Thursday 22 December 2016

How to Buy a Prom Dress Online

One of the most important events in a young girl's life is prom. Just as she dreams about getting married in that perfect bridal gown, she also dreams about wearing the most beautiful dress to her prom. After all, prom is not just about having a date and getting to dance all night. It is about being noticed and being remembered.

In the past, shopping for a prom dress was limited to bridal shops, boutiques, and department stores. Style choices were often minimal, as well. Unless a girl had her dress special-made, there was always the risk of showing up at prom wearing a dress identical to the dress worn by one of her classmates. What a disaster that would be! Nothing could be more humiliating to a teenage girl.

Fortunately, times have changed. A teenage girl has more options today. There are now shops that specialize in prom dresses. In fact, there are online prom dress specialty shops, as well. A girl can now spend hours online, searching for the perfect dress from the comfort of her own room.

Things to Know about Buying a Prom Dress Online

Obviously, shopping online is not quite the same as physically going into a store. For one thing, you can't try on the dress that caught your eye on a certain prom dress website. If that particular store happens to have a location in your vicinity, you could always visit that store to try on prom dresses. Otherwise, you'll have to make sure that you order your dress early enough to allow for fittings and alterations. (It's a good idea to start shopping for your prom dress at least six weeks before prom.)

(Prom dresses bought in a store or online more often than not will require alterations. To get that perfect, made-just-for-you fit, your dress will probably need a little tuck here or letting out there.)

Before you order your prom dress online, be sure to investigate all your options. (Remember, you're shopping for one of the most important dresses you'll ever wear.) If you have your heart set on a dress that you saw online, make sure that it is being sold by a reputable company. You certainly do not want to make a big investment on a dress, only to discover later that you were taken advantage of.

Be aware of the store's return policy. When it comes to prom dresses, most stores do not allow returns. This "no return policy" prevents any questionable returns, such as the return of a prom dress after it has already been worn to prom. If you cannot return a prom dress for any reason, you want to be certain that you are quite satisfied with your choice before purchasing the dress.

The Benefits of Buying a Prom Dress Online

Buying a prom dress online can save you (and your parents) time and money. Not only will you save gas money and time spent going out to the mall or specialty stores, you will also be able to find more reasonably priced prom dresses at online stores.

When you shop online, you have access to prom dress stores all across the country...not just local stores. That means there will be a larger selection of prom dresses from which to choose. You should be easily able to find a prom dress online that suits your style and personality. It means, too, that you run less of a chance of buying the same dress as another girl at your school.

At online prom dress specialty stores, you can find the latest styles in prom dresses made by popular designers, such as Jovani Prom or Terani Prom. You can find short dresses or long dresses, fancy dresses or simple dresses, dresses with full skirts or tight-fitting dresses. Just about any style of prom dress you can imagine will be found online.

Don't Forget the Accessories

This is your prom, and you want it to be as memorable as possible. You want to look and feel like a real princess. That's why you should consider adorning yourself with some sort of hair décor or jewelry. Tiaras or decorative hair clips are always a good choice to compliment your beautiful hair.

Check the store from which you purchase your prom dress for the right accessories to accentuate your look. Most prom dress stores carry a variety of prom accessories.

Saturday 19 November 2016

Top 10 Ways to Reuse a Flower Girl Dress

A flower girl always wears a fashionable, beautiful dress. The dress, however, can be found in various styles. A girl can wear an Easter dress, a holiday gown, or even a sundress for a casual summer wedding. Similarly, a dress can be worn for other special occasions. Indeed, there are numerous ways to reuse a flower girl dress.

Top 10 Tips

1. Keep It For The Future

Wedding dresses and christening gowns are often preserved to become heirloom dresses. Not as many flower girl dresses are preserved in this manner. Yet these gowns can be kept for future generations. Many preservation companies who work with wedding dresses will also take care of these dresses. Preservation kits can also be purchased for preparing the dress at home.

2. Attend A Special Occasion

These lovely dresses can be used at future special occasions such as birthdays and holidays. Rich velvet dresses are perfect for Christmas celebrations. Soft pastel dresses look elegant at Easter. Dresses with removable sashes or flowers can always get a special new look.

