Wednesday, December 5, 2012

hung up on Valentino


Hello! 

I wrote previously regarding my long-term blah blah who cares. It all worked out and we are getting married in September! I am hung up on this dress (image attached that I shot hastily of a magazine ad).

I can see that it's Valentino and therefore about $10k out of my budget. Do you or your readers have any ideas of where I could find something similar? It is perfection.  

I will cross my fingers. I don't even know quite how to begin to search for something like this!

*****

Good news! I found the dress on sale. ($15,000 down from 22K!)
Posted by esb at 6:00 AM

23 comments:

  1. nicoleDecember 5, 2012 at 7:55 AM

    I loved it on Keira Knightley. As for "something similar," this Lanvin gown gives me the same vibe at a better price point.

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  2. Hillary SchusterDecember 5, 2012 at 8:27 AM

    I mean, that's straight-up impossible to replicate. I like Nicole's dress. I think you might need to break it down into what you like best about it.

    This one has a similar neckline.

    This dress is on, like, every episode of Say Yes to the Dress ever (it always looks pinker on the show).

    This one also (kind of) has a similar neckline (and straight shape to it).

    This BHLDN one has a similar shape and business (I know, I know).

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  3. Hillary SchusterDecember 5, 2012 at 8:27 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. KateDecember 5, 2012 at 8:43 AM

    I wonder if you can buy one of the less expensive dresses listed in the comments above and get it custom embroidered with the flowers? As I would imagine that is truly the draw of the dress. I used to work in costume design and this is something we would have done as theatre costume budgets are about $5. Perhaps my perspective is skewed though as I live in New York and have many options at my fingertips. Something to research though...

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  5. kyliDecember 5, 2012 at 9:15 AM

    What do you like about it? The shape? The embroidery?

    Here's an embroidered Temperley London dress on sale at Shopbop for $2469 (if you're a size 2)

    This Marchesa also has some pretty spectacular details (sequins!)

    Also this Elie Saab (minus the weird belt)

    A totally different but still amazing Theyskens Theory dress

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    1. UnknownDecember 5, 2012 at 12:10 PM

      I immediately thought of that Temperley Alice dress.

      I don't really go for this type of thing but here's This crazy Lhuillier

      And did anyone see this crazy McQueen? How sick is this dress?

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  6. AmyDecember 5, 2012 at 10:15 AM

    The Temperley dress is the best substitute I've seen - and how about something vintage? There have to be a few 1920s embroidered net dresses out there that are similar. Or, you have plenty of time to cross stitch the heck out of a dress between now and September.

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  7. amyDecember 5, 2012 at 10:33 AM

    Seeing it on Keira Knightley made me love it more. I don't think I will find anything like it for $1k, but there is a possibility of embellishing something myself. Thanks for the suggestions! What I love about the Valentino is how unique it is. I love the colors and the shape and the details. The wedding is outside, I would be like a wood nymph. Just kidding.

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  8. AlisonDecember 5, 2012 at 10:51 AM

    This isn't THAT similar but it hits the demure + floral detailing combo and is gorgeous: Gucci dress

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  9. AnonymousDecember 5, 2012 at 11:13 AM

    Check out Jenny Packham's collection. Her 'joy' dress from a couple of seasons ago is stunning and embroidered. Doesn't quite hit the floral angle. Also, the dress taylor swift wore with the red embroidered flowers is a beauty (although I'm guessing out of your price range)... maybe even look in their ready to wear section?

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  10. Hillary SchusterDecember 5, 2012 at 11:23 AM

    $1K cannot typically get you that much detail commercially.

    I've seen this dress look good on several brides (online, not in person). Nordstrom only has it in a 16 but there are a bunch on eBay.

    - Bride 1
    - Bride 2
    - Bride 3

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    1. Ms KDecember 5, 2012 at 11:33 AM

      So very beautiful, so unfriendly for supporting any kind of boobs.

      Delete
    2. amyDecember 5, 2012 at 1:01 PM

      I love it!

      Delete
  11. KateDecember 5, 2012 at 1:22 PM

    Well, if you wanted to go with a Mexican themed wedding, Etsy's got you covered. But if not, this is what an embroidery search holds:

    Not as colorful
    Not quite
    Girly
    Could you do pink?

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    1. amyDecember 5, 2012 at 5:44 PM

      thanks! The first one is a great start. I have hope.

      Delete
  12. VanessaDecember 5, 2012 at 1:38 PM

    Ooo did you see the Temperley London dress on Alice Temperley on PR last season? Very very pretty.

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  13. BadBrideDecember 5, 2012 at 3:26 PM

    How about Biyan?

    Net-a-Porter stocks it.
    Most of Resort 13 is sold out but S/S 13 looks perfect for you.

    This dress makes me want to get married again.

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  14. My Love Wedding RingDecember 5, 2012 at 3:46 PM

    Wow, it is a stunner of a dress! I'm not surprised it has won your heart :)

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  15. AnonymousDecember 5, 2012 at 6:10 PM

    Zimmerman!

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  16. AnonymousDecember 7, 2012 at 3:45 PM

    What about this vintage dress? Someone posted it in the comments on a different post, but I think it is for you!


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    1. amyDecember 8, 2012 at 12:35 PM

      Thank you - I really love that, even for a rehearsal dinner the night before...

      Delete
  17. AnnaleeDecember 10, 2012 at 5:25 PM

    Came across this vintage silk dress today--maybe it could work for you? It has a beautiful scattered floral print, and it's only $299! I would alter the neckline though.

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