Archive for the ‘Ask The Experts’ Category
Bridal Undergarments: “The perfect fit starts with the perfect foundation”
It’s nearly mid May, and at The White Dress by the shore that means we are beginning to enter the height of our alterations season. The most important item that you can have at your fitting is the proper undergarment for your gown.
Image by Alissa Dineen
The key to a perfect garment fit is the proper foundation. As we always say, “they call it a foundation for a reason”, as a well fitting bra and undergarments are essential to creating a perfect fit. If your gown is strapless, backless, heavy or very light weight ,your undergarment will need to make up for the elements your gown may lack. Your wedding gown and your choice of undergarments “support” each other (pun intended)!
Selecting your undergarments is as important as selecting the perfect gown. It is essential to take the time to be fitted for your undergarments prior to your first fitting. If you do not have the proper undergarment at your fitting, we may not be able to proceed with your alterations, as the undergarment has a drastic effect on the fit of your gown.
In order to ensure that you have the proper fit for your body and the gown that you have chosen, speak to us at the The White Dress by the shore or we reccomend that you visit Josie and Heidi at Beneath the Gown in downtown Branford. Beneath the gown was once located within our boutique, but has since moved to a larger location. BTG offers an exceptional selection of lingerie and foundations. Josie, a seamstress herself, is an expert in garment fit and construction. She is able to asses your needs and find the bra that will work best for you and your gown. She also customizes her pieces to ensure the perfect fit! Ring her at 860.304.7399 to book an appointment.
If you are comfortable, you may pick up your gown from us and bring it to Josie to try on with undergarments in her space. If that is not possible, just bring her a picture- she’ll know what to do!
Below are some examples of bra silhouettes that our clients choose (all styles carried at Beneath the Gown). Our first choice for under your gown or your mother of the occasion dress, if the style allows, is a long line bustier. We find that this silhouette provides brides and moms with the proper support that they need and creates a smooth line under the gown. If you are not a ‘bra person’ and have an A or B cup, then we can either sew cups into your gown or you may select a self adhesive bra, like the one pictured below.
For further information about the alterations process, take a peek at this Frequently Asked Questions Post or ring us at the boutique- 860.669.4596.
xoxo, TWD
Spring 2014 Bridal Market Recap
We just returned from Spring 2014 Bridal Market in New York and what a fun and exhilarating time it was! We were excited to see some of our favorite trends continue and to see new ones emerge.
Below is a recap of the industry’s current trends and some of owner Beth Chapman’s favorite styles that graced the runway this past weekend!
image courtesy of Amsale
The two hottest silhouettes continue to be the romantic ball skirt and the sophisticated fit to flare skirt. These shapes were represented in all different fabrics with a number of different details!
Top (from left): Romona Keveza Legends, Oscar de la Renta, Angel Sanchez | Bottom: Amsale (photo credit: WWD.com)
Left and Right: Amsale (photo credit: WWD.com)
Strapless gowns were ever-present across all collections, however the designers got very creative with other fabulous neckline options. Designers showed every type of neckline imaginable, including, off the shoulder, boat neck and v-neck. When they did show strapless gowns, often the neckline was asymmetrical or they played with the lace to create unique, feminine shapes.
Top Row: Angel Sanchez, Bottom Row: Romona Keveza Legends (photo credit: WWD.com)
How 1920′s inspired and fabulous is this peek-a-boo lace panel and sleeve from Ivy & Aster ?
Lace continues to be a staple in every collection, but the trend was to present it in different lays. We saw everything from unique lace patterns and placement, to the layering of different types of laces to create texture, to placing lace underneath other, more sheer fabrications like tulle and organza, for a softer more romantic look.
In addition to lace, we saw a lot of bling come down the catwalk! As a nod to the upcoming “Great Gatsby” movie due out next month, much of the beading was antiqued or in vintage inspired patterns.
I adored this Ivy and Aster style with layered tulle over black lace.
This unique lace pattern from Modern Trousseau, although designed to look vintage, was completely fresh from a fashion perspective.
Although quiet and simply elegant, this Romona Keveza gown was one of my favorite. I loved the clean and classic lines with just a touch of lace. When we head to market in October, I think we will see much more of this understated aesthetic.(photo credit: WWD.com)
The gowns above show the layering and texture that was recurring in many collections. Top: Romona Keveza (photo credit: WWD.com), Bottom (from left): Oscar de la Renta (photo credit: WWD.com), Liancarlo
This Anne Barge gown was dreamy. It was a lace sheath with a detachable tulle skirt with lace appliques. It took my breath away!
