It starts with the ring, and usually a manicure. And then the big question hits: what are you going to wear? What brides-to-be quickly realize is that this question goes far beyond the Big Day. In fact, there are several Big Days, culminating in the Ultimate Big Day, and a lady must be prepared. That’s why we grabbed Cindy Peterson, 31, while she was bathing in the post-question glow—but before the panic set in—to help her set a wardrobe “menu” for her inevitable showers, girls’ nights out, and pre-wedding celebrations. Cindy described her style as “simple but classic”—in an “ideal world” she’d be dressed in stripes, Sperrys, and J.Crew ’round the clock, so that’s where our stylist, Ranosha Coffelt, started. “All of these events—engagement photos, brunches, showers—are big photo ops,” Ranosha says. “It’s important to be thoughtful about these looks because you will have these photos to look back on for years.”
FROM THE EXPERTS
The Challenge: Outfit Cindy with all the pieces she’ll need for her wedding wardrobe. It’s like the modern-day trousseau.
Ranosha’s Take: “Cindy is gorgeous and has good style in her everyday life, but all the events she will go to during her engagement have definitely upped the ante a bit,” Ranosha says. “She mentioned that she often wears black and pops of color with classic shapes. The pieces here keep her personal style in mind and add an extra punch to really show off the guest of honor!”
Cindy’s Takeaway: “I gave Ranosha vague parameters when I told her what I liked, and she totally nailed it. It really opened up my eyes to some other boutiques in town where I could pick up staple pieces that no one else will have,” she says. “There were so many things—from the shoes that went with the black-and-white dress, to the false lashes—that I would not have thought
to do for myself, but really worked!”
BRIDAL BASICS
1. The classic fit-and-flare shape of this dress is a figure-flatterer for most.
2. Belt it for extra definition at the waist.
3. If you want to keep the black-and-white theme but need some contrast, consider a different texture for a handbag or other accessory.
4. The tortoiseshell detail on these shoes adds a twist to a classic wardrobe piece.
WHERE TO GET IT
Top Left Image: Diane von Furstenberg Tara dress, $225; Le Glitz necklace, $46; both @ OPM Boutique, 3700 Grand Way, St. Louis Park, 952-567-7399, opmboutique.com. Dolce Vita Tremor wedges, $76 @ Covered Uptown, 1201 Lagoon Ave., Mpls., 612-825-1610, shopcovered.com. Above Right: Chloe & Reese Park Avenue dress, $550; Nelle black-lace box clutch, $150; both @ l’atelier couture bridal, 219 N. Second St., #404, Mpls., 651-602-9492, lateliercouturebridal.com. Seychelles heels, $90 @ Parc Boutique, 320 Hennepin Ave. E., Mpls., 612-353-4966, parcboutique.com. Right: Willow & Clay petal peplum top, $95 @ Parc Boutique. Steven by Steve Madden blush-nude Jesssy heels, $176 @ Covered Uptown. DeVintage statement necklace, $89 @ Covered Uptown. Nelle blush lace box clutch, $150 @ l’atelier couture bridal. Below: C. Luce dot blouse, $72; Costa Blanca black shorts, $48, both @ Parc Boutique. Dolce Vita Zana Doooooo Me heels, $174; Urban Expressions python envelope cross-body clutch, $62, both @ Covered Uptown.
BRIGHTEN UP
Not everything has to be matrimonial blush and ivory
1. Start with a well-loved classic, like nautical stripes.
2. A small splash of a bright color is an easy way to make a bold impact.
3. Mixing prints is a modern statement. Think about contrasts in scale, color, texture, classic vs. modern prints.
