When it comes to bridesmaid dresses, we’ve heard this numerous times- “You can always shorten it and wear it again”.  This may be easy in theory but with dressy fabrics and sometimes hard to match colors, finding a way to recycle your bridesmaid dress into other fashionable attire is easier said than done.  We are going to be honest and remind you that some frocks are beyond redemption but there are a few easy ways to change the look from bridal party to cocktail ready.  Below we showcased how the addition of a boyfriend cardigan with a skinny belt at the waste, textured tights, and fashion booties can add an edge to this otherwise wedding ready dress by Priscilla of Boston.

From Left: dress, Priscilla of Boston; cardigan, Antropologie; bootie, available at Saks Fifth Avenue; belt, singer22.com; textured tights, The Style Riot.

Shop Vera Wang Weddings

Have you heard how hot it has been in Portland?  We have been breaking all kinds of records and one would assume that would include ice cream sales.  Yes, this hot weather has us thinking of all kinds of ways to chill down.  Some people head to the river for a swim while others, like ourselves, enjoy a scoop of our favorite tasty summertime treat while dreaming of when it will be cool enough for sweaters.  Which is exactly what we thought of when the new J.Crew catalogue arrived!  Look at this beautiful stack of cashmere cardigans and tell us you cannot wait for the temperature to dip.  Some of the colors even remind us of our favorite flavors.  Makes you feel cooler already, doesn’t it?

 The Italian Cashmere Crewneck Cardigan, the perfect accent to any wardrobe or bridesmaid dress!

How many times did you wear your bridesmaid dress?  Most of us wear them just once, and after that special day, they take up permanent residence in the back of our closets among mothballs and those other items that we can’t quite get the courage to be rid of.  Well, your barely worn bridesmaid, prom, and other formal dresses could very well make a high school girl in need feel like the belle of the ball.  Prom can be such a monumental moment for teens and many girls are unable to find affordable dresses to wear to this special occasion.  Organizations like donatemydress.org and The Glass Slipper Project help get your dresses to girls in need.  So, if your looking to do some spring cleaning, check the back of your closet and maybe you’ll find that your something old can be a teen’s something new!

I saw these on another blog… what a cool idea! Your Slip is Showing is a company that makes slips adorned with all sorts of cute things that is meant to show from underneath your skirt or dress. (This is one of those things that I wish I had thought of first.) You can embellish any skirt or little black dress… or even your casual white wedding dress!

Maybe under a dress like this?

Dress can be found at www.JCrew.com.

Have you been to Anthropolgie? Maybe I’m a little behind, but having just moved to the area less than a year ago, I was pretty unfamiliar with this store. It’s great! What an awesome place to find gifts for your bridal party that complement their personal tastes! You could also find some very cute, less formal bridesmaid dresses there. Lots of candles, books, housewares, home decor, clothing, and more! You can find stores nationwide, or shop online. Here are a few of my favorite things I’ve found on their website:

Elizabeth Dye makes our hearts go pitter-patter with her gorgeous creations in her shop, The English Dept., in downtown Portland. Whether you’re an elegant bride or a fashion-forward bridesmaid, you can find the perfect dress in this shop. But why the name? Apparently Elizabeth got her English degree and wanted to name the store in a way that she would be able to say she was still working in the English department. Clever. Her dresses are simple and classic, and nothing in the store is over $1,500. There’s no going wrong when you go English.

The English Dept . www.theenglishdept.com . Portland, Oregon

Bridesmaid dresses have coe a long way since the days of poufy sleeves. Jenny Yoo Collection has some fantastic examples of how beautiful things can really get. With the flagship store in NYC, us Oregonians have the choice of looking online or travelling to Bellevue to see the collection.

Jenny Yoo on redefining bridesmaids:

“What is the collective vision of the bride and her bridesmaids? In a time where tradition is emphasized, weddings as a result, have become more intimate, holding a special meaning for both the couple and those who care for them. I have created a special line of bridesmaid and occasion dresses that evolve with the footsteps of today’s changing times. — JENNY YOO”

Her dresses feature bright colors, unexpected decorative touches, and classy fabrics. These dresses would go well with a contemporary-styled wedding and a colorful motif. Take a look at the website for all the designs and locations for the shops.

Jenny Yoo Collection . www.jennyyoo.com . New York City, New York

Bridesmaids dresses can be a bummer, but they don’t have to be! Cute dresses are everywhere in Portland - you just have to know where to look. Lucky for you, I can tell you. Some of these places you have probably thought of, but hopefully you’ll find at least one new place. Please don’t limit yourself to just bridal shops! All you are really looking for is a cute dress in a color that you like and a cut that will flatter many shapes. The hunt is on…

• Nordstrom
• J. Crew
• White House Black Market
• Express
• Bubble Boutique
• Mimi & Lena
• Two Birds Bridesmaids   www.twobirdsbridesmaid.com  Online only!
• Mabel & Zora
• Seaplane
• The English Department   
• Matisse