Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

I have to wear a hideous bridesmaid dress, Please help me to look good anyway!

27 replies

AKMD · 09/02/2011 11:32

SIL is getting married in April where I will be Maid of Honour with two other bridesmaids. The bridesmaid dresses came last week and we went to the first fitting yesterday. They are awful; really, really bad. The dress style is lovely (floor length, gatherred detail across the waist, diamante detail across the bust with a bolero) but the colour SIL originally chose wasn't available so she picked a different one when we weren't there and it is bright, Shrek green. We look like we're competing in a Princess Fiona contest.

There is no way we can get different dresses as these ones are already paid for and have now been pinned. No one wanted to offend my SIL by saying what they thought and of course we will wear them without complaint. The style is very nice so it could be worse but it really is a complete block of bright green and two of us don't have the smallest of figures.

What can we do to maximise the potential of these dresses? Do you think pale or tanned skin would look better next to the colour? Hair up or down, with accessories or without? What kind of makeup?

Any tips welcome!

OP posts:
iscream · 09/02/2011 14:34

Would she notice if you all had them dyed a darker colour green?

A sheer black fabric over top may tone them down, maybe some wraps? At least around your top area and face would look better.

SixtyFootDoll · 09/02/2011 14:48

I think just a big smile, grin and bear it.

And as much champagen as you can get down your neck so you dont care

onimolap · 09/02/2011 14:56

SixtyFootDoll: spot on!

BeatriceLaBranche · 09/02/2011 15:50

Completely agree with SixtyFootDoll, grin and bear it.

It's only one day and you can drink lots.

Original poster
AKMD · 09/02/2011 19:44

Thanks, I really like the lacy kne but the dresses come with boleros anyway. This is an alcohol- free wedding so just going to have to brave it I think.

Do you think it would look better if I got [shudder] a spray tan?

OP posts:
WincyEtNightie · 09/02/2011 19:49

Generally a tan looks good IMO. However be careful as orange and green really clash!

Grin
PonceyMcPonce · 09/02/2011 19:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 09/02/2011 20:00

No don't get a tan.

You just have to grin and bear it.

I am a BM in the autumn for a very dear friend. The dress she has chosen is good for me in terms of shape (roughly empire line and has decent thickness straps to keep the boobs upheld), but the colour is one I hate myself in.
But it isn't about me, so it's fine even if I do look like a washed out blob. Grin

AlmightyCitrus · 09/02/2011 20:02

Feign illness?

Bright green frock and no alcohol. Urgh.

IngridBergmann · 09/02/2011 20:04

Once you have the flowers it won't look so bad...and some heels, and maybe a white shrug or something? Just for contrast.

it sounds Ok really...better than lurid pink.

IngridBergmann · 09/02/2011 20:05

thinking white, dark purple, for bouquets...maybe some deep pink in there too.

Could look stunning.

Original poster
AKMD · 09/02/2011 20:19

Bouquets are white roses, no chance of a shrug as we will have to wear the boleros all day.

No spray tan ( I wouldn't do orange, honest!). SIL has given us jewelry to wear but we can do our hair and makeup however we like. Would rather understated makeup with gold eyeshadow be ok or would we look washed out next to the bright green? Do you think it would be better to have an up-do perhaps with a tiara or sparkly slide or have hair (long) loose and curly. Any thing that takes away from the Shrek effect!

Lol at the Shrek horns, will have to look into that :o

OP posts:
SixtyFootDoll · 09/02/2011 20:31

Who has a wedding with no alcohol?

BeatriceLaBranche · 09/02/2011 20:59

You should buy this

I would also suggest a few choice beverages beforehand.

bethelbeth · 09/02/2011 21:54

Purple goes really well with green so I'd sneak a purple handbag and shoes into the mix.

Don't fake tan, but don't be tooo pale either.
If you are particularly pale-as I am, it is very hard to wear green as it actually casts a glow on my skin and makes me look zombie like.

bethelbeth · 09/02/2011 21:56

And go OTT makeupwise or the dress will dominate all the pictures.

Love the gold eyeshadow, I'd go for a quite thick one with a bit of glitter... try Illamasqua

EveryonesJealousOfGingers · 09/02/2011 22:13

Shock ALCOHOL FREE???????????? Why?

Anyway, that aside, you just need to go with what SIL has decided re shoes but you can definitely take an alternative shrug/wrap etc to wear after pics have been done. Make sure your makeup looks fab and brings warmth to your face.

onimolap · 09/02/2011 22:17

Hip flask!!!

Don't go orange. I'd suggest understated make up (to avoid risk of pantomime gaudy if the colour is really that bad!). Gauzy wrap to tone it down a bit - only for after the formal bits and photos are over though.

And remember - you will look back fondly on this, and retrospect lasts longer than any wedding.

Original poster
AKMD · 10/02/2011 19:15

Good ideas here. The colour scheme is green, ivory and gold so how about a gold organza wrap? I could be a nice person and make one for the other two bridesmaids too :)

No alcohol - it's a Mormon wedding and we don't drink alcohol, so no hipflasks either I'm afraid! My wedding was alcohol free and have yet to hear someone say anything other than it was a fab, fun day with loads of family and friends catching up and having a good time. Some excellent dancing too Wink

OP posts:
EveryonesJealousOfGingers · 10/02/2011 22:17

Aaah it makes more sense now - but surely you can't have actual fun with no alcohol?! Wink Grin

Wrap idea sounds fab and would be very lovely of you to make one for everyone, the bride might even think they look so lovely you should wear them all day!

Shrek horns would be bloody hilarious but could the family bond survive them?!

iscream · 11/02/2011 08:09

Yes to the gold wraps for all of you! Sounds very nice.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 11/02/2011 08:12

Just get on with it!

goingroundthebend4 · 11/02/2011 08:17

hmm yes a wrap though i like strong green but im aredhead so find get away with it

and i been to a few Mormon weddings and yes they are very often fun think it suprise people.

Hope she has informed all her guests of dress codes that be prefered especially if non mormons are present

Original poster
AKMD · 11/02/2011 09:25

Hmm Someone has confused this with AIBU...

She hasn't stated a dress code for guests but most are either Mormons or strict Catholics so they're fairly conservative dressers. No one's going to get kicked out if they turn up in a miniskirt anyway :)

OP posts: