Custom Dresses: A Fitting Option For Brides?
Posted by: Nina Carbone
Filed in:
style
10:20AM, Wednesday November 4th 2009
OK, so level with me here: What are your thoughts on custom dresses? What about custom wedding dresses? I’m 99.9 percent positive that I’m going to get a custom wedding dress, and before you call me fancy-shmancy, it isn’t a made-for-me Vera Wang or custom Oscar de la Renta. Even better, as far as I’m concerned—it’s from a dressmaker on Etsy named Sarah Seven. She does these gorge, ethereal, floaty dresses and I’m thinking the above one—in white—will be the perfect dancing/reception dress. (What do you think? Be honest!) Yes, it’s strapless, but my walking-down-the-aisle dress has definite straps and I wanted a total departure. (Also, don’t think I’m breaking the bank on gowns here; together they both cost way less than the cheapest of the seriously cheap dresses I looked at—I was practically laughed out of shops when I mentioned my budget.) But here’s the thing: it’s custom. And while pretty on the model, the model I am most definitely not, which creates major room for error (aka a dress that looks like crap on me). Should I pull the trigger and order one? I got a bit of advice, which helps ...
I watch all those stupid TLC “Say Yes To The Dress” shows (can’t believe I’m actually owning up to that!) where you see loads of brides that come in last minute looking for a dress, because their first custom-made dress just looked like a big heaping pile of wrong on them. They are mostly S.O.L. at that point and looking for anything that’ll work for them. I don’t want to be that girl, so I’m mulling over a bit of advice from a dressmaker I talked to:
- Research dress-maker styles. Not everyone is good at creating the same thing. Find someone with a similar style track record.
- Know what you want, and what you don’t. There is nothing worse than a woman who doesn’t have opinions about what she wants the dress to look like.
- Get a look at the fabric before it’s turned into a dress, if you can. If you don’t like the fabric on the roll, you sure as hell won’t love it any more on you.
- Think about creating an inspiration board—sounds cheesy, but pinning up what you like and are into for your dressmaker can only make your vision clearer.
- Discuss accessories and hair and makeup. Again, sounds ridiculous, but it’s actually helpful!
- Be prepared for a lot of fittings. Like six. Or more.
Got anything else to add? I’m all ears!
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anin
wrote on November 4 2009 @ 10:27 am: [report]
Her dresses are goregous! Great idea.
BlueVibe
wrote on November 4 2009 @ 10:33 am: [report]
I think knowing your dressmaker and knowing your own body type are the biggies.
The dress in that picture . . . well, as much as I like the *idea* of it, it would take three of those to keep me from getting arrested.
If there is a dress shop (or a mall with multiple dress shops) near you that carries dresses that are similar in general shape to what you think you want, go try some on and see what you think.
graydaygal
wrote on November 4 2009 @ 10:38 am: [report]
I’ve been an admirer of her dresses for some time… I think you should go for it!
I had my dress made for my wedding and was so happy I did. My mom and I went to NYC, got some fabric and had a family friend make the dress. I didn’t have an inspiration board, but a FOLDER!!! I was never one of those women who had planned my wedding forever, just the opposite… I recommend checking out the blog- indie bride.com, so helpful with some serious creative etsy like ideas! and cute pics of weddings!
here’s a blog on our wedding: http://tiptoethrough.blogspot.com/2009/06/one-year-ago-today.html
and then it was featured on someone else blog:
http://ebrideconnect.com/blog/2009/06/11/abigail-and-cameron-•-june-2-2008/
good luck!!!
Queen Frostine
wrote on November 4 2009 @ 12:35 pm: [report]
I never ONCE stepped into a bridal boutique. I contacted a local costume maker (she made costumes for Broadway and Hollywood films) and inquired about a custom gown. Together we went fabric shopping at wholesale prices (I got italian silk for an insane price), purchased beading and findings, and she custom created me a gown inspired by the Hindi wedding gown in Moulin Rouge. It fit like a glove on my body and was an absolute one of a kind. Not to mention it cost a fraction of the price of some off-the-rack gown in a store sold by pushy sales women.
totally
wrote on November 4 2009 @ 01:09 pm: [report]
I agree with BlueVibe. I would go and try on something similar to the style you want. Take pictures. And message with Sarah Seven. All of the sellers I have dealt with on etsy are super nice and willing to work with people on custom orders. I really love her work a whole lot and it looks like it is really well made. If you do have a little extra money you can always get something altered locally. Just remember that it is easier to make something smaller than bigger.
HitOrMissJudy
wrote on November 4 2009 @ 01:21 pm: [report]
If you can see her for fittings, go for it. But otherwise, proceed with caution. Check her reviews and maybe contact one or two. My friend got something custom-made for her on etsy—though NOT by this person—and it was a horror show. The seller then blamed my friend for being “too big” for the style. Which was not only untrue and cruel, it didn’t account for the addition of yards of extra fabric on what should’ve been a simple shirt.
Nina Carbone
wrote on November 4 2009 @ 02:29 pm: [report]
Thank you for all of your tips, guys—I think I’m going to go ahead and put in an order for the dress! I’ll let you know how it goes!
TinaLish
wrote on November 4 2009 @ 03:06 pm: [report]
I just checked out her site, and OMG her dresses are adorably beautiful. If I ever get the chance to purchase one I’ll be happy for sure. Someday…
megmcd
wrote on November 4 2009 @ 08:12 pm: [report]
She makes the most gorgeous dresses! Go for it. I think it is an amazing idea!
amanda lynn
wrote on November 4 2009 @ 08:37 pm: [report]
i agree with hitormissjudy - a situation like what her friend went thru would be my nightmare. while i appreciate the idea of a custom dress designed by someone whose style you like (adorable work!), if they’re not local for enough fittings, i wouldn’t do it.
random hopefully helpful hint to those about to be wed from a recently wedded friend - tell the dressmaker that your wedding is about 2 weeks prior to your actual wedding date.