Flower Girl Shopping Tips

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Flower girl dresses can be expensive!  Some of these darling dresses will cost as much as the grown-up bridesmaid dresses, especially at the big chain bridal shops.  If you know when and where to shop, you can get a real bargain on flower girl dresses.

First, it is important to know the best time to buy.  For the light-weight fabrics in light colors, you will find the best selection and prices around Easter.  Big department stores and children’s stores start reducing the price just after Easter.  The heavier fabrics and darker colors are abundant for the winter, right around Christmas.  Do not get caught up in bridal  versus holiday dress, if it is the right color and style, then be happy that you can save money.

Be careful not to buy ANY of the dresses too early, especially for the little ones.  You never know when your little flower girl is suddenly going to grow a size or two!  Far too often I witnessed a frustrated bride trying to replace the flower girl’s dress at the last minute because the dress that fit perfectly 4 months ago is way too small the week before the wedding.  And, to avoid any surprises, have everyone in the bridal party confirm fit 1 – 2 weeks before the wedding.

Adult women know all too well how important it is for a flattering fit and correct cut for our bodies.  Not to mention that women’s sizes can vary drastically from one designer to another.  Flower girls and junior bridesmaids sizes are far more uniform and more standardized cuts, which makes it so easy to shop on-line!  If you are trying to match 2 or more flower girls then you will probably have better selection of the same dress is multiple sizes from a website than a store anyway.

Consider second-hand dresses.  Check out pre-owned wedding sites like Bravo Bride for great savings on worn-once dresses.  After the wedding, you can continue the hand-me-downs by posting the dresses for resale.

There are so many ways to save money on your wedding, just remember to be creative and have fun!

White after Easter

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There is no definitive reason for the old “do not wear white before labor day”, some sources have a silly theory of cold, others blame the rich-elite as a class issue. Some understand the rule to apply only to white shoes, while others rule out all bright-white clothing. This fashion rule started in colder climates (Northeast United States) and they can keep it!

White is cool and refreshing for summer. And when you live in a warm area like the Southern states, we follow a different rule, summer starts on Easter Sunday. Weather forecasts are predicting 93 degrees today, perfect for a little white dress and white sandals!

Go ahead and wear white! If you need an excuse to buy a new white dress, this one is under $30 at New York & Company right now.

Beach Bridal Budget Advice

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Less than a year ago I closed my dress shop, and I am very happy to still provide guidance & assistance with dress buying. Recently, a friend call to tell me that her Daughter is getting married. And, could I offer some advice for the Wedding Gown?  Yes!

Background information first, the bride is a petite size 2 getting married on the beach, and Mom and Dad have offered to pay $800 towards the gown. Frankly, I am a firm believer that you can find a beautiful dress for under $1,000, and to pay much more than that is just absurd.

My favorite Bridal shop close to the Bride is Uptown Bridal in Chandler, Arizona. The gowns are beautiful and I have heard extremely favorable comments about the customer service. Every time I pass the store front I swoon a bit over the stunning gowns on display.

A well kept secret is pre-owned gowns. A lovely lady named Julie owns & operates Encore Bridal for pre-owned designer gowns. She has exquisite taste and only deals with pristine designer gowns.

Another little known secret is to purchase a designer gown in white (or ivory, off-white, silver,etc). These may be marketed as pageant or prom gowns, but essentially are high-quality, gorgeous gowns that are significantly lower priced than a “bridal” gown. The best time to shop for these gems is in the spring when stores are fully stocked for prom, and manufacturers are cutting the largest quantity. There are some absolutely stunning gowns that are perfect for a destination wedding, such as the beach wedding example. It is really impracticable (and looks silly) to wear a large puffy dress with train for a beach ceremony!

Another item of note is the difference between “Couture” which are typically tens of thousands of dollars and traditionally one-of-a-kind, versus special orders. Think of special orders more like a dress that is not cut & sewn until you order it, but it is a selection of pre-defined fabrics and cut to a set size chart. The dress is not custom made for you in any way “custom” is it still made from the basic pattern and size chart, regardless of your exact measurements.

In fact, many bridal shops will order the next size larger to guarantee that dress can be tailored to fit you perfectly, for an extra charge. This will cover any weight gain, padded bra, or any number of changes to your original fitting because it is much easier to alter a dress down to a smaller size than to have a dress that is just too small.  Our Bride is petite and should plan for a hem.  Otherwise, ask about alterations before any gown is purchased.  If the correct dress is ordered, or better yet purchased “off-the-rack”, then very little alterations should be required.

