fashion advice for bridesmaid dresses for my dds

Raisin ↓

Mon, May 18 2009, 11:46 am

I have a wedding coming up and I have absolutely no access to gemachs etc. I bought my dds some dresses, which have no sleeves. so I have 3 options: a) spend money, time and effort getting sleeves added (I would have to find matching material to do this)

b) wear a matching shell underneath

c) wear a cardigan on top - they sell matching cardigans meant to be worn on top of these type of bridesmaid dresses.

these are the 2 dresses I am considering. (I already have them and will return the ones I am not using. dds like the one without flounces better. I like them both)

http://www.debenhams.com/webap.....94_-1

http://www.debenhams.com/webap.....02_-1

this is the cardigan they sell in this particulor shop, but I can find other ones in other stores.

http://www.debenhams.com/webap.....62_-1

I don't have either the cardigans or the shells to see which actually looks better, but what do you think? (I have to get someone to send me shells)

one consideration - it may be hot and they will be more comfortable in a shell.

Ronit

Mon, May 18 2009, 11:55 am

OldYoung wrote:

Beautiful! Personally, I would go with fitted shells. I think they'll be a nicer balance with the dresses. Mazal Tov!

I also like shells better.

mummy-bh ↓

Mon, May 18 2009, 11:56 am

hadassa wrote:

OldYoung wrote:

Beautiful! Personally, I would go with fitted shells. I think they'll be a nicer balance with the dresses. Mazal Tov!

I also like shells better.

thirded!
and I like the dress without the frills better, too.

look forward to seeing pics! Smile

↑ Raisin ↓

Mon, May 18 2009, 12:30 pm

I like the tiered dress slightly better too...but dds both like the other one. Rolling Eyes

the second one is prettier then it looks - it has stars embrodiered on it. you can't really see the details in the pictures.

↑ Raisin ↓

Mon, May 18 2009, 12:31 pm

mummy-bh wrote:

hadassa wrote:

OldYoung wrote:

Beautiful! Personally, I would go with fitted shells. I think they'll be a nicer balance with the dresses. Mazal Tov!

I also like shells better.

thirded!
and I like the dress without the frills better, too.

look forward to seeing pics! Smile

if you facebook me I will probably post pics there. not sure if they will appear on imamother.

greenfire ↓

Mon, May 18 2009, 12:31 pm

I love the first dress with the layers ... and the cardigan makes it a loverly set ... I'm sure they're lightweight to match the idea of the dresses ...

stunning ...

the "shell" will cheapen the dress so it looks like a jumper - imho - and I would stay away

don't forget to have their hair done with some flowers to finish off the elegance ...

Barbara ↓

Mon, May 18 2009, 12:53 pm

greenfire wrote:

I said the same thing, but it was lost in the ozone.

To my eye, a shell won't look right. It will mix the more casual element of a shirt under a dress to make it more modest, with a formal look.

If the wedding is indoors, there is likely to be a/c, so the cardigan wouldn't be too heavy.

↑ Raisin ↓

Mon, May 18 2009, 12:56 pm

Barbara wrote:

greenfire wrote:

I don't know. I know in the us all halls have ac but I am not sure if this will be the case where it is.

I think I will try and get some cardigans tomorrow and see what they look like. Arrrgh. I have done so many shopping trips for these dresses. Exploding anger

now I will have to go and buy cardigans (probably several styles to see which goes best) try them on, take them back.

mom23

Mon, May 18 2009, 1:41 pm

My vote is a fitted shell with the first dress.

But as a mom I usually give in to what the girls want to wear as opposed to what I want them to wear. It makes for a happier family all around LOL

pinktichel

Mon, May 18 2009, 1:57 pm

greenfire wrote:

My thoughts precisely. I much prefer the first dress and I really don't like the look of a t-shirt/shell under a sleeveless dress. I think it's fine for shabbos but for a wedding, not dressy enough. JMHO.

yentaof8

Mon, May 18 2009, 2:15 pm

Lovely dresses but I think the cardigans will cover up too much of what makes them beautiful and I also think it makes it more childish. Shells with sleeves are considered acceptably formal these days and will not detract from the beauty of the dresses. Either way, Mazel tov and enjoy the preparations. The event goes by too quickly.

Mon, May 18 2009, 2:31 pm

Cardigan, definately! The cardigan pictured, with the top button and open bottom, is a beautiful classic style that will be aboslutely lovely with any of these dresses.

Shells under a sleeveless dress are just tacky (IMHO), unless the dress is a jumper intended to be worn that way.

Dressy cardigans are usually pretty lightweight, and are not buttoned-up, so they probably won't be any warmer than a fitted shell.

How old are the girls? I think a dressy cardigan over a dress is quite appropriate for girls up to bat mitzvah - but they may have strong feelings about what they want to wear before then!

Enjoy the wedding!

↑ mummy-bh

Mon, May 18 2009, 2:42 pm

my parents bought these dresses for my twins for pesach
http://www.marksandspencer.com.....page=

and these cardies to go on top
http://www.marksandspencer.com.....page=
(similar to the ones you are debating over)
I also bought them some long sleeved white teeshirts. when they wear the cardigans you cant see the dress so well and the whole look is a bit... well... not so pretty. the teeshirt looks so much better, and shows off the dress much more.

(a big shame, really cos the cardies cost so much !)

↑ Raisin ↓

Mon, May 18 2009, 2:48 pm

cm wrote:

they are 8 and 9.

Does anyone think I should go and get sleeves made? I actually have an extra dress of the tiered ones, so I could cut that up. how much do you think a dressmaker will charge to do that?

mummybh, little girls never keep cardigans on! bh my little one doesn't have to have long sleeves yet. I'm glad I don't have a just 3 year old.

ss321 ↓

Mon, May 18 2009, 3:17 pm

another vote for white shells.
if they were older-teenagers, (or if we were talking about an adult) and you were buying a "low cut" dress MEANT to be worn sleeveless I think that looks tacky (like turning a sleeveless dress into a jumper). on young kids like yours, I think those dresses would be gorgeous no matter what so sweet and flowy.

↑ Raisin ↓

Mon, May 18 2009, 3:27 pm

ss321 wrote:

I searched long and hard for dresses that had high necks. All the really nice colours were cut very low.

ok, now I am really confused. I might just get both and see what looks better. (and keep the receipts so I can return what I don't use.)

chaylizi ↓

Mon, May 18 2009, 3:49 pm

I vote cardigan. I truly dislike the sleeveless dress with shell look. my 2 year old dd has been wearing sleeveless dresses for shabbos with cardigans over. She doesn't take them off at all.