Category: Bridal Shopping

Timeless Mother of the Bride Gowns

While the trend has its roots in commercial wedding fashion, the Mother of the Bride (MOB) gown has become a staple fashion piece in traditional weddings. These gowns first started appearing around the 1940s when department stores like Macy’s began to carry a collection of wedding gowns that most closely resemble modern wedding attire. Prior to this commercial introduction, bridal gowns varied widely based on social class–and white wasn’t even the most common colour. 

 

As far as style goes, navy blue is the most common choice for a dark-coloured gown and a soft champagne colour is the most common choice for a lighter tone. Proper MOB gowns are full-length, formal, and modest. Many styles come with intricately detailed lace tops or two-piece gowns with lace jackets. And for a MOB who wants to remain youthful and avoid any styles that might appear to age her, a modest A-line gown with an off-the-shoulder top can provide just the right amount of modesty.

Popular Styles for Mother of the Bride Gowns

The mother of the bride’s gowns should match the formality of the wedding. For traditional, full-formal affairs, we love the idea of putting mom in a ballgown or a modest off-the-shoulder look. And for the ladies who want a little more flair without upstaging their brides, a non-traditional high-low cut gown with modest details works best.

Ball Gowns

A ballgown is a formal dress that features a fitted torso, low neckline, and full skirt. When a ballgown style is used for a MOB gown, we recommend keeping a close eye on the neckline to keep the style appropriate.

Off-the-Shoulder Gowns

These gowns can feature a variety of cuts, but the most common for a MOB gown is a simple A-line silhouette. Fitted dresses should feature modest detail and just the right amount of drape. The mother of the bride should embrace her femininity but we don’t want to draw the wrong kind of attention with seductive silhouettes. The one thing all of these dresses have in common is an off-the-shoulder neckline which provides just enough interesting detail to set the dress apart.

High-Low Cut Gowns

Asymmetrical hems signal a more modern design trend in formal wear. These gowns can be very appropriate for a mother who wants to feel youthful and fashionable without overshadowing the bride. We especially love a high-low-cut hemline paired with a modest neckline.

Trendy Patterns for the Mother of the Bride

When it comes to formal affairs and patterns, specific floral patterns are really the only thing that works. If you’re dressing a mother of the bride for a spring wedding, then a beautiful floral gown can be just the right amount of a style statement that adds a little pizzazz to the wedding party.

The Best Materials for MOB Gowns

Almost any traditional material for formal gowns is also appropriate for a mother of the bride gown. However, you will likely find much more detail on these gowns compared to other types of formal gowns. Lace, beading, and embroidery all seem to be exceedingly popular for the mother of the bride.

The MOB gown is commonly featured in a variety of neutral shades, relying on embellishments to provide the biggest impact for elegance. Beading, or adding a little glitz by sewing tiny glass beads onto the bodice of a gown is a classic embellishment choice for the mother of the bride.

For accents that offer a little more shine, sequins can be used in a similar manner by sewing them onto the bodice of a gown. 

Popular Colors for the Mother of the Bride

As with any formal occasion, the season will play a big part in the colour selection for the whole affair and the MOB gown is no exception. Next to that, the bride’s selection of colours for the wedding will dictate an acceptable colour palette. This leaves the mother with a narrow selection of colour options for her gown. 

The most popular colour palettes are:

  • Pastels
  • Neutrals
  • Jewel Tones
  • Rose Gold & Other Metallics

Pastels

Pastels are almost exclusively worn for spring weddings. In fact, spring provides the perfect opportunity for the mother of the bride to pair a pastel colour palette with a large floral print for something that is just a little different. This works best when the bridesmaids are wearing a pastel colour like lavender.

Neutrals

Neutrals work year-round and are an easy fit into most wedding colour schemes. For winter weddings, choose navy as your neutral and for warmer weather go with a nude colour. One of the most classic MOB gown styles is a nude or champagne-coloured two-piece gown with detailed lacework, embroidery, or beading on the cape.

