Wedding party attire is important part of special day

For men, it’s all about tradition, and for women, it’s all about trendiness.

Sandra Gonzalez, of Casa Gonzalez, shows a red satin, strapless bridesmaid dress with a ruffle down the side that can be worn again. (Casey Freeman/News-Sentinel)

For men, it’s the tux with a black coat. For women, it’s a 50’s-style cocktail dress.

The wedding party’s attire is an important part of the wedding. They usually wear a color that goes with the wedding and sometimes dress for the wedding’s theme.

You probably won’t see anything flashy on the groomsmen. Though some traditions have changed throughout the years, the tuxedo is still the attire of choice.

Today, men are opting for the full-back vest and long ties rather than the backless vest and bow ties, said Mike Lapenta, of Tuxedos of Lodi. The full-back vest trend started in Europe, and Lapenta said people probably choose this style because of how it looks when men take off their coats.

They are now going for the black coat with no tails and white shirt, and some choose ties that match the vest. A longer coat is a popular option.

“There’s very little that is extreme,” Lapenta said. “Things are cleaner.”

The trend for bridesmaids is vintage and glamour. Dresses are more cocktail-style and are knee to tea length, rather than floor length.

Poofy sleeves and bulky tulle, lace and beads are out. Stream-lined lace and accents of tulle are in. Many of the dresses are strapless or have spaghetti straps, and fifties style dresses with a natural waist and flared skirt are the fashion.

“We like them,” said Sandra Gonzalez of Casa Gonzalez wedding and party shop in Lodi. “Women will get more use out of them.”

She said it’s good to have two-piece dresses so that women can wear the top again separately with a suit or even a pair of jeans. But women also can get more wear out of the cocktail dresses too.

For colors, anything goes. The new colors are fuchsia, coral and turquoise, said Gonzalez .

Another style coming back is ruffles — but not the gaudy kind. One ruffle down the side to give the appearance of a wraparound skirt, or ruffles in layers down the skirt, inspired by Nicole Kidman’s recent award ceremony dress, Gonzalez said.

Dresses have accents such as fabric roses, brooches and small bows.

Brides should keep in mind the styles that would most flatter the bridesmaids.

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