Tag: fabric

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7 Wedding dress shopping tips for brides who love their curves

Not every soon-to-be bride is a size 6 or 8. In fact, very few are! While most designers cater to most size ranges, it is a known fact that curvy brides have a difficult time finding wedding gowns that they love. Many of them complain of how they have to settle for ones that are available in their size, because they cannot afford to be too choosy.

However, we do not think this is necessary. If you start early and do your planning right, getting married in a wedding dress you love, is definitely possible. Our tips here are specifically intended for plus-size brides, who are on the search for their wedding dress.

First and foremost, any bride who goes shopping for her wedding dress should have a general idea of what she wants. So, let us look at the features in wedding dresses that look best on curvy women.

What to look for when choosing a gown

Knowing what will look best on you will help you narrow down your choices and make shopping a lot easier. The main factors that matter are

  • does the silhouette flatter your figure?
  • Does the neckline accentuate your facial features
  • does the color suit your skin tone?
  • Does the sleeve choice look good on you?
  • Does the fabric add more bulk to your frame?

Now, let us find the answers to these questions, when you are a plus-size bride.

Silhouette: Dress styles that look best on curvy women include A-line dresses and ball gowns. Empire waist gowns in fabric that won’t cling may also be considered. Silhouettes to be avoided are sheath and fit and flare, unless you have a well-toned stomach and hip area. You can however consider a partial sheath silhouette, if you have an hourglass figure and the bodice is differentiated from the skirt. In such dresses, only the skirt follows your natural curves.

Neckline: The impact created by a neckline will differ from dress to dress. In general, it is best to avoid designs like a high-neck, halter or strapless style that display the bust prominently, thus enhancing enhance the appearance of the cleavage. Instead, a tastefully designed V-neckline, scoop, illusion neckline or sweetheart will serve you better. One-shoulder necklines with ruched bodices are also a good choice for a chic and dramatic look.

Color of gown: There are different types of white, and choosing the right white will help you look slimmer. It is generally best to avoid stark white. Instead, opt for off-white, ivory or diamond white. You can also look at dresses with a hint of pink or blue in them. Black and white wedding gowns are not only fashionable, they can also camouflage trouble areas and emphasize your best features, when chosen appropriately.

Sleeve-length: You can choose sleeveless styles if you think your arms and upper chest look attractive in them. A good choice in sleeves for curvy women is cap-sleeves. Gowns with thick straps that support the bust and make you look more shapely are also suggested. Avoid sleeves that end at the point where your arm is the thickest. Contrary to the general notion, full-sleeves usually make your arms look thicker than they actually are. Three-fourth sleeves that end between the elbow and wrist are a better choice.

Fabric: Certain fabrics are naturally slimming, while others add more bulk to your frame. So, your choice of fabric can influence the way a dress drapes on you. Fabrics with a tight weave like satin and chiffon will drape snugly and look good on the plus-sized bride. Lace is another good choice. Avoid crisp and net-like fabric that is poufy in a wedding dress. Organza is such a fabric. Also when looking at fabrics with natural sheen like silk and satin, make sure that the dress design suits your frame and doesn’t cling to you at the wrong places.

Now, that we know what features to seek in a wedding dress, let us move on to some tips that will help you find the dress of your dreams.

1.Start early

This applies to all brides, plus-size or not. The earlier you start, the more time you have to research dresses, find potential places to shop at, explore options, go shopping and make your mind. We advise you to start at least six months prior to your wedding, so you have plenty of time to find your dress and make it perfect in time for your big day.

It will also allow you plenty of time to shop for accessories, customize your dress to your preferences and alter it to fit perfectly. Brides who set aside time for this task usually do not face the problem of having to settle for what is available in their size. More time will allow you to revisit the shop if required, and try on more dresses that they can pull out of their inventory, if you aren’t satisfied with what you see at your first dress appointment.

2.Find the right place to shop

One of the main reasons for plus-size women being unable to find the dress they want, is that they end up shopping at the wrong place. Not all bridal stores have great inventories. Nevertheless, there are several bridal boutiques, like Best for Bride, that stock a range of designer collections that cater to all sizes. If you are a plus-size bride, all you have to do is locate such a boutique and shop there.

So, start with a boutique that has several designer collections, including plus-size dresses. Before you contact them, it is a good idea to find out the designer collections with dresses that you favor, and make a list of dresses that you want to try out. Once you have this list ready, call the bridal shop you want to visit and find out if they have samples of these dresses in large sizes, or if they can arrange it. If they do, book your appointment and ask them to have the dresses on your list ready on the day you visit.