My first search on eBay already found tons of (new) spectacular designer gowns under the $800 budget.  The wedding gown is such a huge part of your day, but that does not mean it has to be such a huge part of your BUDGET!

Sell Your Prom Dress

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Are you thinking about selling your Prom dress? You need some extra money, it does not fit anymore, you already wore it once, you will never wear it again, whatever your reason…

Now is the perfect time to sell your Prom Dress! Prom is just around the corner. Most Prom events occur in April, and many Canadians buy a formal gown for “grad” (graduation events that are like American Prom). Here are some tips to get the best deal for your dress.

Decide where you are going to sell it. Expensive name brand & designer dresses sell very well on eBay. Check out similar listings and price accordingly. If the dress is in perfect condition you may get close to 30-50% of the original retail price. Off-brands may actually sell better on Craigslist, or to a younger friend. Ask your younger friends, younger Sister’s friends, etc if they know any one that would like to buy your dress. A local buyer will save on shipping and eBay fees. If posting on Craigslist, be safe and offer to meet the potential buyer at a local coffee shop or some public place with a bathroom that is clean enough to let your dress be tried on. Consignment stores are really the worst option for Prom resale. Your beautiful dress is likely to be damaged in the store and may not sell before prom, then you no longer have the dress nor any money. The consignment store sets the price for your area, but it may sell for considerably more money in another location.

Have the dress professionally cleaned after you know what it may sell for. It is silly to spend $40 on cleaning for a dress that will likely sell for $75 used. But, $40 to clean a designer dress that will resale for several hundred dollars is worth it. The resale value of the dress will also give you a better idea if requires any repair. Again, consider the resale value of the dress with cleaning and repair to determine if it is worth selling.

Post several well-lit photos of just your dress. Get close-up photos of the bust, any embellishments, and full length front & back. It is better to crop your head out of the photo and show the dress being worn, than a shapeless mass on the hanger. Be careful using “stock” photos, but if you have the original designer name & style number you may be able to post a link to a photo of your dress, in addition to the photos that you took.

Be honest! Make sure you mention that it was previously worn, if you are selling locally (like Craigslist or classified ad) disclose what school & year it was worn. Any damage, repair, stains or any sign of wear must be mentioned or you will have a very unhappy buyer (and an unwanted return).

Provide dress size and measurements. Include the designer size chart, if available, but get a real measurement of the dress. Sometimes the easiest way to measure the dress is while you (or someone who fits in it) is wearing it.

Alterations can be a good selling point. If you are petite and had the dress hemmed, be sure to mention how tall you are, how tall your shoes were, and the finished length of the dress after hem. If you kept any extra fabric from a matching wrap, or leftover fabric from alterations be sure to mention that too. Extra fabric can be used for a matching headband or accessory, and to coordinate the date’s tux.

Estimate postage and shipping. Most prom dresses are bulky, and really not that heavy. Compare prices for regular USPS, FedEx, and UPS. If your dress can fit in a smaller (less than 12 inches long for the longest side) it is almost always cheaper to mail through regular postal service. If your dress contains ANY beading or embellishments that could be crushed or broken, use a box!

Blonde Beauty Prom Shopping

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One of my favorite customers recently contacted me for Prom shopping suggestions. Her daughter is a petite blonde, short waist, with an amble chest. I have been involved in her formal dresses for Military Ball, Junior Prom, and Homecoming. This year she is a Senior, and I am flattered (and quite pleasantly surprised) for Mom to ask for my advice. The last time I saw her was 6 months ago, so I assume she is about the same size, but I would take a current measurement of her before purchasing any dress. Due to her bust size, she is right on the edge of a size 12 or 14 (depending on the cut). She has a tiny waist and plus size fashions typically are cut way too large for her waist. 

There is very little selection for formal wear near their home.  And there is substantially less selection for formal wear in metro-Phoenix / East Valley since I closed my store.  I start my search on-line with a few eBay stores and trusted dress websites.  Remember to read all of the fine print, double & triple check your measurements against the size chart before placing any orders.

Last year she wore a beautiful strapless hot pink princess gown by Lara from my store. So this year I am keeping my eye out for blues, other colors she has not worn, and slightly different, yet flattering styles. Due to her body shape, we will avoid mermaid styles, drop waist, low back (she needs all the chest support she can get), anything too overwhelming for ruffles and fabric, and most-of-all anything that does not provide sufficient coverage on top.

