Perfecting Your Evening and Formal Wear

The Final Touches

Selecting the perfect gown is just the beginning of creating a stunning ensemble for your special event. The final touches—earrings, necklace sets, evening clutches, and heels—play a crucial role in elevating your look from beautiful to breathtaking. Here’s a guide to help you choose the right accessories to complement your evening and formal wear.

Earrings: Framing Your Face with Elegance

Earrings can enhance your look by drawing attention to your face and adding a touch of sparkle.

1. Small Drops: For a subtle, elegant look, opt for classic stud earrings or delicate drop earrings. They pair well with intricate gown designs where you don’t want to overpower the dress.

2. Statement Earrings: If your dress is simpler or has a strapless neckline, bold chandelier earrings or statement pieces can add the perfect amount of drama and sophistication.

3. Pearls with Crystals: Earrings that combine pearls with crystals add a unique flair. They bring a perfect balance of classic and contemporary elegance to your look.

Necklace Sets: Enhancing Your Neckline

The right necklace can complement your gown’s neckline and add a focal point to your overall look.

1. V-Necklines and Sweetheart Necklines: A pendant necklace or a delicate chain with a beautiful centerpiece is perfect for these necklines, as they mimic the shape and enhance the elegance.

2. Strapless and Off-the-Shoulder Dresses: Consider a choker or a statement necklace that sits higher on your neck to draw attention upwards and balance the exposed shoulders.

3. High Necklines: If your gown has a high neckline, it’s best to skip the necklace and focus on statement earrings instead.

Evening Clutches: Combining Functionality with Style

An evening clutch is both a practical necessity and a stylish accessory that can complete your look.

1. Embellished Clutches: Choose a clutch with embellishments like sequins, beads, or crystals to add sparkle to your ensemble. This works well with simpler gowns that benefit from a bit of extra glitz.

2. Classic and Timeless: For a timeless look, opt for a classic satin or velvet clutch in a neutral color. These materials exude elegance and can complement almost any gown.

3. Color Coordination: While a neutral clutch is versatile, consider matching your clutch to your dress or your heels for a cohesive look.

Heels: Elevating Your Elegance

The right pair of heels can enhance your posture and add a final touch of elegance to your ensemble. Our own brand of heels at Flamingo Boutique is designed to be modern, glamorous, and make your feet look slender.

1. Platform Heels: Platform heels are an excellent choice for formal events. They add height and elongate the legs, creating a graceful silhouette while offering more comfort and stability than stilettos.

2. Embellished Heels: If your dress is on the simpler side, embellished heels with crystals or metallic accents can add a touch of glamour and make a statement.

3. Comfort Matters: Choose heels that are comfortable enough to wear throughout the evening. Consider options with cushioned insoles or platforms for added comfort without sacrificing style.

Final Thoughts

The right accessories can transform your evening gown into a show-stopping ensemble. By thoughtfully selecting earrings, necklace sets, evening clutches, and heels, you can create a look that is elegant, cohesive, and truly memorable. At Flamingo Boutique, we offer a curated selection of accessories, including our own brand of modern, glamorous heels, to help you perfect your formal wear. Visit us to explore our collection and find the final touches that will make you shine.

For more personalized styling advice or to browse our selection of accessories, book an appointment with us at Flamingo Boutique. We look forward to helping you create a flawless look for your next special event.

Dressing for Mothers at Church and Daytime Weddings

Weddings are significant milestones, not just for the bride and groom but also for their families. As the mother of the bride or groom, your attire should reflect the joyous occasion while respecting the formality and setting of the event. Whether attending a church wedding or a daytime celebration, it’s essential to strike the right balance between elegance and appropriateness. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you navigate your attire choices for these special events.

Understanding the Dress Code

Before delving into specific attire suggestions, it's crucial to understand the dress code. Church weddings typically call for a more conservative and formal dress style, while daytime weddings, though still elegant, allow for slightly more relaxed attire.