3.Do not restrict your choices to plus-size collections alone

Most designer collections are available in a range of sizes, and often the larger sizes will be suitable for curvy women too. Although plus-size collections are specifically created for brides like you, it is not necessary that you may always find a dress you love, in these collections. So, shop around and check out other designer collections too. Although adding to a gown isn’t very easy, a capable seamstress will be able to handle the task, if you love a gown that is pretty close to your actual size.

Like I said before, if you have the time to make all the required alterations, it shouldn’t be a problem.

4.Buy a dress that fits the biggest part of your body

A bridal consultant will measure you prior to finalizing your purchase, and we suggest that you choose the dress that fits the biggest part of your body. So, if you are apple-shaped with your bust wider than your hips, choose the dress that fits your bust. If you are pear shaped with larger hips than the bust, choose the dress that fits your hip measurements. Your seamstress will be able to take in the extra fabric at the hips or bust, as is necessary, and make your dress fit perfectly in time for your wedding.

Comfort is a key criterion when choosing a wedding dress. To make sure of this, choose a dress that fits you now. It is best to err on the side of caution. Although you may see yourself losing weight in time for the wedding, it is best to choose a dress that will accommodate you entirely, even if you don’t. Since you will anyway have several fitting sessions till the time of your wedding, you can always take in any extra fabric once you lose weight as you intended. Still not sure? Just think of how uncomfortable it will be to spend several hours in a dress that is too tight? Yes, it can ruin the best day of your life.

5.Choose suitable accessories

If you love the strapless wedding dress for everything, but the strapless part, don’t fret just yet. This is what accessories are there for. You can always pair it with a bolero and Voila! You have every feature you wanted on your dress. You can also add sleeves in the same fabric as the wedding dress, or take out layers from the skirt if it is too poufy for your taste. Alterations such as these are possible at an additional price, and you can have your own version of the designer gown you love.

The same can be achieved with waistbands, brooches, embellishments and veils. A word of caution when you choose to add extra embellishments to your gown! Consider whether you can enhance your wedding look with a single signature element that draws attention to the smallest part of your body. Or are you better off with great jewelry to enhance the look of a simple gown? If you do go with embellishments, make sure the person who does it can match the original quality of the work done by the designer. Moreover, you do not want to end up with a look that is too cluttered.

6.Consider custom-made

If you are simply not satisfied with what is available in any of the places you’ve been to, consider having your own gown custom-made. There are plenty of companies that offer custom gown making services. You may even find it at the bridal boutique that you visit. At Best for Bride, our in-house gown making team is one such example. We help brides who want a specific look for their wedding day, achieve it by creating their own custom wedding gown.

You can discuss your vision with a talented gown designer, match it to features on existing gowns and work with them to create a draft of the design. This can then be fine-tuned to perfectly match your idea. All that is left is to create the gown perfectly fitted to match your exact measurements, and that will be the task for the design team. You should however make sure that the team handling the job is capable of designing a dress as elaborate as a wedding gown, as it requires specialized knowledge. Check out their portfolio of custom-created gowns and you will get a fair idea of how capable they are at it.

7.Enjoy the experience

Don’t let anyone take the fun out of wedding shopping, just because you are a curvy bride. Wedding shopping is supposed to be enjoyable for every bride, and you too deserve it. So, be confident and don’t let terrible customer service or a discouraging friend in your entourage spoil your experience. Find a place where every bride is treated like a princess, and you will love the experience of searching for your wedding dress. Never be coaxed into buying a dress, just because it fits. Make sure that the only reason you buy it is because you love it. Seek advice from your bridal consultant, family and friends who accompany you to your bridal appointment. But, let the final decision be your own.

I recommend that you spend some time on this article on the Offbeat bride blog, where a real bride shares her plus-size wedding dress shopping experience. Her insights are valuable and should be immensely helpful to you

We hope you now have all the information to get on with your wedding dress shopping. Visit our impressive bridal dress collections from leading designers at our bridal gallery on Best for Bride. We feature a stunning variety of wedding dresses of all types and in every size. Browse our bridal collection and you are sure to find several dresses that you love. Book your appointment with us, and come along to try them out. We are committed to making your dreams of dressing up as a beautiful bride in the perfect dress, come true.

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How to get the mix ‘n’ match bridesmaids dress trend right—5 Dress combinations that work

The Mix ‘n’ Match bridesmaid dresses trend is catching on, and with good reason. Having all your bridesmaids dressed in the same attire from head to toe is boring, and the uniform does little justice to helping your girls shine in their entirely similar outfits. Today’s brides are intelligent, smart women who want to make sure their best friends and sisters look splendid on their big day. Appreciating their individuality by choosing different dresses for each of them goes a long way in reinforcing this idea. Plus, bridesmaids are your favorite girlfriends, and you want them to be satisfied and comfortable in what they wear.