Gatsby inspired beading, images courtesy of The Knot
“Baby got Back” had a whole new meaning this season! Back interest was all the rage, especially in the form of beading. Many designers showed beaded keyhole backs and sleeves in their collections. I think the very best backs came from designer Angel Sanchez! You can see many of them here.
This stunning beaded keyhole back from Amsale was one of my favorite gowns from their collection (photo credit: The Bride Room via Instagram)
photo credit: Cyn Kain Photography via Instagram
The two images above are a stunning gown from a new addition to bridal market, Australian designer, Amanda Garrett. I think this delicate beading and soft fluttery sleeve are just divine! (image courtesy of amandagarrett.com)
Below are a few other beaded stunners that tickled our fancy!
Kelly Faetanini photo credit: Bridalease via Instagram
Rivini photo credit via Instagram
Images above courtesy of The Knot
Skirts not only came in all shapes and sizes on this season’s runways, but they were chock full of interesting details! Amsale’s collection was a combination of their infamous clean, architectural silhouettes and romantic tulle shown in a variety of ways.
Modern Trousseau was one of my favorite collections at bridal market. The silhouettes and treatments that designer Callie Tein used in her Spring line were totally unique and gorgeous! She showed delicate embroideries, full romantic tulle and layers of soft cascading fabrics. My favorite detail was the ombre skirt that she created on the ‘Laurel’ gown above.
Tulle bottoms were all the rage this season. Fluted skirts with tulle bottoms were represented on almost every runway. I love the one below by Legends by Romona Keveza(photo credit: WWD). The combination of the dramatic bottom and soft romantic off the shoulder neckline is to -die -for!
The piece de resistance for me, and hands down winner for the most interesting skirt, was this hand painted confection by Kristy Rice of Monental Designs for Southern Designer, Chaviano Couture. You will be seeing version of this beauty in our boutique very soon!
Chaviano Couture in collaboration with Momental Designs
Blush continued to be the hot color of the season. It was represented in bridesmaids, accessories, as well as bridal! Below are just a few of my faves!
Modern Trousseau ~ I am especially fond of the ‘Annie’ gown on the right, as this was the fabric that was used for my vow renewal dress that I wore the week before bridal market! (post coming soon!)
Oscar De La Renta and Angel Sanchez (photo credit: WWD)
The trends in accessories were greatly influenced by the 1920′s and the “Great Gatsby” movie due out in a few weeks.
Veils silhouettes were very soft and close to the head with lots of beading and lace treatments.
Oscar De La Renta (photo credit: Pretty Pink Bride via Instagram)
Playing off of the warm blush tones in the apparel, gold and blush gold accessories were everywhere.
Sashes have been a huge trend for several seasons. With all of the interest that is happening in skirts, the trend is shifting from sashes with streamers in the back to simpler belt silhouettes with delicate textures.
Continuing with the Gatsby feel, you will be seeing alot of embellishment in the hair in the way of combs and headbands. Below are a few of our tip pics!
Left :Oscar de la Renta (photo credit: New York Times Fashion via Instagram) Center: Haute Bride, Right: Oscar de la Renta (photo credit: Ceci Johnson via Instagram)
Please watch the blog next week for the latest trends in bridesmaids. In order to view all of the beautiful products that we saw at bridal market, check out our Instagram account!
xoxo, TWD
Ask the Experts: Coral Pheasant Stationery + Design
Coral Pheasant is a purveyor of unique custom paper goods and stationery for weddings, milestone celebrations and beyond. Designer Nichole Michel specializes in creating designs that are the perfect combination of beautiful typography, gorgeous patterns and thick, luxurious paper. A graduate of the University of Connecticut with a bachelor of fine arts and a minor in photography, Nichole spent seven years working as a graphic designer at a major consumer products company.
Coral Pheasant gives her the opportunity to bring her considerable talents to creating a feeling and telling the story of life’s momentous occasions. Want something fun and funky, a bit sophisticated or perhaps a timeless, classic design? Nichole will bring your vision and your event to life on paper, setting the mood as the envelope opens. Her witty and whimsical work has been featured on countless wedding sites and magazines and continues to garner rave reviews.
How did you get started designing stationery?
