minimal style dresses

fits

Can anyone suggest very simple designers (with decent websites) who would be on the less is more side of embellishment? I'm also not looking for big full skirts, trains or veils. Strapless is out too. Short would be considered, but not fifties style either.

I love bhldn. I hate pretty much everything else I have seen. (for me) and they all have impossibly stupid websites in terms of easy navigation...grrr..:mad:

Pistachios & cream

Charlie brear is a nice designer she has some very simple dresses but they are absolutely beautiful here's her current collection.

http://www.charliebrear.com/collections/charlie-brear-2014-collection

fits

Some very nice ones there. One or two I would like to try. Thank you. Are they mad money?

annoyedgal

pronovias dresses can be very simple and classy. They do big skirts and all the trimmings too but lots of understated lovely dresses.

fits

annoyedgal wrote: »

pronovias dresses can be very simple and classy. They do big skirts and all the trimmings too but lots of understated lovely dresses.

Thanks for suggestion but website wont cooperate. I'm using mobile broadband on a tablet and the fancier flash websites just don't work.

biddywiddy

Like you, I was on the hunt for a simple dress. I wanted a boat neck, nothing pouffy, just simple. I originally wanted a midi/knee-length dress, but any I tried on were just terribly unflattering on me.

I tried on several BHLDN dresses and was really disappointed with their quality. I had hoped to find something from their range.

I ended up choosing a dress from JCrew. Lots of simple styles that are well-made and flattering.

I realise that this would involve P&P and customs charges for you, but you might find inspiration from the styles if you wanted to get something made for you.

Some Jenny Yoo gowns are beautiful too. I really liked the Kendall. You can get it with or without the Rhinestones.



In the end, I just preferred the JCrew dress, which was also much cheaper.

fits

Good to know about bhldn. I think getting a dress online would be impossible though. my body shape is awkward too. Half thinking of going to Chicago with cheap flights to have a look. Wouldn't have to pay for accomodation there- someone is well overdue a visit, but since I don't want to spend a fortune on dress, thats sorta ridiculous.

biddywiddy

I think it depends so much on your body shape. The dresses look fab on the models! I would need full body spanx and a corset to give me a nice shape in some of the dresses. FWIW, I'm a UK size 10 - 12 (more of a 10 on the bottom, 12 on the top), broadish shoulders, small hips.

There were two BHLDN dresses I really liked. I tried on about 10 in total. The main issue was transparency. A couple of the dresses were so see-through. I should have worn fancy underwear, but I didn't, and you could just see everything. Every lump and bump and seam. I didn't realise how bad it was 'til I looked at the pictures afterwards.

I had read in the online reviews that there are some dresses in particular that need a thicker slip underneath to make them wearable. This is very true. It became apparent very quickly that I need a dress with some structure or shape. Flowy doesn't do me any favours. I just felt really fat and frumpy in all of them. I had some hopes for the two I narrowed down to, but as soon as I stepped into the JCrew dresses, I knew I wouldn't be going back to BHLDN. Most of the JCrew dresses were so flattering. One of them had pockets (yay!) but was a bit too pouffy for me. Of course, your experience could be completely different.


I tried on the dresses in the BHLDN Chicago store. If you do decide to go there, you'll need to make an appointment several weeks in advance, especially if you want a weekend appointment. I would also recommend making an appointment in JCrew (they are v close to each other) and Jenny Yoo/Nicole Miller (not sure where it is exactly, as I tried on those dresses in my home city, but prob near Michigan Ave too) to make the most of the trip, if you end up doing it.

When is your wedding? If you look out for cheap flights in Oct/Nov, you could get lucky....


Edited to add - this is the JCrew dress I went with:

fits

Yeah I was looking at November, flights are affordable enough right now..' but my sister wouldn't be there, and my people there wouldn't be of best assistance when it comes to dresses. Still worth considering.

Given the choice, I'd prefer a few days in Chicago and a cheaper dress, to a dearer dress bought in Ireland. I always spent my money on travel rather than clothes.

fits

Your dress is beautiful!!!

Pistachios & cream

Yeah the charlie brear aren't cheap the one i liked most was €2500.

