So part of me really hoped the bride in my life would pick the dress for me - love it or hate it - just so I wouldn't have to spend hours shopping for one. But alas, I have to find my own. I am not annoyed, just super lazy.
The Bride's request states that dress needs to be black, long (meaning on the ground, not ankle length) and in shiny fabric if possible.
I want the dress to be "classic" in style and have a good waist at waist height ie nothing drop waist, column shape, empire or shapeless.
I'm willing to pay up to the high hundreds if its absolutely amazing and completely wearable for the rest of my life. But I'd prefer closer to $500 or less.
After searching at my usual dress shops online and off I decided to have a peek at proper bridesmaids shops and actually found some I like:
Here and here. In Australia these retail for about $300, even though in US they're about $180. Which is reasonable I guess but that fabric doesn't look very nice to touch, seems cheap and the online reviews I have found agree with me.
So I'm looking for alternatives, and something in silk would be great. Would you/your readers be willing to help?
thanks!
*****
I tried tweeting this request the other week, but no dice....
Any ideas, my friends? (Must ship down under.)
Halter, not shiny
ReplyDeleteMarchesa
It's shiny!-ish
Robert Rodriguez
Monique Lhuillier (is this navy?)
Maybe?
DeleteMaybe not "classic" but a little more interesting
Love the Halston Heritage
DeleteIs this the Robert Rodriguez you meant to link to? Unless I'm crazy, I think the link is brokenz.
DeleteYou know, after looking at the options out there, I don't hate the one up top. But here we go:
ReplyDeleteDiane Von Furstenburg. I'd get a new belt for it though.
A little over the budget but how about DKNY?
I instantly thought of this dress by NelliUzun on etsy. Etsy is great for custom orders. I'm sure you could see if they could make it in black.
Taking a risk on the waist here, but it looks classic. Cédric Charlier.
That etsy dress, in black, totally gets my vote.
DeleteThat etsy dress is so stunning. Can I wear that to my friends not overly formal winter wedding without looking like an asshole?
DeleteOh god, please get the etsy one! Gorgeous!!
DeleteYes! The etsy one. It's polyester, but maybe she can make it in black silk.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteOP here. I think the green is stunning. I am concerned that it's 50% cotton so it may not look as formal IRL as the photos suggest. But I've sent a message asking about black, so yay! thanks for the tips.
DeleteThe DVF is great too!
@Ms K Do it!
Just wanted to make a correction: the fabric is made of thick lycra cotton + small amount of silk, which gives the dress a little bit of intelligent shine.
DeleteThank you,
Nelli
I dunno... this request kinda sucks.
ReplyDeleteI'm wearing Alfred Sung in a similar style for a friend's wedding this year and it's nice, fabric is fine. You can always order it to see and return if you don't like it?
ReplyDeleteAlso, just to note - it makes sense that it's 'cheaper' in the States as the US $ is stronger then the AUS $
I dunno, bro. Right now the USD is basically on par with the AUD. Australia just gets gouged on prices.
DeleteYeah, the dollars have been at or around parity for the past few years and everything in Australia is more expensive. Think cocktails cost at least $15 (often up to $25), make up is usually twice the price, and lots of shops in the US don't ship to Australia still
Deleteyeah this has nothing to do with the $ rates. Things are always just more expensive here even back in the day before parity.
DeleteI'm glad you have good feedback on Alfred Sung. I just might have to go try on one - OP.
Deleteyes, cost of living might be more in Oz, but wages are generaly higher.. so stuff might seem to cost more but it's actually relative to wages and salary. obvi.
Delete"so stuff might seem to cost more"
DeleteNo. It doesn't 'seem' to cost more. It actually costs more.
Although the minimum wage is a lot higher in Aus than the US, the median wage is very similar, but housing, retail goods and food are generally more expensive in Australia.
DeleteThis one is lovely... and Charlie now has online shopping:
ReplyDeletehttp://charlieluvsyou.blogspot.ca/2013/05/eve-gravel.html
I was looking for that leather bodice ball gown from the cruise post, because I saw Rachel Bilson wear it on Hart of Dixie (I know, judge me. I hate myself for that sentence) and found this instead.
ReplyDeleteAlice and Olivia pleated maxi dress w/ leather
I was liking the Etsy one too, until I saw this one. Pick this one!
DeleteI was just about to post a link to that dress. This one definitely has my vote.
DeleteThis is probs inappropriate for a bridesmaid, but I still love it.
DeleteRachel Zoe 'Adriana' Mermaid Maxi Dress
This sounds rude, but I'm just being honest. If you want classic bridesmaid, just go classic bridesmaid. It's very easy to find this or this.
The Rachel Zoe one is a stunner.
Delete@stef OP here, thanks for your help! I am know to watch an ep or two of Hart of Dixie also. Just to clarify I am looking for a classice dress, not a classic bridesmaid dress. IMO there's a difference.
DeleteTry Blush on Etsy - she is amazing and so accommodating. She is based in Israel and shipped to me in the UK so I imagine she will ship to Oz.
ReplyDeleteI meant to specify this dress.
ReplyDeletethis one.
ReplyDeleteI don't like any of those dresses as much as the one in the post. And the one in the post is cheapest. Win.
ReplyDeleteNot sure where in Australia you live, but if you are in Melbourne and would prefer to try before you buy, I had bridesmaid dress luck at Stellini in the city. They were one of the few shops that I found that had simple silk long dresses
ReplyDeleteJuliette Hogan in NZ does amazing dresses in beautiful fabrics, maybe her Alera Dress in black? this would work out to be around AUD$500. Also, check out her Bridesmaid section for a few more lovely floor length dresses. Also, it's not quite long enough, but I adore Miss Crabb's Fleetwood Mac dress.
ReplyDeleteThey only have this in a zero and a 12 now but maybe you can find it somewhere else (I had originally sent it when I replied to ESB's tweet): Diane von Furstenberg
ReplyDeleteWhen deciding upon the right robe for the mom, there are some items you'll would like to maintain in thoughts. It's significant to attempt to possess the mom from the bride dress coordinate together with the relaxation of the bridal celebration and wedding concept, in regard to class, color and concept.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dreamy-dress.com/
This comparison could be with reference to design, grace, and style. A lot of brides also decide to possess the mom with the bride robe match in the same way towards the mom on the groom dress in makes an attempt to tie inside the complete topic of the wedding.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dreamy-dress.com/