There is however a catch to employing the mix ‘n’ match trend. It is not something that will just fall into place. You, as the bride, have to play a big role in building a cohesive look for your bridesmaids, as only then will your bridal party acquire the intended effect when they all come together. Fortunately, you do not have to seek the services of a personal stylist to get this right. An idea of what combinations work can help you get through, and here are some sure hits.

1.Same color but different styles

One place where many brides go wrong is in choosing a particular color and giving bridesmaids free reign to pick a dress that they like as long as it falls into this color spectrum. Well, it may work for certain colors like black, gray or gold, but not any other. Unless your bridesmaids go shopping together and you or someone else oversees what they choose, you will not know if the shades they pick will work together. This is a recipe for disaster.

Let me make things a little clearer. There are a thousand different shades of green, some with hints of blue in them, others with hints of yellow. If your six bridesmaids each picked out their own version of green, it is likely that at least one of them will look drastically different from the rest.

Instead, give your girls free reign over the style of dress they choose, as long as they stick with dresses from a single designer collection. This is because most designers offer the same colors, in different styles. For example, these different pink dresses from the Dessy Collection would work like a charm, don’t you think?

2.Pretty in prints and patterns

In a welcome deviation to the single solid color for bridesmaids dresses, you can render a personal touch to each outfit with interesting prints and patterns. Not only does this add oodles of style, it is fashionable and your girls will get better use out of these dresses than just at your wedding. One unique idea I found on the Every last detail blog is to limit your bridesmaids to a single shade, but pick a patterned dress for your maid of honor. How interesting is that? Check out their blog page at the link above for more details and pictures related to this idea.

You could also mix patterned dresses and dresses in the same solid base color for a different effect. Above is a stunning dress from the Dessy Bridesmaids collection with a speckled pattern. Imagine how beautiful it would look when mixed with a dress in solid grey or navy to get a beautiful effect. For example, the dress featured below could be a befitting combination for this rococo speckled gray dress.

The soft texture and speckles of prints on the rococo lace dress complement the beautiful gray chiffon dress with the ruched bodice. Although both dresses possess individual style, you can still create a cohesive look with both of them.

3.Mix and match textures to impress

Yet another great way to mix and match bridesmaids dresses, but in a safe way is to mix textures in exactly the same color. Take a look at this image of buoyant beautiful bridesmaids in lavender. Notice how each of the dresses are entirely different from the other, but the breezy fabrics used in different ways in each of these dresses render a cohesive look to all the women. The main attractive factor about this style of mixing and matching dresses, is that you can find dresses that suit the personalities of all your bridesmaids. This allows you to not just find stylish dresses for each of them, you can also make sure that all their looks come together.

2015 bridesmaid trends
Image Credit: Parekh Cards, via Flickr [CC BY SA-2.0]

When opting for this method, remember that you will have to invest more time and effort, as slight differences in color or entirely different fabrics can change the overall look. To make sure you nail it, you will have to see all the dresses together, and have a dress rehearsal to make sure that they go together as intended.

4.Dusty and pastel palettes

Give each of your bridesmaids her unique look by choosing soft pastels or dusty barely there colors that do not compete with each other. Although we initially discussed that different hues in a single color are not a great idea, pastels are an exception to this rule, as all the colors are muted, and create a beautiful palette with a subtle hint of refreshing color.

Bridesmaids 6
Image Credit: outreachr.com, via Flickr [ CC BY 2.0]

A pastel palette is perfect for your bridesmaids dresses, if you are a bride who wants color at her wedding, but not ones with overpowering intensity. Pastels are pleasant, but soft, and so they are bound to mix together well. Imagine your beautiful bridesmaids in a rainbow of pastels similar to what you see in the image here. Need I say more about how stunning the effect will be?      Dusty colors look sophisticated, and they add grace and elegance to the stride of your bridesmaids. Since most dusty colors are almost neutral in appearance, you needn’t worry about whether they will blend together. This is in fact one of the easiest ways to coordinate your bridesmaids outfits. Experiment with different necklines, patterns and styles by keeping the fabric uniform, and you simply cannot go wrong.

5.Varied necklines and unified hemlines A simple but effective way to employ the mix and match trend, without experimenting too much, is to simply choose different dresses in the same color, and vary necklines. There are two advantages to following this idea

  • You allow your bridesmaids to pick a neckline that they are most comfortable in
  • The color and length are unifying factors, and you needn’t worry about whether the bridal party look will come together.

