A couple shopping Qs

rooney2012

I have so many questions that I thought I'd put them one big post. Please feel free to only answer parts of it!!! And thank you in advance! FI and I are in need of suggestions :P

1. Wedding is not until June 2013, but due to summer sales and our hard-to-find colors I was thinking of shopping for bridesmaids gowns now. Pros? Cons?
Here's what we're starting to think for colors (if they're not too difficult to find):
http://www.thesweetestoccasion.com/2012/03/aqua-and-pink-wedding-colors/

2. Any suggestions for bridesmaids dresses that will coordinate with my gown?
(Not me in the pic, and gown does not come with belt/sash)


3. Any tips for FI and groomsmen shopping? We went to Boston Store today and the suits seemed a bit square-ish. The sales rep told us that having alterations will ruin a suit and that they are supposed to be loose. I think it was a good price, but he was wearing the slim fit and it still seemed shapeless. Is it just me?
(This is FI in pic.)


Thanks so much again! We have been getting ideas from magazines for a month, but don't seem to be getting very far! All of our planning didn't help too much once we hit the stores and realized that we don't know much about wedding fashion!

csweaney

1. Shopping for bridesmaids dresses any period of time before 6 months before your wedding is safe. 6 months is generally the minimum amount of time in which you can (safely) order your BM dresses. Shopping now is fine, as designers (in my experience, which is vast as I work at a bridal store) don't really alter up their dress styles very often. If you find a design you like now, go ahead and get it. Plus it gives your girls more time to pay for it and get alterations done, etc. 

2. I think something that mimics the elements of your dress might be nice--maybe the ruching specifically, as that is flattering for pretty much everyone. http://watters.com/Product/WtooDresses/WeddingType:Classic/624/

http://watters.com/Product/WtooDresses/WeddingType:Modern/953/

If you're going for long, maybe something like this http://watters.com/Product/WtooDresses/WeddingType:RelaxedChic/620/

3. If this is a slim fit I'm a monkey's uncle. Try Men's Wearhouse perhaps, this is a nice suit-- http://tuxedo.menswearhouse.com/preStyledLookDetail.do?style=all&id=2&order=1&occasion=wedding

and this http://tuxedo.menswearhouse.com/preStyledLookDetail.do?style=all&id=52&order=7&occasion=wedding

Jims Formal Wear also has a nice gray suit, and may be more budget conscious 

http://www.jimsformalwear.com/tux332.htm (yes, he DOES look constipated in this picture--its very Blue Steel)

http://www.jimsformalwear.com/Jean-Yves-Steel-Grey-Tuxedo.htm

Hope this helped you a bit Happy shopping!

rooney2012

Thank you sooooo much! I felt stupid posting all of those Qs so your response is very much appreciated!

I love the second BM dress and the colors of the first one! My MOH wants a long dress and the 2BMs want short. I love Waters but may have to pitch in for their gowns bc of tight budgets.
FI tried on Calvin Klein and it was even looser on him than the one in the photo (Kenneth Cole)! He is very slim so I guess we'll just have to keep trying.
And yes... VERY constipated! Hahah. I can't believe that was the shot they chose for the ad!

csweaney

RIGHT!? Soooo ridiculous. 

What are your budgets like for the bridesmaids? The Jasmine and B2 lines are more affordable and have some cute styles. Like these-- http://jasminebridal.com/ugC_Product_Detail.asp?hidP_kind=Bridesmaids&hidP_style=Jasmine&hidP_style_ID=P146002

http://jasminebridal.com/ugC_Product_Detail.asp?hidP_kind=Bridesmaids&hidP_style=Jasmine&hidP_style_ID=P146012

(I like these because they show both the long and short options)

And it really is no problem. I love to help

rooney2012

i actuall had bookmarked a Jasomine: http://www.jasminebridal.com/ugC_Product_Detail.asp?hidP_kind=Bridesmaids&hidP_style=JASMINE&hidj_line_order=2&hidP_Style_ID=P146014

I like the 2nd dress you posted!
My sis (MOH) is the one who wants to wear a long gown and is very fashion-forward. Her budget is 300 (or higher if she likes it). BMs like shorter dresses. One BM told me to stay under 150 and my other BM didn't answer me on that yet. I'm willing to help out if there's a dress that stands out!
Since we have such light colors, would it look weird to do a little black dress but to adorn them with lightweight sashes (think Vera Wang) to add color? The reason I ask is bc black looks so refined at any price point! Something along these lines, but a different dress and maybe a lighter fabric sash, like tulle? This was the only pic I could find just to give the black and coral idea.

rooney2012

And I love this one and I think it comes in a lot of colors:
http://www.jlmcouture.com/Jim-Hjelm-Occasions/Bridesmaid/Fall/2012/Style-5284

csweaney

I like the Hjelm dress. I think it might be odd to do black bridesmaids dresses since you're doing such light colors and your guy's tuxes are going to be gray--I think it might look not put together. 

