It’s all about the dress

The Dress It’s all about

Wedding dress fitting guide

Because fashion preferences were once ornate and dependent on precise fits, ready-to-wear clothing really did not become widely available until the early 20th century. Such attire is now available in just about any retail store.

Because ready-to-wear clothing is so readily available, the average person may be unfamiliar with custom-made or tailored items. In fact, a couples’ wedding may be the only instance in their lives when they require the services of a seamstress or tailor.

Fittings are a part of wedding planning, and here’s how bridesto-be can navigate the process of finding and being fitted for a dress.

• Try on sample gowns. The first step is to make your rounds to various gown shops and try on the samples they have available. Most sample sizes will not be the size you wear every day, so expect them to be ill-fitting. Do not be discouraged. Once a gown is chosen, the dress shop will take your measurements and order the gown according to the manufacturer’s sizing guide. Again, this can be shocking, since the size will likely be larger than what you wear in street clothes. Some shops will also order a little larger to allow for adequate tailoring.

• Schedule the first fitting. The first fitting should be anywhere from eight to 12 weeks before the wedding date, according to experts at WeddingWire, an online wedding information provider. This is the time it takes to complete most standard alterations. Complex customizations can take even longer. Brides should also budget a minimum of $500 for alterations, which may or may not be included in the price of the dress. • Bring shoes and undergarments. Remember to bring

Keep your gown wedding white

Many brides walk down the aisle in white gowns, which have long been considered the most traditional choice. Wearing white can be a frightening prospect to some brides, who fear that white clearly shows every blemish or stain. Protecting a white dress so it looks pristine on one’s wedding day takes a little effort, but such efforts are well worth it. Before the wedding When trying on the gown, be sure that your hands are clean and you are not wearing any makeup. You may want to wear a thin pair of gloves so any oils from your hands are not transferred to the gown. If anyone helps you in and out of the gown, ensure their hands also are clean.

Try on the gown sparingly before the wedding, ideally only for fittings. When you are not trying it on, store it in a protective

ress

along the exact shoes and undergarments you will wear with your gown. A change in shoes or bra/ corset can result in the alterations fitting poorly the next time. Bring these items along to all subsequent fittings.

• Speak up. Martha Stewart Weddings suggests speaking up at fittings if anything is uncomfortable or needs tweaking. Seamstresses are masters at their crafts, but only if they understand the desires of the bride.

• Check the details. The second fitting is designed to check that all issues from the first fitting have been addressed, the gown is comfortable and you can move freely. At the last fitting, ask the maid of honor to come along so that she understands how to bustle or help you handle complicated straps or closures.

Open communication with a seamstress and bridal shop can ensure brides-to-be get a dress that fits like a glove.

A wedding dress you can dance in They may look striking, but many wedding gown styles restrict your movements, making it hard to dance. Here are some things to consider if you’re shopping for a wedding dress you can move freely in.

Light fabric. A flowy dress made of a lightweight fabric is sure to be comfortable enough to dance in. Separates. Choose an elegant halter top or corset and select two different bottoms. Wear a long tulle skirt to imitate the look of a ball gown for the ceremony and swap it out for a shorter style for the reception.

Tea length. There’s no rule that says a wedding gown must be long. Choose one that ends just below your knees for a vintage style you can move in.

Reception dress. Choose a second dress that’s easier to dance in for the reception. This is a great option for brides who don’t want to have to choose between two looks. If you must wear a ballgown or a mermaid-style dress, choose one that can be modified throughout the day. Bustling a long train or removing a layer of tulle may be all you need to dance the night away.

garment bag until it needs to be steamed just prior to the wedding. Some seamstresses or tailors will hold onto the gown until the final alterations are done and then steam out any wrinkles prior to delivery. Wedding day On the day of the wedding, resist the urge to handle the gown early in the day. The gown should be the last thing you put on during wedding day preparations.

Wait until just before departing for the service to get fully dressed in your gown. Again, make sure your hands and the hands of any helpers are clean. Ask for help so that the gown can be placed gingerly over your head, avoiding any makeup in the process. Some brides may find it helpful to leave lipstick application for the very last step in getting ready. Should an accident occur, bright lipstick on the white gown can be especially difficult to conceal.

Pack an emergency stain-fighting kit to bring along to the ceremony and reception. This way, should a minor stain occur, it can be treated right away. Use sparingly because you will not know just how the cleaning product will react with the gown’s fabric, and overuse may make the stain worse. If possible, test the product on a small swatch of gown fabric prior to use. After the wedding Use caution when removing the gown and then promptly repackage it into its garment bag. After the wedding, take the gown to a professional dry cleaner to have it cleaned and preserved. Then the gown can be used by future generations or simply saved as a keepsake.

White gowns are traditional wedding fixtures. Brides-to-be can keep their gowns looking beautiful throughout and after the wedding. ª