More help - why can''t i find a BM dress?!!?

[Gypsy]

http://www.jimhjelmoccasions.com/dress_db_occ/display_dress.php?imageno=5700&multimatch=x

Bubble skirt and sash.

 

[Future Mrs Polka Dot]

Date: 2/19/2008 2:07:45 AM
Author: Gypsy
http://www.jimhjelmoccasions.com/dress_db_occ/display_dress.php?imageno=5700&multimatch=x

Bubble skirt and sash.

thanks, Gypsy! I like that one a lot and there are tons of good pink options (some good lighter pinks!)

You guys are so sweet and helpful

 

[Future Mrs Polka Dot]

Ok so here is one more option that several of the girls like (based on online pics...haven''t seen it in person yet.) What do you think? It is pictured in 3 different colors, though we can do it however we want (only 2 colors if we want.) I like pink and ivory but can''t figure out how I''d do it with it looking elegant rather than clownish.

I haven''t gone to look at any of the ideas the rest of you posted yet, but I''m hoping this or next weekend...

 

[Future Mrs Polka Dot]

And here is the back (of course it has a girly bow!)

 

[zoebartlett]

Date: 2/20/2008 10:05:08 PM
Author: Future Mrs Polka Dot
And here is the back (of course it has a girly bow!)

About this dress...

I love it BUT I really don''t think it''s right for someone who wears plus sizes. There''s no support in the back and for those who are, uh, well gifted, that''s not a good thing. It is pretty though.

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

Sorry, computer problems caused a double post.

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

I have discovered I am not very good at picking things, but here are a few all the same:
The dessy group can do larger sizes
http://www.dessy.com/dresses/bridesmaid/2717/#catid=1&displaytype=GridMedium&activePage=2&rpp=9&SortOrder=Default
The lace makes it girly and the matte satin is better for larger figures
http://www.dessy.com/dresses/bridesmaid/2502/#catid=1&displaytype=GridMedium&activePage=7&rpp=9&SortOrder=Default
the sleeves are very vintage/romantic
Eden does some nice dress and they also come in larger sizes.
http://www.edenbridals.com/7188-p-1148.html
The lack of sheen on the material is the best choice for larger girls
http://www.edenbridals.com/7107-p-657.html
this waistline with the higher visual focus is flattering on many shapes

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 2/20/2008 10:26:00 PM
Author: ZoeBartlett

Date: 2/20/2008 10:05:08 PM
Author: Future Mrs Polka Dot
And here is the back (of course it has a girly bow!)

About this dress...

I love it BUT I really don''t think it''s right for someone who wears plus sizes. There''s no support in the back and for those who are, uh, well gifted, that''s not a good thing. It is pretty though.

Ditto. A bra is gonna be a pain to get for that dipped back. I''d nix this one off the list unless she''s happy with some sort of tape or something.

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Date: 2/19/2008 12:57:11 AM
Author: Future Mrs Polka Dot

Date: 2/19/2008 12:53:33 AM

Author: CrownJewel

sorry that first one was by JS Boutique $98


This one below is also JS Boutique$178

I heart this one so much!! Why don''t they have bigger sizes....tear

Story of my life, haha. Hmmm..I hate to say this...but what you tried David''s? They have a few options for plus sizes. Otherwise...not sure about sizes, but I like: http://www.siriinc.com/Home.htm however, I think siri is more expensive.

I think this could look cute on a plus size: http://www.valstefani.com/frontend/proddetail.asp?pn=VS8725&co=10000309

I''ll keep looking!

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Oh and about Aria. I don''t really know anything personally, but I''ve considered Aria myself and for some reason I am just kind of hesitant. In some pictures I feel like the dresses look less well-made, what do you think?

More dress that I am pretty sure come in higher plus sizes:

http://davincibridal.com/catalog.php?page=28&cat=28&im_id=29
http://davincibridal.com/catalog.php?page=92&cat=28&im_id=93
Wow side note I think some of the girls on this website are not real (e.g. digital) wow weird.

