I have been getting quite a few requests for pictures of my wedding dress. I'm waiting for the professional shots, so you'll just have to be patient for a bit. But here are some pictures of me wearing somebody's wedding dresses. Just not mine. Warning: lots of tulle and lace and beading ahead.
Even though I knew I was going to make my dress pretty much from the get-go, I still wanted to have the experience of trying on wedding dresses while someone oohs and ahhs. My friends encouraged me to do it anyway, so I booked an appointment at Kleinfeld at the Bay Queen Street, and my Best Lady J and I went for lunch and then to gawk at tulle.
Go big or go home.
I told the lovely lady who was assigned to work with me that I wanted to try on a variety of dresses and that I was open to pretty much anything because you never know what you'll fall in love with. She smiled happily and said "great!" but that was probably a bit irritating for her because it would take longer to narrow down the style I wanted. I also said I had a budget of $8000 (and tried not to blench while I said it) and she told me that alterations could be as much as $1000, so all of these dresses are under a mere $7000. Oy.
After that, they wanted to know how I wanted to feel when I wore the dress. Okay people, do not go unprepared to these kinds of things beacuse the question really caught me off-guard. How did I want to feel? Happy. That doesn't really tell them what kind of dress I want to wear. Um. Elegant, but with an element of fun? Something I can swing dance in? I didn't really care; I knew that they were just doing their job, but I just wanted to try on dresses.
Finally, we got to the tulle. I had pulled a bunch of very different styles, because I really did want to know how they would look on me. The first one I tried on was a princess-style gown with enough tulle to veil an army of brides.
I didn't think I would, but I really liked this. Nobody else thought it was very "me," but that skirt was a lot of fun and I like the t-shirt styling of the dress. It was surprisingly comfortable to wear, plus you kind of sweep along as you walk and people would have to get out of your way.
I wasn't as crazy about the open back, but that's me not wanting my mole to be the thing everyone stares at.
The next dress is a Vivienne Westwood (the only designer name I recognized). It reminds me a lot of The Dress: kind of cowl neckline, silk-charmeuse, 30s styling.
There is actually quite a bit of structure in the bodice because there's essentially a breast plate (canvas with boning sewn-in). It made the top stand out a bit; another "I can see down to my navel" not-so-bridal moment. I kept joking about how I could keep snacks in there. I love the back detail, too.
I'd love to try making this!
The next dress I pulled was a mermaid dress. I anticipated having to waddle, but there was a lot of walking room (I walk with purpose and have large strides relative to my short legs). The assistant said I looked like Ariel. I wasn't crazy about the amount of chest on display, and I know I would always be pulling at a strapless bodice. It was also under $2000. A steal, really.
That back ruching is fabulous.
They pulled the next three dresses for me (they "convinced" me not to try on the other dresses I pulled and I went with it, so no flamenco dancer or evening beach wedding dresses for me). This one, I didn't like much. What is going on with that bodice? It was even harder to walk in than the mermaid dress -- very tight to the hips, and then flaring out.
I did like the lace panels on the skirt and the back. Oh, and that's a great train.
The next one has illusion netting, which I don't like at all. They were trying to tell me that the bodice could be lined, but I said that's not the issue. No fake fabric! I'd rather have a regular bateau neckline.
They left me in this one for a while as they went off to find me another dress to try. I decided to try dancing around a bit, and I love the way the skirt swings around with you. Also? POCKETS.
That should totally be a selling feature.
I tried not to laugh too loudly when they brought in this last dress. It just screams Dynasty "Bride over 40" to me.
Of all the dresses, this felt the least bridal to me. And OMG the cleavage! That's a combo of padded bra + padded bodice. I wouldn't mind if it hadn't also been so blingy. Either keep the cut as-is with a plain fabric, or put the bling on (say) a t-shirt style top.
Hmmm. Now I kind of want to make that dress, too.
I have to say I was a little worried going in that I would fall in love with a dress and thus become dissatisfied with my own. Didn't happen. I liked aspects of all those dresses, but not enough to say "Oh, I should have done this instead." I didn't really feel like a bride in any of them. What I think I would need is the option to pick and choose different elements from different dresses and pull them all together. "I'll take the bodice from A, the lace detail from B, and the skirt from C please." Which is probably why I've been sewing most of my clothes lately.
So it was fun, and who knows? We are planning on having a reception party some time next year, so maybe somebody will give me a million dollars and I can buy a big poofy tulle blinged-out princess dress. With pockets.
Which was your favourite?
Even though I knew I was going to make my dress pretty much from the get-go, I still wanted to have the experience of trying on wedding dresses while someone oohs and ahhs. My friends encouraged me to do it anyway, so I booked an appointment at Kleinfeld at the Bay Queen Street, and my Best Lady J and I went for lunch and then to gawk at tulle.
Go big or go home.
I told the lovely lady who was assigned to work with me that I wanted to try on a variety of dresses and that I was open to pretty much anything because you never know what you'll fall in love with. She smiled happily and said "great!" but that was probably a bit irritating for her because it would take longer to narrow down the style I wanted. I also said I had a budget of $8000 (and tried not to blench while I said it) and she told me that alterations could be as much as $1000, so all of these dresses are under a mere $7000. Oy.
