How can I look least horrible?

[Glitterkitten24]

I am a bridesmaid in a couple of months time. The dress was picked by the bride without any consultation with bridesmaids- fair doos, it’s her party.
It’s ‘old ladies tights’ coloured beige- the colour on the label calls it officially ‘mink’. It would look lovely on the bride, but less so on me.

I have cool winter colouring. Beige does nothing for me. I can’t change the dress. I’ve been asked to have nude nails and lips (well not exactly nude lips, but no red or similar which would be my usual way of jazzing up an outfit)

How on earth can I make this less horrible?
I’m already thinking fake tan might warm my colouring up a bit and make me look less dead.
Dark eye make up? Big statement earrings?
Help me!

Oh dear - Imthink you may just have to accept,the awfulness of it. I am a winter and look ill in beige

Could you wear a brightly coloured scarf after ceremony and photos?

Jesus... I’m the same colouring & would look terrible in that!
I think a bit of fake tan might help. Make up wise I would do a smoky eye with dark purples, and a pinky nude nail varnish & lipstick.
Hopefully someone more expert will be along with more advice soon!

Oh lord. I’d look dead in mink too. Bright pashmina/wrap for after ceremony? Bright hair accessory? Bright lippy after photos? Um.

Big hair? Dark eye makeup?
Take off the dress as soon as you can ??

Oh god aridane I fear you are right- but I actually feel dead at the thought of the day cos I know I’ll look horrible, and it should be a happy day!

This really isn't about you. Get a natural looking fake tan and for God's sake please keep you make up neutral. If the bride wanted dark eyes she would have said so.

Spray tan I think.
I too look horrific in beige. Like I need a good bath horrific. Awful.

dairy the groom is close family. I will be in most of the photos. I get that it’s not about me, and there is an element of ‘sucking it up’, I’m just trying not to feel totally hideous and let it ruin what will be a really special day.

itscurtains I think the bride would take the nip if I changed dress after ceremony. I have considered it but don’t want to cause drama!

So, you're basically wearing Dead Plaster by Monsoon?

I'd stay dead-looking for the photos, then jazz everything up afterwards. Bright lippy, bright shrug/pashmina, bright shoes.

Or get changed altogether.

Sounds vile, you have my sympathy.

Grin and wear it.

Found an old pic today of me wearing a bridesmaid dress about 16 years ago that looked bloody awful, the colour, style, fit: at the time was v embarrassed but now it made me laugh!

Oh no, you are all saying what I was thinking- suck it up and wear it! Sigh.

Get a tan, suck it up for the ceremony but slap on the lips afterwards. Bride might not even notice at this stage.

Also bright blush is very this season. Bride hasn't said anything about that, I suppose?

Pay someone to accidentally knock a glass of red wine over you after the photos...with a fantastic back-up dress waiting in the wings.

DD was a bridesmaid on Saturday, the bride bought their dresses from China and even with alterations all the proportions were wrong. They all looked awful,so you won't be alone

I agree with you and others- fake tan, smokey eyes and pinky nudey lips.

That’s a shout Chardonnay - bright blush could work. I can kind of deal with the dress, if I can focus on nice makeup, or nice hair, or one nice element of what I’m wearing! 🙈

goose that’s exactly right, I feel like we will all look back and think ‘wtf were those dresses about!’ 😂

I had this last summer. Was one of 5 Bridesmaids all with totally different shapes, sizes and colourings. Bride wanted us all matching, I ended up in a shade of pink and shape that did nothing for me. I looked like a square. The colour washed me out. I had to just suck it up unfortunately. Definitely go for a good tan, some bronzer and a rosy blush, and remind yourself it’s only one day.

I really wouldn't do the smokey eyes if the bride specified nude lips and nails, sounds like she wants to steer away from a heavy look.

I'd get a good fake tan, and a colourful pashmina for after. I'd be inclined to stay away from applying a darker lip after, because there could still be photographers roaming about. Or get a glass of wine mysteriously knocked over you and leg it off to change

Another vote for an "accident" with red wine at the reception.
I didn't have/have never been a bridesmaid but dictating your make up/nail colours is a bit bridezilla isn't it?
Hope she's a good enough friend to make it worth it

Do the smoky eyes - the lips can be a rosy shade of nude...nice fresh enlivening blusher, and pretty neutral earrings.

Temporary colour in your hair to lift you?

I never understand why people do this to their bridesmaids. When I was a bridesmaid the bride (my BF) chose a colour that was really good for me, I did the same in return for my bridesmaids (actually, I let them chose themselves, they also had a shopping trip without me to get their shoes to match).

Anyway, has she dictated your hair? My bridesmaid both have gorgeous chestnut hair and they had white rose buds in their hair, it looked amazing, so romantic. Think their hair was nicer than mine actually! So do something lovely with your hair as well. What colour is your hair?

Have you tried the dress on yet, is it definitely as bad as you fear and has the bride seen you in it? Mink could be a pinky grey which might be OK (she says clutching at straws).

I'm not a fan of fake tan, I'd recommend trying it out beforehand so you get a natural looking colour. Smokey eyes sound like the best response to all the nude. Go for a goth look!

You can only get a good dark spray tan before hand. Have a trial so you don’t go orange.

I’m a very pale winter and can take a 14%dha tan but I’m very dry while it wears off. But the day after application people think I’ve been abroad.