I also came across bhs, they only sell online but it might be worth the postal return fee or if you are up north you can use a free returns label. http://www.bhs.co.uk/en/bhuk/category/wedding-1020484/the-bride-1020511/wedding-dresses-1020869?noOfRefinements=1

Really liked one that was seriously discounted but they didn't have my size.

I think fir you though you should try on evening dresses to get an idea of what shapes, necklines and materials suit you and then see if you ca find dresses like that.

If the dress is simple it might be easier to get it made.

fits

ahayes84 wrote: »

I think fir you though you should try on evening dresses to get an idea of what shapes, necklines and materials suit you and then see if you ca find dresses like that.

.

I would have a fair idea what shapes suit as I attend balls often enough. But things like fabric choice etc I wouldn't be so sure of. I'd prefer silk obviously.

Pistachios & cream

It's quite hard to get real silk dresses the ones i founds rest the higher end if the market like charlie brear. It couldbe an idea to get it made though there's also monsoon http://uk.monsoon.co.uk/uk/wedding-boutique/all-wedding?showAll=false&pageSize=200&type=Bridal+Dresses

Have you tried on any wedding dresses? I wanted quite a simple dress too and lilac rose in limerick were a good shop for these.

fits

Haven't tried on any yet. Perhaps this weekend. Cheers for the tips. Getting one made definitely worth considering.

Pistachios & cream

Also if you have the usa option i try this website. It is an actual shop but you can sort dresses by shape and material. If you find ones you like you so maybe try them on in ireland and buy online and send to your sister. http://www.weddingshoppeinc.com/cr/Bridal-Gowns/3185?Narrow0=Cap+Sleeve_Neckline_15611_000000013_2&Narrow1=Cowl_Neckline_15614_000000016_2&Narrow2=Flutter+Sleeve+_Neckline_15610_000000012_2&Narrow3=Sweetheart_Neckline_42_000000005_2&Narrow4=Knee+Length_Style_46984_000000014_3&Narrow5=Sheath_Style_50_000000004_3&PageSize=96

Fiona44

Jesus peiro has some lovely simple dresses.
They're really well designed with lovely fabrics.

They stock a good range in the white room in Mullingar. You can see the dresses they stock from this designer at this link -

http://www.thewhiteroom.ie/bridal_page.php?page_uid=21

Gatica

ahayes84 wrote: »

Charlie brear is a nice designer she has some very simple dresses but they are absolutely beautiful here's her current collection.

http://www.charliebrear.com/collections/charlie-brear-2014-collection

Some pretty dresses there, but is it just me or do some dresses really look like night-gowns?
The fact that as biddywiddy said, you'd need a slip seems to go down that route... I don't understand how they can charge so much for those dresses but not include the slips to make them wearable...

I think some bridal stores do stock plain dresses, you'll just have to call and check if they do. Couple of my friends got very stunning but plain dresses, one was a rounded kind of boat neck wit low back and a bow, and it just flowed down, it was in thick satin, the other was wide boat neck as well and just kind of skimmed down but had a thick sash that hung at her hips, it looked very Grecian and elegant in a lighter material.

fits

For my taste, I think a lot of Irish brides have way too much going on with their attire. I don't know is it because they forget that on the day they'll be carrying a bouquet, have the hair adorned the jewellery etc. I much prefer more simple, understated outfits. But then fabric choice and tailoring becomes all important.

Sherlof3

fits wrote: »

Can anyone suggest very simple designers (with decent websites) who would be on the less is more side of embellishment? I'm also not looking for big full skirts, trains or veils. Strapless is out too. Short would be considered, but not fifties style either.

I love bhldn. I hate pretty much everything else I have seen. (for me) and they all have impossibly stupid websites in terms of easy navigation...grrr..:mad:

Ghost have fab dresses and amazing value! Or some Belle and Bunty dresses floating around on Adverts.ie

Pistachios & cream

Gatica wrote: »

Some pretty dresses there, but is it just me or do some dresses really look like night-gowns?
The fact that as biddywiddy said, you'd need a slip seems to go down that route... I don't understand how they can charge so much for those dresses but not include the slips to make them wearable...