3. Go To A Tea Party

Every day can be a special occasion. Little girls love tea parties. Turn a summer afternoon into craft/tea party time. Children can decorate wide brim straw hats with flowers and ribbons. The afternoon ends with a tea party where every little girl wants to look their best.

4. Wear Wonderful White

White is the most popular color for these dresses. The mini-bride dress is always a beautiful white. White dresses can be used for any upcoming religious celebrations - First Communion, Confirmation, later-life Baptism, or other church presentations. Adding appropriate accessories (jackets, boleros, headpieces, veils) creates a new look. Remove a colored sash from a white dress and the result can be an elegant communion dress.

5. Make It Green

Modern weddings are often eco-friendly weddings. Previously loved dresses are ideal for green weddings. Pass a dress on to a green bridal party.

6. Work For Charity

Certain charitable organizations accept gently worn formal attire. They resell the clothing to raise funds for worthwhile projects. Other retailers sell recycled dresses and then donate a percentage of their profits to charities. Donating a flower girl dress can make a dream come true for another child. Check out the charities in your local area.

7. Play Dress-Up

When you're a little girl, you don't need a special occasion or even a tea party to have fun. Children are only limited by their imagination and every child loves to play dress-up. Flower girl dresses turn little girls into little princesses. Wearing ballet slippers with a flowing dress transforms a young lady into a beautiful ballerina. Capture these special moments in photos. Dress-up allows children to have fun while expressing their creativity.

8. Go To A Play

When acting out a play at home, it helps to have a lovely dress for the leading lady. Special dresses come in handy for school concerts or drama club performances. Budding actresses shine in divine dresses.

9. Share The Beauty

This beautiful dress can bring a touch of beauty to many lives. Its fine fabrics can be turned into sachets, memory pillows, or even table skirts. Pieces of the dress can also be used to make a recycled dress. This fabric can be passed on to a seamstress or anyone with a talent for sewing can use the material at home. A seamstress can use a bodice from one dress and match it with sleeves from another dress. Exquisite details such as lace and beading can be added to make an unique dress.

10. Have A Creative Halloween

The dress can also be part of a Halloween costume. The possibilities are endless for a creative Halloween outfit. White dresses can help little ones turn into lovely princesses or even scary ghosts. Any dress with a deep, rich, autumn color, such as dark brown, can match the Halloween spirit. Black dresses add a look of mystery and magic to Halloween. Black dresses are very trendy, especially with the increasing number of black and white weddings.

Thursday 13 October 2016

Here Are Creative Ideas For Choosing Colorful Flower Girl Dresses

The sight of a cute girl strolling down the aisle will instantly warm the hearts of your wedding guests. girls are easy to shop for because they look adorable in anything. However, you should choose a girl dress that your family will adore. Here are some creative ideas for choosing colorful girl dresses that any family would cherish.

Tulle Tiered Ballgown

This girl dress is extraordinary and unique! This lovely dress is a spaghetti strap, tulle tiered ballgown and it features a beaded waist and a huge bow on the back. If you want your little girl to look like a princess and stand out from the crowd, you will love this dress. This girl dress is rich in details, elegant, and perfect for any kind of wedding. This dress comes in ivory and white and sizes 2T to 14.

Spaghetti Strap Ribbon Waist Dress

This gorgeous dress is a satin, spaghetti strap dress with a pick-up skirt and ribbon waist. This dress is charming and one-of-a-kind! Your girl will look fabulous with this dress on, which is available in white and ivory. A colorful, beaded satin sash is also available for this dress, and it comes in a variety of colors like pink, orange, blue, green, red, black, and others. A sash will make this dress look bolder and more energetic! If you have already picked out the colors for your wedding, you should definitely purchase this colorful girl dress for your big day.

Satin Beaded A-Line Dress

This satin A-line gown features a pleated bodice, an empire waist, and gorgeous beaded detail that adds sparkle to the dress. This dress is sophisticated, stylish, and perfect for your wedding day! This A-line style dress is also flattering for any kind of girl and it comes in ivory or white and sizes 2T to 14.

Lace-up A-Line Dress

You can add a splash of color to your wedding with this beautiful, girl dress. This satin A-line gown has spaghetti straps and a lace-up back and it comes in white or ivory. This dress also comes with a beautiful color trim on the top and bottom of the dress in the color of your choice. A variety of vibrant colors are available like Apple, Black, Canary, Champagne, Sangria, Watermelon, and many others. This dress is simple and sassy, and it is fit for a real princess.

