I went dress shopping again...better luck

[zoebartlett]

I went shopping with a friend over the weekend and we stuck to department stores. I thought I''d find something that looked nice although I knew it wouldn''t be a wedding gown. Unfortunately, that wasn''t the case and I came home empty handed. Then today I decided to go on my own to a different bridal salon than I had gone to a while ago. The girl who helped me was really great. I had actually met her on Saturday when I ran in to make an appt. for today. She told me that it would be no problem to find something for me. Just that one sentence made me feel so much better! She didn''t look apologetically at me, patronize me, or rub me the wrong way. I was looking forward to going back today.

Before I continue I need to mention that I don''t have pics this time around. I didn''t think to bring my phone in with me and even if I had, the girl helping stayed with me the whole time, so I couldn''t have snapped a few on the sly. I''ll try next time. I actually had success and I ended up with three dresses that I really like. Dare I say ''love?'' Not sure about that yet but I was very pleasently surprised.

I discovered that I like dresses with lace overlays. I was more drawn to ivory dresses, with and without champagne detailing, instead of white. I favor A-line dresses. My favorite one is strapless, A-line, with a narrow champagne ribbon around the waist (which I was afraid would cut me off in the middle but it doesn''t. Maybe the ribbon is a little higher than my waist -- I can''t remember). It also has the same champagne colored ribbon right near the bottom of the dress. It''s really pretty and it looked very good I think. I still don''t like showing my bare arms but the girl helping said not to worry about that. A wrap is easy enough to get. I didn''t get the designer but the girl said that I wouldn''t find it online (I wanted to tell her that she hadn''t met EBree yet

). She made it sound like it was exclusive to the store.

I know I''m rambling but I''m much happier than before, and I just wanted to share.

 

[shigidigi]

Congrats Zoe! I think that''s all we need- that one positive experience that makes it a little easier to keep plugging away until you find the "one."

You should mention the name of the store so that others can use it as a reference for a good place to look for dresses!

 

[Gypsy]

YAY!

YAY!

YAY!

Call her and tell her that you really want to see how the dress photographs before you buy it. Ask her to take a couple of pics with you in it, and see what she says.

Tell her you are afraid that in a big white gown... the pictures are going to be unflattering and that you are worried. She might accomodate. I used the same logic... and got pics at a couple of places. So its worth a try.

 

[zoebartlett]

Thanks! Gypsy, I''ll give that a try! Maybe I''ll bring my FI''s camera phone with me, just in case I decide to sneak a few in. Mine takes horrible pictures.

 

[E B]

I''m so glad you had a good experience! Isn''t it a great feeling to find a dress that makes you feel like you could just float? The dress with the champagne ribbon sounds beautiful. It actually brings to mind a dress I''ve seen several times in a magazine. Let me see if I can find it.

Date: 6/18/2007 6:16:22 PM

Author:zoebartlett

I didn''t get the designer but the girl said that I wouldn''t find it online (I wanted to tell her that she hadn''t met EBree yet

). She made it sound like it was exclusive to the store.

LOL! I swear I have a life.

For some reason, my memory soaks up most things wedding related. I wish I could have been so lucky in math!

 

[E B]

Is this dress close?

 

[sumbride]

YAY!!! Ivory is so much more flattering than white to some skin tones. Can''t wait to see it! Glad you had a better experience this time around!

 

[zoebartlett]

Thanks everyone, and thanks EBree for finding that dress. I *think* it''s very close to the one I described, except the one I loved had a lace overlay. Also, the model is very tall and very thin, so it''s hard to tell. But the one in the shop didn''t look as if it was all that different than others I''ve seen. I''m going to bring my mo and maybe a friend for my next appt. to try them on again.

 

[zoebartlett]

Date: 6/18/2007 6:27:51 PM
Author: shigidigi
Congrats Zoe! I think that''s all we need- that one positive experience that makes it a little easier to keep plugging away until you find the ''one.''

You should mention the name of the store so that others can use it as a reference for a good place to look for dresses!

The shop is in Nashua, NH. I''m not sure I want to give the name out just yet.

 

[littlelysser]

Yay! That is awesome. I''m glad to hear it!

 

[bec]

Yeahhh! I''m so happy for you! It''s amazeing how one good experience can change the whole outlook. Can''t wait to see pictures.

 

[zoebartlett]

Thanks Ladies,

I promise to post pictures if I can. Bec, you''re looking for a dress too, aren''t you? How''s your search going?

 

[surfgirl]

zoe, I''m so glad to hear you had a positive bridal gown experience! Great news!!! And that you found something that you might really love...even better! I was hoping you''d find something more bridal and I just knew there was something with your name on it out there waiting for you. I''m dying to see a photo now!

You know, I ended up having a lace bolero made to wear over my dress after the ceremony because I also dont love my bare arms...When it''s done I''ll post a photo so you can see how it looks. If your dress has a lace overlay, ask if they make any matching bolero jackets to go over it - either in matching lace or in an ivory/champagne satin. Either would look lovely I''m sure, and give you that added coverage. Another option is to simply get a matching wrap/shawl and wrap around your shoulders - lower, like a portrait style neckline - and then tuck the long shawl/wrap ends UNDERNEATH your armpits and behind your back, tying them together behind you (back of the waist. It gives a similar coverage without having to have a jacket made. The only down side to that is you have some bulk behind you because you''ve tied the shawl/wrap behind you. I decided it added too much bulk but you might not mind it...Worth trying...CONGRATS!

 

[zoebartlett]

Thanks surfgirl for the sweet comments. It''s funny, I never thought I''d like bridal dresses. I always shied away from the idea, saying that they werren''t ME. I think secretly though, I never thought they COULD be ME. I''m extremely self-conscious. I never thought I''d find any that would be nice enough or flattering, but I think I may have found three. I''m actually excited for my next appointment, which isn''t until the beginning of next month. I really hope I can take pictures because I''d love to get everyone''s HONEST opinions.

 

[surfgirl]

I was so hoping you would have a good experience because I also never thought I''d wear a bridey dress but I have to say that when you put a good fitting one on, it''s magical, isn''t it? SO happy for you. PHOTOS!