Wedding dress help
September 14, 2010 5:07 PM Subscribe
Spaltavian and I are getting married. Where do non-fancy ladies go to find dresses to get married in?
We're getting married in a park with relatively few guests, and I'd like to find a dress that is nice but not too fancy. Spaltavian is wearing a light-colored suit, so I don't have to live up to a tuxedo or whatever.
Things I like: Knee-length, narrow A-line or pencil skirts look best on me as I'm quite small, although this is negotiable for a silhouette that wouldn't overwhelm my 5'1, size 2 frame. Wide v-necklines are flattering on me, but that's not a must. 40s-style silhouettes look good on me, and I also tend to be drawn to 20s-style flapperesque looks and early 60s (read: Mad Men era) looks. Some shade of white is preferred (counting champagne/ivory and light gray and similar as white). I'd like to spend no more than $700, but if it was under $200 I'd be especially happy. I don't care if it's really a "wedding" dress or not.
Things I don't like: Strapless or spaghetti straps; I just don't dig it, especially when it's straight across and creates a sausage-looking bustline. Most of the short wedding dresses I've found on wedding dress websites look too princessy or doll-like, or like they'd be worn to a club if they were any other color. I hate anything sparkly. Many of the alternative wedding dress resources I've found with short dresses end up looking too costumey. (I don't want to wear a 40s style pinup girl dress or a 20s style flapper dress; I just like shapes inspired by those eras!)
Here are the three dresses I've found that I like (is it any surprise I've only found three?):
J. Crew I like the neckline and that it's pretty casual; also that it has sleeves.
Shabby Apple I like the interesting fabric, the neck details, and that it's very casual.
David's Bridal I like the vintage styling of the small box pleats at the waistline and the interesting neckline, although the hemline would definitely have to come up to my knees.
I'm looking for more retailers and more dresses, online or in life. I'm in Baltimore, but I'm not averse to traveling to DC or Philadelphia for something outstanding. I have a sketched-out design that I may make myself with help, but please assume that hiring a seamstress is not on the table for now. Thanks!
We're getting married in a park with relatively few guests, and I'd like to find a dress that is nice but not too fancy. Spaltavian is wearing a light-colored suit, so I don't have to live up to a tuxedo or whatever.
Things I like: Knee-length, narrow A-line or pencil skirts look best on me as I'm quite small, although this is negotiable for a silhouette that wouldn't overwhelm my 5'1, size 2 frame. Wide v-necklines are flattering on me, but that's not a must. 40s-style silhouettes look good on me, and I also tend to be drawn to 20s-style flapperesque looks and early 60s (read: Mad Men era) looks. Some shade of white is preferred (counting champagne/ivory and light gray and similar as white). I'd like to spend no more than $700, but if it was under $200 I'd be especially happy. I don't care if it's really a "wedding" dress or not.
Things I don't like: Strapless or spaghetti straps; I just don't dig it, especially when it's straight across and creates a sausage-looking bustline. Most of the short wedding dresses I've found on wedding dress websites look too princessy or doll-like, or like they'd be worn to a club if they were any other color. I hate anything sparkly. Many of the alternative wedding dress resources I've found with short dresses end up looking too costumey. (I don't want to wear a 40s style pinup girl dress or a 20s style flapper dress; I just like shapes inspired by those eras!)
Here are the three dresses I've found that I like (is it any surprise I've only found three?):
J. Crew I like the neckline and that it's pretty casual; also that it has sleeves.
Shabby Apple I like the interesting fabric, the neck details, and that it's very casual.
David's Bridal I like the vintage styling of the small box pleats at the waistline and the interesting neckline, although the hemline would definitely have to come up to my knees.
I'm looking for more retailers and more dresses, online or in life. I'm in Baltimore, but I'm not averse to traveling to DC or Philadelphia for something outstanding. I have a sketched-out design that I may make myself with help, but please assume that hiring a seamstress is not on the table for now. Thanks!
