SHOPPING OFF THE BEATEN PATH

 

Want an edgier look than what you’re finding in the salons? White not quite your thing? Maybe you just want to go Art Deco or sport a to-the-floor suit you can’t get going the traditional route. You may need to go beyond the salon to find what you want. Where to start?

INDIE DESIGNERS

As brides change, designers do too, fueling the recent rise of game-changing bridal fashion sites. Not so many decades back, there were brick-and-mortar stores called designer boutiques. For example, Paraphernalia in New York during the 1960s went trendy, offering one-of-a-kind clothing with an edge. Since then, boutiques have become the best fashion labs for designers and clients alike. Today's equivalent, of course, is the independent designer. True, not all indie shops carry bridal, but the extraordinary dresses they do have can sometimes be special ordered in white or ivory. Think about this: Almost any white dress has wedding-day potential as long as it works with your accessories, fits the scene and theme of your wedding, and you adore it. Additionally, if you’re not fond of wearing white on your wedding day, indie shops and department stores may be your best options. Some stores work closely with up-and-coming specialty designers. With a little imagination and professional help, you can create stunning looks.

Another advantage: if you find a dress you love that’s already made, you may be able to take it home without waiting for a salon order. If you want it made in another color or customized, ask the designer about the timeline.

Header Photo: An all-over baby-block quilted peau de soie sheath with a chapel train. Above: Light blue silk chiffon evening gown silhouette with an asymmetrical neckline and hem adorned with silk florals. Below: Rows of ivory ostrich feathers decorate this gown, harking back to the 1930s.

VINTAGE CLOTHING STORES

Most Vintage clothing stores stock actual gowns from bygone eras as well as brand-new “retro-inspired” selections. The bride who loves a particular era of clothing usually checks vintage clothing stores first. Not all brides opt for an actual gown that survived her favorite era, though. Some choose a newer style reflecting the period instead. Why? Because that authentic 1920s chemise dress may be so delicate; without proper restoration, it could literally fall apart. Think of gowns belonging to the ages like you would certain antiques: some so precious that they are considered museum quality. If you are set on earing that satin gown from the 1930s, find a specialist in restoration who can advise. A vintage gown may be a splurge, especially if it needs restoration. Prices vary with the gown’s condition, rarity, and history, so look closely at what you’re buying before you fall in love with the label or the decade.

Above: A wearable art gown envisioned in hand-painted matte crepe, with watercolor washes, a cowl neckline, and soft draping across the hips. Below: A white denim wedding dress with lavender silk florals.

THRIFT SHOPS AND FLEA MARKETS

Chances are, if you’ve gone this route to unearth real finds before, you already know your way around and what you’re doing. Hopefully with the same eye serious antique dealers and clothing collectors use when scouting these markets. However, rummaging through flea markets and thrift stores takes a certain kind of bride—the kind who believes in recycling even on her wedding day; the kind who doesn’t care whether she’s wearing hand-me-downs. If this is you, you’re a rarity. And yes, you’re likely to spend hours and days sorting through racks of Four Weddings and A Funeral cast-offs before you uncover that rare 1963 Priscilla of Boston original.

Designs by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal Couture