Jewel Tones

Summertime can be a great excuse to go a little more bold with jewel tones like deep pinks, teals, and bold purple hues. These vibrant jewel-toned colours generally speak for themselves and need very little embellishment.

Rose Gold/Metallics

For fall weddings, ditch the traditional humdrum of deep reds and yellows and go for something metallic instead. Rose gold is one of those metallic hues that are soft, feminine, and elegant. Metallic shades like rose gold pair well with a little shimmer so consider adding detail with a glittered fabric or a little sparkle to your sheer sleeves.

Sleeve Options for the Mother of the Bride

A mother of the bride gown does not require sleeves–but many women, especially as they get older, appreciate a little extra coverage. You’ll find hundreds of styles that offer everything from cap sleeves to full-length sheer sleeves. And, you’ll find plenty of styles that offer no sleeves at all. And, it’s all perfectly okay. When it comes to choosing an appropriate mother of the bride gown, there are many different ways to balance her feminine beauty with age-appropriate modesty that compliments the bride.

Final Thoughts on Mother of the Bride Fashion

The mother of the bride (and often the mother of the groom) are important part of the bridal party. The wedding is often as much about these women giving away their babies as it is for the couple who are coming together in the union of marriage. And, therefore, it is only fitting that these ladies are decorated and celebrated with full formal fashion, wearing something that is a little more than a typical gown.

Author Bio:

Jonah Levine is the Creative Director of NewYorkDress.com. NewYorkDress.com, established in 2008, is the #1 online source for Evening and Prom dresses worldwide. As Creative Director, Jonah works to create the ultimate online and in-store luxury shopping experience with a focus on service and personalization.

Pernia’s Pop-Up Studio, London Shopping Experience

I visited the Pernia’s Pop-Up studio, London to try some outfits, and it is a one-stop-shop for all the wedding and Indian wear shopping.

Designer Seema Gujral

Shopping is always fun, but nothing is more exciting than Indian bridal shopping. And what makes bridal shopping even more exciting is finding everything one needs from outfits to jewellery in one place. All the Asians settled in the UK will agree with me that shopping for Indian wear is a bit tricky here as there are not a lot of good options. One has to do a lot of research and go from shop to shop to find everything they need. I recently visited the multi-designer Pernia’s Pop-Up studio in London to try some outfits, and I am happy to report that our search is over. It is a one-stop-shop for all the wedding and Indian wear shopping. Checkout more Indian bridal shopping blog here.

Location

Pernia's Pop-Up shop
Designer Yashodhara

Located in London’s luxury shopping district, Mayfair, Pernia’s Pop-Up studio is home to some of the leading Indian designers. This is Pernia’s first international store and they have a beautiful collection of outfits to choose from. No matter what someone is looking for, there is something for everyone. With gorgeous lehengas, elegant anarkalis, chic indo-western pieces, and stunning accessories, Pernia’s Pop-Up Studio is a traditional wear heaven for all the would-be brides and fashion lovers out there.

Collection & designers at the Pernia’s Pop-Up Studio

Designer Abu Sandeep
Pernias Pop-Up Studio, London

The thing that I love the most about the collection is that it’s not just limited to heavier pieces, there are light outfits as well, that is ideal for smaller functions or evening parties. The collection is carefully selected and there is a perfect combination of pretty prints and edgy embroideries. 

Designer Anita Dongre

Some of the designers available at the studio are Payal Singhal, Anita Dongre, Masaba, Abu Sandeep, Kalista, Aisha Rao, Yashodhara, Seema Gujral, Nupur Kanoi, Anushree Reddy, Tarun Tahilani, and more. Women’s clothing is not the only thing they have, there are great options for men as well. So, the grooms get to have some fun too.

Services they offer

Pernia Pop-Up shop

Pernia’s has an online store too, but I think being at a physical store is an entirely different experience. One gets to look at the outfits, see what they like the best, and then make an informed decision to buy them. There is a beautiful trial room at the studio, where one can try on the outfits. They have jewellery, footwear, and clutches too, so it’s easy to see what the final look will look like after adding all the accessories. In my opinion, it’s always a good idea to try and buy heavy Indian outfits, as they are an investment and we wouldn’t want to go wrong with those.