Cotton Sateen Dress

If you think white girl dresses are boring, you will love this dress. This dress comes in 41 gorgeous shades and it is fun and festive! This tank strap, cotton sateen dress comes with a beautiful bow in the back and it features a t-length skirt. Your girl will look beautiful and so sweet in this dress!

Keep your girl's personality in mind when you are shopping around for her dress. If your flower girl enjoys dressing up, she will love an elegant, fancy dress or ballgown. If your flower girl doesn't like wearing dresses, she will feel pretty silly wearing a lacy, feminine dress, so you should go with an understated, simple dress that she will be comfortable in. Keep in mind that your girl will look spectacular wearing a colorful dress that matches your wedding theme or wedding dress.

You will also have to decide what length is right for your girl's dress. If your girl is young, you should choose a shorter, or tea-length dress because there is no risk of falling. An older girl can wear an elegant, sophisticated, longer dress.

Finally, keep in mind that you can make any girl dress better if you purchase the perfect accessories. The accessories you purchase should enhance your girl's beauty and it will add the finishing touch, whether she is three years old or 13, so shop around until you find the perfect veil, headpiece, gloves or shoes.

Thursday 22 September 2016

Bewitching Mother of the Bride Dresses for That Special Day

A mother of the bride has many dress style choices to consider for her daughter's special day, such as trends for the wedding's season, which often goes hand in hand with dress length and color choices. Also, a mother of the bride wants to look graceful, slender and sophisticated.While a seemingly daunting task, we've gathered not only the best new mother of the bride dress styles, but a mix of modern and classic looks for bewitching mother of the bride dresses for that special day.

Bewitching Mother of the Bride Short Dress Styles

For a late spring or summer wedding, an off the shoulder look has proven the hottest new look for a mother of the bride. A favorite is the Off the Shoulder Ruched Stretch Tafetta Dress style, which appears sleek, as it highlights the neck and shoulders, while all over ruching flatters any physique. While guests will prove bewitched by this style, which also features a center brooch for added sparkle, no one will guess at how comfortable you feel in the stretch taffeta fabric.

Many mothers of the bride prefer an elegant and timeless style for their daughter's special day and feel naturally drawn to the Portrait Collar Knit Dress with Lace Skirt style dress. A perfect choice for any shape and size, this dress features the lovely portrait collar, which squares off in the front and back, extending as far as the shoulder seams. Combining elegance and comfort, many mothers of the bride love this dress because of the comfortable knit bodice, a perfect contrast to the slim beaded lace skirt.

For more sleeve length without a having to wear a jacket, the best dress style to consider is the Short Sleeve Dress with Jeweled Button Detail. A modern spin on an Audrey Hepburn look, this chic style offers an elegant portrait collar for added sophistication and waist detail accented with a gorgeous tie bow and beautiful jeweled button detail, all in satin fabric that shimmers in any light. A particularly bewitching color is foxy gold.

For a mother of the bride who prefers the option of a jacket, a brand new style is the Hammered Shimmer Jacket Dress with Tiered Skirt style. Under its 3/4 sleeve jacket, this tank style dress features the popular empire waist, embellished with jewel and sequin detail and a flattering, tiered knee-length skirt. Also consider the Short Iridescent Taffeta Jacket Dress style, a modern look featuring a cap sleeve and brooch detail on the jacket. This dress is known for slimming any shape and size with side ruching, which hides even the slightest flaws.

Bewitching Mother of the Bride Long Dress Styles


A mother of the bride may opt for a longer dress style, which is traditionally common for an evening or winter wedding. For the cooler months couched around the winter season, many mothers of the bride choose a longer dress style with shorter sleeves. A perfect example, the Long Iridescent Taffeta Mock Two-piece Dress style will show off your neckline and shoulders with its portrait collar. This dress then flares out to a long, full skirt, adding the perfect touch of elegance for any occasion.

For the more daring mother of the bride, the One Shoulder Mesh Dress with Ruched Waist dress style will certainly bewitch your daughter's wedding guests. A one shoulder dress exudes style and sophistication, and its ruched waist slims any mid-section, while the full skirt adds length. In addition, this dress, fully lined, feels lightweight with comfortable mesh fabric.