Why not just go to a department store like Macy's or Filene's? Or Ann Taylor?
posted by anniecat at 5:17 PM on September 14, 2010
posted by anniecat at 5:17 PM on September 14, 2010
A question about dresses with pockets came up a few days ago, and eShakti was linked to as a source. I had never heard of it before, and now I really, really wish I had some money to buy clothes with, because, well, it seems pretty awesome. It looks like you can customize the sleeve length, neckline, hem length (and more?) for all of their styles. Definitely poke around, here's some to get you started.
posted by phunniemee at 5:17 PM on September 14, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by phunniemee at 5:17 PM on September 14, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Our wedding was on the deck of our house in the back yard. I actually bought a white lace knee length bridesmaid's dress. And it was truly inexpensive, though very pretty, from a local consignment shop. In your area there is Bella Bridesmaid, Garnish Boutique and Bridals by Elena on a quick internet search, and I'm sure you can do even better.
Another option that looks gorgeous on us smaller women (5'2, here) is a suit. There are some really pretty dressy suits in the colors you like. I'd take a look in the special occasion area of some of your better local department stores for something like that.
posted by bearwife at 5:21 PM on September 14, 2010
Another option that looks gorgeous on us smaller women (5'2, here) is a suit. There are some really pretty dressy suits in the colors you like. I'd take a look in the special occasion area of some of your better local department stores for something like that.
posted by bearwife at 5:21 PM on September 14, 2010
My wife found a picture she liked, and took it to a dressmaker who made it all from scratch.
Can't remember what it cost (~10 years ago), but the result was excellent, and exactly what she wanted.
posted by antiquark at 5:22 PM on September 14, 2010
Can't remember what it cost (~10 years ago), but the result was excellent, and exactly what she wanted.
posted by antiquark at 5:22 PM on September 14, 2010
This is rather fun. Here are a bunch of options I found at Nordstrom that I think may fit your criteria. Again, just to give you some ideas.
posted by bearwife at 5:41 PM on September 14, 2010
posted by bearwife at 5:41 PM on September 14, 2010
Unique dresses, often with a retro feel: Anthropologie. Here are a couple of options in the white-ish family: 1 2
posted by telegraph at 5:58 PM on September 14, 2010
posted by telegraph at 5:58 PM on September 14, 2010
Best answer: you have enough descriptors in your dress idea that it would be worth doing some searches on ebay. i got married earlier this summer, and my wife found a dress there from the 1940s that cost $55. she figured it was worth the gamble to buy it based on measurements alone, it ended up fitting her perfectly and looked beautiful. it's worth a try, at least!
posted by cubby at 6:22 PM on September 14, 2010
posted by cubby at 6:22 PM on September 14, 2010
This is a pretty champagne colored dress from Newport News that fits nearly all of your criteria.
posted by jenny76 at 6:54 PM on September 14, 2010
posted by jenny76 at 6:54 PM on September 14, 2010
I'm not familiar with shopping in your area, but as you're quite small and like vintage looks, have you considered a vintage store?
posted by cestmoi15 at 7:26 PM on September 14, 2010
posted by cestmoi15 at 7:26 PM on September 14, 2010
check out etsy for custom dresses. also you could check out bridesmaids dresses - they usually cost a bunch less than a wedding gown and many come in the colors you liked. A friend got married in a Watters bridesmaid dress that was quite nice and around $300.
posted by oneear at 7:35 PM on September 14, 2010
posted by oneear at 7:35 PM on September 14, 2010
Best answer: I am a non-fancy lady who also got married in a park. I went browsing around in our city's independent fashion design stores. It was great because normally I just buy stuff second hand or off the rack (the cheap rack) but I had a good excuse to spend some dough ($400) and support a local artist.
posted by aunt_winnifred at 7:59 PM on September 14, 2010
posted by aunt_winnifred at 7:59 PM on September 14, 2010
Best answer: I could not disrecommend eShakti strongly enough, especially for something as important as a wedding dress. Sizing is capricious at best, and there are multiple reports on the internets from women who have ordered from eShakti and then had to take the items to a tailor stateside to get them to fit - that is, if the problem was just that it was too big. In my case, one item was too small, and did not meet the posted measurements, and I couldn't get them to agree to take it back (not to mention the hassle of doing so).