Designer Aisha Rao

They offer fitting services as well and there is also an option to get an outfit customised as per our preference. If we like something and want it in a different size, colour, or style, we can order and if it’s doable, they’ll get it made. I think it’s amazing to have a specially made designer outfit in our wardrobe.

Designer Nupur Kanoi

I had a great time at Pernia’s Pop-Up Studio and it lived up to my expectations. I loved the collection and was so mesmerized by the outfits. Whenever I have to shop for Indian wear next, I am going to buy it from them. If you are in London or are looking to buy good, designer Indian clothes in the UK, I would recommend you to check out Pernia’s Pop-Up studio. You won’t be disappointed, I promise.

Indian Wedding Outfit Inspirations

The big fat Indian wedding is a celebration of two souls coming together and also the time to bring on your Fashion A-game! Looking back on some of the outfits I have seen over the last few months, here are some suggestions you can take inspiration from. For this piece, we are covering five outfits from the more commonly loved categories of Indian wear – lehengas and sarees.

Ornate Foliage

This Payal Singal gold and deep green lehenga set comes with an ornate v-neck sleeveless blouse and a deep back that can be fastened at the back, and is adorned with heavy gold floral embroidery. The A-line skirt is made with layers of pale gold net and an overlay of a stripe-like design and embroidery of gold foliage on emerald fabric.

This pattern also runs on the borders of the sheer-lightweight dupatta, which ties the whole look together. The dupatta also has tiny embellishments scattered over the sheer net fabric, to tie the whole look together.

Fresh Mint, Anyone?

Mint may sound like an unusual choice, in a sea of vibrant or dark coloured lehengas, but this one is a show-stopper! With modest, elbow length sleeves and a scoop neck, the ‘choli’ comes alive with embroidery in rich colour and motifs of peacock feathers in gold. This pattern continues on the front-central portion of the skirt, while the rest of the ‘gher’ is dotted with deep colourful Indian motifs on the pale mint background, making it eye-catching, yet, no too loud. It also comes with a sheer dupatta, that is bordered with navy tassels to mimic the colour from the motifs on the bodice of the outfit. 

You Can Never go Wrong with Pink!

This fresh pink piece is as much of a standout at an evening event as at a day function. The spaghetti blouse, although like the other also has colourful beading and embroidery details, it stands out because of the ruffle fabric that effortlessly flow. The full princess skirt, has midnight-blue and silver tassels running in symmetric vertical lines right from the waist, and meets up with more vibrant motifs at the hem.

You can also opt to wear this one without a dupatta, that won’t come in the way when you are breaking a leg on the dancefloor. One less thing to worry about! For a bit of fun and contrast, you can complete this look with a rani pink lip. 

The Modern Traditional

A hand-painted silk saree is always special and the beautiful contrast of beige and marron is a classic combination. It is perfect for a traditional day time function, but can also be embellished for a more edgy look. Pleat up the ‘pallu’ and fasten a black belt around, for a modern take, which also makes it practical as it secures everything in place, without you having to worry about the fabric shifting too much. 

Royalty with a Touch of Glam

This deep purple georgette saree is gorgeous as is and can be worn just like that at any function. Tiered ruffles at the hem and on the ‘pallu’ give it a modern, almost undone, look, and the V-neck halter blouse completes the silhouette. But the piece de resistance is the beaded jacket, in different shades of purple and silver. It is also very practical for more chilly climates or for a touch of more modesty to the look.

So, which one of these do you have your eyes on? 

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Indian Wedding Looks in Trend this Season

The wedding season is just around the corner and brides-to-be couldn’t be more excited about the outfits they would flaunt on the countless functions that Indian weddings are so famous for. Whether it’s going to be an intimate affair or a big fat Indian wedding, you wouldn’t want to settle for anything mediocre. And after the captivating looks that the celebrity brides have showcased in the last year, it’s time to get inspired with your sartorial choices. Knowing the latest trends Kalki Fashion is all set to keep you a step ahead than others this wedding season. Attention!!  All the brides to be and her oh! So pretty bridesmaids, here’s the hottest bridal trends for the coming season!

