Finding the Perfect Dress
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Choose the right white.
"If a bride isn't happy with the way a white gown looks on
her, it could be that the shade isn't flattering her complexion,"
explains Lara Meiland, co-owner of the Lara Hélène Bridal
Atelier on the Upper East Side. If your skin is pale, it usually
has pink or blue undertones that would be best complemented by a
gown in a cooler shade of white. Conversely, the more color you
have in your skin, the more suited you'll be to hues with warm undertones.
If wearing any shade of white simply isn't your style, you're in
luck. Subtly hued gowns - think pink, mint, lavender, or platinum
- are very much in vogue right now. So too are white dresses embellished
with colorful embroidery; they're ideal for anyone who wants to
veer a bit off the traditional bridal path.
Take trunk shows seriously.
A trunk show is an event where a designer makes an appearance to
show his entire line of dresses, including many of the more fashion-forward
styles you probably won't ever see in stores, explains Ingram. Since
it's the opportunity for a one-on-one consultation with a designer,
it's not the time to browse for a gown. Book an appointment only
if you're ready to make a purchase. While you may not necessarily
get a discount, there is added value, including having the designer
personally guide you to gowns that best complement your figure.
Once you've found "the one," you can then enjoy the rarified
treat of having the designer take your measurements, and even make
customized adjustments to the design based on your specific shape.
Know if the price is right It may sound clichéd, but when it
comes to wedding dresses, it's definitely true that you get what
you pay for. The price is determined by a combination of factors:
material (silk fabrics are more expensive and drape better than
their rayon or polyester counterparts), construction (the quality
of stitching can mean the difference between a dress that literally
falls apart at the seams and one that endures), and details (expensive,
hand-sewn beading done in Europe will always stand out and hold
up better than factory-stitching outsourced to China).
Beware of bargains.
If you can't fathom spending thousands of dollars on a dress you'll
wear only once, keep your eyes peeled for sample sales and clearance
events. But be forewarned: "While you may find dresses you've
drooled over in magazines at significant savings - sometimes 80
percent off the retail price - at these blowouts, it's hit-or-miss
when it comes to styles and sizing," says Mattei. Plus, any
savings need to be weighed against the likely costs of having a
seamstress fit and even finish the dress (some have entire seams
that are unstitched) and a dry cleaner make it look brand-spanking-new
(many of these dresses are either gently worn or downright dirty).
That said, if you're ready to brave what's often an ugly scene (prepare
to fight over dresses as well as access to a mirror), there's no
telling what treasure you'll find.
Expect to not love the dress you choose
(at least not at first).
Even after all the homework you've done, the time you've spent shopping,
and the money you've doled out, you need to make peace with the
fact that you may still have moments of regret after buying your
dress. "Nine out of ten brides are unhappy with their dress
before the final fitting," says Roth. It's not surprising:
When the salesperson initially takes your measurements, she allows
room for the dress to be taken in - so that it can be perfectly
molded to your body. That means that the first time you try it on,
your dream dress may make you look like a big marshmallow. But rest
assured that by the final fitting, you'll be a vision of loveliness.
Resist the urge to buy the first dress
you like.
Just as you didn't get engaged on your first date, it's not a good
idea to buy the first dress you try on. "Since it's a decision
of a lifetime that requires a huge financial commitment, you should
do a significant amount of comparison shopping," says Ingram,
who notes that the financial ramifications of making a mistake -
once the contract is signed, you're responsible for the full cost
of the dress - can be huge. Even if you're positive that it's the
one, resist the urge to end your search before it's even begun.
That's what Azniv Atamian, a bride-to-be from Queens, did. Though
she ended up buying the first dress she tried on, she took the advice
of her mother and her aunt - who weren't convinced of her beginner's
luck - and continued looking. Three months and 40 gowns later, she
finally returned to her initial pick, an Ulla Maija gown. "I
loved the dress because it was so simple and classic. But to be
sure, I tried on all the other dresses with sequins, lace, and crystals.
They only reminded me how much I wanted to keep it simple. Nothing
compared to the dress I wore; it was the most beautiful dress I'd
ever seen." A sentiment every bride should feel by the time
she walks down the aisle.
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