After that, they wanted to know how I wanted to feel when I wore the dress. Okay people, do not go unprepared to these kinds of things beacuse the question really caught me off-guard. How did I want to feel? Happy. That doesn't really tell them what kind of dress I want to wear. Um. Elegant, but with an element of fun? Something I can swing dance in? I didn't really care; I knew that they were just doing their job, but I just wanted to try on dresses.
Finally, we got to the tulle. I had pulled a bunch of very different styles, because I really did want to know how they would look on me. The first one I tried on was a princess-style gown with enough tulle to veil an army of brides.
I didn't think I would, but I really liked this. Nobody else thought it was very "me," but that skirt was a lot of fun and I like the t-shirt styling of the dress. It was surprisingly comfortable to wear, plus you kind of sweep along as you walk and people would have to get out of your way.
I wasn't as crazy about the open back, but that's me not wanting my mole to be the thing everyone stares at.
The next dress is a Vivienne Westwood (the only designer name I recognized). It reminds me a lot of The Dress: kind of cowl neckline, silk-charmeuse, 30s styling.
There is actually quite a bit of structure in the bodice because there's essentially a breast plate (canvas with boning sewn-in). It made the top stand out a bit; another "I can see down to my navel" not-so-bridal moment. I kept joking about how I could keep snacks in there. I love the back detail, too.
I'd love to try making this!
The next dress I pulled was a mermaid dress. I anticipated having to waddle, but there was a lot of walking room (I walk with purpose and have large strides relative to my short legs). The assistant said I looked like Ariel. I wasn't crazy about the amount of chest on display, and I know I would always be pulling at a strapless bodice. It was also under $2000. A steal, really.
That back ruching is fabulous.
They pulled the next three dresses for me (they "convinced" me not to try on the other dresses I pulled and I went with it, so no flamenco dancer or evening beach wedding dresses for me). This one, I didn't like much. What is going on with that bodice? It was even harder to walk in than the mermaid dress -- very tight to the hips, and then flaring out.
I did like the lace panels on the skirt and the back. Oh, and that's a great train.
The next one has illusion netting, which I don't like at all. They were trying to tell me that the bodice could be lined, but I said that's not the issue. No fake fabric! I'd rather have a regular bateau neckline.
They left me in this one for a while as they went off to find me another dress to try. I decided to try dancing around a bit, and I love the way the skirt swings around with you. Also? POCKETS.
That should totally be a selling feature.
I tried not to laugh too loudly when they brought in this last dress. It just screams Dynasty "Bride over 40" to me.
Of all the dresses, this felt the least bridal to me. And OMG the cleavage! That's a combo of padded bra + padded bodice. I wouldn't mind if it hadn't also been so blingy. Either keep the cut as-is with a plain fabric, or put the bling on (say) a t-shirt style top.
Hmmm. Now I kind of want to make that dress, too.
I have to say I was a little worried going in that I would fall in love with a dress and thus become dissatisfied with my own. Didn't happen. I liked aspects of all those dresses, but not enough to say "Oh, I should have done this instead." I didn't really feel like a bride in any of them. What I think I would need is the option to pick and choose different elements from different dresses and pull them all together. "I'll take the bodice from A, the lace detail from B, and the skirt from C please." Which is probably why I've been sewing most of my clothes lately.
So it was fun, and who knows? We are planning on having a reception party some time next year, so maybe somebody will give me a million dollars and I can buy a big poofy tulle blinged-out princess dress. With pockets.
Which was your favourite?
I kinda like the lines of that last one, though that is one plunging neckline. I agree with you that the fabric on top is a bit much, however. And I love that they use what look like battery clamps to fit the dresses.
ReplyDeleteIt's like "here's this dainty, feminine thing, and now we're going to wire you for POWER!" But they get the job done super-efficiently.
DeleteI really liked the first and second. The last dress, modified as you suggested, would also be gorgeous! Thanks that was fun!!
ReplyDeleteSue
I want about 100 m of tulle to make that first skirt. And some shimmery, beaded knit to make a t-shirt. And I realized the reason the second dress has a breast plate is that the shoulder straps don't actually hold the thing up. They go over the shoulders and pore down the back and that's it!
DeleteI'm not sure what illusion netting is (I think I can guess) - but that's my favourite dress. And come on - pockets!
ReplyDeleteEager to see yours.
It's that vaguely skin-toned stuff that makes it look like you're wearing one of the magical animated dresses where stuff stays up without any help. They use it on figure skating outfits and in cut-outs a lot, and I think it generally looks terrible because it never quite matches the skin. If all the illusion netting on that dress had been replaced by the same stuff in the skirt, I would have liked that dress a lot more.
DeleteAnd *my* dress has pockets. :)
If anyone wants to see Andrea's dress, here it is!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.rabbatphoto.com/blog/2015/10/andrea-and-ians-downtown-toronto-wedding-at-city-hall-and-peter-pan-bistro-toronto-wedding-photographers/
It has pockets. How cool is that?