Don't do eShakti for a wedding gown.
posted by micawber at 9:07 PM on September 14, 2010 [1 favorite]
Don't do eShakti for a wedding gown.
posted by micawber at 9:07 PM on September 14, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I was coming in to recommend eShakti. My experience couldn't be more different than micawber's, but I'm not sure if she's referring to custom sizing or their standard sizes. I've only done custom sizing with them, and as a woman of your same height, I can't express how lovely it is to have things sit right on my body. Everything is proportioned correctly, and I am so happy with the 2 tops and 3 dresses I've purchased. My caution is they might trend too casual, but they do have styles with fancier touches.
posted by donnagirl at 9:58 PM on September 14, 2010
posted by donnagirl at 9:58 PM on September 14, 2010
Best answer: I wore the long version of the J. Crew dress that you linked for my wedding just a few months ago and I was able to purchase it on ebay for half of the retail price. The quality of the material was really nice and I was really pleased with my choice.
Tons of these dresses seem to show up on ebay so if you have some time to watch the site it could be a great choice. Be aware though that the colors of the dresses seemed to look at lot lighter on the J. Crew web site than they do in real life. I went to the Atlanta store to try them on and thought that I would like the light pewter but was quite disappointed by how dark it actually was. I didn't see the champagne in real life but I know it is darker than the ivory, which is what I wore, and that they intentionally do not make the short version in ivory.
As far as other options, before I found my dress for half price I was planning to check out bridesmaid dresses that I could have made in light colors. I didn't get that far, and didn't actually have any bridesmaids at my wedding, so I'm not sure if this is actually a good idea but it was going to be my next step.
posted by horses, of courses at 10:00 PM on September 14, 2010
Tons of these dresses seem to show up on ebay so if you have some time to watch the site it could be a great choice. Be aware though that the colors of the dresses seemed to look at lot lighter on the J. Crew web site than they do in real life. I went to the Atlanta store to try them on and thought that I would like the light pewter but was quite disappointed by how dark it actually was. I didn't see the champagne in real life but I know it is darker than the ivory, which is what I wore, and that they intentionally do not make the short version in ivory.
As far as other options, before I found my dress for half price I was planning to check out bridesmaid dresses that I could have made in light colors. I didn't get that far, and didn't actually have any bridesmaids at my wedding, so I'm not sure if this is actually a good idea but it was going to be my next step.
posted by horses, of courses at 10:00 PM on September 14, 2010
Seconding cestmoi15 - vintage clothing stores and thrift stores (op-shops here in Oz) often have wedding dresses ranging from the simple to the super fancy. I frequently find myself doing a double take when I first see a rack of them - along the lines of "Oh no, what sadness lies behind this". But then I usually end up thinking "No, this is exactly what clothing recycling is about". I'm guessing many have only been worn once, and then cluttered up a wardrobe, and someone has finally decided (for whatever reason) to let the memory go and pass on something valuable to someone else. And that's nice in a way.
posted by Ahab at 3:47 AM on September 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Ahab at 3:47 AM on September 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
Seconding Anthropologie -- I got my wedding dress there, & the bonus was that it was 50% off!
posted by oh really at 5:52 AM on September 15, 2010
posted by oh really at 5:52 AM on September 15, 2010
Congratulations!
I have looked at hundreds of dresses that might fit your criteria and can't find anything that even comes close to the J Crew dress you linked to.
That dress is simply gorgeous. The shape and neckline are very flattering, the silk fabric and bodice detail give it a formal feel, yet it looks comfortable enough to party in all night whether at the park or at the fanciest wedding reception. The 2P is available in champagne, regular sz 2 in pewter. And it's only $79.99!! Buy it now - you can return it within 60 days if the fit/color is not to your liking or you find something better in the meantime.
posted by zoel at 5:58 AM on September 15, 2010
I have looked at hundreds of dresses that might fit your criteria and can't find anything that even comes close to the J Crew dress you linked to.
