Brides, let’s talk. Grab a cup of tea, sit down a minute. Your bridesmaids will thank you.

We’ve all been there at least once in our lives, or at least walked with a friend through that deep dark place known as “the bridesmaidsdressland.” It’s not usually a pretty place.

No offense to those whose weddings I’ve been in (June, you are forever excused from this conversation), but I have never, and I repeat NEVER re-worn the dresses from your weddings. I never even desired to rip off the giant red bow (ok, that’s not entirely true, but that was before the wedding), or tried to figure out how to reshape that giant poof on the bottom, just to be able to “wear it again.” Never.

First of all, the measuring/fitting/shoe dying process was less than exciting. (Hey, these were the 90s, give me a break here….shoes WERE dyed then.) The one size fits no one approach to dresses benefitted well, no one. Sure we matched. But….yep, ok, that’s it. We matched.

Thankfully times have changed a bit. JCrew and a handful of others made the oh-so-cozy-aren’t-we-all-cute dresses more of a regularity, but we can all admit, that same dress approach is still out there. You may be thinking “well, at least they aren’t expensive dresses they will never wear again.”

But like anything in life, times they do a change, and there have been some great changes. BHLDN, for one. Sigh, they are gorgeous. But not every bridesmaid has that budget, and not every bridesmaid has that BODY.

I know you want to look your best on your wedding day, but trust me, so do your bridesmaids. That’s why they all buy spankx.

So how do we accomplish multiple goals at once? Being YOUR wedding style conscious, budget conscious, and loving and gracious to your dearest friends…..sometimes it takes a new way of thinking. Or shopping.

A friend of mine, through the miracle of facebook feed, turned me on to this website: eSHakti. Dresses are adorbs. Prices are drooly. And best of all, THEY CUSTOMIZE. I mean, by size. You pick the dress, grab a tape measure, and send all that off, and poof, here comes a customized dress. If it doesn’t fit, THEY TAKE IT BACK. (Ever have THAT happen during a fitting?)

Now I can’t say I’ve used them. I’ve read articles and reviews. I’ve looked at the dresses, and considered grabbing that tape measure to get a few for myself. But my first thought was “Umm, hello, bridesmaid dresses?? Please and thank you.”

Brides, in this day and age, anything goes. And making your bridesmaids feel pretty and comfortable, and leaving them with dresses the pretty much could wear again will start a trend….a trend of happiness and joy.

So, consider the possibilities. Stretch your imagination. And maybe….get one for yourself too!

With peace, love & fashion,

– Lynell

PS the photo you see here is me and my bestie, June, on her wedding day. 😉