Trying on Dress Advice?

klminor17 · July 2011

I am going to try on dresses for the first time next weekend. Does anyone have any advice/tips? I have never even been to a bridal ship before!! Thanks for any help you can give!!

j_jaye · July 2011

Personally I found the smaller non chain stores more helpful and insightful than the big chain stores. At the chain stores the girls (usually in their 20's) would keep bringing dresses that even by looking at then I knew wouldn't suit and basically didn't listen very well when I went through my what I want and don't want list. However the smaller family run stores that I went to listened and even suggested some really gorgeous dresses that I would never have tried on because I thought they would look crap. Not sure if that will help you though since I am in a different country and I am sure things run differently!

smokeybailey · July 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_trying-dress-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:4a439e1b-d147-4511-95d0-0c51f8732d6cPost:5a9cfe71-2371-4dbb-a491-42baa1319624">Trying on Dress Advice?</a>:
[QUOTE]I am going to try on dresses for the first time next weekend. Does anyone have any advice/tips? I have never even been to a bridal ship before!! Thanks for any help you can give!!
Posted by klminor17[/QUOTE]

I've never been on a bridal ship before. But I have been to a bridal store once.

Bring in your inspiration pictures and know what you are looking for. While you should have a good idea, I think you should be open to other styles if not to just try them. I ended up getting the opposite of what I went in for. Also, when you find the one you love, stop looking. I went through 7 dresses and knew that #4 was it. I was done and out inside 60 minutes.

MeatAuditor · July 2011

Ahh, Smokey! A bridal ship sounds like a great experience.

OP, I'm very happy for you! I just brought mine home today.

I agree with all of that. Know what you like, with sample pics. But also try to figure out what it is you like about them. For me I liked pics where the model had an hourglass figure. The dress style that gives me that figure is different than what it would be for a size 0 model. A good salesperson should be able to translate your pics into what you want and works for your body.

And yes, some stores (ahem David's Bridal) will throw a ton of dresses at you. There is such a thing as trying on too many. If you start feeling like they all look the same, it's time for a break.

It will help if you have general direction for your wedding, like rustic or glamorous.

Make sure you are clear on your budget. If a place keeps trying to steer you above the amount you're comfortable, I'd leave. They should be honest with you about money, including alterations.

Speaking of alterations, a corset back is usually way cheaper when it comes to alterations. Mine only requires hemming, and that's because I'm a shorty.

dvohnout · July 2011

Bring only a couple people with you that you love and trust. Too many people = too many opinions= confusion

smokeybailey · July 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_trying-dress-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:4a439e1b-d147-4511-95d0-0c51f8732d6cPost:d9b2019e-697e-4936-b173-50e678170e8c">Re: Trying on Dress Advice?</a>:
[QUOTE]Bring only a couple people with you that you love and trust. Too many people = too many opinions= confusion
Posted by dvohnout[/QUOTE]

I brought 3-my mom, my sister and one of my BMs. My sister brought 5 of us-my mom, me, her hair stylist (who we have been seeing since 1986), and 2 friends.

Both times it worked for us.

AJF021410 · July 2011

Yes, wear the proper undergarments

MizLynn · July 2011

1. Make sure to bring a camera and have someone take pics. The dress I thought I loved in the store didn't look as awesome when I looked at it later in the pics. That helped me decide that the dress that I was thisclose to buying wasn't "the one" and I went back to the drawing board -- so glad I did because I did ultimately find my dream dress.

2. Think about a dress that you already own that you love -- try to pinpoint what's so great about it (details, cut, draping, etc.). That might help when you go dress shopping.

3. If you're not in love with it, leave it in the store. If you're not sure if you love it or not, leave it in the store.

HTH and good luck!

kasonandjeri · July 2011

Are the stores open to picture taking?

AJF021410 · July 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_trying-dress-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:91Discussion:4a439e1b-d147-4511-95d0-0c51f8732d6cPost:38c94601-fdc5-4f34-9540-154f7ba3cde2">Re: Trying on Dress Advice?</a>:
[QUOTE]Are the stores open to picture taking?
Posted by kasonandjeri[/QUOTE]

I haven't heard of somewhere that is...you have to buy the dress before they allow you to take photos

nycheryl · July 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_trying-dress-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:4a439e1b-d147-4511-95d0-0c51f8732d6cPost:b8e587bc-a713-4f97-b056-8e52e87e7ebd">Re: Trying on Dress Advice?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Trying on Dress Advice? : I haven't heard of somewhere that is...you have to buy the dress before they allow you to take photos
Posted by AJF021410[/QUOTE]

I was able to take photos at both stores I went to - some with a regular camera (small local shop), others with my cell phone (David's Bridal).

vegasgroom · July 2011

Cameras were not allowed before purchase at the place my wife got her dress from.

direy25 · July 2011

Yeah, I think it depends on the shop. The place I got my dress at didn't allow pics until after I purchased the dress, but when I recently went shopping with my MOH for her wedding dress, those shops let her take pictures.

theanglfac · July 2011

The best advice I can think of is that most of the dresses in the store are a bridal size 10. In many cases this means a size 6 in your normal clothes. So I couldn't even fully get into the dress I ended up buying. A good consultant will still make you feel like you know how the dress will fit and if it will work for you. But if you are above a size 8, be prepared that this may not be the best self esteem boosting day in that regard.

But it is still fun!

xtanne12386 · July 2011

Congrats! Best advice i can think of is know your venue. I was torn between 2 beautiful dresses...I asked myself "which one do i see myself having the most fun in in vegas?" So instead of going with the beautiful formal a-line i ended up with a fun flirty mermaid. Good Luck!

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