For a formal wedding, a top choice among mothers of the bride is the Fit and Flare Iridescent Taffeta Dress with Jacket style, a modern and elegant look. While this dress offers a touch of formality with its chic jacket, the dress underneath will provide a mother of the bride with a fashion-forward look through the flattering ruching in the waist and shimmering brooch detail. A mother of the bride looking for a formal but more conservative look, a top dress pick is the Hammered Shimmer Mock Two-Piece Jacket Dress style. This luxurious hammered shimmer jacket dress features a soutache ribbon lace trim, which is a narrow, decorative braid, adding the perfect amount of detail for a most demure look.

Bewitching Plus Size Mother of the Bride Dress Styles

Many mothers of the bride with a plus size figure have a hard time finding the right dress for that special day. However, there now exists a large selection of plus size dresses that not only offer comfort, but style and sophistication.

If searching for a shorter length dress with short sleeves, look no further than the Metallic Brocade Sheath Dress. This fun and fabulous dress offers a mother of the bride that gorgeous shape with flattering lines and is available in sizes 8-18. For a longer length dress with short sleeves, a new style is the One Piece Metallic Chiffon Halter Dress with Scarf. This daring one piece modern halter dress comes with a ruched waist band accented with a beautiful beaded buckle detail, which will slim any waist line. The scarf can be worn as added coverage.

Many plus size mothers of the bride just feel more comfortable in a pant suit, and many designers have responded. A perfect example is the Three Piece Jersey Pant Suit, made of jersey fabric, allowing a mother of the bride to dance the night away! This suit comes with a tunic top with beaded detail at the neckline, a cinched waist for the ultimate slimming effect and a glamorous jacket.

Thursday 18 August 2016

Party Dresses for Upscale Engagements

Inconsiderate men often complain that women take too long to get ready for a night out. But of course that is the case. The guys need only slip on a suit, while the girls have to do their hair, apply their makeup and find the right dress. One reason women sometimes struggle when it comes to the dress is that they are not sure what is expected of them. When attending a social event, for instance, there is often a dress code. Let us take a moment to review them.

Black Tie

A black tie affair is the most formal social gathering. Men are expected to wear tuxedos, while women can choose between cocktail dresses, formal gowns or long dresses. There are also white tie affairs, which are just as formal. The only difference is that the men wear white bowties instead of black ones.

Creative Black Tie

A creative black tie invite gives guests the option of dressing down a bit. Men can wear black suits instead of tuxedos and women can wear shorter dresses or evening separates.

Semi-Formal

As the name implies, guests are not expected dress up for semi-formal affairs. Dinner or cocktail parties with close friends and acquaintances are generally semi-formal. Men should wear dark suits and women can wear cocktail or party dresses. Professional women sometimes wear dressy suits to semi-formal events.

Business Formal

The dress code for business formal is the same as semi-formal for the guys, but the girls are expected to dress in tailored suits or long dresses.

Cocktail Attire

The standard cocktail party doesn't have a well-defined dress code. The guys usually dress in dark suits and the women wear party dresses.

Informal

When an invitation calls for a casual dress code, it often means that men should wear a coat and tie and women should wear shorter dresses. More often than not, casual affairs are held during the warmer months when gowns or formalwear would be terribly uncomfortable.

Because the dress code for the girls is more complicated, it requires further examination. One of the most confusing things about eveningwear for women is the rather broad definitions. Everyone knows, for example, what a tuxedo is. But what about a cocktail dress, an evening gown or a party dress?

Once again, these dresses are defined by the formality of the event. The most formal dress is the evening gown. The difference between the gown and the other two is that it is longer and that it is often made of heavier, more luxurious and expensive fabrics. An evening gown is generally made of satin, silk, velvet or chiffon. Its hemline can range from tea length and ballerina to full-length gowns. Evening gowns are far more accessible than ball gowns, since they are available in any silhouette, including A-line, trumpet, sheath, empire and mermaid.They may have halters, straps or sleeves. Evening gowns are worn at black tie and white tie events, while ball gowns are obviously only worn to balls.

Cocktail dresses were created specifically for semi-formal affairs. The length of the dress varies widely. Some cocktail dresses are rather revealing, with a hemline that falls just above the knees and others drop all the way to the ankles. The most common length for a semi-formal dress is called tea length, which about two inches above the ankles. Ballerina length dresses are a little longer, as they actually reach the ankles.

