To ask where you get your fancy dresses?

[Hausa]

I’m getting married this summer and I REALLY don’t want to wear white/ivory/cream/pastel. I want a beautiful dress, but something red carpet/black tie fancy in a jewel tone or metallic. Ideally something I might conceivably wear again.

This is surprisingly hard to find! So, if you’re a person who owns or wears this sort of thing, where would you go?

Online, London or the Home Counties, ideally. And I’d like keep it under £2K if humanly possible (which seems an insane amount to spend on a dress to me, but I’ve been assured I can’t go much lower).

Thank you!

Hadn't come accross Needle and Thread before - some fabulous dresses!

I don’t actually like Needle and Thread very much, having looked at it. I like clean lines and fewer frills. It’s all a bit frou frou for my personal tastes.

Thank you for the suggestions, though. I’m loving the selection available on the Outnet and Net a Porter.

Another vote for The Outnet they have a 'gowns' section.

Ghost, Harvey Nics, Wolf & Badger, and even Reiss and Whistles worth a try.

I think Suzanne Neville (high end British wedding dress designer) does evening dresses too.

How about looking at Asian or even African shops - could well have something bright an sparkly - either readymade or fabric you could takers a seamstress.

Alice Temperley does beautiful dresses, with a good selection under £2k. Wolf and Badger is great too.

@Clarinet1

How about looking at Asian or even African shops - could well have something bright an sparkly - either readymade or fabric you could takers a seamstress.

Not a massive fan of ornate or sparkly. I like quite clean lines and when I said metallics, I meant more coppery silks than sequins or embroidery. Thank you, though!

@Questiontellme

I think Suzanne Neville (high end British wedding dress designer) does evening dresses too.

I really like some of these, but I think they might be spendier than I’m looking for. Lovely dresses, though.

So what you're looking for is an evening gown then have you used that term when searching?

I used to work in the wedding industry

1 wedding dresses come in a variety of fabrics and colours

Eg

https://www.jjshouse.co.uk/Ball-Gown-Princess-Scoop-Neck-Sweep-Train-Tulle-Wedding-Dress-With-Beading-002207441-g207441/?utmterm=207441&utmmsize=06&gclid=Cj0KCQiAybaRBhDtARIsAIEG3knr3nl2CzB0mZoMMat0hxCJFgGVB2ElLBRETyvBR2AUkQeBiNDom6oaAujgEALwwcB#/

There was one one of my brides wore which I ADORED it was an aubergine iridescent satin fishtail that looked stunning but not "wedding dress" like?

2 Check also prom dresses and bridesmaid dresses.

3 Go to bridal boutiques NOT discount places proper ones (you usually have to make an appointment but the service is highly personalised) and try on a variety of styles, fabrics and colours

As this isn't a style of dress we were commonly now we usually don't know what suits us. Also the staff are very knowledgeable and are good at assessing what will suit your body shape and they'll have a little chat with you to get a sense of your personal style

They can show you swatches of fabrics and colours or order any they don't have

Don't be put off a dress you love because of the neckline, straps, sleeves or train these can all be removed/altered you can even change the fastenings eg concealed zip to lace up or covered buttons and loops - the "frou frou" can often be toned down to your taste

4 Top tip (and you're in luck here op!) shop JUST before Easter when they are clearing the decks for the new season dresses big offers on!

5 Whatever dress you get, get it altered to fit by a professional BRIDAL seamstress - they're more experienced in handling the size and fabrics and styles, I've had many a tearful bride who's dress has been ruined by a "handy with a thread" friend or relative or even by high street alterations places.

Hope the above perhaps helps

@Graphista That is fantastically helpful! Thank you so so much! So grateful!

You're most welcome. Congratulations and I hope you have an amazing day

[quote IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads]@Hausa, it was a fair few years ago! I’m normally more Next/Tu/Boden for best, so I needed some guidance on “fancy”.[/quote]
@IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads
Can I ask how much Harvey Nicks personal shopping costs, please? I can’t find anything online and I’m far too embarrassed to ring and ask!

@Hausa - it was free, but it was 20 years ago!

Honestly, try charity shops.

So many people buy a fabulous dress for an event and then give them away once they are done with them. Usually only worn one or twice.

It's where I've been shopping for dresses for formal nights on cruises.

3 examples from Browns. Might be worth looking at the designers’ own sites if any catch your eye.

Depends on your style, but if that was my budget for a non ‘wedding y’ wedding dress I’d look at the Vampires Wife

Try Dessy and look for local stockists.

Very statuesque if that’s your style.

Even better in this colour.

Statement-y Saint Laurent?

Look at chichi London, dd rates them

I do wish you’d put this in Style & Beauty, OP …

@TottersBlankly I did put it in Style and Beauty! I got barely any responses.

@TottersBlankly

3 examples from Browns. Might be worth looking at the designers’ own sites if any catch your eye.

I really like the middle one.

@TottersBlankly

Very statuesque if that’s your style.

Even better in this colour.

Statement-y Saint Laurent?

And the red dress looks very fun! I wish they’d shown it on a model, though.

@gogohm and @Theforest Thank you.

Have a look at Velvet Birdcage. They’re based in Worthing but do on line too. I’ve had several dresses from them (including my wedding dress) and the process been lovely from start to finish.