Shopping for The Dress… and More

Custom has decided, from the
earliest ages, that white is the
most fitting hue, whatever may
be the material. It is an emblem
of the purity and innocence of
girlhood, and the unsullied heart
she now yields to the chosen one.
—Godey’s Lady’s Book, 1849 ed.

It’s been over 150 years since Godey’s
Lady’s Book declared white to be “an emblem
of the purity and innocence of girlhood,” and
brides today, who almost universally no longer
consider themselves pure, innocent, or unsullied,
still almost unanimously prefer white wedding
gowns, although today we do include some other
colors—there are even several shades of white
available in gowns. And certainly, there are many
fabric and fabric combinations to choose from.
Finding the perfect dress can be as frustrating as
it is exhilarating, but many brides say the same
thing: “When I found my dress, I knew it immediately.”
It’s as if you ran into a long lost friend in the
airport. There are people all over the airport, just
as there are dresses hanging from every wall rack
and display case in the bridal shop. But the one
that is yours will be recognizable immediately.

Caroline Flagler, Senior
Vice President of Merchandising at
David’s Bridal, says prospective brides
usually start shopping with one of two
mindsets. Some don’t know where to
start and seem bewildered by the array
of choices and styles available. Others
have an idea what they want. The secret,
in either case, to a successful shopping
trip is to be open to suggestion and willing
to try on several different styles.

Sandy & Dave
Sandy actually bought one dress, a simple
knee length white dress that showed off her
summer tan, thinking it would be perfect
for her casual afternoon wedding to Dave.
Then, a few days later, while shopping for
accessories, she found it—the dress she knew
she was meant to wear, a simple white eyelet
cotton with a peasant neckline. This was 20
years ago, and these were off the rack dresses
neither of which cost more than $100. She
hadn’t planned to make any alterations, so it
was a simple matter to return the first dress
and wear the second one.
It isn’t usually that simple in today’s world,
where you are often asked to sign a contract
when you order a wedding gown, so wait for
that epiphany—that moment when you just
absolutely know you’ve found your dress.
And then restrain yourself. Come back the
next day, shop a bit more, ask your mother
and your maid of honor, and if you still are
sure, buy the dress.

You should keep an open mind regarding style and
material, length, and all the other variables that go
into creating a wedding gown. Don’t decide ahead
of time that only cap sleeves are right for you and
thereby overlook the strapless dress that would be
perfect if only you would just try it. Try on dresses
that don’t seem so appealing on the hanger, too.
Your dress may just be hanging there waiting for
you to put it on and bring it to life.