However, having to pull off this particular look can leave you walking a fine line. One might wear a Harvard or Yale tee and avoid the question of “When did you attend?” Only to answer by saying “Yesterday, when I bought this shirt from Target!” Or one too many steps which can leave you looking like Violet..Remember Screech’s Girlfriend from Saved by the Bell? Let us observe…

Either way, we can all relate to the “nerd” of the group because at one point or another our cool specter involved braces, giant glasses, and french braids or maybe I’m just speaking from my own experience. Anyhow, instead of acting like we are “too cool for school” embrace your book loving, retainer wearing (because if you had braces you know you wear one), glasses in the morning, and secretly or not so secretly french braid loving geeky self!

Updated Nerdy or Should I Say… Popular Looks!

Longsleeve Tops at ModCloth
Flats by Sperry

Mini Skirts by Urban Outfitters
Flats by Nine West

Mid-length Skirts at ModCloth
Backpacks by Fossil

Relaxed Denim by Gap
Flats by Vans

It’s too bad the Greek Prince’s bride, Tatiana Blatnik, didn’t get the memo last week before she wed Prince Nikoloas of Greece. Or did she? That we might not ever know, but what I  am sure of  is that dressing your bridesmaids up as Little Mermaid isn’t nice or pretty. But then again, with every friends wedding is another friends wedding which only means….Payback!

So let’s discuss! Colors, Shapes, and Sizes..Oh My!

When choosing your bridesmaids dresses be mindful of your girls and their shapes. Trying to accommodate for everyone can yes…be difficult, but not accommodating for anyone can be detrimental! So take these steps to making your oh so dear friends happy and your wedding beautiful!

Colors That Work!

• Black is classic. Not to mention it hides a heck of a lot!! If you insist on having color try using a sash or colored flowers.
• Other great colors: deep/dark colors like navy, plum, deep red etc.. They have the same effect as black.
• If your girls are sticks- don’t be afraid to be daring but remember to stay classy! Try champagne, pastels, pinks, or baby blues. However keep the silhouette chic!

Material Girl!

• When overwhelmed with materials don’t lose focus! Material can be essential when choosing a dress. Note that jersey materials will show absolutely everything. So if choosing this type of dress be sure the bridesmaids gifts involve a pair of Spanx!
• Be mindful of polyester! Something that you might think is a pure material could have been mixed with nylon or polyester leaving the garment looking or feeling cheap.

Shaping Up!

• Don’t be afraid to play with shapes! If one girl isn’t shaped like the others have an open option dress but the same colors. Also, add straps if needed. It’s more distracting to have someones boobs hanging out than having tiny straps that actually support her!
• Know who your friends are! Silhouettes such as an A-line dress can be the simplest solution to difficult shapes.
• When choosing a tea-length dress, plan for alterations unless every girl is standing at the same height. Tea-length dresses need to fall at the appropriate length for each girl. This is most likely right at the knee or a little below the knee.

Pay Much?

• It’s important to keep your friends after the wedding is over. In doing so don’t make them pay mega bucks for a dress they will only wear once!
• See if the store in which you made your purchase from allows two payments. Check for sales or discounts. Check for details such as extra costs. Don’t expect more gifts because they probably are traveling and buying a dress for you! Pay them back with gifts and hotel costs! Be very thankful!

Last But Not Least!

• While you may love the Little Mermaid, Mickey Mouse, Aladdin or have fond memories of  Prom 2002 (woo!) this does not give you permission to dress your bridesmaids in such outfits! You’re grown, you’re elegant, you’re getting married so keep hokie themes to a minimum!

As an extreme J.Crew fan with an ATM card that holds only enough for J.Crew Factory I believe a little gift from the heavens has certainly been sent down! I feel it is my pure duty to shop at an outlet anytime one is found, whether it be on vacation or a weekend trip, due to the fact J.Crew Factory will be there awaiting my likely purchase of a cardigan and the handling of a shiny debit card.

Without driving 45 minutes to find your nearest J.Crew Outlet or holding out for that one vacation with that one giant outlet store, it will be in the palm of your computer illiterate hands just a few ENTER’s and SCROLL’s away!

While majority of us would consider J.Crew high end and a bit pricey, it is a well known fact that their clothes are more than classy along with high quality material. In other words…WORTH BUYING! So here it is…news worth bursting for (or not so much), but definitely worth saying something like HOLY MOLY!…. JCREW OUTLET is GOING ONLINE!!!

Note to Self: It will start in September!