Frustrated over dress search

trawas01 · May 2011

Has anyone eles gotten totally frustrated dress shopping?

I tend to lean towards very classic styles. I know exactly what I want (which may be my problem) just a simple, smooth ball gown, ivory, sweetheart top with buttons down the back but I feel like every dress out there is covered in "bling" or ruching or is so out there I'd never even consider it.

Argh...anyone know of any affordable, simple designers out there?

kristeno90 · May 2011

I thought I knew exactly what I wanted and tried on 76 simple, sleek, sexy dresses. My consultant asked if she could try something different and I said yes. She brought in a crystal covered ball gown and I fell in love with it! I swore I would never do big or poofy but that is what my dress is. Don't be afraid to think outside the box!

[Deleted User] · May 2011

Don't get frustrated. Just take a break for a few days and then resume shopping.

When I first started out, my Mom and I went to David's Bridal and when I didn't find anything that really caught my eye, we started going to bridal salons. I love Maggie Sottero and Sottero & Midgley (the couture line) dresses. I was a SM bride. They can be a little pricey, but IMO, it was worth it.

And like pp said, don't get your heart too set on a particular dress. Keep an open mind and even try on styles you don't think you like or will look good in. You might be surprised. If you go to a bridal salon and get a knowledgeable consultant, then she should be able to help you as well. Good luck and have fun!

champhe · May 2011

Mori Lee has a lot of simple designs that you may like. The dresses are affordable also.

jemmini6 · May 2011

I agree with trying on some outside of your comfort zone. I originally went in thinking I wanted am A-line satin strappless dress with rouching. I tried on a completely different dress just for the hell of it (and to help 'cleanse my pallet' so to speak) and I ended up falling in love with it. It was a slim-lined lace dress with cap sleeves and a keyhole back. Totally the opposite of what I thought I wanted, but it was perfect.

Sometimes what you think you want, and what ends up being perfect for you are totally different things....don't be afraid to try.

jleahd33 · May 2011

I knew exactly what I wanted also & had a hell of a time finding it. I finally bought a dress within my budget that was similar to what I wanted & took it to my seamstress & she made a bunch of alterations on it to make it perfectly fit my vision.

Just something to consider

ottecl · May 2011

I feel like the description that you posted fits my dress prefectly, it's from MoriLee, so maybe like PP suggested Mori Lee would be a good designer to try. Here's my dress to give you an example:

Tanq&Tonic · May 2011

Don't get frustrated. It took me a long time to find the dress I wanted. About 75ish gowns were tried. In my case, I even experimented with consultants' suggestions, but nothing was quite right.

Keep in mind that adding buttons on the back is something you can always do after you find the perfect gown

Also, dresses can often be ordered without the embellishments and beading. Have you browsed through catalogs like this?

http://www.onewed.com/wedding-dresses/search/?x=29&y=15&tags[Style]=0&tags[Embellishment]=0&tags[Price]=0&tags[Fabric]=0&tags[Color]=24&tags[Length]=0&tags[Silhouette]=64&tags[Neckline]=58&tags[Designer]=0

micheymouse84 · May 2011

I tried on about 10 dresses before falling in love with my MoriLee dress.

My MOH is also getting married this year and the dress she picked was not what she originally thought she would want. She wanted form fitting, but instead she fell in love with a pouffy ballgown. Also a MoriLee.

Good Luck!!

jmitchel · May 2011

Have you looked at Allure? I like the simple dresses as well - and I found quite a few by them, including "the one"

Joizee · May 2011

I agree.....Mori Lee has some very beautiful dresses that are not over the top. Another line is Sophia Tolli.......by Mori Lee. Elegant, but beautiful.

mlynn1223 · May 2011

Have you ever considered having one made? Sometimes you can find really great dress makers in your community who can make a dress for less than you can buy it and it will be exactly what you want. Just something to think about.

camera11 · May 2011

I felt the same way and wanted a similar style dress, and I ended up with J. Crew. I think their bridal line has less bling than others. Good luck!

