If you are planning a wedding, and have been paying attention to Fashion and Style Police, you would know January is the best time to shop for a wedding dress. So with the wedding dress out-of-the-way, you need to start thinking of bridesmaids dresses. This task can be very time-consuming, so it is best to start as soon as you can. How do you choose bridesmaids dresses? Here are some tried and tested shopping and styling tips you may find very useful if you are a bride to be.

Decide on colours and style

When I got married years ago. I decided on the colours and style I wanted for my bridesmaids and went shopping with the information in mind. The colours of the day were gold and midnight blue. I wanted my maid of honour to wear long gold dress and my bridesmaids to wear midnight blue mid-length dresses. I pictured the styles I wanted in my head already, so once I laid eyes on the dresses, I knew I wanted them.

Shop in the right stores

Shopping in the right stores saves time and money. I am a massive fan of Coast bridesmaids dresses. They are usually very chic and elegant. Bridesmaids always stand out wearing their dresses. I can always spot a Coast dress from a distance. The quality and attention to detail on Coast dresses is second to none on the high street as you can see below.

Imi Lace Maxi Dress £149

Mel Maxi Dress £129

Imi Lace Navy Dress £149

Corwin Tulle Maxi £119

Bring your bridesmaids on board

I always advise brides to bring their bridesmaids on board when choosing their dresses, especially when the bridesmaids are paying for them. It makes sense to make sure your maids are happy with the colour, style and price of the dress you have selected. You don’t want them feeling uncomfortable on the wedding day. If possible, go shopping for the dresses with as many of your bridesmaids as you can.

Try them on

Get your bridesmaids to try on the dresses as soon as possible if you don’t go shopping with them. If you have to buy any dress in the absence of a bridesmaid like I had to, make sure you have their measurements. Many are not aware of the fact that bridesmaid dresses sizes are not the same as traditional clothing ones. Which means their usual size won’t apply. It will usually go up a size or 2!

Get the shoes

The mistake I made with my girls was that I didn’t get the same shoes for all of them. I told them the colour and they are showed wearing shoes in various styles, which I didn’t really like. So, I always advise any bride to pick out shoes as well as the dress for the bridesmaids. It looks a lot better when they are all wearing the same style of shoes. And you can be sure no one would turn wearing something odd.

Find the accessories

Once the dress and shoes are sorted, the next stop is accessories. You want your bridesmaids to look beautiful, and accessories play a vital role in finishing off a look the right way. So you have to get them right. To create a stylish uniformed look, you can use pins, scarves, belts and jewelry to finish off the look.

How did you choose your bridesmaids dresses for your wedding? Are you a fan of Coast?

*Collaborative post.