How to Choose a Lace Shrug to Match Your Wedding Dress
A lace shrug lends class and refinement to a bride in her gown. The ornate patterning inherent to lace makes it a frequent choice to accessorize a range of dresses, from traditional to modern. To work well, though, a lace shrug must flatter the bride's fashion, not distract from it. Does this Spark an idea?
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The Shrug's Material and Age
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The lace shrug look can encompass several styles, from which you should narrow down a specific choice. These shrugs may employ actual lace, or they might manipulate another material such as yarn or tulle into a lace-like pattern. Formal or traditional wedding dresses should be matched with shrugs made from literal lace; a lace-patterned shrug can charmingly accent casual and trendy ensembles. Also take note of your shrug's age when matching it to your dress. Vintage shrugs pair best with vintage wedding gowns, while a newer shrug's contemporary look might hamper less modern outfits.
Your Body Type
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Your body shape influences your choice of wedding dress; it should also inspire your lace shrug selection. In general, shrugs are best for women whose arms and shoulders are less than attractive. Brides in sleeveless, sweetheart or halter-top gowns will most benefit from the shrug's coverage, especially in situations marked by a need for modesty or a chilly breeze. Choose a lace shrug that matches how much your dress reveals of your arms. A large shrug that covers the shoulders, back and front of the chest works well for a gown with a top that is particularly cut low.
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The Color of Your Dress
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When in doubt, always choose a white lace shrug for your gown; the color nearly always complements every wedding look. Investigate subtly colored lace shrugs, however, for dresses a shade or two away from pure white. Pearl or light-gold lace shrugs will highlight a diamond-white gown, for example. Brides in ivory dresses should search for shrugs in cream, lemon chiffon or vanilla. Champagne-colored gowns are well accented by shrugs in pastel pink or baby pink.
Customizing Your Shrug
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Tailoring your shrug is the surest way to ensure an ideal match to your gown. Work with a shrug designer to whom you can send a sample of your wedding dress. You and the designer can collaborate on fabric choices and sizing to fashion a unique shrug customized for your nuptials. Economize by sewing or beading accents onto the shrug yourself. Purchase lace appliques, beads or sequins pigmented to harmonize with the shrug. Adorn the collar of your shrug with these decorative touches.
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