THE BACK STORY: Part Two

Once you're ready to evaluate the back details of your gown and veil, make sure your salon or dressmaker has a three-way mirror. It’s a necessity. Not only do you want to see how you look from behind, but also how you move. At first glance, you’ll notice whether or not all the buttons line up just right; how the reverse drape should fall, or if the veil is a complementary length for the dress. Space is the next factor. Can you move slightly and still see yourself from the back? Notice how the train follows when you move? Ditto the veil if you’re wearing one. These are all things you couldn’t possibly see by looking at yourself straight on in the mirror. 

Above: A simple row of buttons graces the back of this Chantilly lace bodice

CONSTRUCTION PROBLEMS  

Imagine you’re in front of a three-way mirror and have enough space to move around comfortably. Time to look for any construction or design errors—infrequent in higher-end gowns, more common in lines using inexpensive fabrics. Does the dress fall properly? Is it well-made and lined correctly? If a dress and/or its lining is off-grain or has the wrong weight lining, the train or back hem won’t move in a straight, even flow when you do. The entire outfit—that is, the gown complete with train and veil—should move as a single unit.

Above: Clusters of florals and dappled leaves add a touch of the romantic to this dress.

PROPORTION PROBLEMS 

Let’s say this time the dress you're wearing passes the technical test and has no construction issues. It looks great in front, but once you get a back glimpse, it doesn’t look so hot proportionally . . . the length of the train and volume of the gown back there seem to be swallowing you up. That’s what’s so nice about getting a good back view of yourself; you can see the problem and work it out. Now you know to try on something similar, only scaled down. Say an A-line instead of a ball gown silhouette—and one with a more modified sweep train instead of a cathedral train. If you can, have smaller bows or flowers made up. 

Above: A detachable Watteau lace train with handmade silk flowers

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

 If you’ve fallen in love with a particular detail you want on the back of your gown like a cluster of florals, but can’t find a gown with it in the style you want, consider two ways you can go about getting it: 

1) Customize. Go ahead and order the gown, then find silk flowers and someone with the skill to attach them.  

2) Have a gown custom-designed. 

Custom design is the best option if you have a specific back feature that would otherwise need to be engineered into the gown rather than simply added. Bows, florals, sashes, and detachable trains can all be as closely matched up in color and fabric and added on to a ready-made gown with little or no problem. However, features such as back overlay skirts and lace-up bodices are usually built-in and require planning with a skilled dressmaker or designer. Going custom might cost more in time and fittings, but you’ll get the distinctive back feature that makes the gown uniquely yours, one-of-a-kind.

                      Above: A Chantilly lace shrug is transparent enough to show off a row of covered buttons down the back.

 

CREDITS

Header Photo: Bride Chic Photography

Photos 2 & 3: Scott Williams Photography

Photos 4 & 5: Greystar Pictures

Photos 6-8: Bride Chic Photography

Dresses and Headwear: Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture

Read and see more images of back details