Not sure what look to go for: sexy and mature or sweet and young

Knottie1432668587 · August 2015

I went dress shopping for the first time the other day. It was a bit unexpected so we went to two stores that could fit me in such short notice. I haven't got a mental picture of what I want to look like on the day, I've always wanted to get married but never imagined anything of the big day.

I went with an open mind but I expected to only look good in certain types of dresses. I'm of a good height, athletic with a thin waist and wider hips and a small chest. I was surprised to find out that the consultants were not only placing me in mermaid/fit and flare gowns but especially in ball gowns.

I never expected to look good in a ball gown or A-line dress, I thought I would look plump but it isn't at all the case.

The main thing is that I look amazing in all those types of dresses, but the look or style is completely different. In the ball gown I look young, sweet and angelical. In the more fitted gowns I look more mature and sexy.

I don't know what look to go for on the big day! My wedding will be on a large estate with an old rustic stone house on one side and a large open area with a lake on the other. I will be making my entrance in a horse-drawn carriage and the ceremony will be outdoors.

What style do you think looks best? In the photos I'm wearing an A-line dress, a mermaid (although they were fitting a train to it), a ball gown and a fit and flare.

Thanks in advance!

[Deleted User] · August 2015

Personally, I like the simple, more tailored fit of the second gown.

doeydo · August 2015

I love the ball gown.

emmaaa · August 2015

I like the first two the best. i'm not a huge fan of ball gowns.

I think the first one is a nice combination of sweet and mature.

Maggie0829 · August 2015

I really like the last one. I think it is a great combination of the two looks you describe. You get a bit of the sexiness with the top portion being fitted through the hips, but still a bit of the young/romantic side with the fuller skirt.

julieanne912 · August 2015

I think they both look great on you! I would pick the first one, only because I think having to wear that big ballgown for 8+ hours would be very tiring

ETA oops just realized there are 4 dresses. I don't like the mermaid one (2nd) with the added train, and my thoughts on ball gowns remains the same.

thefanciestbeckler · August 2015

I like the first one best. I'm not a big ballgown girl though, so my opinion is a little biased.

justsie · August 2015

My favorite is the first one, but I like the last one on you as well! It's not my particular style, but I think it suits you very well. It does seem a bit modern while the others are more classic, so keep that in mind I guess.

I am also not one that is big on ballgowns, so that could be my bias as well.

STARMOON44 · August 2015

I like the a line.

Knottie1432668587 · August 2015

Thank you so much for your opinions! The answers are varied, just as my opinions are haha! I liked the first one, the A line but then thought it might be quite classic (boring perhaps) compared with the others.

I don't like the added train on the mermaid dress, it's just the only photo I have of it. It fitted like a glove but was incredibly difficult to move in as it's tight even below the knees.

The fit and flare has a modern feel, that's why it's hard to choose between modern and sexy vs. classic and sweet!

Maggie0829 · August 2015

Knottie1432668587 said:

Thank you so much for your opinions! The answers are varied, just as my opinions are haha! I liked the first one, the A line but then thought it might be quite classic (boring perhaps) compared with the others.
I don't like the added train on the mermaid dress, it's just the only photo I have of it. It fitted like a glove but was incredibly difficult to move in as it's tight even below the knees.
The fit and flare has a modern feel, that's why it's hard to choose between modern and sexy vs. classic and sweet!

Maybe break down each dress. Like do you prefer yourself in straps or strapless? Do you prefer lace or not? Do you prefer tulle or not? Maybe if you decide you like more of the details of one dress then that will help your decision. But I think it is best to stop thinking about the style you have decided each one represents and think about the details of each.

Knottie1430965129 · August 2015

I like the second dress and the ball gown. I am not a big fan of ball gowns, but with the horse drawn carriage and description of an estate with a lake, it is appropriate for a fairy tale-esque feel. I like the softness of the second dress that is still on the sexier side with the shape but is flowing at the same time, if that makes sense. Maybe if you choose the ball gown, the seamstress could alter the skirt to make a removable portion for just the reception to make it easier to dance?

kasasr1024 · August 2015

I really like the first one. It's the only one that "wow'ed" me when I saw it. You look very bridal, the lower back has more of the "sexy" look but is still mature and classy while also keeping you looking young and angelic. I think it would look nice at your wedding and be easy to move around in as well!

