So as I’ve been doing my window/online/waytoomuch shopping, I’ve noticed a ton of adorable bralettes…not only in swimwear, but in day wear too. What I love about these sexy little numbers is that they are basically the bandeau’s prettier sister. While I love the bandeau just as much as the next 20something…you have to admit there’s absolutely no support and barely any coverage. With bralettes, traditionally, there should be some sort of cup, under wire, and if you’re really lucky, some boning. All of this, plus the fact that it extends to the bottom of your rib cage, makes for a much more comfortable (but still sexy) piece. Of course, if you’re anything like me, you’re still not 100% cool with you’re entire stomach hanging out. So how do you wear a bralette with confidence? My advice is to pair it with another hot trend: a high waisted maxi or hi-low. This way you can cover your midriff, but still have a little sliver of skin showing. Take a look and see what you think:

Now, I can’t help but be obsessed with this up and coming trend for the fall. As someone who has a special love for colors…I color code, color coordinate, color block, anything that involved blending, matching and arranging different shades. Last season color blocking was all the rage. We learned how to pair contrasting brights to make a bold statement. But here we are, Fall 2012, and the runway is showing countless monochromatic fashions ( for inspiration, check out Alexander Wang, Givenchy, and Emilio Pucci at style.com) So how do you rock this fantastically understated look? It’s all about textures. Pick a color family (for example, below, I show a tangerine set and an oatmeal set) and contrast textures and patterns. Pair a billowy chiffon top with skinny jeans and a snake skin shoe. The simplicity is so elegant, and such a breath of fresh air, what’s not to love?

As a bridal consultant, I could write on this topic for days. Don’t worry, I’ll do my best not to ramble, but there is so much you should know before you attempt to tackle this surprisingly complicated task. I’ve seen girls come and go who haven’t been properly informed of the gown purchasing process, and I don’t want that to happen to you! I have also seen so many girls approach the situation unprepared, so I will do my best to warn you of every mistake you could make that may cause yourself a headache.

So here we go…

Timeline

Something a lot of people don’t know about buying a bridal gown is that it takes a lot of time. (Now this is in reference to designer gowns that you would be ordering from a boutique, not a dress you would be buying off the rack from a department store, David’s Bridal, ect.) Boutiques carry samples that they generally don’t sell off the rack, so when you find the dress you love you will then begin the ordering process. First, your consultant will take your measurements, discuss with you the size that best fits your figure, and then put in your order. For the most part these dresses are being made as they are being ordered (There are some companies that keep hanging stock in their factories, but with the way the economy is, that is pretty rare these days). That being said, understand that once the company gets your order, and they forward it to their factory, someone is then literally making your dress from scratch. Because of this, and the fact that (sadly) most factories are located over seas, you could be looking at a six month time period between when your dress is ordered and when it will arrive in the store (depending on the company). Now this doesn’t mean that you can’t order a dress if your wedding is sooner than six months. Most companies will rush a dress (some even as soon as four weeks) for an extra charge. But remember that the bridal business has seasons. Companies are generally overwhelmed with orders during the spring/summer months because most weddings take place during this time, so rush orders may be less likely.

Call Ahead!

1. Book an appointment: I can’t stress enough how much better your experience will be if you book an appointment ahead of time. Some boutiques don’t ask brides to make appointments, but nine times out of ten they will prefer, if not require one. Why is this important? Well, there may only be so many fitting rooms and consultants available to work with you. If you book an appointment ahead of time, you are securing a room and a consultant so you are guarenteed to get the attention you want and deserve.

2. Ask questions: It goes without saying (I hope), that it is important to budget your wedding. You need to know where you want to spend and where you want to save. It is important that you decide the absolute maximum you are willing to spend on your dress. When you call to make an appointment, make sure you ask what the store’s price range is (If you have a tiny budget don’t be discouraged by the thought of ordering a dress. There are plenty of companies whose dresses are affordable, I promise). There is no use in schleping to a boutique, finding the dress of your dreams, and then realizing….oops, I can’t afford this.

3. Did you find the dress of your dreams on pinterest? Have you spend hours pouring over the designers website trying to locate the closest boutique that carries him? A boutique may carry your designer, but sales reps only require them to purchase a certain number of gowns from the collection. So ask! Again, no use in making the trip and then realizing that they don’t have the dress you’re looking for. Make sure you have the style number on hand when you’re making the call.

Who to Bring

Now this is a tricky subject. I know that everyone is excited for you and wants to be part of your wedding experience, but choose who you’re bringing carefully….for a number of reasons.

1. Be careful bringing too many people for many reasons. Too many opinions may confuse you. Even though you may forget it, this is your day. It is important that you feel comfortable, beautiful and happy in the dress that you choose (and you will be the one staring that the pictures for the rest of your life…) So keep this in mind when deciding who is in your entourage. It’s impossible to keep everyone happy, and again….it’s your dress. Who cares if your fiances cousin isn’t a huge fan? Unless she’s a really close friend and really crucial to the wedding, I don’t see a reason to bring her along. Also, anyone who may be too opinionated should not be invited. I understand wanting help with this big decision, but there’s no need to have someone make you feel bad about yourself or your taste. To reiterate, it’s your day. So maybe that aunt who thinks she knows everything and everyone else is wrong….should stay home!

2. Also, if you could, try to refrain from bringing the future hubby along. Not for any superstitious reasons….only because most guys have no idea what they’re talking about when it comes to fashion, don’t let him persuade you. The fact of the matter is, he’ll be blown away no matter what because…guess what?…he loves you!

What to bring

1. Undergarments: For those of you who haven’t tried on bridal gowns before you should know that there is a possibility that your consultant will dress you. I know this seems odd, but you may be trying on very expensive gown that are layers and layers of crazy…so it’s a little chaotic for you to dress yourself. Keeping this in mind, make sure you wear proper undergarments. Spanx, strapless bras, ect, are going to help the dress look great and you feel comfortable.

2. If you are planning on wearing heels, it may be a good idea to bring a practice pair with you. As we know, ladies, heels do a little “somethin’ somethin’” for the behind, so don’t leave them at home!

3. Bring pictures! If you have an idea of the type of gown you are looking for, it’s always helpful to bring a few magazine clippings along. This way your consultant can make a b-line for the dresses her boutique carries that you may be interested in. That being said, I can’t stress enough that you should go into your appointment with an open mind. 90% of the time a girl will buy the one dress she never ever would have tried on if her consultant hadn’t suggested it.

4. Bring your checkbook! Or some sort of cash. If you end up choosing a dress, you will need to at least put down a deposit to place your order, so save yourself a headache and be ready!

Like I said, I could write for days on this topic, but I hope I have been able to educate you a little! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post, and I will do what I can to help.

Good luck!

Caroline

It’s no secret that color blocking is a major trend of the season. If you’re afraid of color, raise your hand. …that’s what I thought. I can absolutely relate to the fear of bright, bold color. Why risk looking like a traffic light when you can hide behind simple black and neutrals? Well, after getting a taste of this season’s favorite color, mint green, I can’t wait to dress head to toe in fresh, spring pastels. But how could you possibly trade in your safe demin skinnies for a pair of bright mint ones? Easy! Here’s what you do…..

During the day, pair mint with a romantic coral. By bringing in a soft, warm tone, you brighten up the outfit and give it a springy feel. An ivory lace top and a coral polka dot scarf add an element of playfulness to these bold jeans. Mint t-straps maybe be too matchy-matchy for some, but I think they really bring the look together.