Let’s face it, not all your bridesmaids may feel comfortable showing off their shoulders and decolletage in a dress with a sweetheart neckline. A few of them, on the other hand, may appreciate the chance to showcase their slender neck and toned arms in a strapless gown. By varying the neckline and sleeves, you make sure each girl has a dress with a unique style quotient, and this makes it easier for them to find a dress that suits them. You will also have to put in lesser effort to find your bridesmaids dresses. All you have to do is choose a color that works, and then explore the various options in sleeves and necklines and find those that will work for each of the bridesmaids. It is easy to find bridesmaids dresses in different patterns but the exact color, when you choose from a single collection. Here’s a wedding picture, where they’ve got it right. Don’t you see how it is cohesive, yet individual?

bright bridesmaids
Image Credit: Jodie Wilson via Flickr [CC BY 2.0]

Now that you have enough pictures to draw inspiration from, you are all set to go shopping for your bridesmaids dresses.

Before you go start, we thought of running you through the common mistakes you should try to avoid.

#Forgetting about texture

We cannot stress enough on the impact that is created by varying textures. The same color can look entirely different when it is applied using two different types of fabric. So, pay close attention to texture when you choose the dresses. This is especially important if your bridesmaids go shopping individually, as you may end up with entirely random looks when they come together, if the textures are distinct. The best way around this is for you to specify the fabric.

# Not paying attention to the mood of the event

I’ve said it a hundred times before, and will reiterate that everything boils down to cohesion. Not only should the bridesmaids dresses go together, but they should also coordinate well with the venue and the ambiance. Before you finalize your bridesmaids dresses, make sure that they are suitable for the style of wedding you have planned. Dresses that are appropriate for a formal indoor wedding can be totally inappropriate for an outdoor beach wedding. The fix is to first determine the venue and understand the mood of the event; then choose bridesmaids dresses that will complement the theme and style of the wedding.

# Choosing bridesmaids dresses in the main theme colors, however bright or bold they may be

Many brides believe that their bridesmaids should be dressed in the central color theme, even if it doesn’t complement their skin tone. Do you agree? If you do, it is likely that your bridesmaids will not be smiling with satisfaction at your wedding. After all, they too want to look great on your big day. Wearing a color that isn’t flattering but does the opposite will ruin their chances of looking good in your wedding pictures.

Fortunately, there is an easy fix to ensure everyone is happy. All you have to do is dress your bridesmaids in a neutral color that complements your wedding palette. Check out this article on universal bridesmaids dress colors for some valuable tips. Bring in the central color used in your wedding theme through your accessories. There are many smart ways to incorporate this. You can opt for colorful bouquets, attractive accessories like shoes or belts, or a beautiful necklace. Now, do you think your bridesmaids will be a lot happier with the colors you’ve chosen for your wedding.

#Varying more than two features

While mixing and matching is fun, you should limit the extent to which you use it. Stick with just one or two factors. If you vary several features all at once, it will not only look disjointed, but the entire intent of using it is defeated. The last thing you want is to put in all that effort in planning your bridal party look to the last detail, and leave your guests to believe that you just went with what was available. Remember that it is difficult to satisfy everyone of your bridesmaids. So, draw the plug on what has to be uniform. Keep the fabric and color uniform, and allow them to choose their favorite neckline or sleeve length. Or keep the neckline and hemline uniform, and vary the pattern and color. By doing this, you can ensure that the overall look isn’t chaotic.

This covers all you need to know, so your bridesmaids are happy in different dresses that tie to the central theme, yet different in their own respect. Will you be going with this trend for your wedding? If so, what will your choices be based on? Do let us know through your comments.

Finding bridesmaids dresses of any type, size, pattern or color is now easy with our collection at Best for Bride. Make your choice from leading designer collections including the Dessy Bridesmaids collection, Mori Lee, Angeline Faccenda, After Six and more. Whether you would like to stick with a single designer collection, or check out your options from different designer collections, we have all the options you want in-store, along with some fabulous offers to help you save money.

Visit our online bridesmaids dress gallery to browse through all our collections and choose the ones that you like best. Remember that every pattern you see online is available in a range of colors, so customization has never been more easy. With every dress featured here available in all sizes, you needn’t look anywhere else to find all you need for your entire bridal party.

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Why are wedding gowns expensive?

Your wedding dress is one of the most expensive dresses that you will ever shop for in your lifetime. The Wall Street Journal estimates that most brides spend at least $1500 on their wedding dress.

So, what is it that makes wedding dresses so pricey? And, what can you do to reduce the price, when you go shopping for your wedding dress? Let us find out.