[Deleted User] · August 2015

I like the last one because it seems like a happy medium to sweet & innocence look and the mature sexy look. I think the first one is beautiful and depending on how you wear your hair & the accessories, that could go either way. The only one I wasn't a fan of is the third one. To me it feels like the dress is wearing you because of how big the bottom is. I will say take into consideration the weight of each dress while wearing it because that will get to you after a while. Another thing is easy of moving around, expecially while dancing. Also since it's an outdoor wedding, which is going to be easier to wear on a warm day. You want to look fabulous, but you also want to be comfortable in your dress. You wil be wearing it all day.

teddygirl9 · August 2015

The last one is my vote

KnottieBride61710 · August 2015

I think the 2nd dress. You have nice curves you should show them off!

CMGragain · August 2015

I can tell you which dress I like best. #1. The lace is beautiful, and very fashionable. I dislike #2 and #4. I do like the ball gown on you, which is surprising for me. Strapless ballgowns were really overdone about five years ago. It is beautiful on you, though. Will it fit your venue?
The question about "sexy and mature" vs. "sweet and young" confuses me. Usually, when I see the word "sexy" on a bridal site, it is a tip off that it is a Chinese knock off site, because in the USA, advertisers don't generally use that word to advertise anything bridal. Young? What?
How about mature and sweet? Nice combination! Classic is good, too.

kmmssg · August 2015

I vote #2! Love that!

Knottie1432668587 · August 2015

CMGragain said:

I can tell you which dress I like best. #1. The lace is beautiful, and very fashionable. I dislike #2 and #4. I do like the ball gown on you, which is surprising for me. Strapless ballgowns were really overdone about five years ago. It is beautiful on you, though. Will it fit your venue?
The question about "sexy and mature" vs. "sweet and young" confuses me. Usually, when I see the word "sexy" on a bridal site, it is a tip off that it is a Chinese knock off site, because in the USA, advertisers don't generally use that word to advertise anything bridal. Young? What?
How about mature and sweet? Nice combination! Classic is good, too.

The store doesn't market them as being sexy or young or mature or anything, I meant that I seem that way in one style or the other, and I'm not sure what to go for, if you know what I mean. With the more fitted style I seem more mature and sexy, with the more ball gown or A-line I seem younger and more angelic.
The two styles are lovely but they change the impression I give, even though it's still me, and I don't know what to go for!
I'm really grateful for your opinions, the consultants at the stores just push me for what they think is best so it's a little confusing and annoying! I'm only going with my mum because I don't want to take a whole load of people, but we're both surprised at the wide variety of gowns and we're not sure which way to go.

I'll be trying some more out tomorrow, I'll still be trying the different styles as I'm still unsure whether to go for fitted or poofier! I'll keep you posted!

sparklepants41 · August 2015

I absolutely love the first two on you the most - and in the photos, you look the most relaxed in the first two as well.

kimmiinthemitten · August 2015

I vote for 1 or 4 as well. 2 is beautiful, but can you get in and out of a carriage in that?

Casadena · August 2015

i personally am a sucker for a ball gown though and would suggest that one if your wedding is going to be big and on the fancier side. if not, i LOVE the last one

littlemushroom · August 2015

I like the mermaid best on you, but agree with PP who said getting in and out of the carriage could be problematic in it. After #2, I like the A line the next best on you.

[Deleted User] · August 2015

#3. It's gorgeous and looks the best on you. I think you answered yourself on #2 when you said it felt too tight on the bottom to walk properly.

714hbbride · August 2015

I really like the ball gown. It's detailing is gorgeous, and the off the shoulder sleeve is very flattering. It makes your waist look tiny, but also has a lot of drama (in a good way).

Knottie1432668587 · August 2015

Thank you everyone so much!! I won't be going for a mermaid style, it isn't as easy to move in and I can do that look whenever I like, whereas the other style is more bridal-exclusive if you know what I mean.

I tried some Pronovias A-line dresses yesterday, they have some nice ones and there is one with an impressive open back! It's a serious contender...what do you guys think?

(by the way, it's very large on me, it would be more fitted in my size but it was the only way to see the back without the clips)

hyechica81 · August 2015

love the open back and the dress. i say go for this one

[Deleted User] · August 2015

The Pronovias is gorgeous. Love the lace.

particuliersylphe · August 2015

I like #2

kasasr1024 · August 2015

Yes! The new one! It's a bit ball gown but is a bit risque (in a good way!) with the back and I think it would be wonderful with the carriage!

emmaaa · August 2015

Love the new one!

Not sure what look to go for: sexy and mature or sweet and young

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