Wedding Blog
I think I might have a problem. I’ve spent the past three months agonizing over what to dress my pretty bridal babes in. It has to be formal. It needs to be navy blue. The ladies insist it must be roomy enough to cut a serious (more likely than not, drunken) rug in. Easy enough, right? Wrong.
I have two bridesmaids and one maid of honor. That’s only three girls. And yet, I seem to have chosen three ladies with the most polar opposite body types (although the one thing they all have in common is being quite, um, endowed in the chesticular region). Now, I know it’s quite fashionable to dress ‘em up in different gowns that are all similar but are different styles, but I really love the traditional coordinating dresses. I mean, I big puffy heart matching bridesmaids, and matching in general!
I also have it in my head that I want the dresses to be floor length gowns. I’m not saying that my gals hate this idea, but I do distinctly remember my sister saying something along the lines of, “It’s a good thing Mom and Dad are buying my dress ‘cause I know I’ll never wear a long dress like that again.” A bummer, but probably true.
Lastly, we have the issue of the Island Bridesmaid. It would be nice if the dress could be ordered online, since one of my best friends/bridesmaids will be in the middle of the Caribbean until February.
All these factors add to my hesitation to make a decision. I’ve already turned to Mr. Lemonade, my parents, and many lovely random residents of the Great State for advice… perhaps you could help?
I’ve narrowed the field down to three contenders. Two are from designers that are featured at the boutique where I purchased Jackie, and one is from J. Crew.
Exhibit A:
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I present to you the Siri Caterina gown. If we choose this style, we would be ordering it in a deep midnight blue dupioni silk. It’s got a full skirt (dancing ability unhindered? Check!), pockets (!!), and comes in gorgeous fabrics. It is the middle option in terms of price and it’s definitely a contender (did I mention it has POCKETS? Awesome!).
Exhibit B:
[images]
These are Simple Silhouettes gowns. I absolutely ADORE their entire line of dresses. My ladies would be sporting a custom hybrid of a few styles that would have a mock wrap neckline, empire waist, full length skirt, and bow embellishment at the empire waist. As I’ve mentioned before, I love me some bows something fierce. This hybrid dress would tie in with my dress, and Simple Silhouettes offers some killer fabrics as well (their interpretation of navy is MY kind of navy, a dark rich midnight blue).
Plus, through Simple Silhouettes, I could get a great send-off dress for myself and we’d all save 20% when ordering as a group, which would make these dresses our most affordable option.
Which brings us to our last choice, Exhibit C:
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This one is from J. Crew. Oh, J. Crew. I truly love the Crew. This particular dress is the “Sophia” long dress, and the most expensive ones we’re looking at. I know a lot of brides have relied on the Sophia, and she hasn’t let them down. Of course, there’s the a-freakin’-mazing coupon codes that J. Crew sends out frequently. A bonus for this dress is that my bridesmaids can simply log onto the internet and order this dress themselves. Easy peasy!
It’s so hard for me to decide!
Which dress do you like best? Any and all help on this monumental decision is greatly appreciated!
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Share this post: Playing Dress Up: The Bridesmaids
Sophia! I’m doing Sophia short in black for my girls- and I own the Sophia short in navy myself. I have worn it to lots of weddings and I love it. The navy looks so great in the silk.
Wow - what great choices! Here’s my 2 cents: the Siri gown is very cool, but I think that for less slim ladies, the amount of fabric gathered on top and bottom may be less flattering than the model-y picture above. My vote is with Simple Silhouettes- if I had more than one BM, it would’ve been perfect to order from them! Love their styles, fabrics, colors, etc. And while the J. Crew is nice, it’s more expensive and a little less unique. SS is best 
I think both Options 2 & 3 are beautiful…and are more likely to be worn again.
[A quick comment in that vein -- my best friend had a floor length bridesmaid dress altered to a super cute knee-length dress after the wedding that she's gotten a lot of wear out of...perhaps an option for your sister?]
I had three bridesmaids all in navy too! Except that my wedding was back in July so looking for navy dresses in the spring time (on three very tight budgets) was less then easy peasy.
