When you are ready to begin shopping for bridesmaid dresses you first need to decide if you are going the traditional or non-traditional route.

Traditionally, all of the girls in your wedding party wear the exact same color and dress.  Everyone looks identical. A non-traditional approach is having all of the girls wear the same (or complementary) colors but foregoing the uniformity by wearing different dress styles.
Once you make your decision, it’s time to consider cuts to complement  body shapes.

If sticking to tradition, opt for a classic A-line cut. This cut is universally flattering on all body types. You might also want to consider a dress with straps and light ruching around the waist to flatter the mid-section. Material that is matte and forgiving, such as organza, taffeta and chiffon, will be worn well by any of the ladies in your party. Alfred Angelo has some great designs to accommodate your bridal party’s needs. Dress number 7172 in Angelo’s line is a perfect example of a universally flattering fit.

If you’re going down the non-traditional road, New York Bride & Groom will be your best destination. Pick a color that you adore and allow your girls to experiment with lengths and styles. A newer trend is to stick with color tones that are complementary and not necessarily matching. For example, chocolate brown dresses with some kind of baby blue accent on them can be worn by a few of your girls, while the others in the party wear the solid blue shade or the solid brown shade.  Alternating dress styles and colors looks great in photos too.

No matter what you decide, designers like After Six, Venus and Alfred Sung are sure to have dresses that will look stunning on everyone.