Is this wedding dress too fussy?

[booksandballet]

I fell in love with this gorgeous Eliza Jane Howell dress after stumbling on it in a bridal boutique website, even though it isn't the style I had in mind. It's a heavily discounted sample. The consultant showed it me on video and the photos don't do it justice. The underskirt is covered in sequins that create a subtle shimmer effect, and I love that the skirt is full without having a train. My one concern is the ruffles around the shoulders and collar. Are they too much? Am I going to look like I'm in a costume? I wear a lot of Victoriana/Edwardiana inspired clothes, so the style is quite 'me', but as I'd gone into the shop picturing myself in a plain ankle length gown with a simple juliet or bandeau veil it feels like a bit of a stretch! Honest opinions please!

Front view: www.elizajanehowell.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Domenico_0399_E.jpg

Back view: www.elizajanehowell.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Domenico_0411_E.jpg

It's beautiful!! But you can always get it slightly deruffled if needs be!

If you aren't sure whether it's perfect it isn't the right dress for you. Personally I don't think the sheer back is appropriate for a church wedding but you might not be having one.

I wouldn’t cope for 10 mins with those ruffles under my chin.

Beautiful dress though.

Sleeve ruffles look fine unless you have broad shoulders, I would say.

@booksandballet It’s a gorgeous dress OP! I hope you love it as much when you try it on 😊 Agree with what’s been said already - it’s the styling that makes it fussy! No gloves, hair up, simple elegant accessories and it will be amazing 😊

Come back and let us know how you get on with trying it on 😊

@Exhausteddog

You necessarily need to "tone it down" or "keep to simple accessories" if you can't be full on or OTT on your wedding day, when can you ? (If thats your style!)

I've actually thought that some people (in RL and celebrities) have looked quite underwhelming in very plain or simple dresses for their wedding, especially when they've had an amazing figure and could pull off almost anything!

I just think that it would look ‘cluttered’ with that dress, with the neck and arm ruffles. I think the drop earrings and bandeau on the model detract from the dress.

It's lovely but my first thought when I saw it was that all the ruffles are a bit net curtain-y...
And the neck ones look a bit scratchy.
But i take the point that the styling is a bit too much and simpler accessories would look far better.

Oh my sweet lord it's so so beautiful. PPs are right that it could scratch but it doesn't matter it'll be worth it. It's so beautiful.

It's absolutely gorgeous.

God that's beautiful. If you can't go ott on your wedding day then when can you! If it makes you feel beautiful, wear it!

I would see if a seamstress would take off the neck ruffles because they do look a bit uncomfortable ( but that's me - I don't even wear polo necks ) Other than that if that is your style I think it it lovely.

Gorgeous and unique. Love it. Don't change a thing!

Gorgeous, really beautiful. Get it and see how if feels on and how you'd do hair etc. a good dressmaker could adjust it for you endlessly if you find it a bit much.

Get it for the shirt all e - it's stunning - and I didn't think I'd like it at all!

God it's lovely makes me want to get married so i can wear it hahahah

@ohwerehalfwaythere

I wore EJH for my wedding last month and it was absolutely stunning. If you can, strongly recommend you try and get to one of their regular sample sales at their London store. Follow their IG for dates or email. I had the best day and got my £2k dress for £1k but some pieces were only a few hundred

Ooh, which one did you go for? I can't believe I've only just heard of this designer. It's perhaps just as well they only had one EJH sample dress in the shop because otherwise I'd have been in an agony of indecision. They're all so beautiful.

I've taken a risk and ordered that dress based on measurements. It should be a pretty good fit. The shop was too far for me to travel just to try it on, and at £400 it was too good to pass up. Will post pics when I have them!

Exciting OP!!! looking forward to a pic

Oh gosh that smiley face looks a bit menacing! It's supposed to be a big smile!

It came today and as soon as I saw it peeking out from the packaging I knew I'd made the right call. It doesn't feel OTT at al in the flesh (fabric?). My wedding feels very real now.

We've just moved into a half-renovated house and I don't have any mirrors, so this is the best photo I could manage!

It’s not my style usually but I absolutely love it! It’s stunning

I actaully really like it and vote YES!

It’s different for sure. Would lose their styling tho

Gorgeous dress

@booksandballet You look great OP 😊 so glad you love it as much when you tried it on!!

It looks better on you than in the catalogue photo. Just make sure you get your ruffles balanced!

Beautiful dress

Lovely!

Beautiful 🤩