The Best Dress Designers
July 21st, 2008 @ 10:29 am by Mrs. Bee
Thanks so much for all your wonderful dress suggestions! I did end up buying a dress that one of you suggested, but I’m not sure whether I’ll wear it to the wedding. I’ll get your opinions on it in a subsequent post, and pull together a dress wiki on all the fabulous stores you guys suggested.
Meanwhile, let’s talk a bit more about dress designers since many brides buy several dresses for the events leading up to the wedding. Or in my case - and I’m sure for many of you as well - I’m a frequent wedding guest! 
My friend Nhung sent me a link to this article that lists the top 10 dress designers. They are:
- BCBG
- Betsey Johnson
- Cynthia Rowley
- Diane von Furstenberg
- Marchesa
- Oscar de la Renta
- Shoshanna
- Tracy Reese
- Vera Wang
- Milly
I definitely have to agree with BCBG, Shoshanna and Tracy Reese! I especially adore Shoshanna’s dresses because they always fit so well – she really knows a woman’s body! As lovely as Oscar de la Renta and Marchesa’s gowns are, I can’t say that I’ve worn dresses from them or the other designers on this list.
What about you - do you agree with this list? Do you have a go to designer when shopping for a dress?
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16 Responses to “The Best Dress Designers”
BCBG is always my go-to…I feel like they’re the best “bang” for my buck, and if I’m in a rush to buy a dress, or know I only will be able to visit a couple shops, I always pop in there first. I love Betsey Johnson but usually she’s a tad over my budget, so I really have to make sure I’ll wear a Betsey dress at least 4 times to justify the price. DvF is a great go to, but also pricey!
Off this list, I usually lean Ella Moss or Velvet, but those are much more casual/cotton brands (I’m a casual cotton gal!). Plus, my weight fluctuates 10 lbs consistently, so its easiest for me to buy cotton dresses, knowing at any given time I can squeeze into them with no problems :).
I always have good luck with BCBG, J. Crew, Milly, Nanette Lepore, and Tracy Reese.
i’m a Maggy London girl
i swear by her dresses. they’re always comfortable, classic, and most of them have pockets! that’s most of the reason i buy them whenever i find them on sale. Tahari also has cute dresses that i love.
unfortunately i don’t agree with Shoshanna because her dresses aren’t cut to flatter girls without boobs or curves. i know i’m biased, but it bums me out because i often see really cute stuff from her but it would never look good on me. i love a structured dress : )
Some of those are a little (or a lot) over what my budget would be for a dress to wear to a wedding. My favorite standby dress for an evening wedding or other formal event is a Betsey Johnson - every time I wear it I get compliments - so she’s always my first stop whenever I need something dressy. Everything I’ve ever gotten there has been incredibly durable and very well made - not to mention incredibly flattering!
i agree with BCBG and Betsey Johnson. actually, every time i’ve had a special occasion lately, my dress has been by one of those two. in fact, i have already bought a BCBG dress that i’m sure i’ll be wearing to the rehearsal (and i’m not even officially engaged yet!) both of these designers just know how to make a dress that i feel incredibly sexy in - even when i have long ago sworn that dresses were “just not my thing.” (i have long since repented, but i definitely have to find the right dress to feel good in it.)
Most of those on the list are out of my price range. My standbys include several from Ann Taylor Loft, Muse, and a Karen Millen stunner that I got for 75 percent off.
Where is Nicole Miller on that list?! I love her dresses! They’re beautiful and also flattering.
Also a big fan of BCBG. I’d have to say that Nicole Miller and BCBG are my top 2 favorites.
I love the retro glam look for special events. Stop Staring! dresses have tons of character and have tons of styles with structure.
@Mrs. Ant: you beat me the the Nicole Miller punch. She occasionally puts out a clunker, but she is definitely my go-to designer when looking for a pretty dress at a good price. Also, her sizing is consistent, which is not always the case with other designers.
@notsojenny: I’m also a Maggy London fan. I remember buying her dresses for events back in college— which was so long ago they probably came with a hoop skirt! 
And Badgley Mischka should be on that list– though most of their stuff is definitely wait-for-a-really-good-sale priced. 
I love Maggie Sottero. Definitely not couture, but gorgeous, with tons of different designs–and reasonably priced.
Nicole Miller is my favorite. No matter what shape you are her dresses are so flattering. i have dresses in my closet that after a year I don’t want to wear anymore but I always come back to my Nicole Millers.
Also, I’ve found some really great dresses at Zara.
I TOTALLY agree with the Nicole Miller fans out there!!
Sadly, even the word designer is out of my budget (and it always amazes me that it is not for others). I love BCBG, but even at 70% off I’d have to give up food for two weeks to afford some of the dresses.
Like lulubelle, I like Ann Taylor LOFT or even Banana Republic on sale…I even found a cute dress at Target *gasp!* a few weeks ago.
I am such a Betsey Johnson addict!! Her dresses always fit me perfectly and they are so fun to wear!!
The last wedding I went to I brought a Betsey Johnson dress. Everybody loved it. I also love Milly. I definitely have to check out BCBG, since it seems to be the majority favorite.
Mrs. Bee, New York
Age and Occupation: 29, Weddingbee Publisher
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Internet
Engagement Date: May 7, 2004
Wedding Date: March 5, 2005
Venue: Westside Loft, New York
About Me: Yes, my name really is Bee! I love my blogging, wikis, and tabasco sauce!
I love DVF, Milly, Tory Burch, JCrew, Tracy Reese and BCBG. I also love Banana Republic dresses. I would love to be able to wear Marchesa and Vera Wang more than I do! I just bought a Marchesa gown that doesn’t fit me! It’s my diet bribery!