborate dress.

Finally, I advise you to shop for your dress with your jewelry on.  This way you will quickly filter out the dresses with the wrong neckline and won’t make the mistake of putting down a deposit on a dress  that competes with your aunt’s pearl choker.  No jewels to wear? Choose your dress first, then check out some of our favorite offerings for a piece that would complement your style.

Got questions?  Ask Angela. Angela is PinkCalyx.com’s leading support agent. You can pick her brain with questions about your wedding bling. Email her a photo of you wearing the dress, and she’s sure to help you select something appropriate. Who knows, your photos just might make it on our “What to Wear” page.

Happy Shopping,

The Calyx

the style behind www.PinkCalyx.com

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