Are you a fashionista bride but don't want to spend runway prices? This economy leaves little room for focus on fashion. Consider alternate options for your dream bridesmaid dresses. Whether you are paying for your bridesmaid dresses (which is an option. I did this for mine because I got married when I was younger and my friends did not have many funds to work with) or your bridesmaids are buying them on their own, there are many options to choose from.
Point 1: No one (if they have, I have not heard of it) ever wears their bridesmaid dress again. Of course the talk is, "oh you are going to love this dress and with a small hem it can be the greatest cocktail dress in your closet." I say hogwash, this is simply a ploy to be talked to into wearing a dress you don't want. Instead of making your bridesmaid a statistic, (ie. number 1,990,090,765 bridesmaid unhappy with their dress) choose something economical, practical and a crowd pleaser for everyone involved. The average bridesmaid dress is $200 - $300. Here are some alternatives.
Suggestions
1. Use their closet as a gem. Have all of your bridesmaids wear a black cocktail dress. Or visit each bridesmaid's closet to choose a dress from there that works for the both of you. Not all bridesmaids have to be dressed like a triplet. Be unique.
2. Find a dress under $100 at a store you may usually buy jeans at, such as the Gap has quality dresses, Old Navy has hip stuff at a low cost, Forever 21 has trendy and cost effective everything, the Limited has some great dresses on clearance, and Express is always on the forefront of young and cool.
3. Try the other shops like Marshalls and TJ Maxx.
4. Shop thrift shops (preferably in fancy neighborhoods for the best picks).
5. Rent a Dress, see this Rent a dress post.
Have fun looking for this diamond in the rough!
Featured above: Delilah Satin Dress from Forever 21, Rosette Dress from Express, Draped Strapless Dress from The Limited.
You forgot to mention JCrew, everybody seems to love them.
Posted by: Olivier | Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at 02:48 PM