Shorter cocktail dresses are often seen at upscale clubs or at more casual get-togethers. These dresses were known as 'late afternoon' numbers before cocktail parties became all the rage in the 1950s. They were also called 'early evening wear,' since women would often wear them out to dinner or to a local speakeasy or salon.

What then is a party dress? Well, a party dress can be any of the aforementioned. Cocktail dresses, evening and ball gowns are all officially party dresses. Some are worn to formal parties, while others are worn to semi-formal and casual affairs.

Modern Styles

The little black dress (LBD) is arguably the most popular party dress in the history of fashion. Created by world famous fashion designer Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel in the 1920s, the LBD is the quintessential cocktail dress. It is flirty, fun and affordable. Because of its elegant simplicity, the little black dress is perfect for any semi-formal occasion.

One-shoulder dresses toe the line between semi-formal and formal dresses. Depending on the hemline and the material, they may be a bit of both. The style is quite popular with younger women who want to show a bit of skin in a reserved and elegant way.

Beaded cocktail dresses can be worn by women of all ages. Though they are undoubtedly on the casual side, they are quite comfortable and flattering for most figures. The beaded dress is actually quite popular for less formal wedding ceremonies.

At the end of the day, party dresses should be fun. As important as dress codes may be, they should never get in the way your enjoyment. It's a party, after all.

Friday 15 July 2016

Where to Buy the Best Prom Dresses


When it comes to buying prom dresses, finding the right vendor can be overwhelming. From the countless number of places you can buy prom dresses online to local malls stuffed with bargain-priced dresses, girls have a lot of options to wade through. But where is the best place to buy prom dresses?

Before heading to Amazon.com or the nearest Deb's, you should carefully consider what different prom dress vendors offer in terms of budget, quality and value-added services like tailoring, care and handling. Just because a dress looks good in an image doesn't guarantee it will look good in person. Similarly, dresses bought from the mall at a bargain basement price aren't likely to come with tailoring services, and cheap materials can reveal flaws once they're brought home.

Establishing a Budget

Prom dress shopping without having a specific budget in mind can lead to overspending, so it's a good idea to enter in to the buying process with a set budget in mind. Remember: you need to factor in not only the cost of the dress, but also the cost of accessories. Deciding how much you're willing to spend overall can help guide your buying decisions. If you have a unique body type, maybe you want to allocate more money to a custom-tailored dress. If you have your heart set on a certain pair of designer shoes, maybe you want to allocate a lower budget to your dress. How much you're willing to spend on each item will determine the best place for you to shop.

Why Quality Matters

For many girls, prom night is the biggest event of the school year. You want to look - and feel - fabulous! Many cheap dresses look great on the hanger, and may even look good in the dressing room, but after an hour on the dance floor, poorly made dresses will pinch, bind or become too loose. Poorly constructed embroidery can become loose and fall off. Remember - you need to look great the entire night, and feeling comfortable in your dress without having to constantly adjust it will make your night memorable for all the right reasons - not because of a dress disaster!

Buying Prom Dresses Online

If you're on a strict dress budget, dress shopping online might be a good solution - but you have to be careful. Colors represented in dress images may not always match the actual dress, and there are no guarantees when it comes to fit. Look for reputable vendors, and be sure to read vendor reviews before purchasing. Make sure the dress comes with a size return policy. However safe you play it, buying online is a gamble, so make sure online dress purchases are made far enough in advance.

Shopping for Prom Dresses at the Mall

The mall can be a great place to browse and get an idea of what kind of dress you're looking for. Stores like Deb's and Mariposa keep a large inventory of prom dresses on hand, so there's often plenty to choose from. Most mall stores do not, however, offer custom fitting services, so fit will need to be precise. Keep in mind that not all dresses can be tailored; prom dresses made with cheap materials can be especially difficult to tailor, so don't buy a dress from the mall with the expectation that it can be custom fitted later - it might be better to spend a little more on a dress from a store which offers fitting services.