I love the Sophia dress, so pretty.
Good luck!
I think the SS or Sophia have the most potential to be worn again, and are more appropriate for alterations like shortening, if that’s what your ladies want after the wedding. As for the SS - least expensive = good. You’re right about the J Crew sales though - my ivory Sophia (which is my wedding dress) cost me a cool $70!!!
I also second DC bride - why not shorten it to a cute cocktail (or if you’re daring, a mini) length after the wedding?
I totally love SS, so that’d be my vote!
I think the Sophia dress and the Simple Silhouette dresses look like they would be more flattering to a variety of body types than the first dress (as Sweet Tea has already stated). I say if you can hold out for a J Coupon then go with those because it would be very easy and they are beautiful.
i like the simple silhouettes dresses. i agree with miss st in that those dresses would look a bit more unique than the j. crew one.
As a lady who is also well endowed in the chesticular region I would like to advise against the J Crew dresses - the first dress, I think, looks better on smaller chested woman b/c all that fabric is going to make a larger chested girl look bigger :-/ as for dress #3 - I would have to try it on, but J Crew in general doesn’t fit my chest, I would have to buy a least a size bigger and have the rest altered down.
I do however, really like option #2.
I hope you don’t think I’m being rude, I just thought I should share 
Definitely the J. Crew Sophia. Empire waist dresses are really heard to wear without looking pregnant…and in my experience BM dress shopping, the SS dresses would require quite a bit of alteration for anyone who needs to order based on their chest size. Not to mention the fact that SS is a custom order, so if something goes awry with Island Bridesmaid you might have to order a whole other dress. Plus, you already know the Sophia looks great in a shorter length, so the old ’shorten it and wear it again’ line is actually true Just watch the J. Crew website for a good sale, and definitely utilize their bridal coordinator!
The J Crew dress is beautiful, but can all of your bridesmaids sport that style? I’m skinny but have an hourglass figure, and if I wear something with that kind of waist, it makes my hips look HUGE. Just something to think about!
I would vote for 3. The girls could get it hemmed after the wedding into a shorter dress and possibly wear again!
I have 7 bridesmaids and had them choose one of the JCrew dresses- they had to choose between the Sophia and the Rebecca in the color that I wanted (it’s a lime green that came out in the spring). That way they could decide what style worked best for their body. And even though online it says the dresses are only available in certain sizes, styles and colors, make sure your girls call directly because sometimes they have the color/style/size that you need but don’t have it posted on the website. All of my girls are very happy with their dresses and definitely want to wear them again!
I also think that Exhibit A would not be flattering on most (read: non-modely-thin) body types. The other two are lovely!
I’ve heard that (as AliCherri says) J Crew dresses tend to only work for women who are not quite so… endowed, in the chest region. So if your bridesmaids are more than a B to C cup, the Sophia might not be their best option.
I’d go with the custom Silhouette dresses.
I know this isn’t so much one of your choices, but my girls are in navy floor length gowns by Alfred Angelo and they love them! Perfect for ladies of all sizes (my girls - all 6 - vary in body sizes from a size 0 up to a size 14), it has gathers int he right places and fits everyone to a T! Its style number 6493. But of the 3 you chose, I do love exhibit B!
I wore a navy Simple Silhouettes dress for my stint as a bridesmaid and I loved it!
I like #2 and #3… but I’d have to say I love the waist on #3.
My maids are wearing the long Sophia in black so that would be my choice! I noticed they upped the price of the dress in the last month or so though. Kind of a bummer.
It sounds like your best bet might be #2 or #3, according to the comments (although I’m having a hard time visualizing #2), but I just happen to like #1. It seems unique and feminine to me, and kind of grecian — but I don’t know if that will go with your wedding style. I also am not sure if it would look that good on large-chested ladies, as others have said, but I do think it might shorten nicely. So maybe #2 and 3 fit your needs better . . . *shrug* me likey #1! (Call me weird.) Good luck!
Wow, I must be the odd one out because I think dress #1 is gorgeous. But then again, it’s a little too fancy so your bridesmaids wouldn’t really have anything else to wear it to (maybe like a company party but that’s pretty much it)…
I love love love Siri gowns. They’re a fortune though. I’m looking for an under $100 option.
