In mid-September, I will have the honor of bridesmaiding for my college roommate, and she has kindly allowed each bridesmaid to pick out the J. Crew bridesmaid dress (of a particular color and fabric) that suits her best. The store just released a couple new styles for the line, so I ordered them to see if they might be better options for me than my original choice, which was strapless and, oddly, a bit shorter than all the other dresses in the fabric.
I emailed the bride, my sister, my mom, another former roommate, a coworker and two of my best friends to see what they thought of my choices, and the breakdown of preferences so amused me (mom and sister strongly disliked the one that all my friends loved) that I wanted to post a poll to help me decide. First, the dresses, in two lights (and please ignore my awful commuter’s tan):
And now, the all-important question:
Help me, people!
Duuuude. I’m telling you. that shoulder strap looks like it came straight off the oshkoshb’gosh truck. WHY DO YOU NEVER LISTEN TO ME.
The strap on the one-shoulder is a little Osh Kosh-looking, but the neckline is waaaaaaaaaay more flattering than the strapless. That\\’s one\\’s too boxy. The bodice of the v-neck is lovely, but it\\’s a little cleavage-y for a wedding. Clearly, it was not designed with busty bridesmaids in mind. Why is the v so deep??
P.S. The dusty pink-mauve color is much nicer than the silver. The silver is too shiny! Plus the pink is so romantic.
The strap on the one-shoulder is a little Osh Kosh-looking, but the neckline is waaaaaaaaaay more flattering than the strapless. That one’s too boxy. The bodice of the v-neck is lovely, but it\\\\’s a little cleavage-y for a wedding. Clearly, it was not designed with busty bridesmaids in mind. Why is the v so deep??
P.S. The dusty pink-mauve color is much nicer than the silver. The silver is too shiny! Plus the pink is so romantic.
Argh Kathleen, sorry for the double-comment. The apostrophes keep getting screwed up!
Those are actually all the same fabric/color — one set is with the flash on and one is without. In real life/decent lighting/professional pics it will be neither too shiny nor too blah.
Leah, you hit it on the head. I’m really deciding between the v-neck or one-shoulder at this point, and the former is much more dangerous/potentially inappropriate with regard to cleavage. (I ordered a plunge bra to see if it will keep everything where it needs to stay.) The one-shoulder isn’t the best execution of the style, but it’s the most secure style. J. Crew never leaves room for boobs. Annoying!
I can’t believe that’s the same color! It looks totally different. Well I’m sure you’ll look awesome no matter which you pick :]
I love the right one, yo!
The v-neck looks great on you.
Thanks!
I’m crazy about the v-neck and the one shoulder, but the plunge definitely needs a safe, secure undergarment. The one shoulder might be safer for dancing and drinking…
I think those two dresses are definitely best as well. I think the safety of the one-shoulder is going to win out!