Style Makers’ Fall Fashions for Weddings and Mitzvahs
After a long hiatus, Atlantans eagerly return to the party circuit.
When Debra Cohen went looking for a dress to wear to her son’s October wedding, Susan Lee, a women’s clothing store located at West Paces Ferry Shopping Center, was at the top of her list to visit. There she hit the jackpot, so to speak, when she found the perfect dress on her first day of shopping. Her choice consisted of: a one-shoulder, fitted trumpet dress in eggplant, one of the season’s “it” colors.
Melody Pass, owner of Susan Lee, includes many of Atlanta’s most fashionable ladies among her long-time customers. For this fall and winter’s upcoming weddings, she pointed out several trends.
For color, rich hues take center stage: deep berry, emerald green, merlot and other jewel tones being shown by the country’s top fashion designers. Floral and metallic fabrics are also a favorite among international designers and Atlanta’s stylish wedding guests this season.
Personal shopper Nicole Borsuk, who shops clients here in Atlanta and throughout the country, concurs, and added champagne and red to the lineup of colors her clients will be wearing while attending upcoming weddings. She is also selecting contrasting skirt dresses, with different colored, or styled, top and bottoms for her clients.
“I am also seeing muted tones and even navy blue emerge. One of my clients has beautiful blue eyes, and the navy color was perfect for her,” Borsuk said.
Black continues as a perennial favorite for mother of the bride and groom dresses according to both Pass and Borsuk. “Long black dresses are formal, elegant and look great next to a tux,” said Pass.
A dress’s architectural details – such as an asymmetrical hemline, neckline, or one-shoulder dresses and strategically placed cutouts – are designed to be noticed. Styles run the gamut, from A-line dresses which look good on most body types to body-conscious neoprene selections with a little stretch for comfort.
In addition, ruffles, 3-D flowers, sequins and capes are being worn by trendsetters of all ages.
Dress lengths vary depending on personal preference and time of day.
High-low dresses (higher in front and lower in back), tea-length (mid-calf to right above the ankle), short, knee-length and long are all popular.
In fact, after many years of no events, long dresses have made a comeback for many black-tie weddings, especially for a bride and groom who want to add a classic or timeless element to their wedding. Borsuk noted that many of her clients will be wearing cocktail jumpsuits for less formal weddings. She is noticing that many of her clients are attending chic weddings, though decidedly fewer formal affairs.
Accessories depend on the dress selected, according to wedding outfitters. Slingbacks have made a comeback and stilettos continue to be worn by younger guests. Black stylish heels and shoes with metallic on them, to go with the on-trend metallic dresses, are also recommended.
Depending on one’s budget, and the size of bling desired, real or costume jewelry may be worn to complement the outfit selected – and the more sparkle, the better.
Bar and bat mitzvahs are also back on the calendar this fall and winter after two years of cancellations and postponements.
The pent-up demand is real and guests are ready to party in stylish outfits. Many families have opted to move away from formal, traditional parties, and the styles reflect a funkier, more casual approach.
The mother-daughter owners of Veronica’s Attic, Cecily Ross and Eryn Spector have outfitted party girls and guests for 20 years. One-of-a-kind skirts and dresses in a variety of lengths including midis, maxis and minis are found throughout the store. Spector mentioned vegan leather dresses, skirts, dressier leggings and cute fun tops have been among the most popular selections for the mitzvah guests they have outfitted.
Fall colors such as sage green and plum, as well as neutrals such as champagne and black, are on trend as well. “Brown is also coming through for fall, and we are seeing lots of animal prints right now,” said Ross.
Moms, teens and in-betweens hosting or attending mitzvah parties like flared jeans paired with fashion sneakers that sport a wedge, glitter or a pop of color. Interestingly, Veronica’s Attic has just one of each size for the clothing in the store, so shoppers are unlikely to see another partygoer in the same outfit. “To keep the clothing and accessories unique, we travel to New York and Dallas on a regular basis to find special and different mitzvah outfits,” shared Ross.
Ross and Spector also try to keep track of who’s wearing what to various mitzvahs around Atlanta to avoid two guests in the same outfit.
When it comes to accessorizing mitzvah outfits, gold and silver are being mixed and layered. Gold is more popular this season, according to Spector, and daintier layered bracelets are all the rage. More metal jewelry is being shown versus stones this season, and hoops are a huge favorite among shoppers. Embellished headbands, with crystals, beads, pearls and studs are frequently worn by mitzvah guests. Ankle boots, whether pointy, round-toed or western-style, are also on trend and worn by many mitzvah goers.
Perennial party girl and Atlanta native, Babs Karesh Kinneary, who now divides her time between here and Westport, Conn., has attended her share of mitzvahs and weddings through the years. In fact, in 2022 alone, she will have attended eight weddings and purchased five dresses at Susan Lee.
Karesh Kinneary offers this advice for guests, “Wear an outfit that makes you feel beautiful. You want to have fun and look your very best at the same time.” Party season is back in style and Atlanta is ready to participate this season.
Advice from the Experts:
• Many stores and personal shoppers will help figure out your best style, color and accessories. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
• When in doubt, ask the host or hostess to clarify what the dress means for a particular event. Today there is confusion about terminology used to describe appropriate attire on an invitation.
• Have fun when you are shopping for a party outfit. Bring a friend or family member if you need another opinion.
• Make sure you are comfortable in any outfit you choose. There is nothing worse than an itchy seam or a dress that is too tight.
• Atlanta stores recommended by the fashion experts consulted include Susan Lee, Veronica’s Attic, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Tootsies.
• Select three to four options before making your final selection of an outfit.
• Consider skin tone, body shape, eye color and neckline when selecting a party outfit. You can stay on trend and look like the best version of yourself at the same time.
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