Miss Lemonade, you and I must be brain twins or something. For me it’s down to the J. Crew Sophia or something from Aria Bridesmaids (very similar to SS) in navy! If this helps, my well-endowed bridesmaid (36D) gave me strict instructions against empire waists. She says they make her look pregnant.
I am going totally against the grain here…. but I L-O-V-E number 1… and in navy?!?! I think it would look fabulous. Kind of makes me want to do my wedding over and put my ‘maids in that dress!
LOVE #3 and since maxi dresses are in, I think it could definitely be worn again.
Addition to comment #24 — by “strict instructions,” I mean she said “I’ll wear anything you pick out, I’m sure it will be great! … You really want my opinion? …. Well, empire waists aren’t my favorite.”
One more thing might help — one of my wedding planning books pointed out that most bridesmaids won’t wear their dresses again, no matter how cute/wearable/shortenable they are. I’d say go with what will look best with your wedding — I think the custom SS design that echos your gown would look great!
I had the same dilemma you did and here are the conclusions I came to. Sometimes it takes tough love - ha!
1. It is your wedding and, much as you want to be a crowd pleaser, I am sure your friends will pick the bridesmaid dresses THEY love for their own weddings - for good reason! (I love the Sophia - good pick!) The only thing I would try to accommodate is an issue of a maid feeling uncomfortable for some reason or other.
2. I have never heard of anyone wearing a bridesmaid dress more than once. I think the salespeople lie to us to try to get us past the guilt. Chalk it up as a loss.
3. My sisters were so sweet when picking my bridesmaid dresses. They went with whatever I wanted. I found I was overly paranoid and, because they loved me, they loved the dress (or at least pretend to).
4. I have been a bridesmaid myself. You know you’re getting stuffed in a dress you probably won’t like and shoved down the aisle. Take one for the team ladies!
Do what you want. Your friends, family, and critics can do whatever they want at their wedding or other party. Godspeed.
My bms dresses were the Lyndsey from JCrew (in navy), so I’m definitely biased, but I love dress #3. I would also have to agree with the pp who mentioned http://www.ariadress.com. I word a bridesmaids dress from there in the spring and we all loved them!! Ours were the floor length navy blue and strapless. Two of the more well endowed girls did wear the vnecked dress instead. I’ve already worn my dress to another wedding this summer (black tie). It was easily worn again as it’s made of silk shantug. My current plan is to shorten it to just below the knee so that I can continue to wear it regularly!!
GL with your decision.
Ooh…I really love option A, and in Midnight Blue it would be perfect! And I LOVE LOVE LOVE pockets!!!
I love all three. But depending on what body types your girls have, the non-skinny girl(s) might/are going to look pregnant in that one. If they are fashionistas - no worries. For whatever reason, if its fashion its ok to be unflattering. If they are not into fashion, be kind and go with B or C.
Custom silhouette. I just love their stuff so much that I want people to wear it. Does that ever happen to you?
Do all your BM’s have to wear the same dress? I’m a BM in a wedding with long navy blue dresses (with people all over the world) and we all ordered different styles from Alfred Angelo. You can view all styles online (and order them online) and all dresses will be the same shade of navy blue. That way person finds something that compliments their body type and is comfortable.
I really like the 1st one best. It’s least predictable, looks totally elegant and incredibly comfortable. I’m a bit thick through the middle and I think that silhouette would be the most flattering on me. But I know that I’m totally overruled by everyone else on here.
I vote #2. If they are unlikely to ever wear the dress again (being realistic, here), your BMs will appreciate the cheaper option.
I think #3 is by far the best. I like #1, but as a girl with big girls, I would look stupid in it. #2 is the worst. I hate Siri dresses though. They’re kinda boring and they’ve “been done” IMO. The Sophia can be hemmed after the wedding or worn to a charity event, etc. very easy.
I take back what I said…those are not Siri. HA! I don’t love it though.