[Deleted User]

Love your ideas for dresses! The colors are great. 

I agree with PPs - the suit does not fit. If the sales rep told you alterations would ruin the suit, he's an absolute idiot. I have worked sales for both men and women's clothing (both casual and formal) and fit is the absolute bottom line to looking your best. You HAVE to have ANY piece of clothing fitted to YOUR body if you want it to look perfect. To do that, you have to alter most things, and a good tailor will make sure that it is virtually impossible to tell it was ever altered in the first place. 

My FI looks extremely boxy in suits too (he has a slim, soccer-player type build) unless they are tailored. Make sure that the shoulder seam of the suit does not go out further than the bony prominence of his shoulder or he will look like he is wearing a box. From the picture it looks as though it may be a hair too short in the sleeve (not a huge deal, it's pretty darn close). Nipping it in at the waist will help a lot - men are supposed to have a more triangular than rectangular shape. A single button jacket will keep him from looking too long in the torso if he is tall. It should lay comfortably on his body without excessive bunching or hanging too loosely. By no means should it be tight - just flat. Here's a decent example:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bpHnVzBiiGw/T7w5oHXCkhI/AAAAAAAAOyA/wQnuLYEWkYc/s1600/basic_suits.jpg

Bottom line - if your menfolk are going to PURCHASE suits, they will be extrememly well served by having them tailored. If you rent, make sure the suit can be tailored to at least your FI so he can show off his lovely shape just like you have done with your beautiful dress! Try Men's Wearhouse for both purchasing and renting - they offer alterations at most locations and are reasonably priced. 

rooney2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_a-couple-shopping-qs?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:67baf152-846a-4eb5-9be8-ad92b19c41d4Post:5f968fa3-304b-4f16-8094-539be5b5e147">Re: A couple shopping Qs</a>:
[QUOTE]Love your ideas for dresses! The colors are great.  I agree with PPs - the suit does not fit. If the sales rep told you alterations would ruin the suit, he's an absolute idiot. I have worked sales for both men and women's clothing (both casual and formal) and fit is the absolute bottom line to looking your best. You HAVE to have ANY piece of clothing fitted to YOUR body if you want it to look perfect. To do that, you have to alter most things, and a good tailor will make sure that it is virtually impossible to tell it was ever altered in the first place.  My FI looks extremely boxy in suits too (he has a slim, soccer-player type build) unless they are tailored. Make sure that the shoulder seam of the suit does not go out further than the bony prominence of his shoulder or he will look like he is wearing a box. From the picture it looks as though it may be a hair too short in the sleeve (not a huge deal, it's pretty darn close). Nipping it in at the waist will help a lot - men are supposed to have a more triangular than rectangular shape. A single button jacket will keep him from looking too long in the torso if he is tall. It should lay comfortably on his body without excessive bunching or hanging too loosely. By no means should it be tight - just flat. Here's a decent example: <strong><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bpHnVzBiiGw/T7w5oHXCkhI/AAAAAAAAOyA/wQnuLYEWkYc/s1600/basic_suits.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bpHnVzBiiGw/T7w5oHXCkhI/AAAAAAAAOyA/wQnuLYEWkYc/s1600/basic_suits.jpg</a></strong> Bottom line - if your menfolk are going to PURCHASE suits, they will be extrememly well served by having them tailored. If you rent, make sure the suit can be tailored to at least your FI so he can show off his lovely shape<strong> just like you have done with your beautiful dress!</strong> Try Men's Wearhouse for both purchasing and renting - they offer alterations at most locations and are reasonably priced. 
Posted by ammcadams[/QUOTE]

Thanks so much for the tips! FI is going to be excited to have some help. The image you sent is great! That's similar to his build as well. BTW, not me in that pic. but that's how I hope it will fit in the end!!