BHDLN accessories. Are they worth the investment?

missdelilah

I'm so in love with the whole range of BHDLN accessories, but they are horrendously expensive for gold plated costume jewelry.  Has anyone purchased and worn any of this stuff?  I gather it's a new company, so it might take a while for reviews to pop up here.  My general idea here, is that if I'm paying $400 - $500 for a hair accessory, I damn well want to be able to wear that thing again whenever it's appropriate and I feel like wearing it.  Sure, I get that everything is hand made in the US, but it still seems over priced.  I've looked on Etsy and haven't found anything remotely similar.  Maybe I'm using the wrong search terms?

That said, I really don't want to spend that kind of money on something like this, and am thinking, "maybe just chuck a few fresh flowers in there."  I'm going to hit up the antiques market next weekend and see what I find.  Hopefully they'll have something great (I usually end up buying one hair accessory when I visit, but I've worn them all before).  

I'd really be interested in hearing from anyone who has experience with this.  

Thanks ladies!

beethery

I might be able to help as I am almost constantly hovering over BHLDN's site like a vulture.

What accessory are you looking at? I can probably find you something similar on Etsy.

missdelilah

Thanks @beethery.  I remember you mentioning BHLDN in a previous thread.  

This one was my favorite:

http://www.bhldn.com/shop-shoes-accessories-headpieces/secret-garden-headpiece/productoptionids/d6588c0c-04f9-46b0-b5da-0086a7a09584

I also loved this: 

http://www.bhldn.com/shop-shoes-accessories-headpieces/blooms-en-blanc-comb/productoptionids/f314d873-ef50-4ba8-88ab-7e634f1f2445

And this:

http://www.bhldn.com/shop-shoes-accessories-headpieces/crystal-clover-comb/productoptionids/a6b3b5d4-b30d-4f80-9a6a-f95eda786957

I'm sorry, I can't work out how to save images that come with zoom.  

As you can see, I'm a bit undecided on what I want to do with my hair.  I don't want anything that's a flat out band.  I'd love to find something articulated, but otherwise a comb.

Thank you so much for offering to help!

RebeccaFlower

What does your dress look like? I'll be blunt, I think they're incredibly expensive for something I doubt you'd wear again and that isn't really that pretty I think they look a little Grandma-ish. Sorry

emmyg65

I get it. I've been obsessed with BHLDN since it started. Their stuff is so pretty! But it really is ridiculously overpriced, and if you read the reviews, often the quality isn't even that good. Totally not worth it.

beethery

@missdelilah you might like this store here (click)

And this one (click)

Still expensive but considerably cheaper in some cases than the BHLDN accessories.

Alikat9614

beethery said:

@missdelilah you might like this store here (click)

And this one (click)

Still expensive but considerably cheaper in some cases than the BHLDN accessories.

Ooh, that first one has some really pretty ones! And there are some in the sale section under 40-$75 that are gorgeous!

sarahufl

BLDHN is gorgeous, but a lot of that stuff is super $$$.

I know this seems like an odd suggestion, but in NYC, we have giant Forever 21 stores that have huge jewelry sections. They knock off the big stores (J Crew, especially) within weeks. I have necklaces that retailed at J Crew for $200 that I got at Forever 21 for less than $10.

The quality isn't nearly as good, but you can't really tell the difference. People think they came from J Crew every time I wear them.

missdelilah

Thanks for your suggestions ladies.  

@beethery  Thank you so much for the Etsy suggestions.  Those shops have some beautiful things, and yes, generally much cheaper than BHLDN.

beethery

Forever21 has a huge jewelry selection online that is also worth checking into. It's also cheap enough that if it turns out to be outside of your taste, you're not out on your ass with a few hundred into jewelry.

missdelilah

I haven't actually considered stores like Forever21.  My overall impression of that store is just outright tacky, but seeing as a few people have brought it up, I'll definitely have a look.

I'm really hoping I'll find something great at the antiques market.

emanon321

Charming Charlie's sometimes has cute little things. Not as lavish as BHDLN, but you might find something very inexpensive that you really like.

http://www.charmingcharlie.com/accessories/hair-accessories.html#style=hair_comb&gan_data=true

I actually bought a headband from Claire's initially. I got it on the buy one get on half off, so it was really about $6. 

http://www.claires.com/us/products/rhinestone-and-pearl-cluster-metal-headband-36436

But I ultimately chose this as it was perfect for my hair and dress. *sigh* More expensive than I'd like but it's just perfect (or so I keep telling myself ^_^")