Being a J.Crew bride myself…I’m a little biased. But I can tell you that four of my six bridesmaids picked the Sophia and they really love it–or at least they’re telling me they do, and they are all shapes and sizes. J.Crew is also really great about giving generous return policies for wedding purchases if you call the special event people–my MOH is in Egypt right now, and was given at least a few months to make her decision when she puchased hers. And while a long gown wouldn’t be terribly rewearable, I do know it’s possible to get the Sophia shortened, as my SIL did that (she bought a long on clearance and her aunt shortened it), and honestly, the dresses feel like glamorous jammies, they’re so comfy to wear.
SS or Sophia. I think the first one might be unflattering for certain figures but I’m with you on loving the idea of pockets!
If your bridesmaids are actually well-endowed, then I would be cautious with the Sophia dress. As much as I love the look of the dress, I can’t fit into it, without popping out all over the place (36D). I love J. Crew dresses, but they are NOT cut for busty gals.
@AliCherri1: hahaha- chesticular…. awesome. I vote for #2. It’s hot.
I agree with Sweet Tea, so my vote is for #3. Did you check out the Bridesmaid store? My sister tried on this Wtoo dress by Watters & I LOVED it, altho we decided to stick w/ our original 2-toned plan…
http://www.houseofbrides.com/product.php?productid=5976&cat=1262&page=3
I have a Sophia long gown in white that I got as my backup dress (in case I didn’t find anything else!) and it fits me ***perfectly***. This rarely happens, because I don’t have much on top, but I very definitely have hips. So I would base your decision on the body types of your brideswomen — like others said, the J. Crew dresses are better for not-hugely-endowed-up-top women. If they fit that description, though, I don’t think you can do better! (And I didn’t have any problems having actual curved hips in the Sophia.)
Oh — and the Siri long dresses, if I recall correctly, are as expensive or more expensive than the long Sophia, if you’re getting them in shantung silk.
I would vote for the J.Crew lovliness! As a Bridal Consultant, I totally understand the initial thought of paying so much for a bridesmaids dress. But, you also have to consider the costs AFTER the dress has been ordered. Most bridesmaid dress designers still use the sample patterns from the 1950’s, which means that they are not the same sizes that we can expect. Most of the time, girls have to order 2 sizes larger than their normal “street” size, and get hefty alterations done. Let’s face it, no-one really realizes how expensive these dresses can get. So although the Siri and SS gowns may seem cheaper now, they won’t be in the end! J.Crew uses “street” sizes, which means little to no alteration costs!! If cost is what is concerning you, go with the J.Crew!
Simple Silhouette!
As a member of the Well-endowed Chesticle Club and a recent bridesmaid I would go for the second option every time.
I think the amount of fabric of the first option would be unflattering round the back and the pulled in waist of the third option would be unflattering for anyone with hips.
Whilst an empire line can be unflattering, if the rest of the dress is well fitted, it would be the best option for chesty types especially with the mock-wrap top thrown in!
Can one or two of your BM (maybe your sis) try the dresses on for you? I was just in a wedding and I did this for my bride. Her top choice looked cute online, but it wasn’t great in real life. So this really helped narrow them down.
I second the thought that J Crew is not made for chesticularly enhanced people. The SS dress is beautiful!! Just make sure the girls order the right size.
As a plus sized chick, I have to say that Siri gown is terrific! I know it would look great on me! I have a similar gown that looks wonderful!
[...] you all so so so very much for your help! This weekend I mulled over the dresses some more and I took each of your comments to heart and [...]
a combo of siri top (for us busty gals) and jcrew bottom…otherwise the siri gown may potentially make some girls look pregnant…
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Mrs. Lemonade, Austin/San Antonio
Age and Occupation: 28, Bureaucrat
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Music Management
Engagement Date: December 21, 2007
Wedding Date: April, 2009
Blogging Since: August 22, 2008
Venue: Country Club ceremony, ballroom reception
About Me: I’m a total wonkette who is lucky enough to be surrounded by her favorite things on a daily basis – awesome music, the great State of Texas and of course, Mr. Lemonade! I find any excuse I can to craft something and am completely infatuated with the 1950’s, all things Kennedy, and my furbaby Vida.
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