Local Party & Bridal Boutiques

Local dress boutiques tend to offer the most in terms of quality and tailoring services. These stores tend to keep a smaller in-stock inventory of higher quality prom dresses, but these in-stock dresses are often from designer lines which are hard to find in larger chain stores. Most party and bridal boutiques have extensive catalog selection of designer prom dresses which can be ordered and custom fitted. Keep in mind that catalog ordering and custom fitting can take time, so the sooner your dress is ordered, the better. If you're looking to avoid the "cookie cutter" look on prom night with a designer dress that's truly one-of-a-kind, local boutiques are your best option.

Friday 10 June 2016

Top 10 Wedding Dress Shopping Mistakes

There are many common mistakes brides make when they come wedding dress shopping - often because they are underprepared or unwilling to think beyond the ideal vision that they have in their head. But wedding dress shopping needn't be stressful, or fruitless, or time-consuming. Here are our top 10 mistakes that brides make when shopping for a wedding dress - try to avoid these and you should be fine!

1. Not knowing their budget

Unless you really do have an unlimited amount to spend, you should have an idea of what you can afford. Obviously your budget will go a lot further if you choose to shop for discount wedding dresses, from a factory outlet or discount designer store, but you still need to know what your limit is.

2. Not considering extra costs

When you budget for your outfit, you need to remember that you will be wearing more than just a dress! You need to consider your shoes, underwear, a veil if you will be wearing one, any jewellery you don't already own (I'm guessing most of us didn't have a tiara before we got married!), and even your hair and make up should be included.

3. Bringing too many people

You should definitely bring someone. Many people bring their mum and a sister or a close friend. Whoever you choose, they should be people you trust to give an honest opinion but also not try to influence you to choose a dress they like rather than the one you like! Any more than two people and you're going to end up with too many different viewpoints, which can get confusing for you. Besides, you want your wedding dress to be a surprise for as many people as possible on the big day!

4. Getting all made up to come wedding dress shopping

Okay, so wedding dress shopping feels more special than normal shopping, but there really is no need to get all dressed up for us! You should make sure that you are wearing a well-fitting bra if you are likely to need extra support under your wedding dress, but apart from that, casual is fine. In fact, we would prefer you didn't wear any make up that could get smudged off on to the dresses.

5. Shopping too early (or too late!)

Shopping too late is less of a concern for shopping at wedding dress factory outlets, for example, as these dresses don't need to be made from scratch for you, but you should still aim to leave enough time for any alterations. As for shopping too early, you really need to at least have the wedding date booked, and preferably the venue, as both of these decisions will influence what style of dress you choose. Also, if you aren't ready to make the purchase, you could fall in love with a dress that isn't available when you have the money ready.

6. Not having done a bit of research before

It's all very well having an open mind as to what style of dress you want, but you should have some idea about what you like. Knowing your venue will help (beach weddings have a very different dress code to church weddings!), but take the time to look at some pictures and see what appeals to you. Perhaps you prefer plainer dresses to the more detailed ones, or a detachable train to a built in one. If you have no idea where to start, it can be a bit bewildering to look at all the wedding dresses on the rails!

7. Only trying one style on

Conversely, being adamant you will only try on white strapless ballgowns, may mean you miss out on a dress that would suit you more, as well as restricting your choice somewhat.

8. Trying to buy a smaller size saying "I'll lose weight before the wedding"

It's so easy to say, but not as easy to achieve, and while we're not saying that you won't lose weight before your big day, it is worth remembering that most dresses can be taken in by as many as four sizes without affecting the style. Letting a dress out is much more difficult, and if it is possible, you will only be able to let it out by one size. So choose a dress that fits now, and have it taken in when you lose that weight!

9. Forgetting they have to spend a whole day in the dress

This sounds obvious, but many people will try a dress on and decide to buy it without even trying to sit down in it. The wedding dress is for more than just the ceremony, so think about how comfortable it will be to wear while sitting down, eating and even dancing in. This is particularly important with corset style bodices that can be restricting, and fishtail dresses, which if too closely fitted can stop you being able to sit down at all!

10. Buying a dress you don't love


This is YOUR dress. It should be the dress that you keep comparing all other dresses to (I still do this 4 years after my wedding, and so far, I still love my wedding dress more than any other!). Choosing a dress because it made your mother well up, or just because it has a coloured trim that will match the bridesmaid's dresses is really not advisable. You aren't planning to do this more than once, so make sure to buy the wedding dress of your dreams.