Dressing for a Church Wedding

1. Modesty and Elegance: Church weddings often require more modest attire. Opt for dresses with sleeves or consider pairing a sleeveless dress with a matching jacket or shawl. Knee-length or midi dresses are appropriate, ensuring a respectful appearance.

2. Classic Colors: Soft, neutral colors such as pastels, navy, or even jewel tones work beautifully in a church setting. Avoid anything too flashy, as you want to maintain a dignified look.

3. Fabrics and Details: Choose luxurious fabrics like silk, chiffon, or lace. Subtle embellishments like beading or embroidery can add an elegant touch without being too extravagant.

4. Accessories: Keep accessories understated yet stylish. A delicate necklace, elegant earrings, and a classic clutch can complement your outfit. If the wedding is in the cooler months, consider a chic wrap or shawl to stay warm while looking sophisticated.

Dressing for a Daytime Wedding

1. Light and Airy: Daytime weddings allow for lighter fabrics and more relaxed styles. A beautiful tea-length dress or a tailored skirt and blouse combination can be perfect for such an event.

2. Playful Colors and Patterns: Feel free to experiment with soft florals, pastels, and cheerful hues. However, remember to avoid white, as this color is reserved for the bride.

3. Comfort and Style: Ensure your outfit is comfortable, especially if there will be outdoor elements. Lightweight fabrics such as cotton blends, linen, or crepe work well.

4. Hats and Fascinators: Daytime weddings provide the perfect opportunity to accessorize with a stylish hat or fascinator, adding a touch of charm and sophistication to your ensemble.

Focusing on Elegance Over Youthfulness

It is essential to dress in a way that is age and role-appropriate rather than trying to look younger. Your attire should reflect your status and experience, showcasing the grace and dignity befitting the mother of the bride or groom. Elegance should always be the primary focus, highlighting your natural beauty and sophistication.

Practical Tips for Both Settings

1. Coordination: Communicate with the mother of the groom or bride to coordinate your outfits. This ensures that your attire complements each other and fits well within the overall wedding theme.

2. Comfort is Key: Weddings are long events, so comfort is essential. Ensure your shoes are stylish yet comfortable, allowing you to enjoy the day without discomfort.

3. Have a Budget in Mind: When shopping for your dress, it’s important to have a budget in mind. This helps narrow down your choices and ensures you find a beautiful dress and make an easy decision.

4. Avoid Comparisons: Once you’ve found the right dress, resist the urge to compare it with others. Trust your choice and feel confident in your selection. Comparing can lead to unnecessary doubts and detract from the joy of finding your perfect outfit.

5. Look Like the Host, Not the Guest: Your dress should not be too casual. As the mother of the bride or groom, you are a host, not a guest. Your attire should reflect your prominent role in the celebration.

6. Alteration to fit: A well-fitted dress can make a significant difference in your overall look. Our boutique offers expert alterations to ensure your dress fits perfectly, giving you confidence as you celebrate this joyous occasion.

Final Thoughts

As the mother of the bride or groom, your role is pivotal in this beautiful celebration. Your attire should reflect the love and respect you have for the couple, all while showcasing your unique style.

At Flamingo Boutique, we understand the importance of finding the perfect dress for such a momentous occasion. Our collection of elegant, timeless gowns and our personalized service ensure that you will look and feel your best, whether attending a church wedding or a daytime celebration.

For more personalized assistance, book an appointment with us. We look forward to helping you find the perfect dress for this unforgettable day.

By adhering to these guidelines, you will exude grace and sophistication, contributing to the overall elegance of the wedding. Enjoy the celebration, knowing that you are impeccably dressed for this special occasion.

Feel free to contact us at Flamingo Boutique for any further queries or to schedule your personalized appointment. Our team is dedicated to helping you look and feel your absolute best on this joyous day.

