Help me find a wedding dress - non trad. ?

[JaneS]

Hello,

I posted on chat yesterday as I was in a hurry before a trip into London to find a dress. I have looked in the bridal shops and I can't stand the dresses there. Even the beautiful ones make me feel stiff and as if I'm wearing fancy dress.

I would love to find a beautiful dress for an August wedding. I am about a size 12, olive skin and dark hair, 5'5, about a D cup. My shoes will make me around 5'11.

I would really appreciate links to beautiful dresses, and tips on where to shop - though I've already been recommended Browns, Matches, and the big London department stores.

I am coming round to the idea of a short, white dress, but ideally I would like something ballgown-y or evening dress style.

Any suggestions or tips for what I should look for would be appreciated!

How about a Jenny Packham dress

Or an Amanda Wakeley dress

both do different wedding dresses or lovely evening wear with a difference.

Do you want white?

What's your budget?

Do you hate this?

Have a look on Etsy, there are loads of people making lovely wedding dresses of every type.

Or go for vintage style

Thanks ticktock - do you know, do they usually have the full internet stock in the actual shops? I'm asking because I found some lovely Vivienne Westwood dresses online but in the shop they said they had sold out of my size weeks ago.

How non-trad do you want? Vivien of Holloway do some fantastic 50s style dresses - any of those work?

Oops, cross posted with everyone after ticktock!

cyteen - I really do want to try it on before I buy. My body is an odd shape - I have very long legs and a tiny torso, narrow shoulders, so I often find that I look a fool in clothes that are technically 'my' size.

tether - I might accept white if it's all I can find. But I had visions of a lovely dress in a pretty colour - white doesn't do a lot for me. I don't much like pink/purple but I love reds, blues, greens ...

That said if anyone saw a gorgeous short white dress, I would wear it. I just really don't want the long white dress as I don't feel comfortable with the imagery.

(Not to say the white dress you linked to isn't beautiful, it's just that I am not tall enough for those very elegant long white dresses, and the meringue-style are rather odd on me!)

I've always loved this one

That really burns when you find something you like and they don't have your size!

LRD - I think that they do but as they are designer they may be out of stock of some. If you don't mind second hand I know there are often people on ebay selling both Amanda Wakeley and Jenny Packham gowns. I have a girlfriend that bought her Packham wedding dress on Ebay for half the price and it was already altered to her height and boob size which was a bonus!

I really love the Jenny Packham dresses.

Good Luck with your search.

I would probably get something made in that case. It doesn't have to cost a bomb, and you can get exactly what you want

Oh and - in response to 'do you hate this' and the Monsoon dress: I'm afraid the answer is yes. I have hips and a tummy, and would ruin the line of that dress, and my boobs would be falling into my armits.

It is beautiful, just not for me.

BitOfFun what is wrong with that dress? I quite like the veil.

The Jenny Packham dresses are very beautiful and very relaxed (heavily beaded but not stiff). They have a discount shop at Bicester Village if you're close.

Thanks TickTock.

Cyteen, I don't think I have time. Wedding is in early August.

BoF, that is my dress. I'm buying it right now.

Ticktock, how dare you suggest something is wrong with it?! I think the white will make me look right modest.

PS - Laurie, yes, I'm in Oxford! I will try them soon then, thanks.

I liked to this on another thread- do you want long or short?

Oh, and what's your ball-park budget?

Sorry, no suggestions, just... 6 inch heels?? Wow.

LRD - I never said anything was wrong with the dress that BitOfFun posted, I was asking her what was wrong with it. LRD - I am sure that you will WOW your guests if you get that, especially if your getting married in a church.

I love it too. I am less fond of this one though

I think this is beautiful, if you're anywhere near a Noa Noa (have seen it in the flesh, picture doesn't do it justice!). With some great shoes - mmm.

this is the kind of thing I'm thinking of

you could wear a supportive bra with it - voila, no tit in armpit

I know this is too big for you but it's new and is my favourite Jenny Packham dress, looks nothing in the first picture but look at the last one on the model

Ooh yes TickTock, what I really want is to seduce the vicar. Classy, right?

tether - the dress you linked to isn't the right colour on my skin: I'm olive, and that'll make me look yellow.

In case you've not gathered, I am very picky - that's why I'm enlisting the help of MN!

Ballpark - ideally under 1k, but would go over if need be. My parents have actually offered to treat me, but I know if it is more than 1k I will need to make up the shortfall myself.

I will go with short if it is lovely; I just thought perhaps long would look more wedding-y? What do you think?

Kiwi - I am so hoping I won't fall flat on my face!