That dress is simply gorgeous. The shape and neckline are very flattering, the silk fabric and bodice detail give it a formal feel, yet it looks comfortable enough to party in all night whether at the park or at the fanciest wedding reception. The 2P is available in champagne, regular sz 2 in pewter. And it's only $79.99!! Buy it now - you can return it within 60 days if the fit/color is not to your liking or you find something better in the meantime.
posted by zoel at 5:58 AM on September 15, 2010
Best answer: Congratulations! I got my (nontraditional, nonwhite) wedding dress off Bluefly.
posted by kestrel251 at 6:21 AM on September 15, 2010
posted by kestrel251 at 6:21 AM on September 15, 2010
Best answer: You may have already tried this, but the Hampden neigborhood in Baltimore (Great Falls and 36th) has a lot of vintagey/retro shops where you may find a white dress (doubledutch is very cute. and i've seen customers order stuff from designer catalogs, so ask if there is something you want). There are also a couple dressmakers that have storefronts down the street.
Also, the shop Form used to be there, but then moved to Clipper Mill. It's really nice, and they have great sales.
Also, I second the recommendation to search for a dress you want on ebay. I've done that with dresses I've liked in department stores, and often have found them for as much as 50% off. (sometimes brand new!)
posted by bluefly at 7:52 AM on September 15, 2010
Also, the shop Form used to be there, but then moved to Clipper Mill. It's really nice, and they have great sales.
Also, I second the recommendation to search for a dress you want on ebay. I've done that with dresses I've liked in department stores, and often have found them for as much as 50% off. (sometimes brand new!)
posted by bluefly at 7:52 AM on September 15, 2010
If you think you even might be interested in what they sell, then hie thee to Vasarri in Pikesville. The owner is retiring and closing the store, and apparently everything's on sale. I can't vouch for it, never been, but I've heard good things from people who like designer things that are one of a kind here in Baltimore.
Nordstrom in Towson has a really, really good selection of cocktail dresses right now. In fact, it's where I found the multi-colored cocktail dress I'll wear for my wedding in 2 months. It was $150.
Urban Chic on Aliceanna in Harbor East has some beautiful party/cocktail dresses that would be good for brides.
posted by ImproviseOrDie at 5:19 AM on September 30, 2010
Nordstrom in Towson has a really, really good selection of cocktail dresses right now. In fact, it's where I found the multi-colored cocktail dress I'll wear for my wedding in 2 months. It was $150.
Urban Chic on Aliceanna in Harbor East has some beautiful party/cocktail dresses that would be good for brides.
posted by ImproviseOrDie at 5:19 AM on September 30, 2010
If you want vintage styled dresses, than look no further than:
Stop Staring - www.stopstaringclothing.com/
Whirling Turban - www.whirlingturban.com
or I second the supporting of a local artist, or an artist through Etsy to have your dress handmade.
My mother in law handmade my dress (to a 1950s vintage pattern) and it was EXACTLY what I wanted (A-line, tea length, lace 3/4 length sleeves). You can see it here.
Also, it only cost me $50!!!
Congratulations and good luck!
posted by jerseybree at 10:21 AM on January 26, 2011
Stop Staring - www.stopstaringclothing.com/
Whirling Turban - www.whirlingturban.com
or I second the supporting of a local artist, or an artist through Etsy to have your dress handmade.
My mother in law handmade my dress (to a 1950s vintage pattern) and it was EXACTLY what I wanted (A-line, tea length, lace 3/4 length sleeves). You can see it here.
Also, it only cost me $50!!!
Congratulations and good luck!
posted by jerseybree at 10:21 AM on January 26, 2011
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posted by Paragon at 5:10 PM on September 14, 2010