The first selection is an Orange multi-colored satin print by Studio 17 on eBay. The top should provide sufficient coverage, and the empire waist band is perfect for her torso length. I know this dress will need a hem, but our blonde beauty would look fantastic in this gown!

Plus size fashions tend to run tall as well, which has proven to be a nightmare in the past. I do like this satin gown by Night Moves in the deep blue/purple. The neck strap will likely be too long, but will provide extra support while she is dancing and running around. The gown will be too long and require a hem.

To avoid tailoring the hem, this high-lo style from Precious Formals is perfect. The side waist detail will draw attention away from her bust and showcase her tiny waist.

Honestly, the only thing I really miss about my store is being able to match spectacular gowns with gorgeous girls!

Dramatic Weight Loss Shopping

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Due to MS, medications, and other health issues, my friend V gained weight, then with better treatment, diet & exercise she has lost a whopping 50 pounds in the last year!  She talks about her struggles with MS here.

All of this weight gain, and now dramatic weight loss has proven to be disastrous for her wardrobe! While her weight loss continues she is not ready to shell out serious cash for clothes. Many outfits only fit for a month or two, so this is getting expensive. Today we set out to find some new clothes on a budget. Armed with a 20% off coupon, a keen eye, and some savvy shopping we left with 2 new dresses, 2 pairs of shorts, 3 pair of underwear, 1 cute top, and 1 pair of jeans for less than $200!!!

The first challenge is breaking old habits. When your lose (or gain) weight, your body shape usually changes as well. Your weight can stay exactly the same as far as the scale is concerned,but the distribution is different. Styles that previously looked good, may no longer be the most flattering for your current shape. V picked up a pair of pants, in her new smaller size, that are the exact same style as something she wore 4 sizes ago. Since her shape changed, the pockets stuck out and the fit was just horrible.

Now that we know those are not working, our next challenge is finding something that flatters in the correct size. And this is a challenge! Again, because of body shape, the size 10 may fit but not look very good, while a different cut size 6 also fits and looks bad in a different way. V is taller than average with a long torso, meaning that her legs are “normal” height and her body from neck to waist is taller than normal. The good news is that finding the right length pants is easy. After only a little trial & error, we found these Levi’s 525 straight leg jeans that looked great! The slight high-rise waist covers a long torso and prevents “muffin top”. The straight leg is not too clingy nor too baggy.

She tried this purple dress with flared skirt, which just looked too short and a bit juvenile. Since V has a long torso, the waist seam of the dress was several inches too short for her. This flared skirt only accentuates her hips, and since the waist seam is too high it makes her waist look larger than it really is several inches lower.  Not happy with this purple dress, we kept searching.

This print dress has an elastic waist to really show off how small V’s waist is. There is a little sash from waist past hips that draws the eye down to her legs. I love the conservative neckline and cute little cap sleeves. V can wear this to work with a little sweater or jacket in cold weather, or just a cute pair of sandals in the summer. Best of all, the elastic in the waist will adjust with her weight.

My favorite piece from our shopping trip is this fabulous coral ponte knit zip back dress. The banded waist band is so flattering, and perfect to show off V’s slender waist and sexy legs! Paired with a tan or khaki single button blazer jacket gives this dress a sophisticated look for work. A slim snake skin belt and matching shoes would be a funky look for casual wedding or date night out.

Bridesmaid Tips

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Understand the cost of the wedding before agreeing to be a bridesmaid. It is a privilege to be a bridesmaid, it can also be expensive. This is your friend, tell her how flattered you are, and to be fair to both of you, ask some basic questions before you say yes. Is the wedding local or another destination? Will you need to take vacations days from work? What is her approximate budget for your bridesmaid dress, shoes, accessories, etc? What is her expectation for your participation? If you have concerns about the time commitment or expenses, then have that conversation with the Bride as soon as possible. Too many friendships are strained or ruined because the Bride and Bridesmaids each thought the other was being “unreasonable” which would have been avoided by an upfront discussion of your role and responsibilities for her Wedding.

Be on time. In fact, be early. Double check what time and where you need to be for each event.

The Bride has the ultimate choice for Bridesmaid dress. It may not be your favorite color, the most flattering fit, or even something you will wear ever again. Likely, your friend is trying to coordinate colors, pick dresses within a certain budget, only has certain choices due to the range of sizes, may have to special order for color/size/style, and is having a hard time finding a dress that everyone can tolerate. Unless you really, really hate it, you absolutely cannot afford it (way over the discussed budget), or your correct size is not available, then put on a happy face and wear the dress!