Great separates: http://impressionbridal.com/catalog.php?cat=28

Some of these look kind of preppy in a different color: http://impressionbridal.com/catalog.php?cat=23&im_id=11&page=8

http://barijay.com/style.php?coll=barijay&showid=79

http://billlevkoff.com/main3.asp?p=1

Go to the collection tab and do style #s: 806, 866 (has a "brooch")

Annnd finally:

http://www.jasminebridal.com/html/en/web1_belsoie_3_a.asp?id=1183

Not as preppy, but it''s cute: http://www.jasminebridal.com/html/en/web1_belsoie_3_a.asp?id=1182

 

[scarlet16]

I didn''t see your old thread but how about J. Crew. They have some really cute "puffy" dresses.

http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/product.jhtml?id=prod85722201&catId=cat290185
http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/product.jhtml?id=prod90772201&catId=cat290185

 

[VRBeauty]

BIH: I love the first Dessy and the second Eden you posted.

Which just goes to prove, I think, that we all have different tastes.

FMPD: I think the answer to your question is that it just may not be possible to find a BM dress that fits your criteria and that of your BMs.

I can''t remember the last time I wore a really pastel pink, but it probably dates back to when my mother was dressing me. Aside from the from the fact that it doesn''t look real good on me (fuschia and hot pink, yes... pastel pink, no), the "girly" aspects of pastel pink just don''t sit well with me. I wouldn''t wear it any more than I''d wear a dress with a lot of ruffles and lace... it just isn''t me. Ditto with a bubble skirt... it''s not my best style, but more importantly, it just isn''t me.

The whole point of which is, you''re never going to please everyone, and you''re not going to find a dress that all of your BM''s will like and consider a worthwhile addition to their (non wedding) wardrobes.

You have a quite aa few BMs to deal with, and apparently a lot of size/color needs and style preferences. You can give them some free reign in the style department (choose a manufacturer, fabric, color, and length, and let them go at it). You can add some options in the color department (see above, but give them two or three shades or pink to choose from). Or you can go for a uniform look, hopefully one that minimizes damage if you can''t find one that''s universally flattering.

I hope you can find something that everyone, especially you, can live with. I''d be very happy to be proven wrong, but I''m guessing you''re not going to find something that everybody involved will love!

 

[Future Mrs Polka Dot]

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. There are so many! I''m going to look through them now!

Actually, the thing that is most upsetting is that I already did find one that everybody loved - it''s just that the sizing is too limited. All of the girls absolutely loved this dress. Everyone loved the cut, material, color etc. I wish I could just use this one - ugh, sorry, just venting! http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/outfit.jsp?ensembleId=3074&N=1200198&pCategoryId=193&categoryId=1739&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_1739

Maybe I''m the only one on here who likes girly things. I''d hate to think that the style I love reminds someone of what their mother forced them to wear when they were a kid

Oh well, I will just have to pick something in the end! Thanks for all the suggestions and constructive criticism!

 

[teetee]

I like the color and style of the first photo with the sash/bow in the back...agree with non-pink shoes

. I also like the first one that CJ posted but I guess that''s not option due to sizes offered. Not a fan of the bubble skirts, especially in the larger sizes.

 

[Gypsy]

I like the Ann Taylor one too. Too bad about the sizing.

There''s no way I''d wear a bubble skirt and pastel pink dress willingly. But I would do it for a very good friend. We do all have different tastes, but ultimately if you have ''foo foo'' tastes MrsPD (

), its your wedding and you have to go with what works for you. The girls aren''t going to be able to wear the dresses again, as even with less particular gowns you have problems with re-wearability so just keep the price range reasonable (which you are) and you''ll be fine.

 

[Future Mrs Polka Dot]

Date: 2/20/2008 11:23:40 PM
Author: SarahLovesJS
Oh and about Aria. I don''t really know anything personally, but I''ve considered Aria myself and for some reason I am just kind of hesitant. In some pictures I feel like the dresses look less well-made, what do you think?

That''s kind of what I worry about too, Sarah! I can''t tell!

Thanks, gypsy! I am just such a people pleaser and I need to get over it! I will let you guys know what the ultimate decision is!

 

[VRBeauty]

I'd wear that Ann Taylor dress with a smile!

OK, I might lobby for a slightly deeper shade of pink

... but I'd go for it even if that wasn't an option!

Have you considered having your BM dresses custom-made? That style is not real complex, and dupioni is not that expensive. You might be able to get that dress made (and custom-fit to your maids) for not too much more than the retail price.

http://www.fabric.com/CategoryDetail.aspx?CategoryID=e9fb4531-64f1-404f-a002-f08f241ad99b

ETA: mind you, I haven't had a dress custom made since the last time I was a bridesmaid many years ago (and the bride's parents picked up the tab for that one). But it seems like it might be do-able...