Art has been in my blood for as long as I can remember and my parent’s encouraged my pursuits wholeheartedly. One of my earliest memories of creating was building my dollhouse with my father. Everything on that miniature house was handcrafted from laying the chimney brick by little brick, to wallpapering the walls, to building the furniture. I delighted in working with my hands to make sure the tiniest of details was perfect. In college, I pursued my love of design by enrolling in the Fine Arts program and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. It was during those four years that I became infatuated with typography and knew that I had found my calling.
After graduation I worked for a large consumer products company designing packaging, brochures and promotional pieces as well as art directing photo shoots. But what really tripped my trigger was outside the realm of my real gig: designing wedding invitations for recently engaged friends. (Yes, it’s a story many of us stationers share!) Custom invitations allowed me to combine my love of beautiful materials and tactile printing methods with out-of-the-box typography. When the time came to design my own wedding invitations, I pulled out all the stops and the process confirmed my true passion. Coral Pheasant Stationery was born!
Where does your inspiration come from?
Everywhere! Fashion, textiles, nature, photography, packaging. I know it’s vague, but there is so much beauty and inspiration out there!
What is one of your favorite invitation suites that you designed?
Just one? I don’t mean to be cliché, but my personal wedding invitations are near and dear to my heart. They’re cheeky and playful while still having an air of formality to them. The black and white invitations that were recently featured in Well Wed magazine are also high on the list. I love the unconventional design, the use of foil, the unique plastic-like paper and the playful language.
What is the most unique material you have ever printed on?
I created an invitation that used a white coated metal plate. The design was laser etched to reveal the gold metal beneath. Very chic!
You have been involved in some incredible design projects lately that are gorgeous- designing Carla Ten Eyck’s e-zine and designing the newly released wedding binder of UK event planner Sara Haywood and her soon to be released book. How does designing invitation suites compare to graphic design projects like those.
Thank you! Collectively, the common thread is understanding the client and developing a design that fits their aesthetic. Once a look and feel is established, it is carried through to all of the corresponding pieces and pages. With an invitation suite there are many variables within each project. The size of the cards are often all unique and it’s common for the envelopes to be a different material. There might be ribbon to consider and envelope liners to design among a plethora of other elements. With projects such as book design, there are typography and layout fundamentals that you need to be aware of as they affect the readabilty of the piece. It’s crucial to select the right font, set it at the proper size and create balance on the page through the use of grids, text blocks and imagery. I’d say it’s a bit nerdier to work on a long text document! It both instances though, the difference is in the details!
xoxo, TWD
Oscars 2013 Red Carpet Best Dressed
Oscar night is one of our favorite nights of the year and last night’s Oscar fashion did not disappoint. Below is owner, Beth Chapman’s best dressed list from the 2013 Oscars Red Carpet.
And the winner is……
Best Sparkle
I adore this architectural one shoulder by Armani Prive on Naomi Watts. Her simple hair and make- up is spectacular is well. A picture perfect compliment.
Best Peplum
We have seen many peplum gowns on the red carpet during the award season. This modern and sophisticated Christian Dior Couture gown on Charlize Theron is absolute perfection! And can we talk about the hair?! She was a close second for best of the evening!
Best Use of Color
I think Kerry Washington’s Miu Miu poppy colored gown with beaded bodice is divine! The color, the bow, the beading- all gorgeous! The only thing that I would have done differently is the make-up. I would have loved to have seen a rich coral lip to compliment the color of the gown.
Best translation to the aisle
Jennifer Lawrence’s Christian Dior gown was not one of my favorite’s of the evening; however, I would love to see it on a bride! It would translate beautifully from the red carpet to the white aisle. I would have preferred to have seen her in a non-strapless silhouette, as strapless gowns tend to not be the best neckline shape on her.
Best Hair
Reese Witherspoon never disappoints on the red carpet. Her Louis Vuitton gown was lovely on her (although I would have like to have seen it more fitted through her hips), but her best accessory, was her hair! I adored the 1940’s inspired wave. She looked like Oscar royalty!
Best Sleeves
JHud looked ravishing in her Roberto Cavalli long sleeved lace gown with palettes. It was the perfect silhouette to flatter her figure and to show the transformation she has made since winning her Oscar. Bravo, Jennifer!
