QUESTION: I am 21, 5' 4" and 100 lbs. but not without curves. People think I'm 16. I am getting married next year and want to look my age! What can I do?

 

DEAR BLUSHING BRIDE-TO-BE,

 

In some ways, this is simple. Look to young models to learn how to make yourself appear older. A lot of models are very young - sometimes starting to model as young as 12 but they look much older, sometimes even appearing to be in their 30's. How is it done? Mostly with makeup and hair. Your makeup should be stronger than usual (and this is true pretty much for all traditional weddings). Keep your foundation impeccable and smooth and put more emphasis on your eyes. More mascara, smoky eyes or doe eyes (eyeliner that swoops past your lids a little), more intense color on your lips, particularly deeper colors, can make you appear to be older and more sophisticated. Since you are still young, though, you can also do stronger eyes and lighter lipstick and a gloss over the top.

 

Be careful with your hair. If you do too sophisticated of an updo, or too perfect hair, you will look like a young woman who already looks outdated. The trick is to look older but not old. Also, be careful of prom hair, which is usually too intricate with lots of curls, braiding and too much hair product. Ask your stylist to make it look special, but don't let them put so much product in it or on it so that it's not still soft & touchable.

 

As far as your clothes, I usually advise "classic" for weddings, especially for the brides, so that in the future, people will look at your photo and see your beauty and your taste. If you do anything too 2008, you may look back and wished that you had done something more appropriate to withstand the cold eye of time.

 

To be sure, I believe that people should express who they are at all times, so think about what your every-day style is and dramatize it. What is your fantasy dress? If you are a modern flower child, consider wearing a flowy, flowery dress with sandals or even barefoot. If you are a lover of elegant clothing, consider an Audrey Hepburn-type dress, very simple with clean lines. We can't always have our fantasy dress but find something that expresses the important part of your fantasy - is your fantasy romantic or sexy or high fashion...?

 

Always consider the back of the dress as your back will be facing your guests during the ceremony. This is why so many wedding dresses have bows, bustles or lots of buttons. You can do backless or have an interesting veil or shawl around your shoulders, also. Try to make it interesting and attractive for your guests. They'll admire your taste, your beauty and how interesting you are.

 

Above all, remember to be yourself and that the day of your wedding will go very quickly so have fun finding your dress and planning your look but keep a sense of humor. There is no such thing as perfect, even at a wedding. Don't follow in some other's "Bridezilla" footsteps sending everyone around you scurrying to make your wedding perfect, and you'll have enjoyed your own wedding.

 

Here are some interesting bridal looks that I've found online:

Example 1:
http://www.brides.com/beauty/hairstyles/gallery/editorspick/detail/170843?f=582%3a583&offset=8

A quick look at this model shows how young she is, yet she still look sophisticated and mature. Her flawlessly-applied foundation, the strong eyebrow and "true red" lips create a worldly look. Her simple and classic hair contribute to that, but in my opinion, the hair may be a little too severe for someone as young as you.

Example 2:
http://www.brides.com/beauty/hairstyles/gallery/editorspick/detail/174000?f=582%3a583&offset=15

Here's another makeup look that can make you look more mature. Look at the arched eyebrows and the high contrast on her eyelids. The hairstyle is nice, also, but again, may be too perfect.

Example 3:
http://www.brides.com/beauty/hairstyles/gallery/editorspick/detail/170670?f=582%3a583&offset=22

This is an example of hair, that to my mind, is just about perfect. It will play up your features and is simple, elegant and classic. Great image now and for the future.

Example 4:

http://www.brides.com/beauty/hairstyles/gallery/editorspick/detail/170675?f=582%3a583&offset=21

This is an example of something that would make you look younger and probably should be avoided. The makeup is pink and dewy and the braiding all contribute to a young look. Personally, I think it's very pretty but not what you are looking for.

Here are a few examples of traditional dresses that are young but won't make you look immature.

Example 1:
http://www.bridecouture.com/CatalogBrowser.aspx

This reminds me of a dress that Reese Witherspoon wore to the Oscars a few years ago. The cap sleeves are flattering for a younger woman.

Example 2:
http://www.bridecouture.com/CatalogBrowser.aspx

This is an example of a style that looks a little too "old" for your age. The bodice is okay but the extra fabric in the skirt starts to make it a little old-fashioned.

Example 3:
http://www.bridecouture.com/CatalogBrowser.aspx

This is another example of something a little "iffy". If you are very busty, be careful of this style. It can make you look top heavy and it's begging for a sleeve. Strapless sometimes seems a little wanting of something more but maybe that's just me.

Example 4:
http://www.bridecouture.com/CatalogBrowser.aspx

Here's an example of an Audrey Hepburn classic style. Make sure that during the fitting, that the seamstress works to make you look smaller at the waist. Look for a flattering neckline for your own body.

Of course, these are just suggestions and remember to express who you are in the end.

Hope this helps! Thanks for contacting AdviceonFashion!