 

[Future Mrs Polka Dot]

thanks minims! Not a bad idea - thanks for the fabric link! I bet I could easily find a seamstress who can do this in NY (haha, I can start with the garment district!)

 

[sap483]

I can answer your questions about Aria since I own a couple of Aria bridesmaid dresses from weddings I''ve been in and had my own bridesmaid get dresses through Aria. IMO the silk shatung is really pretty- but the knobby texture doesn''t appeal to everyone and it''s expensive. The dresses are very thin too, which was a plus for me since I''m getting married in July, but may not be what everyone is looking for. They also do offer a satin and cotton eyelet fabric. What I liked about Aria is that the girls were able to try on the dress in the right size and the right length. Thus there was no guessing about how it would look in their size (two of the girls are tiny and short, one is short and curvy and the fourth is quite tall). Plus the availability of tall and petite sizes minimizes the alterations needed. I also liked how many different silhouettes are available at Aria. As it turns out three of my girls all really liked one dress and the fourth one, my MOH liked a different dress. However if they all wanted a different style, we could have made that work as well since there were a lot of options that looked good on them. One of the bridesmaid dresses that I have from a wedding I was in, is just a plain strapless dress in the midnight color. It''s simple enough that I have actually been able to wear it again!

 

[karasue91]

FMPD, have you looked at Thread? http://threaddesign.com/

Also in the $300+ range, but some super cute styles and colors and sizes up to 22! Can''t remember what size you said your BM would need...thought it was 20?

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Date: 2/21/2008 11:52:20 AM
Author: sap483
I can answer your questions about Aria since I own a couple of Aria bridesmaid dresses from weddings I''ve been in and had my own bridesmaid get dresses through Aria. IMO the silk shatung is really pretty- but the knobby texture doesn''t appeal to everyone and it''s expensive. The dresses are very thin too, which was a plus for me since I''m getting married in July, but may not be what everyone is looking for. They also do offer a satin and cotton eyelet fabric. What I liked about Aria is that the girls were able to try on the dress in the right size and the right length. Thus there was no guessing about how it would look in their size (two of the girls are tiny and short, one is short and curvy and the fourth is quite tall). Plus the availability of tall and petite sizes minimizes the alterations needed. I also liked how many different silhouettes are available at Aria. As it turns out three of my girls all really liked one dress and the fourth one, my MOH liked a different dress. However if they all wanted a different style, we could have made that work as well since there were a lot of options that looked good on them. One of the bridesmaid dresses that I have from a wedding I was in, is just a plain strapless dress in the midnight color. It''s simple enough that I have actually been able to wear it again!

Thank you for the info!!

 

[cdt1101]

We went w/ Jim Hjelm BM dresses. They are very nice quality and reasonably priced ($200 range). Have you thought about picking a fabric/color and having them go to a shop w/ Jim Hjelm and choosing the style? Are you super attached to matchy-matchy? I think it may be best to have them each choose a style since their sizes vary. When we went to the bridal salon they had a large selection of Jim Hjelm and the girls got to pick. I lucked out that all like the same style, but that anothers story

just a suggestion

 

[cara]

So I just tried on Simple Silhouette's bridesmaid dresses for a wedding I am in later this spring, and can say that a similar dress (kneeish length with poofy skirt from pleats at the waist) looked HORRID on me. I'm tall, plus-sized, and looked like a clown. I have tried on short bubble skirt cocktail dresses before and they just look laughable on my proportion.

If all your girls are skinny, they might be able to pull off the bubble skirt but otherwise it would definitely be a kindness to the bride to wear them.

My coloring is such that the bubble-gum pink would work fine, and I am girly enough to go for it, but I would just think through your party before committing. Certain redheads or darker-complexioned people might not find it flattering.

If you choose to go with Aria, I would recommend either a more versatile style or letting the girls "pick their poison". Unless they are all skinny types that can pull off the pleated poofy skirt.

As for approximating the Ann Taylor dress you like, I think siri dress in SF has some very close options below. Of course, they are pricier than the aria but more detailed with more fabric options.