First Time Dress Shopping - What to do?!

bemistobe

So, I'm taking next Friday off and going to try on some dresses at David's Bridal in Richfield and Napier Bridal in W. St. Paul. I've got my appointments made, and I think I'm ready...however, I just need to ask --- is there anything specific that I should bring with me or wear? I want to go in somewhat prepared, so any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!!

elizabethandandrew

This is going to sound silly but nice undergarments- you are going to spend a lot of time getting in and out of dresses that you will need someone to help with! I also made sure that I had a strapless bra and heels. I may have gone a little overboard but I went super light on the makeup when I was dress shopping- I was terrified I would get makeup on the dresses.

drdifabio

Yea like the PP said, bring a strapless bra and full butt underwear. But unlike the PP, I actually did my hair nicely and put on makeup. I wanted to feel beautiful in all the beautiful dresses. Plus I knew we would take pics so that way I was prepared . By the end of trying on all those dresses my hair was pretty much in shambles but it did help me to feel beautiful.

bellaxanthe

Would you recommend bringing shapewear as well?  I'm at the bigger end of the size spectrum and would like to be able to try on whatever I can. Sometimes I think every little bit helps.

bemistobe

Thanks ladies!!! My questions have been answered - especially about the undergarments! Have any of you been to Napier Bridal? If so, what was your experience like?

elizabethandandrew

I haven't but have a couple of friends who have gotten their dresses there and had good experiences. I also went to the David's Bridal in Richfield and has actually had a FAR better experience than I even expected. If you are in that area, you might want to check out Mary Kay's Bridal on Penn- they are moving from their Richfield location to St. Louis Park and it sounds like there is a big sale going on at the Richfield location.

sunkiss177

Hahahaha.  Yes to the full underwear and nice strapless bra.  A bridesmaid of mine didn’t wear underwear…..when it was time to get measured EVERYONE found out because the woman who was supposed to help her made a big huff when BM asked her what she should do….she had to wear her pants J

 

I would pick an easy to remove strapless bra since a lot of the time you wouldn’t wear a bra with the dress, you can get the dress up and pop the bra off that way.  Dresses come in the mid-range sizes for samples and they either squeeze you in or hold it up if you’re too big or clamp them shut if you are too small.

 

David’s Bridal was fun because we had a funny woman helping us; the other stores I went to were not fun.  I was thinking cheese and crackers with spacious rooms, something fun for me and my bridesmaids. Most the time it was a mad house or the dresses were either to overly protected (one lady made me wear a face mask when putting dresses on and off) or the dresses were in shambles.   The only place I found that was “pamper me” fun was Posh Bridal—expensive dresses, but nice experience.

 

They often don’t let you take pictures unless you buy the dress so if you are taking pictures you better be sneaky. One thing I did was write down style numbers, designers, anything I could get and look up on line what other dresses might be similar.  Not so much to avoid buying from the store, but just to see whatelse was out there.

kclepire

I'll add one thing...if you plan to wear your hair up, but a clip or pony so you can put your hair up to see if you like it with the dress

schmood

I've gotten BM dresses from Napier and my sister got her wedding dress there.   Just to warn you....it's a small shop and ther dresses are packed in there, but don't be turned off by that.  I've had great service from them and their prices are reasonable.   I think my sister got her dress for around $100 off the rack.  Their alterations are reasonable as well. 

Izzygrim

bellaxanthe - If you have shapewear you might want to bring it. I'm also a bigger size and got quickly frustrated at some stores that didn't carry a good range of sizes. If you don't have any good shapewear I wouldn't necessarily bother, because some places have those longline strapless bras that you can borrow. Have you started looking for your dress yet? If you need recommendations of places to go, let us know!

NicoleR77

I got my dress at David's Bridal and they did have a longline shapewear bra for me to use while trying on dresses, but I did bring a strapless bra with just in case they didn't have my size or something.

bemistobe

Thank you so much for your input!!! One week from today I get to try on my first dress!! Ahhh!! Thanks again ladies!