How to find the perfect dress as the Mother of the Bride

JANUARY 10, 2024

Flashback to the not-so-long-ago, Mother of the Bride dresses looked a little matronly in spired. But these days, women are ditching the beige tones for vibrant, modern and elegant outfits that look the part of their personality.

But with so many options to choose from on the shelf, locking down which is the ideal look to suit both your figure and occasion is a whole other ballgame. Luckily, there are a few rules of thumb you can keep in mind when you’re on that big adventure of snapping up modern mother of the bride dresses.

 1. Keep the bride in mind

 It goes without saying, but the best way to find your dream dress for the big day is to keep the bride’s look in mind. If it’s the only rule you really take away from this article, it’s the most important.

So listen carefully: Is it a day wedding or a night wedding? Is it highly formal, or is it more toned down? As the mother, you should be able to go hand-in-hand with your daughter’s look and feel, especially because you’ll be a major part of the bridal party. If in doubt, ask the bride what colors to avoid.

 2. Find inspiration from the wedding party

 You’ve already catered to the bride, but now it’s time to consider the wider wedding party. It’s usually the golden rule that dresses for the
mother of the bride support the colour theme of the entire party. But this doesn’t mean you have to play matchy-matchy.

The best way to manoeuvre this is to hold off purchasing an outfit until your daughter has picked out colors of the bridesmaid dresses and her reception dress. Then you can take into consideration fabrics, colours and styles of their garments and choose something that looks a part of the collection.

However, it’s important that you don’t pick too closely to the wedding party itself. For example, if they’re asked to wear a vibrant hue or tone, you might want to choose something that’s on the deeper side of that colour, just so you pair nicely. If they wear black, choose silver or grey to go hand-in-hand without overdoing it.

3. Communication is key

 It’s usually the golden rule to start looking for your mother of the bride outfit around four to five months before the actual wedding. Opting to delay this will mean you run the risk of not having enough time for necessary
alterations, tailor-made orders or delivery.

Off-the-rack of good quality and cut will do the job for what you’re after as long as alterations are included. In some cases, it’s considered the  protocol for the mother of the bride to purchase her dress first, and then communicate her choice with the mother of the groom.

This isn’t customary, but it’s an approach many over the years have chosen to include in their wedding lead-up. While you most likely needed the time to pin-down your perfect dress, remember that the mother of the groom will too, so leave plenty of time to cater to both parties.

4. Start dolling up before the big day 

Hair and makeup can come in all forms, but remember to keep it to your own taste and style. Consider the overall occasion and what the bride will most likely adopt for her own look, then tailor accordingly. Above all, it should reflect who you are.

Before the day, grab yourself a bit of ‘me’ time to get a manicure and pedicure, and on the actual morning, have your makeup and hair done. It also doesn’t hurt to try on your whole outfit and potential hair and makeup look before the big day, just to make sure it all ties in together nicely.

5. Decide the level of coverage you desire 

For some women, showing a bit of skin is preferred. For a majority of mother of the brides, however, coverage is usually included around the arms or shoulders. This doesn’t mean you have to choose one that has sleeves whether you choose sleeveless or not is ultimately up to your own style and comfort.

Additionally, you can always add a shawl to top off the look, if you’re looking for extra coverage.

6. Choose accessories that amp up the look 

Modern mother of the bride dresses typically feature a few accessories that put the cherry on top subtly. You don’t want to overdo it here, but a few strategically chosen pieces – like a shawl, necklace or a purse – can really bring the entire outfit together. If the dress you’ve chosen is missing a little bit of ‘oomph’, adding a dazzling pair of earrings or dramatic necklace can splash in that little something extra.

7. Above all, be you 

There’s no point choosing an outfit that doesn’t reflect who you are or stay true to your own personality. On the day, you want to feel comfortable and confident as the mother of the bride, so choose carefully according to what will help you enjoy the day most. If you’re not sure where to start, browse our mother of the bride collection, sit down and brainstorm with your daughter – communication goes a long way.