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I had a really frustrating experience while dress shopping this weekend.
I drove to a place almost an hour away because they carry Watters, Pronovias, and Jenny Yoo. I had a long list of Watters dresses that I wanted to try, plus two Pronovias dresses and one Jenny Yoo dress. But when I got there, they had none of the ones I wanted to try on. Even worse, all of their samples were a size six, which is like a street size two, and there was no way in hell that I could even squeeze my zaftig bod into one of those teeny little things. The sales associate said, “Well, you could just hold them up to you to see how they look,” which I found patronizing and ridiculous. Not to mention the fact that I didn’t even want to try anything on since they didn’t have the dresses that I wanted to try.
Sigh.
When I got to my car, I got on the trusty iPhone and found another store that sold Jenny Yoo. It wasn’t too far, so I gave them a call and they said they had the dress that I wanted to try in stock. I sped over there and tried it on. Unfortunately, they didn’t have it in white (it’s technically a bridesmaids dress that Jenny Yoo markets as a “bridal alternative”), but I tried it on in purple and I actually really love it.
Picture it in white chiffon, and picture it actually fitting (this one was a tad tight in the boobage area). Not bad, right?
I also finally got the Aria sample dresses through their try-on program. Two of them weren’t right for me, but I really liked this simple, strapless dress. This one was too big, and it’s also a pretty unflattering photo—but keep in mind that when I pulled it tighter in the back, it looked pretty rad.
Like the Jenny Yoo dress, this is really just a white bridesmaids dress. It’s very, very plain, but I think that if I wear a bold statement necklace and colorful shoes, it’ll be pretty awesome sauce.
Both dresses are very light and comfortable. I feel really good about wearing a white bridesmaids dress instead of a traditional bridal gown. Being wrapped up in countless layers of tulle just ain’t my thang.
Did you wear a very simple dress for your wedding? How did you add excitement and interest to make it your own?
My dress was super simple…the Nicole Miller IM0002, to which we added chiffon matching straps. Worked out perfectly. I love the purple one on you and think it would look great in white! Good find.
I love the Jenny Yoo dress, I am mildly obsessed with chiffon and organza. I love how flowy and romantic they feel. I dealt with the same issues trying to find my dress, all the shops I went to didn’t carry the styles I wanted to try on. And their sample sizes were a 10 and way too big on me. Hard to pick a dress when you look like you are drowning in it.
Look for a vintage brooch and put that on the waistband….that’s what I thought to do when looking up Aria gowns! It’s such a nice touch.
Also, I love reading about your dress-trying-on experiences, as I have a similar body type as you. How frustrating it must have been to go way out of your way and not be treated right! Boo!
I love simple dresses with statement jewelry! I never warmed to beading or lace. My dress was a simple, strapless gown with to die for silk fabric, with a great statement necklace and amazing headpiece. Rock it, girl!
Love them both. (Would you ever get married in purple ? The first one is just such an awesome shade with your hair.)
I really like the neckline on both of the dresses! I don’t think they’re too simple at all, and like you said, if you had a necklace and shoes that popped, I think they would be pretty sweeeet.
I think they both look great on you, but I am partial to the Jenny Yoo because that’s what my bridesmaids will wear. I tried it on first before showing it to them and I think the construction on the dress is amazing. It’ll look great in white! Silk chiffon is so light and airy and perfect for your garden venue 
The sweetheart neckline looks great on you! Plus with shoes and jewelry it won’t look simple at all!
You could always add a belt for some added bling and interest but I think with the right accessories either could be awesome.
Those both look great on you. I wore Jenny Yoo (the Mira) and jazzed it up with a feather fascinator and tons of jewelry.
Love the Aria dress! My dress, though a bridal dress, is very simple. I really wanted to wear bold accessories, so that was why I picked it.
As somebody who was also looking towards a Jenny Yoo or an Aria bridal gown, I encourage you to check out Sarah Danielle - she also does “alternative” bridal…but her dresses are much more structured than the others. She uses mostly silk shantung. My dress was very simple. I added a shrug and a vintage Weiss brooch to add a little sparkle to the dress. I also ended up having a tulle ruffle added to the bottom because the dress was too short. There are pics of me in the dress in my gallery if you are interested.
“Well, you could just hold them up to you to see how they look” - someone would have gotten the Stare of Death and/or eyes clawwed out (too harsh?).
Love the idea of using accessories to make the dress special.
Also, I ran into a similar problem with Watters gowns ’round here. Places that said they carried the line were phasing it out but didn’t think this was important to mention when I called and specifically asked.
Both dresses are gorgeous! I surprised myself by going with something big and poufy, but I originally wanted something simple that I could dress up. I can’t wait to see what you’ve come up with!
I don’t know if if it’s the shininess of the 2nd dress, but I really like the 1st on you. Of course, it’s a little hard to picture in white. I think it would look great in a matte white or ivory. Great way to save money. My dress had a heavily adorned bodice, but the skirt was very simple. I find myself drawn to very simple gowns these days.
I’m getting that Jenny Yoo dress! I love that it’s so simple (which is why I’m getting it)and looks great on you! I also had a problem with the samples being too small to the point where the sales lady offered to wear the dresses for me to show me what they look like… “uh no, thanks, I guess”
I think either one can be fine! My bridesmaids dresses are actually a casual, short wedding gown that comes in different colors! =)
I love them both, that’s going to be a toughie! I’m totally all for a comfortable wedding dress! I am not one for a lot of fabric and fuss, I want simple and comfortable Now, why is that so hard to find? Haha!
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Ms. Sloth, Philadelphia Age and Occupation: 35, Account Manager and Fashion Blogger Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Design Admin Engagement Date: December 25, 2009 Wedding Date: May 2011 Venue: Bartram's Garden About Me: I'm an internet junkie and music snob with a good eye for a bargain. I couldn't live without thrift store shopping, cheeseburgers, sushi, Coke Zero, websites devoted to silly photos of baby animals, Photoshop, and Mr. Sloth. Speaking of which, he and I are a pair of goofball homebody nerds who love our beagle (the most ridiculously adorable dog EVER) to an embarrassing degree. We're planning a low-key and intimate yet festive and quirky outdoor wedding with DIY details and deeply personal touches, and it's all taking place in the city where we fell in love and call home: Philadelphia.
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