Bridesmaid dress help please!

[ephemery1]

So the bridesmaid dress hunt is officially underway... we are looking for black, tea-length, and a neckline that's NOT strapless... preferably halter or something similar. I was really hoping to find something at Ann Taylor or J.Crew so my BMs could buy off the rack and not worry about alterations (and have something rewearable!), but neither place has anything quite right. I just checked out White House/Black Market and Talbot's, and though there were some interesting options, still nothing perfect. I've also scoured the Nordstrom's and Macy's websites... but again, not convinced.

My bridesmaids are all between 5'4 and 5'9, and thin to average body types... nobody would be larger than a size 6 or 8. Still, they'd prefer a fabric that's not too clingy (the way thin silk can sometimes be). And preferably under $200.

Based on all that, any other ideas, PS experts?? I'm sure there are other stores where we could do an off the rack dress, but I'm drawing a blank. Otherwise, we'll have to start looking at "real" bridesmaids dresses... so if anyone has any lines you recommend, let me know! Thank you!!

 

[labbielove]

hi there,

mmm...it''s not too glamorous or trendy, but have you checked jcpenney''s online website. they have a bridal department.
talbot''s was my first thought also- have you checked the stores as they may have more than the online site?

good luck, as i too am trying to find some bm dresses and it is tough to find non strapless, off the rack.

also, not sure if it''s your taste but what about david''s bridal? or do they not stock the dresses? can''t remember.

 

[monarch64]

Jones New York makes tons of simple black cocktail dresses that are usually more conservative. They''re usually in better department stores like Nordstroms or Macy''s...and in my experience they are usually lined, which would help to solve the "cling" issue. I even have a matte jersey JNY evening gown from 6 years ago that is either very thick jersey or lined, can''t remember, but I know I have never been worried about the "jiggle effect" when wearing it. Maybe you can try the JNY website, if they have one.

Anthropologie has some great dresses, you could check their website as well--they usually have a few little black dresses which are more on the conservative side but still very stylish. Also, there is a store called Cachet (website is cachet.com I believe), they have a lot of cocktail gowns as well. Ummm... *racking my brain*...that''s all I can think of right now, if I have a "lightbulb" moment I''ll post again! Good luck!

 

[E B]

Undercurrents Dress (from Anthropologie), $148:

 

[E B]

Tom Tom Halter Dress $99.95

 

[griffitk]

We bought brown bm dresses off the rack a couple of weeks ago and had really good luck at Lord and Taylor. We found a couple of things at Filenes/JcPenny''s, as well.

Have you tried Ann Taylor Loft? They usually have slightly younger styling than Ann Taylor and not all of their stuff is listed on the website (I''ve found). I found a bubble dress there for $89 and there are others.

 

[Fancy605]

Oh, def. check out anthropologie! They usually have lovely dresses (the one in the thread looks nice!)

I must say, finding a LBD off the rack is a breat idea! I would love to be in a wedding that required a nice off the rack black dress from a great store--it''s just a great excuse to splurge on something nice.

 

[budgetbride]

if it helps... i''m looking into dresses from dessy and bari jay. both are on the trendy yet chicc side. Check out the website www.houseofbrides.com they have great prices!

 

[roo]

okay so i know its not tea length but i thought it was really cute. and it''s not strapless, and everyone can always use another little black dress!

now let''s see if i can get it to work..

 

[roo]

oh!

and i forgot to add..

it''s $49.99 and i found it at www.smartbargains.com

it''s kinda like a cheaper bluefly.com

 

[roo]

anuva one

$49.99 and tea length!

 

[pelican]

I am going through the same struggle right now, and I have the exact same requirements as you, except I''m looking for midnight blue or navy dresses. Funny how something that seems so simple is so difficult to find! I''ve been unsuccessful finding the right dress off the rack, but some bridesmaid lines that look promising are Watters and Watters, Aria Bridesmaids and Siri. The nice thing about Aria is that you can pick a fabric and allow each bridesmaid to pick her own neckline or silhouette. The dresses come in either knee length and floor length though - not tea length.

Good luck with your search!

 

[diamondfan]

I like all that you posted. Guess it boils down to how they look in person...sometimes pictures do not do justice or they make a thing look better than in real life. I might invest in one of each, get it for the hardest to fit girl if any, and see what you think. Make sure the ones you do not keep are returnable, and then have the one who keeps it reimburse you...think that might be the simplest way!!!

 

[heatherdurant]

We are in the EXACTSAME dillema. I''m having a hard time finding ones that dont LOOK like bridesmaid dresses...ugh!!! And please girls, charmeuse fabric looks good on no one. Especially for pictures.

Try these.....BCBG., A.B.S. by Allen Scchwartz, Laundry by Shelli Segal, www.edressme.com, Bannnana Republic???
I finally called all 4 of my girls today and told them they could pick out their own dress to wear. My only restrictions were that they had to be black, tea length, no charmeuse and no sleeves of any kind.
I know my girls are going to feel good in what they are wearing. Most importantly THEIR individual style will show through instead of looking like a satin, silk, chiffon, cookie cutter.
I feel really good about the decision I made.
No collecting money, no "Have you gone in for your measurements yet?", "Have you ordered it yet?" "Do you even like it?" "Does it still fit?"
Good luck!!
oh another website..
Jenny Yoo....Redefining Bridesmaids
www.jennyyoo.com
very cute stuff..

 

[ephemery1]

Thank you so much for all of your help and suggestions!!! My MOH and I went back to the King of Prussia mall today with the intent of finding THE dress... and after browsing through Nordstrom's and finding a couple of "eh" options... we went into White House/Black Market. I'd been there a couple weeks before and saw a few that were okay, but not perfect... but this time, there was a new one on display...

She brought 4 dresses back to the dressing room, but when she put on the new one, we both knew it was absolutely perfect... no need to even try on the others! It has ALL the details we were looking for... halter with enough coverage to look formal, the satin-y look of taffeta without being too heavy or stiff, AND some ruching on the bodice that will work perfectly with my dress... yay!!!

My MOH has what she calls "the weirdest body" of all my bridesmaids, so considering how good it looked on her, it should be pretty universally flattering. And definitely rewearable... she was laughing that when she gets it, she's going to have to hide it so she isn't tempted to wear it before the wedding!

Picture attached:

 

[ephemery1]

Close-up of bodice:

 

[robbie3982]

Oooh! I really like that!

 

[larussel03]

wow that''s great! I''m looking for a dress like that too, black, tea length cocktail dress for my BM''s!!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Oh, I like that last one. It looks like it would be very flattering!

 

[FacetFire]

Great dress find! It looks perfect!

 

[Fancy605]

Ohhh ephemery, that dress is perfect! How awesome of you to pick out something that they can get so much use out of afterwards!

It''s so nice and classy too!

 

[labbielove]

I love it!
great job, and as a many-times bridesmaid myself,
i know your bms will thank you for picking out a great dress