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Floral-Headpiece-with-Pearls-and-Crystals-C9048_Accessories-Headpieces-All-Headpieces

beethery those etsy stores are so pretty! What a wonderful find!

missdelilah

Thanks @emanon321. I've heard Charming Charlie's mentioned on the forums, but aren't at all familiar with the business. I'll definitely have a look. I'll take a look at your other links too. Thank for the help!

novella1186

If this helps, I went to BHLDN is Chicago a couple times and tried on some hair accessories and jewelry. In person and when you're wearing it, it really doesn't look any better or different than the stuff other PPs have posted here. I definitely didn't think it was worth the high cost. As you mentioned, it's all just fake costume jewelry. Not that it wasn't pretty, but like I said, it really wasn't special or different enough to justify the cost. In fact, some of their stuff looks a little prettier in the website photos than it does in person, IMO.

emanon321

I know it sounds repetative on these boards, but have you played around with your hair/accessories yet? I wound up going in a completely different direction than planned. I had always wanted a tiara when I got married since I was a little girl (I didn't care about any of the other "wedding" nonsense, just a tiara haha). But when I was trying them on it was so completely wrong. It wasn't until I started trying on large/flowery side clips/combs that I felt the most like myself.

Edit: Though your favorites from BHLDN look REALLY pretty.

missdelilah

Thanks ladies.  I always assume that things look better on professional websites due to lighting and photoshop.  

I have a fairly good idea of what I like, as I have a ton of pretty hair combs that I bring out for special occasions.  That's why I'm not too worried about purchasing online.  It's the same way I chose my dress; mostly based on what I already have that I love and I know works for me.  

emanon321

Out of curiosity, are you doing a veil? 

missdelilah

@emanon321 I still haven't decided.  I'm thinking no, simply because I've tried on a bunch and haven't loved any of them yet.

beethery

emanon321 said:

Charming Charlie's sometimes has cute little things. Not as lavish as BHDLN, but you might find something very inexpensive that you really like.

http://www.charmingcharlie.com/accessories/hair-accessories.html#style=hair_comb&gan_data=true

I actually bought a headband from Claire's initially. I got it on the buy one get on half off, so it was really about $6. 

http://www.claires.com/us/products/rhinestone-and-pearl-cluster-metal-headband-36436

But I ultimately chose this as it was perfect for my hair and dress. *sigh* More expensive than I'd like but it's just perfect (or so I keep telling myself ^_^")

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Floral-Headpiece-with-Pearls-and-Crystals-C9048_Accessories-Headpieces-All-Headpieces

beethery those etsy stores are so pretty! What a wonderful find!

I've got LOTS of good Etsy finds. I've been perusing foreverrrr

missdelilah

I love buying things from Etsy.  It makes me feel as though I'm doing something nice for an individual, rather than a corporation.

emmaaa

I haven't decided on jewelry yet but FSIL just found some grogeous jewelry at Dillards. 

missdelilah

Thanks @emmaaa. All these places I haven't even really heard of yet!  Tons of research to do.

drina0218

Such a helpful thread!! I just posted something similar about jewelry because I fell in love with one of their necklaces and their sashes. Mentally, I can't bring myself to spend 1k on accessories, not matter how cute they are. 

BHLDN & Antro are awesome places, but their prices are just absurd and it makes me sad. I hope you find something similar to your clip. It's gorgeous!

Ndelible

Note that BHLDN does not manufacture their stuff, so it's altogether possible that you can find the same pieces somewhere else for much cheaper.  Also, they do hold pretty good sales, so it's possible that you might find something on sale (which would be regular price in the RW).

Forever 21 has a ton of very cheap jewelry, so that's an option as well.  Lately, I've become a fan of Ann Taylor's costume jewelry.  They have a wedding line as well.  They also have great sales, so it's worth it to check them out.

I had a my necklace custom made (attached) , not because I wanted to, but I couldn't seem to find anything that fit the vision in my head.  The total cost was $86.

Rosebubbly

As @Ndelible‌ has mentioned, bhldn has amazing sales! I ended up picking up my belt there for $80 which was sooo much cheaper than the original price! Also, they lost who all their designers are so sometimes you can find the pieces on the designers website for Cheaper. Catherine Deane for example.
Also check out twigs and honey and hushed commotion. Found both of them through I think the Green Wedding Shoes blog and they're both pricey but not as pricey as BHLDN
If all else fails, fly to august ga for the bhldn / anthropologie outlet store!

missdelilah

Thanks @Rosebubbly!  They did list designers for the pieces I liked, but for some reason I didn't think of going to their sites directly.  

Hmm...  GA might be a little bit of an impossibility in the near term future.