First time dress shopping

[Deleted User] · May 2014

I am going dress shopping for the first time in a few weeks. I have saved a few pictures of dresses that have caught my eye but otherwise have a pretty open mind about what dress I get. Any tips for making sure the experience goes smoothly?

doeydo · May 2014

Bring some snacks and water, be honest with your consultant, wear skin toned bra and full backed panties (your consultant will be helping you change so she will probably see you in your undies), don't bring a huge crowd with you, and keep an open mind and try to try different shapes and styles.

thelastdreamer · May 2014

I work as a bridal consultant so here is some advice from the other side:

- Let them help you and try not to be squeamish about it. We see naked people all the time and your body is not anymore exciting/gross/weird than any other we've seen.

- Don't wear a hot pink thong. You'd be shocked how many people do this. Wear skin toned underwear.

- Be open minded.

- For the love of Pete, DO NOT go in and just start grabbing stuff off the dress rows. Wait until the stylist tells you the store policies, organization methods and if they want to be the ones to pull.

- Three people max, period. Anymore than that and it gets crowded and ridiculous. Yes, Auntie Mabel may be devastated you didn't invite her but she will live to tell about it.

- Do not bring your kids if you have them. Go on a day when you have childcare.

- Wear makeup and look nice from the neck up. It'll be easier to imagine your overall look.

- Don't eat a double cheeseburger right before. You'll feel bloated and icky.

Dignity100 · May 2014

Everything said is great - I'm just going to say again: Keep an open mind. Most girls do not end up with the style/design they had in mind

beachyone15 · May 2014

I would also recommend taking pictures of the dresses you try on (if the shop allows it). It really helped me to look back at pictures and see that something I thought looked great at the time, didn't photograph so well.

melbenso · May 2014

The first time I went dress shopping, I started out by telling the consultant I wanted to figure out what kind of silhouette I wanted to wear. I asked her to pull one dress from each basic type of silhouette, even the ones I was pretty sure I didn't want. So I tried on a ball gown, an a-line, a fit and flare, a mermaid, etc., as well as dresses with various necklines. And the first thing I learned is that I was right in my assumption that I did not want a ball gown. I was surprised to learn that I didn't like the strapless dresses as much as those with cap sleeves and bateau neck lines.

I also explained to her some of the details that I liked in dresses (simpler styles, not too much bling, lace detailing) so the dresses I tried on were ones that I liked aside from the shape. The dress I almost got was one of the ones I tried on that day.

I ended up purchasing a dress at another store, but having tried a little bit of everything first, I had a really good idea of what I was looking for after that day.

Other advice: I second the bringing water thing - you'd be shocked at how hot and thirsty you get getting in and out of dresses. Many shops will have water (or at least a water fountain) available, but it never hurts to be prepared.

Take pictures if you can.

Only take a couple of people with you and make sure they understand your personal style, so they won't push you towards dresses you don't want. (Seriously, on one trip, I got sick of telling my BM that I didn't want to try on dresses with certain material.)

And every store I went to, from DB to high end boutiques had sample bras for me to wear. Unless you already have a low back strapless bra or have big issues with wearing a sample bra while trying on dresses, I wouldn't worry too much about that and would just use the store's.

hyechica81 · May 2014

if you need to try on special sized samples like plus make sure you call ahead to find out how many samples in plus they have. but if you dont need special sizes then you are ok..

go with an open mind, a good consultant knows what looks good or bad on a person just by looking at them when they walk in. i had photos and photos of mermaid and fit and flairs and trumpets i didnt necessarily like the fit of the gown i just loved elements of it. I am a street size 22w and a 26w in bridal everything I thought I wanted would have not looked good one me I ended up getting a fuller bottom dress ( not a ballgown) with pick ups and ruching on the top soft sweet heart with alecone lace straps crystals pearls on the top and parts of the sides of my dress and lace detailing on the sides in ivory. I did visit one place and I asked to try on a mermaid with a bubble skirt omg the dress did nothing for me made me so huge

Kristen625 · May 2014

All above is great advise. I absolutely second taking only very few few people, and people who understand your shopping style. On day one I had my mom there. I got it in my head I didn't have enough opinions cause my mom was being fairly quiet. I brought person 2. She was the WORST!! I was at DB and in their dressing rooms, there are no mirrors. So before I can even see myself and what I look like she is oooing and ahhing and throwing out her opinions before I even had a chance to form my own. I was almost ready to cry by the time my mom and I were in the car, and my mom was unhappy as well. So the next day it was just me and my mom again.
It was then I realized I am a very quiet shopper. I like to internalize everything when I shop. Also I'm an analytical shopper, and I like to quietly assess everything. So we went back to DB because I did find a dress I was pretty sure I loved and we told them to put me in a corner with the dress and leave me alone. They did, and it was just my mom and I very quietly talking about the dress. I didn't want to take it off, and that was when I knew it was what I wanted.

Also, don't think about size. Bridal sizes are different, and just think of them as foreign sizes.

janew88 · May 2014

Don't bring too many people! I brought my mom, grandma, and sister. It was too much! Between their opinions and having to get over the silhouette that I liked not looking good on me, it was a rough day. Needless to say, I inhaled a giant tub of froyo immediately after and didn't talk to anyone for the rest of the day.

I went back two weeks later (today) by myself and ended up getting a great gown and it is exactly what I want! Also let your stylist pick some out for you. It is hard to look at the racks and imagine it on you, but if you go to a great shop, they know what they have and can make great suggestions for you.

First time dress shopping

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