Style Challenge - Keana, Gina Bacconi. Black tie wedding mother of the bride advice
I’M A MOTHER OR THE BRIDE, WHAT SORT OF HAT, FASCINATOR ACCESSORIES SHOULD I WEAR FOR AN BLACK TIE WEDDING ?
It’s that time of year, the clocks have changed and the dark nights have arrived. It’s also the time of the year that many brides opt for “black tie” weddings, queue the annual stream of slightly befuddled mothers of the bride wondering what on earth to wear as the hat option that they’d have anticipated wearing isn’t going to work.
WHAT ACCESSORIES SHOULD I WEAR WITH THE KEANA DRESS BY GINA BACCONI?
The dress I’ve selected this time is the Keana dress by Gina Bacconi, a label much favoured by a lot of my clients for their wearability, comfort and style. They don’t scream “mother of the bride” in a Quality Street wrapper kind of a way (think frilly stand up taffeta collars, a little like the twisted strawberry cream wrappers). The additional bonus is that a lot of these dresses will re wear to other events.
Anyway, back to the Keana dress, it is available in red, royal and midnight blue but I can never resist a red dress. The cape detail is great for covering the upper arms that many of us loathe, the ruching at the waist is flattering and the split in the skirt is on trend but not too revealing so as to cause any embarrassment. The fabric is a silky jersey that will hang beautifully and not crease.
*** Please note that the headpiece shown in this post may not be a colour match, they are simply examples of styles that would work. Every headpiece is made is made to the clients requirements ***
THE DRESS
KEANA CAPE DRESS - GINA BACCONI
“This maxi dress by Gina Bacconi is a showstopper of a piece. This piece is fashioned from a luxuriously soft jersey fabric which gracefully ruches at the side of the waist. The asymmetric drape of the dress offers you a flawless silhouette. Accompanied by a cape attached at the neckline to cover the shoulders with a beaded neckline for extra sparkle. The back of the dress features a concealed zip with an opening in the cape for added class.” Gina Bacconi
STYLING OPTION ONE
A FASCINATOR FOR THE MOTHER OF THE BRIDE OR GROOM
If the black tie wedding is a big event with lots of guests present (who will all be very dressed up too) then I’d recommend considering an elegant fascinator. Not necessarily the type you’d wear during the day but on with some sparkle incorporated and something that you’d be likely to keep on all night. With a lot of guests milling around you need to be visible, by that I don’t mean in a limelight stealing way, however you need to feel appropriately crowned for the scale of the occasion.
HEAD PIECE - MIA OR ODILE
The Mia fascinator would fit the bill perfectly. It is a very elegant sculpted feathered headpiece, nipped neatly in the middle with crystal detailing though this could be exchanged (and frequently has been) for a diamante brooch. You could colour match or contrast, I’d probably vary my recommendation depending on your hair colour. It’s light and easy to wear and works equally well with short hair or long hair both up or down. The Odile would work for all the same reasons but offers a smaller, lower alternative.
STYLING OPTION TWO
A SPARKLING HEADPIECE, COMB OR PINS FOR THE MOTHER OF THE BRIDE OR GROOM
This is something I’m generally resistant to for mothers of the bride as I always worry that it’s straying too much into bride or bridesmaid territory but in this instance it can be the perfect finishing touch. A side tiara, a strategically placed comb or pins would all be perfect solutions. The side tiara is the most flexible for short hair or hair to be worn down, to be worn with hair up, then the band could be covered in velvet. I would steer away from a “headband” as the flatten the hair a lot and can look a little too young but not in the right way.
HEADPIECE - CARLOTTA OR PETITE CARLOTTA
Either of these options would work perfectly, depending on how big a headpiece you wished to wear.
HAIR COMB - ALEXANDRA OR KELLY
Both these combs would be great options, depending on what size you favoured and whether you liked pearls. There are many other combs to choose from, these are just 2 of many I could have selected.
HAIR PINS - CRAWFORD OR CARLOTTA PINS
As with the other options above either of these would work, it’s purely down to personal preference.
Over the coming weeks I’m adding so bought in hair combs and pins to retail in my “Ready To Wear” Jewellery & Accessories section which would also be great options for such occasions so keep your eyes peeled. If you are subscribed to my monthly newsletter you’ll get notification and possibly a promotional discount code too!
STYLING OPTION THREE
STATEMENT EARRINGS FOR THE MOTHER OF THE BRIDE OR GROOM
An event such as a black tie wedding is the absolutely ideal opportunity to dazzle in gloriously sparkly earrings. Such an elegant understated dress provides the perfect foil for going all out with stunning earrings.
EARRINGS - DENVER, MANHATTEN OR GEMINI
Where do I start? There are so many gorgeous options available, I’ve select just 3 pairs for your consideration but you really should go and take a peek at the others two. This is all of course a matter of personal choice, I’d recommend nothing too small if these are your key accessory but beyond that it’s whatever you choose.
This isn’t a dress that needs many accessories, its simplicity is its elegance. There is already crystal detailing around the neckline so I wouldn’t recommend adding a necklace into the mix if you go for statement earrings or a side tiara headpiece.
Would you choose this dress? Which accessories would you choose to go with it?
Until next time!
Harriet x