Best Coverage
Octavia gets my award for most appropriate and best coverage. Her Tadashi Shoji gown was figure flattering and covered all of the right places. It was a beautiful, soft silhouette that was so flattering to her figure. I would LOVE to see this on a bride!
Best Overall
The overall “BEST OF” award for the evening goes to Jessica Chastain in Armani Prive. Her entire look embodied Old Hollywood Glamor. The gown, the hair, the makeup…all Oscar PERFECTION!
*all images courtesy of The Huffington Post
xoxo, TWD
Ask Beth: Recreating the Look
As an extension of our “Ask the Experts” blog series, we have created a new blog category called “Ask Beth”. The White Dress by the shore owner and stylist, Beth Chapman will answer any wedding fashion related questions you may have.
Wondering what gown silhouette is best for your body type?….Ask Beth
Can’t find the perfect hair accessory to work with your wedding hair style?….Ask Beth
Need advice of the perfect bridesmaid dress color to compliment your wedding palate?…Ask Beth
Simply email your fashion inquires to askbeth@thewhitedressbytheshore.com and Beth will provide you with her expert fashion advice. We will select some of the most interesting and frequently asked questions and share them on the blog as well!
To kick off the series, Beth is answering a question we are asked all the time! Our latest Musings of a Stylist inspiration page, “Blushing Pink”, features a vintage dress with a sequin top and tulle bottom photographed by Carla Ten Eyck. As the image below is one that constantly re-pinned on pinterest, we are frequently asked if we carry this dress in the boutique. As it was a one-of-a-kind dress from Tova’s Vintage Shop, Beth did a little research and found how to recreate this fabulous look!
Both this frothy tulle pink skirt and peplum sequined gold top are available on Etsy! Now you can recreate this look for your maids or yourself! Happy Shopping and keep the questions coming!
xoxo, TWD
Earth 2 Events and Dinners at the Farm
We are thrilled to announce an exciting collaboration! Our dear friend, the uber talented, Josh Chalmers of Earth 2 Events has joined forces with Dinners at the Farm to offer weddings at Barberry Hill Farm in Madison, CT. If you are a ‘foodie’ and appreciate the farm to table experience and are looking for a unique venue for your wedding, you MUST check this out! We think it is a match made in DELICIOUS heaven!
xoxo, TWD
Sample Sale Shopping Tips
Don’t miss our upcoming sample sale on Friday, May 3rd through Sunday, May 5th, view the event here for more information! Before you join us, here are a few tips to consider:
1. Experienced Shoppers Only
Samples sales are not recommended for brides who have not shopped for gowns before. The point of a sample sale is to find the gown of your dreams at a bargain price! If you have never tried on gowns before, it is not possible to know what silhouette will flatter your figure. Sample sales are often overwhelming. Your first bridal shopping experience should be relaxed and shared with those closest to you. We highly recommend a regular appointment for first time shoppers.
2. Sample Sizes Are Not Universal
Generally sample sizes are 8′s and 10′s and are made for a B cup. If you are under 5’5 or over 5″11 and are larger than a C cup, it is not recommended that you shop at a sample sale. We are able to customize our full price gowns for our brides to accommodate all shapes and sizes. If you are petite, well -endowed or have some other specific size requirement, it is recommended that you schedule an appointment during our regular business hours.
We do have a limited selection of gowns over a size 10 available at the sale. Check the sample sale page of the website for availability.
3. Bring Your Decision Makers
Samples sales are for serious shoppers and those brides that are ready to buy! During a sample sale, you will need to make a decision very quickly. It is recommended that you bring 1-2 individuals whose opinions matter to you the most and who can aid you in selecting your perfect gown.
4. Do Your Research
An educated bride is our favorite bride! Before coming to the sale, be sure that you have tried on gowns and know what specific silhouettes and details flatter you. Check out our website and have a list of those gowns that you would like to try on. Please note that not all sale gowns are listed on the site. Research our designers and knows which ones you will target first.
5. Temper Your Expectations
Sample sales are very different from the usual White Dress by the shore experience. If you do not like crowds, do not like waiting and do not like changing in front of others, we recommend that you schedule an appointment with us during our regular business hours.
The sample sale is first come, first serve. No appointments will be taken that day. Only a limited number of brides can be let into the store at one time, so some waiting may be required. We will do our best to make your experience as fun as possible! It is recommended that you bring a strapless bra and heels with you to the sale.
Get ready for a bargain, ladies!
xoxo, TWD
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