If you are pregnant or trying to be pregnant, be sure to mention to the Bride. Maternity bridesmaid dresses are hard to find, and cost even more than “regular” dresses. You also may not want to/be able to fly to the romantic beach destination wedding your friend planned, when you are 8 months pregnant. Again, it is so important to discuss expectations early in the planning process.

Avoid any dramatic hair changes before the wedding. A drastic hair cut or color change may surprise the Bride and send her into a panic. Yes, it is your hair, but she may take this personally. Minor changes such as highlights, re-touch, or hair trim should be maintained and will avoid any major Bridal meltdowns.

Forgive the crazy. The Bride may be stressed about the sheer cost of everything. She is probably overwhelmed by all of the details & decisions. Another “helpful” family member told her she is doing everything wrong. The florist made a mistake that will cost her more money. Her father-in-law to be just invited another 20 people, without bothering to ask anyone. She is going to be crazy. Understand that the crazy is only temporary. You will get your friend back when this is all over.

Above all, be the friend that you would want at your Wedding!

Grammy Awards 2012

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It appears that everyone at the 2012 Grammy Awards was so upset by the death of Whitney Houston that they left all good taste and class at home.  Yahoo posted the Best and Worst Red Carpet Report card, but I just could not find anything but horrible, worse, and the WORST!

This is a collection of how the Red Carpet would look, if I was the stylist for the day.

This one shoulder gown from Mac Duggal’s Couture collection would fit Katy Perry’s blue mood, and to show off her fabulous curves!

Rather than a sparkly black sack, I wish Adele would wear this bold purple print strapless gown from Blush which complements her blonde 60′s style bouffant hair style nicely.

Fergie would get all the attention she needs, but in a GOOD way, in this Leopard print chiffon gown from Joli!  Big sexy hair and over the top jewelry would give her a stunning look for the WOW factor she craves.

Rebecca Black opted for a short black ruffle dress, but she is too darn cute to let the ruffles overwhelm her.  I suggest this darling swing dress from Venus.

 

When Kelly Clarkson sings “Don’t you wanna stay”, she would be assured of hearing YES!! in this off the should ball gown from MacDuggal.  Kelly would look amazing in the royal blue and her beautiful brown locks.

Valentine Style

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Valentine’s Day is Tuesday! Tons of couples will be celebrating early over the weekend with fewer crowds during the week. Whatever your date night plans, these are my suggestions for going out with your sweetie!

I love this long sleeve sweater dress from Boston Proper! Tall boots, minimal jewelry, and fantastic hair keep this look simple and let the sash-tie emphasize your curves for a great WOW factor, while keeping you warm & toasty. 

This sheath dress from White House Black Market is a sophisticated option for any occasion. The dress is classic and sexy, so have fun with your hair.  Add pearls and an amazing pair of heels and he will melt for you!

Are your plans a bit more casual? Here is a great v-neck top from Banana Republic that can be dressed up with a pair of slacks, fitted pencil skirt, or a pair of dark wash jeans.  

I adore the warm and festive shades of red year round, and they are especially popular this week.  Wishing you a happy Valentine’s Day!

Prom Shopping Tips

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The best selection on-line and in-store is usually 2-3 months before your Prom. You may find slightly better pricing just before your prom, but there will be less selection.

When shopping in a physical store, the closer it is to Prom the more likely your dress has been tried on and possibly damaged such as missing beads/sequins, stressed seams, stressed zippers, dirty hem. Inspect the dress while you are wearing it and after taking it off. The store is likely to offer a discount or have the dress repaired if you point out any flaws or damage. If the store asks about your event and actually restricts “playing dress up” then your dress will be better cared for before you buy it and far less likely to have any damage or wear.

For special orders, or on-line shopping, if they ask for the date of your Prom, tell them it is 2 weeks before your actual prom date. On-line retailers will sell dresses that are not actually in their possession, or even made! They are gambling on the hope that the dress will be sewn & shipped prior to your big day. Even if the store shows a dress is “in-stock” that does not necessarily mean YOUR dress (size & color) are actually in their inventory.

If buying on-line, double check the item description, size charts, and return/refund policy. You are more likely to actually get the dress you order if the dress is already in stock. If the website states 6-8 weeks delivery (or more), then they probably do not have actual possession of your dress and you should avoid ordering from them. Many girls came into my store to buy dresses the week of (and sometimes day before) Prom, because they ordered a dress on-line and it A) Never arrived, B) Wrong size or fit, C) it was not the dress they ordered, D) it arrived damaged.