Pastel love

Why go for the usual reds, pinks, maroons, and magentas for your wedding dress when this season is all about subtle colors. Pastel trend is a total keeper. The Indian brides who wish to break the conventions with colors should definitely opt for a stunning designer salwar kameez in unusual hues like mint green, beige, lavender or peach for your Roka ceremony and you’re sure to steal the show. And, if you are the sister of the bride there wouldn’t be anything better than a pastel bridesmaid lehenga.

The Hand Embroidered Saga

While brides are permitted to go subtle with the hues, they cannot compromise with the embroidery part of their outfits. Look for a heavily embellished bridal lehenga for your big day because no one deserves more attention than you do. So, let your outfit steal the spotlight with its detailing. By the way, have you heard about the “Moment Lehenga”? Kalki Fashion lets you customize your wedding lehenga with your special moments embroidered on it. Every lehenga at Kalki Fashion is hand embellished and is intricated with utmost detailing glorifying its majestic story. 

The Evergreen Sarees

What could beat the grace of a yard saree? Absolutely nothing. The evergreen saree is one such fabulous ensemble that every girl lines up in her wardrobe that she plans to pick for auspicious Indian functions and occasions. Sarees have always been in trend and will always be. If you want to steer clear of bridal hues for at least one occasion, pick an elegant Designer Saree with a sexy blouse to stun your beau on the cocktail night. Pair it with sleek jewelry and you’ll definitely shine the brightest. 

Fairytale Romance

Be it engagement, cocktail party or a fairytale look for the grand reception, gowns are always a go-to choice. One trend that’s making gown in demand is the much talked about ruffled panels and frilled layers, Indian brides love it. One can find plenty of feminine elements while exploring stunning wedding sarees or designer bridal lehengas online or in a bridal boutique. But then, what about living your fairytale moment? Why not look like a dream, straight from the fantasy land while you walk in your long flowy bridal gown for your grand reception party. 

The Pataka Bride

Another trend that you cannot just ignore this wedding season is the unusual, stylish cuts and the fancy drapes. Whether it is a lehenga or a saree that you plan to wear on your wedding functions or in your BFF’s Shaadi all you wish to look is elegant and graceful. I would recommend you to go for a contemporary style lehenga that is cut to flaunt your curves to perfection. For all those bold brides who wish to add a touch of glamour to your traditional look must try the fusion styles. Now that you know what’s in this season’s trend, rock your wedding with these mesmerizing Bride and Baraat styles. 

Yes, you should prioritize the outfits you feel comfortable in but be open to current trends. Just go ahead and experiment because you’ll not live this day again! 

Best Of Festive Fashion 2018

With the festive season just around the corner, you’d probably be thinking about making an impression with some outstanding sartorial choices. This festive season, it is going to be all about innovation as contemporary trends blend effortlessly with ethnic vibes. From fabric to cuts, embellishments, and patterns, everything is just going to be about being experimental. Perhaps, you could go creative and try to mix and match some pieces that you already have in your wardrobe and create something that is extraordinary. Before you decide the look that you would want to flaunt this festive season, here are some fashion trends that you should know about:

1. Crop top with ruffled skirt

 

Here’s the most significant trend for the season, crop tops paired with flared skirts. The last year and this one have seen a lot of ruffles, and now these are making it big on the ethnic landscape too. While crop tops are designed in stiff fabrics, the ruffled skirts use softer ones like nets and georgettes to get the right silhouette.

2. Shirt and lehenga

 

Say hello to shirt style tops teamed with traditional lehengas this festive season. The quintessential collared shirts are worn with heavy lehengas made in luxurious fabrics like Banarasi silks and Mysore georgettes. For those who follow subdued styles, there is an option of simpler, floral fabrics for the lehenga. Try soft satin for the shirt to set off its masculinity and give it a feminine touch. 