Congratulations and best of luck,

Mona

Question: I'd like your opinion on what to wear to an October wedding.

I'm in Southern Calif, so it won't be cold. The ceremony starts at 1:30,

and the reception will go well into the night.

Dear California Girl,

  
I've been to several weddings recently and have found that the best

dressed women are usually wearing dresses. Sometimes a skirt and

blouse look good but generally dresses are best. Pants aren't being

done much right now, but if you're tall and slim and model-like, you

could possibly wow 'em in a pair of linen pants and pretty top.

 

For me, there are two things I remember when I'm dressing for a wedding.

 

1. It needs to be classy. Weddings are not places to be too sexy

or too wild or too avant-garde.

2. What I will look like in the photos afterwards. Photographs will

"reveal all" as time goes on. Will my image look good in the future?

 

I don't know what your age is or what you look like so it's difficult to

get too specific but looking classic in some way is always good so that

you're not the one in the photographs that people point to sometime

in the future and say, "Oh, my gawd, that's so 2008!"

 

If you know what the official wedding colors are, try to steer away from

them and never white, ivory, or champagne so that you don't compete
with the bride. Pastels are also something to be careful about since they

have been used so much in weddings. A black dress, with a soft look,

is possible, but you have to have a lot of confidence to pull it off.

 

Choose a color that you know you look good in and stick with that.

Solids are fine as long as they are in flowy fabrics. Prints are okay also

but not too large, bright or psychedelic. Try not to do a suit at all since

it looks too "Mother-of-the-Bride".

 

Jersey or stretch fabrics with no drapiness are usually not good -

unless the fabric is the best quality and it fits great, they have a

tendency to look too streetwear or too sexy for a wedding. Of course,

you want to look beautiful and sexy but classy and toned-down.

 

There are a lot of things that you can wear that will look classic and

yet still exciting. Do a classic hairdo, but don't let your hair look too

perfect or too frosted. Pulling it back (softly - in other words, not too

severe or tight) or up is always classic. If your hair's short, then also

keep it simple. Wear enough makeup so that you don't look washed

out in photographs but not too much so that other guests are shocked.

 

If you're in good shape, wear something close-fitting to show off your

figure - but not too close-fitting - or too low cut - or too short -

or too revealing. Right now, strapless is definitely in, but be careful

to shop at a place that your friends don't shop at so that you don't

end up wearing the same thing or something that looks too similar

to anyone else. Steer away from "puckered fabric" strapless or

strapless with a baby doll look. It will look dated in year or so.

 

Try to go for something a little different from what you think others

will be wearing so that you don't see yourself coming and going

during the reception.

 

If you feel a little self-conscious about your figure, wear a light

layer over what you're wearing, such as a shawl. Shawls cover but

don't add weight. Jackets are out. Even if it's really warm during

the whole night and you're in great shape, it's important to cover

your shoulders during entrances and exits, and especially during

 the ceremony. It gives you class and elegance.

 

Don't cover up too much in any case - such as long sleeves,

since it has a tendency to look fussy for a wedding. Bare

shoulders are good. Dresses with wider straps (about 1" to 2"

wide are always look good and are classic.

 

Shoes - normally open-toed or open-backed are good for

weddings. Closed-toe shoes look too much like office wear

many times. For a long wedding, you can wear heels but not

too high, probably 2" at the most so you can make it through

the night. Kitten heels can be very comfortable and yet give

you some height. Boots are definitely out unless it's a theme

wedding like a Western wedding or Biker wedding!

Wear a small matching cloth bag - leather is out for weddings. 

 

Big, splashy prints or too much color (such as a bright pink

longish dress) won't look great in pictures. Try to break up

your outfit a little - such as wearing an open neckline or a belt,

etc. If you have a few things that you're considering wearing

in your closet already, try them on ahead of time,

including accessories and get opinions from friends you can

trust (the friends who give you positive opinions, not negative

ones).

 

If you're buying a new outfit, get at least two opinions from

the sales people (one nice saleperson, one pushy salesperson.

The nice saleperson will give you honest feedback and the

pushy salesperson will probably get you to push your

boundaries a little) and at least one helpful fellow customer

(they'll give you encouragement and honesty).

Ask them if they have suggestions on hair and accessories, too.

 

I'm sending you a few ideas for some dresses that I think

would be great, too. I am not paid by any of these companies

so they are just suggestions!

This one has interesting color and is current and classic

at the same time. 

 

 

Look for the embroidered "Poppy Fields" dress in crimson.

 

This is a truly unique piece, although expensive, but the color

is unusual and it's a flattering cut for most shapes.

 

http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/35292

Here's another classic style with a twist:

 

 

Robert Rodriguez Graphic Stretch Dress with Bow Detail. Although this one is in dark grey, it's a great look and would be flattering on a lot of figures. It would be better worn with a softer-looking belt & possibly pearls:

 

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=319772&CategoryID=22120

At Nordstrom.com, check out the JS Boutique lace dresses.