Since I had the self-imposed stricture of not seriously looking for a dress until we had the date and the reception site set in stone, I've only really started looking for dresses since June (although I did cheat and try on some dresses at David's Bridal over Christmas when MOH-Jo was trying on a BM dress for a friend's wedding). So here is my ultimate dress round-up. I'm including the front-runners and also a few of the laughably unfortunate. ^_^ Starting at David's Bridal (please don't mind the funny faces. They don't reflect my opinions on the dress [for the most part ^_^])
^I called this one the icicle dress. You can't see the detail, but there's clear beading along the bustline that looks like tiny icicles or somethings dripping down. Which...that description does not sound pretty, but it actually really was. ^_^ I liked it when I had it on, but...it's a little meh.
^ Damask-woven fabric. It's actually surprisingly lightweight and has subtle sequins/beads scattered throughout for some shine. My mom looooooved this dress. But, then, she's a total sucker for damask and lace. ^_^ I was just ok with this dress when trying it on, but I have to agree that in pictures, it looks really really nice. I do feel, however, that it's a little more appropriate for a winter wedding than an August wedding. In Nebraska. Woof. :P
^I thought this neckline was very unique. I liked the beading, which I didn't think I would at first, and it has a very pretty scoop back, as well. However, I do think that mermaid dresses flatter my shape more (um, not that you can tell so far from the pics I've posted. Photo proof on its way, I swear! ^_^). Plus, it's a pretty trendy neckline, which puts me off a bit.
However, this is MOH-Jo's very amusing take on this dress:
"It looks like you were at a posh dinner somewhere, the kind with the really nice quality fabric serviettes. And then, oh noes!, you accidentally splashed some red wine on your awesome sparkly tank top. Under the influence of the couple of glasses of wine you'd already had, you decided that the best course of action would be to staple your napkin around your boobs. No winestain visible! Problem solved!
But then the second picture looks like the moment when you got home, after most of the wine had worn off, and you happened to pass the mirror in your living room and realized to your horror that for some reason you have a napkin stapled around your boobs."
Thanks, dude. ^_^ lol
^ I thought I'd really like this one because the picture hanging on the wall at David's was just gorgeous. However, on this one my face really does say it all. The dress fit me pretty well, size-wise, but it just hung there and did absolutely nothing for me. I rather thought that the top and bottom looked like two really pretty dresses tacked together. That, and that the bodice looks like a beetle carapace. Too bad, because the skirt is super pretty. :(
^ This is a discontinued fit & flare dress. I only included this picture because the back is soooooo pretty. This was the seafoam-train dress. *sigh. Unfortunately, the front is heinous--there's funny looking lace applique and a ribbon tied in a bow. No thank you. ^_^
^ Ew. Bad angle on the second one. I look like a stuffed sausage. You should all feel privileged (?) that I posted this despite how bad of a picture it is. Anyways. I like the lace and the v-neck and the cap sleeves as individual elements, but it doesn't do anything for my body shape. Also, my fiance saw a picture of me in this dress and said it "looks like a grandma dress." Ah. Very well. Point taken. ^_^
Please excuse my crazy bra/body armor sticking out over the low-backline. The edge of the dress is the pretty silvery beading that's going on, not the ugly white patch above it.
^ I rather liked this one. The v-neck is really unique (modesty panel is removable) and I liked the shape (although they only had it in a size too small at David's, so it's a leeetle tight. Not as big of a fan of the beads/vertical detailing.
MOH-Jo: "Oh, and I'm not saying this to be clever, but I think I've realised what's bothering me about the unusual v-neck and the vertical beading. I hope this doesn't poison you against it, but the vertical beading is kinda giving me a Renaissance Festival vibe."
Me: "Oh dear. ^_^ No, I know what you mean. They kinda made ME think of the dot detailing on the cartoon Supercalafragilisticexpialidocious people in Mary Poppins. So, no worries. They're a little odd but they didn't make me hate the dress."
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Bridal Details, Omaha, NE
^ No pictures allowed at the store, but I tried on this DaVinci dress (and then used my google-fu to track it down online) and it was very lovely and fitted and simple. And cheap. At $400 it's the cheapest of the dresses that I like, which definitely is in its favor. ^_^______________________________________________
Bridal Outlet in Lincoln, NE
^Designer: Mori Lee. Mmmmm. Gorgeous silk satin, ruching, corset back...MOH-Jo and I love this one for its Victorian-feel and because it's just so darn flattering. I could buy the sample for this one, honestly, because it fit so well (I'm not laced in very well in this picture, though--it's a smidge loose). This is an illicit picture taken in the dressing room so you can't see the corset back and the unusual, and pretty, bubble hem and train. I really like this dress, even though I would prefer a dress with straps. My mom actually really liked the bubble hem, too, which surprised me. ^_^
^Designer: Jacqueline. I think this may be my frontrunner. I really like the v-neck and the shape (another bubble hem!) with the ruching and the softly diagonal seams down the front. The back comes down to a low-v and it closes with a zipper. Unfortunately, it has fake buttons with ugly rhinestone flowers on them (wtf Jacqueline?) but I'm willing to ignore that and/or remove the sequins with nail scissors if I must. ^_^ I am not the biggest fan of taffeta dresses, however, because, as you can see, they wrinkle SO bad. I've seen so many dress pictures at work and it's just a fact. Taffeta dresses wrinkle up after you sit down. :( Also of note: This dress was a tad too small when I tried it on and both my sister and my mom laughed hysterically at the "back cleavage" that was created once I was squeezed into this dress. Thanks guys. Jerks. ^_^So those are the highlights. I have some other pics of various dresses that are no longer in the running, but I may post them for shits and giggles. Stay tuned for more lacy dresses that don't do anything for my figure and the dress that my sister begged me to buy.
