The new black is…still black
By Never teh BrideBlack for bridesmaids? You betcha! It’s hip, it’s modern, and it’s still a touch risque. Outfitting the bridal party in black is still a great way to cause a stir among your more conservative peers. It’s also a great way to please bridesmaids, who will no doubt be relieved to know that their dresses will be recyclable.
This onyx satin face organza dress is a THREAD design and potentially quite versatile. As the pseudo-restrictions against wearing black at matrimonial events have been lifted, it could also be worn to the weddings of friends, family members, and colleagues.
Afraid your attendants will look too dark in black? Many black bridesmaids dresses come embellished with vividly hued trims, sashes, and belts. But don’t be afraid to glam your girls up a bit with some funky jewelry or pretty shoes!
Now, I must shout, “Happy (belated) birthday to the Shoe Blog!” Because of it, the world is a more beautiful and better shod place!
October 17th, 2006 at 4:51 pm
I’m going to rant a bit grumpily here, NtB, so feel free to completely ignore me.
I’m getting so darn tired of black for every formal occasion that I’m considering going on a one-woman crusade to bring some color back into formal occasions. Someone recently brought up black for bridesmaids gowns on an etiquette board I frequent and the pro-black brigade was so fierce that one poor girl timidly started a thread to ask if it was okay if she asked her bridesmaids very politely to wear pink. She was afraid that black was the only color allowed anymore.
Every year I go to my friends’ Christmas party and everyone - male and female - except for me seems to wear unrelieved black.
Color! I demand color! Blue! Purple! Orange! Yellow! Green! Red! Yes, even pink!
Rant over. Sorry, NtB.
Anybody who likes is perfectly free to dress her bridesmaids in black, if she so desires. I’m just feeling a serious color withdrawl in my life and I want some pretty colors back.
And a pony.
October 17th, 2006 at 6:06 pm
Put me on the list for a pony as well! Maybe one of those miniature ponies?
I *sort of* feel your pain here, Twistie. I like color. I’m a big fan, in fact. My house is painted in crazy colors and I love to surround myself with colorful things.
But darn if I don’t feel most comfortable wearing black.
October 17th, 2006 at 6:27 pm
Great site! I read it every day but this is my first comment.
I get what you are saying about wanting color in your life. I wear black everywhere and I’m excited to finally be wearing a light color and it’s my wedding dress!
I’m getting married in 5 months, and I am doing black dresses for the bridesmaids. My girls are so happy! They are long gowns and everyone picks their own style. Just the look on their faces alone was worth it!
October 17th, 2006 at 7:43 pm
sometimes i think it is possible to pick a colour across your Bm’s that they’re happy with too though. Mine are wearing dark purple silk and the girls are thrilled because they also love the colour. I would not have allowed them to wear black I must admit because I’ve seen Bm’s in black and was def not a fan.
October 17th, 2006 at 8:15 pm
I wear 99% black, 99% of the time. It looks good on me, since I am twin to Snow White, and it’s easy when I’m getting dressed at 4:00 in the morning, and it holds up until I get home at 9:00 or 10:00 at night.
That said, I refuse to wear black for festive and/or holiday occasions! There are a lot of women (none here, I know) who think that just because an outfit is black, that automatically elevates it to the status of “sophisticated” or “formal.” I’m here to say that … it’s not necessarily so. Especially when worn by ladies who wouldn’t ordinarily wear black. (Although I wear A Lot of black, I opt for Festive Black - beaded, silk, velvet, braid-trimmed, lace-edged, form-fitting frolicsome black! And that’s for the day.) Especially as it’s usually dark at night (duh!). Why not stand out, and wear something lively? Look for me - I’ll be the one in ruby velvet, or sapphire silk, or white - and I’ll be visible amongst all the pretty blackbirds.
October 17th, 2006 at 10:28 pm
I’m with Twistie! Bring back the colors! I refuse to buy formal clothes in black… any color but black, please! Yes, black can be very festive when decorated, but it’s gotten to the point that there’s almost no personality to black. It’s just a uniform that everyone wears.
October 17th, 2006 at 11:16 pm
Ruby velvet…oooh…
October 17th, 2006 at 11:48 pm
Don’t forget that Black is a color too. In fact, it’s technically all colors (the black we we see is the absorption of all light rays)
That said, I think too much of one color is overkill. I think the reason I’m not fond of black for women’s formal wear is that the men where black too. Think about it, about the only choice for men is black. We are so lucky to have a rainbow of colors at hand. Why not take full advantage of it?
Of course, there are days when going all black just suits your mood.