3. Dhoti suits

If your idea of festive dressing is inclined towards blending comfort with style, try a dhoti suit this season.  A smartly cut and well-fitted kurta teamed with a layered dhoti will make you look like a trendy diva. Team the outfit with dangling earrings to enhance the party look. 

4. Saree with churidar 

Try to modernize your saree by wearing it with a matching churidar instead of the good old petticoat. Complete the trendy outfit with a broad metallic belt that accentuates your waistline. And don’t forget the blouse; a sexy backless one can add to the glam quotient. Alternatively, you can pair it with a long-sleeved zari blouse to go fully festive. 

5. Sharara with long kurta

Step out in a delicate sharara with a long kurta and make heads turn. This cute outfit is a perfect mix of femininity and elegance. Accessorize with a stylish potli bag, embellished mojri and heavy traditional jewelry to look like a queen. 

6. Long jacket with palazzo pants

Long jackets have been in vogue for quite some time now and they are here to stray.  They make a perfect layering option as you can team them up with a lehenga or even a saree. Try to create a new look by pairing a printed or embroidered long jacket with a crop top and palazzo pants. 

As the festive season is fast approaching, it’s time to get your wardrobe sorted out for each of the upcoming occasions. Try these fantastic ideas and be the talk of the town! 

Let’s Bring Some Wedding Magic To Life, Your Perfect Gift To Make Those Memories Last Forever

When it comes to beautiful jewellery, Links London is one of my favourite brands, for their unique designs, dedication to craftsmanship and commitment to using the finest materials, and when I laid my eyes on their new wedding collections, I fell in love, and truthfully, the pieces took me back to my own special day as well.

Products Featured:

Your wedding is one of the most important moments in your life – not only because of the beautiful union that marriage entails, but also, because of the people who are present in the moment. The happiness that you feel in celebrating your special day with loved ones is incomparable, and the memories last forever. For a bride, the ladies by her side – her bridesmaids on the big day – are some of the most important people at the wedding. And what better way to remind them of your love and appreciation for them, than with a gift that will always be associated with the memories of the wedding? And that’s where Links London comes into play.

Their wedding series features gorgeous pieces of jewellery that would make the perfect bridesmaid gift (or if you’re a bridesmaid, the perfect bridal gift!). In the run-up to wedding season, I decided to bring some wedding magic to life and choose three of my favourite pieces from the collection to style into a chic bridesmaid look.


The first pieces that caught my eye were the Sterling Silver and Blue Diamond Stud Earrings. I loved these for their subtle sophistication – the hint of the blue and O-shaped style of the earrings makes them different from classic studs and allows them to be dressy enough to wear at a formal event like a wedding. And after the wedding is over, you can continue to wear them out and about – whether it’s for a brunch date with your girlfriends (to catch up on wedding details!), or even, to work. I chose to pair the earrings with Hope necklace in silver – another simple piece that complements a wedding ensemble in an elegant way.

Finally, for some arm candy, I chose the Diamond Cuff in silver. I loved the open style of this cuff and the fact that you can wear it on its own, or layer it with other bracelets or your watch. Either way, it looks beautiful on the wrist and is very comfortable to wear.

Of course, when you have jewellery this beautiful, you must wear the pieces with an outfit that is equally gorgeous. For this bridesmaid look, I wore a lovely floor-length dress. The jewellery pieces pulled the entire look together, creating the perfect bridesmaid ensemble – simple, sophisticated and subtle. This outfit took me back to happy, fun-filled memories of some of my best friends’ weddings and now, I am eager for a wedding to come up so that I can recreate this look again!

The Links London wedding series features many more products, including the Narrative Cuff, which can be engraved, the Sweetie collection, where you can add charms to the pieces and the Splendour collection which features beautiful jewellery pieces a four-point star motif. Whether you’re looking to gift something special to a bride-to-be or to your favourite ladies who are going to be your bridesmaids, you don’t need to look any further than Links London for the perfect piece of jewellery that will capture memories to last a lifetime.