Cost of material

Wedding dresses usually involve many more yards of fabric than any other gown. Also, the materials that are used in wedding dress designs belong to the higher end of the price spectrum. Silk is a common choice, with the price falling anywhere between $15 and $35. Layers of lace raise the price level significantly. Although less expensive material may be used in the interior layers of these gowns, the bulk of fabric still adds up to the cost. For dresses that come in bigger sizes, it is only logical to assume that they use up more fabric, and are priced accordingly.

Labor costs

Wedding dresses are not machine-made garments. There is a reason these dresses look spectacular. Many details on the dress are done by hand and this translates to increased labor cost. It is impossible for a machine to churn out fine details at the right places and create the same impact as it is when done by hand. The more embellishments a gown has, and finer the detailing, higher is the overall cost of the dress.

Alterations and fittings

A wedding dress that you pick off-the-rack will most likely not fit you perfectly. So, you will have to use the services of a professional seamstress to alter it. Some shops offer a bulk discount on alteration charges, while others charge you for each change. If you want to customize your wedding dress by adding sleeves, changing the actual design or adding extras, you will have to spend more. The best way to save on alteration charges is to buy a dress that is closest to your actual measurements.

Fortunately, it is possible to find the perfect wedding dress if you take care of a few factors. Here is what you should consider when choosing your wedding dress, so it doesn’t go over budget

  • Choose a dress that is relatively simple. Keep the embellishments minimum and you will not have to spend extra on it.
  • If there is a dress that you like but is very expensive, ask your bridal consultant to help you find one that looks similar, but isn’t so costly. It is possible that you will find a similar design in a different fabric that isn’t as expensive, and find it just as attractive.
  • If you start your search early, you may be able to buy your wedding dress on sale. Or you can look for a second hand dress you love, for a fraction of the original cost. You could also take a look at stores that rent wedding dresses. After all, you will be wearing this dress just once, so why not rent it?

At Best for Bride, we have wedding dresses in all price ranges and also offer dresses on rent. Call us to book your appointment today, to find the dress that will translate you into the most beautiful bride ever.

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How to tackle wedding day dress disasters

via Best for Bride

As much as we hate to tell you this, wedding day dress disasters can and do happen! A white dress with delicate details on expensive fabric is an invitation for trouble in the form of stains, tears and more.

The best way to stop worrying about a wedding dress mishap is to be prepared for every likely scenario. If you have a wedding planner, she will be equipped to handle most situations. If not, don’t worry. With this handy guide, you will be set to tackle most wedding dress disasters yourself. So, prepare yourself for the worst, and then hope with all your heart that you will not need it.

Prepare your emergency bridal kit in advance

When you put your bridal kit together, include not only your makeup and face towels, but also all the items to fix likely wedding dress disasters. Your kit should contain

  • safety pins
  • transparent tape
  • fabric glue
  • extra buttons
  • emergency sewing kit with threads and needles
  • tissues
  • talcum powder
  • Q-tips and
  • white chalk

Or you could purchase a ready-made emergency bridal kit, that contains all these supplies and more, if you don’t have the time to do it yourself.

Removing stains

Attack any stain on your dress immediately, so it doesn’t settle. But, make sure you use the right stain remover, or you may end up doing more damage. It is a good idea to find out what will take out stains from the fabric of your wedding dress, and keep it handy.

Attack ink stains with hairspray and make-up stains with club soda. Cover up the color difference with white chalk and it will not be obvious. Should you notice an oil mark over your dress, quickly spray talcum powder over it and let it soak up the oil. Then dust it off. If marks remain, it can be taken out when you send your gown in for preservation.

Rips or tears

Attend to any rip or tear promptly with your emergency kit supplies. Get someone who knows their way with threads and needles to do it for you. Whether it is to darn the tear quickly, or stick a piece of fabric beneath it, make sure this last-minute repair is done without making the existing rip any bigger. Try to camouflage the spot by holding your bridal bouquet over it, or bunching up your veil over the spot.

Hem your dress to the perfect length

A little extra length is all it takes to have you trip over your dress and fall on your pretty face. Since we aren’t used to wearing long-flowing gowns and maneuvering our way through a maze of tables, we should prepare ourselves ahead for it.

Get your wedding dress hemline correct, by wearing your wedding shoes to the alteration sessions. This will allow your seamstress to get the length right. Also, practice walking in your bridal gown before you wear it on your wedding day, so you are accustomed to it. Ask your bridal consultant to teach your MoH how to bustle the train, so it doesn’t pose a problem during the reception.

You are now covered for most wedding disasters and let’s hope that despite all this preparation, you will need none of it. For more wedding day tips, shopping needs and advice, or to buy your wedding emergency kit, visit us at Best for Bride.