I think some bridal stores do stock plain dresses, you'll just have to call and check if they do. Couple of my friends got very stunning but plain dresses, one was a rounded kind of boat neck wit low back and a bow, and it just flowed down, it was in thick satin, the other was wide boat neck as well and just kind of skimmed down but had a thick sash that hung at her hips, it looked very Grecian and elegant in a lighter material.

They really are gorgeous when you see the real thing, beautiful silks and lace.
I found that none of the dresses i tried needed a slip. I think someone mentioned that a lot of the Bhldn dresses need one.

Neyite

fits wrote: »

For my taste, I think a lot of Irish brides have way too much going on with their attire. I don't know is it because they forget that on the day they'll be carrying a bouquet, have the hair adorned the jewellery etc. I much prefer more simple, understated outfits. But then fabric choice and tailoring becomes all important.

It can really depend. My dress is lace and beaded. I wanted matt plain satin with the emphasis on excellent tailoring. I do a bit of dressmaking and so can recognise a well tailored dress.

But the plain ones, they just looked wrong on me. While my dress is quite out of character to what I'd ever have normally picked out, I felt instantly that the construction, shape, fabric and shade of it made the best of me. But the rest of me will be very understated because that is me.

Even if you are shopping online, do make a couple of appointments to try on dresses - you'll get a much better idea of what suits you. Even getting the shade right for your skin tone before you buy online by trying a dress in that shade on in a shop will make picking the right one for you so much easier.

fits

Neyite wrote: »

It can really depend. My dress is lace and beaded. I wanted matt plain satin with the emphasis on excellent tailoring. I do a bit of dressmaking and so can recognise a well tailored dress.

But the plain ones, they just looked wrong on me. While my dress is quite out of character to what I'd ever have normally picked out, I felt instantly that the construction, shape, fabric and shade of it made the best of me. But the rest of me will be very understated because that is me.

Even if you are shopping online, do make a couple of appointments to try on dresses - you'll get a much better idea of what suits you. Even getting the shade right for your skin tone before you buy online by trying a dress in that shade on in a shop will make picking the right one for you so much easier.

I do like lace, and beading too !

I have some appointments for Saturday (on my own ��). Unfortunately everything here (Finland) seems to be a strapless gown with the massive skirt.

biddywiddy

fits wrote: »

I do like lace, and beading too !

I have some appointments for Saturday (on my own ��). Unfortunately everything here (Finland) seems to be a strapless gown with the massive skirt.

The first time I tried on dresses, I went to a large, national, chain store. I figured they would have loads of choices and styles and could help me eliminate some types of dresses.

When I announced that I didn't want to try on anything strapless, the sales assistant looked crestfallen. There wasn't a lot left to choose from!

I tried on mostly short dresses (and was forced into some strapless ones). I was also presented with a bra corset thing to put on before I could try any of the dresses on, so I would "look my best". Ugh. To be fair, I will end up wearing some sort of big smoothing pants under my dress, but I don't want to be tied in to boned corset.

I have been tempted to go back there to try on some veils to see what might suit, but typing the above has just made me reconsider!

fits

Strapless really doesn't look great on some people if they're not very thin or toned either (or tanned). And I will be none of above.

Electric Sheep

fits wrote: »

Strapless really doesn't look great on some people if they're not very thin or toned either (or tanned). And I will be none of above.

To be honest, strapless is less than flattering on most people. There are so many more flattering and classy styles IMO.

Pistachios & cream

I can't understand the wedding industry's fascination with strapless. Strapless dresses don't suit the majority of women. I'd never wear a strapless dress as i have a reasonably large chest and i know i'd be pulling at it all day to make sure it was still in the same place.

Dolbert

It's because they're easier for dress manufacturers when it comes to measurements - if a dress is strapless they don't need to take into account arms and shoulders.

Have you considered David's Bridal? They stock a variety of styles and are based in the US but sell a lot of the styles online.

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Browse_Bridal-Gowns

Dolbert

Just saw this and thought they might be your style! Can also be ordered online

Minna

fits

Went and tried some today. All styles available, but they were all very big dresses No simple ones available here. Felt completely and utterly ridiculous in all of them !