Magdeline687 · May 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_frustrated-over-dress-search?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:c3003cd3-133c-4b1d-9658-262dd1b8b080Post:1086701b-22aa-4244-9f39-27f3e5b296e0">Re: Frustrated over dress search</a>:
[QUOTE]I feel like the description that you posted fits my dress prefectly, it's from MoriLee, so maybe like PP suggested Mori Lee would be a good designer to try. Here's my dress to give you an example:
Posted by ottecl[/QUOTE]

Beautiful dress! That does seem to match the OP's description, so OP- don't lose hope!

aimeechris · May 2011

Try a consignment shop!

I was having an issue finding what I wanted too.

I am a t-shirt and jeans kind of girl, all the bling was making my head spin, or scratching me somewhere. All the vendors seemed to try pushing me into things I couldn't fit into and have me pick right then and there.

I stopped at a consignment shop and found a beautiful dress after tax for just $425. I am going to get a one layer hem for $60... but other than that it was perfect!

kmason_14 · May 2011

I thought i wanted to same thing...SImple, classic...I went dress shopping a few times and found some dresses that i liked, But there was one designer that I had never even considerede that i ended up buying. DaVinci Bridals.. Some of their dresses are crazy over the top! But i found exactly what i wanted....Sweetheart Neck, A line, Corset back with rouching. And Its perfect. Take a look at DaVinci. They're very reasonable. Im spending under $1000 with alterations!!! Good Luck and Happy Shopping!

BB1584 · May 2011

I did the same thing, wanted a plain dress and bought one that was covered in crystals. There are some dresses out there, affordability is the problem. It's difficult and EXPENSIVE to get a piece of fabric that has no flaws (mostly when we're talking silk) that's why designers put crystals in certain places, to hide flaws in fabric. Martina Liana makes gowns in silk that aren't covered with crystals, they're very pretty, inexpensive, and are still made out of that gorgeous fabric. http://www.martinaliana.com/ Good Luck.

carmenlconant · May 2011

I went to a ton of different salons and tried on every silhouette out there. I actually ended up finding my dress through an organization called Brides Against Breast Cancer. . . they get donations from bridal salons and designers and travel around the country to sell the dresses. All proceeds go to their organization to grant wishes to people fighting breast cancer.

That being said----they recently had an event in Chicago and it was AMAZING--since they sell dresses at a discounted price--I was able to try on dresses that I normally wouldn't be able to afford. They let you sift thru the racks and pick what you want to try on. There's no pressure and you can really keep your own style in mind because a stranger isn't pulling dresses for you.

I probably tried on 30 dresses. . . even dresses that were normally $7000 that were selling for $1200. I found the perfect dress and got to support a great cause!!

AnniePanic · May 2011

I would recommend the "manhattan" in full length. Very affordable and fully customizable!! http://www.dollycouture.com/pink-label/manhattan-short-wedding-gown.html

katyclark08 · May 2011

Have you thought about looking at bridesmaid dresses? There are plenty of formal bridesmaid dresses, that are pretty but more simple than a wedding gown, and often they can be ordered in white or ivory.

jpilla393 · May 2011

Take a look at J. Crew dresses or Jenny Yoo.

cpfwvu · May 2011

I love Aria dresses and was about to go to them when I found my dress at the Filene's sale. They have a bridal line that is supposed to be affordable.

I am totally with you on all the bling. I tried on lots of dresses that would've been perfect except they had to go and add a rhinestone belt, or lace on the skirt, or beads somewhere.

artbyallie · May 2011

Similar to other girls, I did not want beads. The upper part of the bodice on my dress is covered with them. I also wanted ivory... until I discovered it looked terrible on me and white actually flattered my skintone much better. It doesn't sound like you've tried any dresses on yet, so go do that. You may find you look better in something completely different than what you're imagining.

eeforbes · May 2011

I have tried on a dress that sounds a LOT like what you are looking for:

Mikaella 1239

Has a sweetheart neckline, optional brooch, and buttons down the back!

em105 · May 2011

If you're truly looking for a simple, basic dress that is also affordable (and made in the USA!!) try Aria bridals.

I got a bridesmaid dress from there and the bride got her wedding dress for less than 200 dollars and it was classic, simple and gorgeous.

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