So Disappointed in BM Dresses, boring & pricey!

jessnyc711 Posted: Apr 13, 2004 11:27 AM

So Disappointed in BM Dresses, boring & pricey!

I just want to vent and say how disappointing the styles and colors that the bridesmaids dresses are. I find that there isn't much variety as far as style of dress, it's either strapless or spaghetti straps, the colors are all the same, burgandy, pink, purple, red, periwinkle, orange...and then they are soooo expensive for a dress that really can't be worn to to many other functions. Anyone else agree? Call me crazy, but I just might end up making the dresses since I'm looking for a tea length dress that is not strapless in a aqua blue color for a summer wedding.

KathleenG Posted: Apr 13, 2004 11:31 AM

Re: So Disappointed in BM Dresses, boring & pricey!

I am with ya on this one!! I have not been impressed with many at all. This has been one of the hardest ordeals of my whole wedding. And, yes, they are pricey!! To me, it has been a no-win situation. I do admit I found a really pretty dress for my girls but it was of course costly.

tourist Posted: Apr 13, 2004 11:31 AM

Re: So Disappointed in BM Dresses, boring & pricey!

YES!
Everything looks the same to me. I'm having a hard time finding something not strapless.
my MOH wanted sleeves, but that's nearly impossible.

Corduroy94 Posted: Apr 13, 2004 11:32 AM

Re: So Disappointed in BM Dresses, boring & pricey!

Have you tried Aria Dresses? I don't know if its in your price range. They offer dresses in every length, & have a variety of styles which are not strapless. They also appear to have some interesting fabrics.

http://www.ariadress.com/DressThumbnails.htm

divabride Posted: Apr 13, 2004 11:33 AM

Re: So Disappointed in BM Dresses, boring & pricey!

If your looking to save some dough, try bridesave for your BM dresses. As far as tealength, I love bari jay, B2 - belsoie, jim hjelm and watters&waters. What color are you looking to go with?

eogara Posted: Apr 13, 2004 11:34 AM

Re: So Disappointed in BM Dresses, boring & pricey!

I'm also having a hard time finding something that's not strapless. But, what about this since you want tea length, aqua and not strapless or spaghetti straps?

1244526_1.jpg

nferrandi Posted: Apr 13, 2004 11:35 AM

Re: So Disappointed in BM Dresses, boring & pricey!

Also consider ordering the dresses on line. We picked a fairly plain, though very elegant, dress for my girls and it was $180 in the store. We're ordering it at www.houseofbrides.com for $129 with free shipping. I think that's a fair price.

september2004 Posted: Apr 13, 2004 11:40 AM

Re: So Disappointed in BM Dresses, boring & pricey!

i am having them made for my girls...

i wanted something unique and that didn't scream BRIDES MAID so the girls can wear them again if they want. we are going with a beaded lace top and a long flowy skirt. the color will be chocolate. my baby sis (MOH) doesn't think it's 'formal enough', but my mom and i disagree...it is that exact 'classy yet understated' look we are shooting for...

if i had to buy, i would most likely attempt to find something off the rack in a macy's type place. if you have a lot of BM's this can get complicated, but since i have 3 i think it could be manageable.

marymoon Posted: Apr 13, 2004 11:47 AM

Re: So Disappointed in BM Dresses, boring & pricey!

I agree! They're all the same and so few of them are anything you'd ever want to wear again. I think making them is a great idea. You also try something like Jessica McClintock. I get al of my gowns there for other people's weddings and they really have some nice stuff and they have lots of sizes. You may also luck out just going to Macy's, if your BM's are all sizes you can find on a rack. Especially now that it's prom season, increasingly they have nicer stuff out there.

jessnyc711 Posted: Apr 13, 2004 12:11 PM

Re: So Disappointed in BM Dresses, boring & pricey!

Yes, I have been looking for off the rack, non bridal stores like Macy's etc. I'll keep looking, not to crazy about the belts on some of those tea length dresses considering that many people are not as slim as the models in those dresses, the belly is always the area no one wants any focus on, lol....watters and watters has lots of tea length but most are strapless, which I know the girls do not want. I'm going for more of a summer style dress that is pretty and can be worn again, I found a dress on the Saks Fifth Ave website that I fell in love with and I'm thinking of having it replicated, I've already priced the fabric that I want - satin like (shine) almost like a silk chameuse (spelling off) it's very light and has a nice shine to dress it up and for $5.00-10.00 a yard the whole dress can be made for about $40.00. I'll let you girls know how it goes and if they come out really nice, hey maybe I'll start a BM dress design company!!

marymoon Posted: Apr 13, 2004 12:13 PM

Re: So Disappointed in BM Dresses, boring & pricey!

Posted by jessnyc711

Yes, I have been looking for off the rack, non bridal stores like Macy's etc. I'll keep looking, not to crazy about the belts on some of those tea length dresses considering that many people are not as slim as the models in those dresses, the belly is always the area no one wants any focus on, lol....watters and watters has lots of tea length but most are strapless, which I know the girls do not want. I'm going for more of a summer style dress that is pretty and can be worn again, I found a dress on the Saks Fifth Ave website that I fell in love with and I'm thinking of having it replicated, I've already priced the fabric that I want - satin like (shine) almost like a silk chameuse (spelling off) it's very light and has a nice shine to dress it up and for $5.00-10.00 a yard the whole dress can be made for about $40.00. I'll let you girls know how it goes and if they come out really nice, hey maybe I'll start a BM dress design company!!

If you do! I 'll be your first customer!

hbradio Posted: Apr 13, 2004 12:14 PM

Re: So Disappointed in BM Dresses, boring & pricey!

If you want sleeves, why dont you try seperates? Some of them have sleeves. And some of them have tea length skirts as well.

sag530 Posted: Apr 13, 2004 12:15 PM

Re: So Disappointed in BM Dresses, boring & pricey!

So was I. I refused to make my girls by cookie cutter dresses that cost a fortune. I found dresses in Macy's that I loved then found them in Chadwicks catalog - $40 less! they all fit true to size, no one needed alterations. All 7 bridesmaids are thrilled with them.

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jessnyc711 Posted: Apr 13, 2004 12:21 PM

Re: So Disappointed in BM Dresses, boring & pricey!

what is really strange is that all the bridal stores sell the separates and they are even more expensive than the one piece dresses, also a lot of the separates are just ...still not very attractive or can't see them ever being worn again. Plus the colors are all the same colors....I'm looking for a blue/turquoise color.

jessnyc711 Posted: Apr 13, 2004 12:21 PM

Re: So Disappointed in BM Dresses, boring & pricey!

Thats what I get for being so unusual!! I have to make it difficult for myself.

september2004 Posted: Apr 13, 2004 12:27 PM

Re: So Disappointed in BM Dresses, boring & pricey!

Posted by jessnyc711

what is really strange is that all the bridal stores sell the separates and they are even more expensive than the one piece dresses, also a lot of the separates are just ...still not very attractive or can't see them ever being worn again. Plus the colors are all the same colors....I'm looking for a blue/turquoise color.

get to the garment district in manhattan - you will love the range of colors and materials, my mom and i had a field day...

i elected to go 2 piece route because they are easier to fit and the girls can mix and match (if they like the beaded top, they can wear it with a funky pair of pants, if they like the skirt, they are not just limited to the top...)