Accessories
Wedding Dresses For True Fashion Lovers
Fashion is a fickle thing. Styles come and go over the years. But one particular tradition has helped create an enormous industry in the United States. Even as the total number of marriages continues to fall, the revenues for the bridal industry have hit a record high. How is this possible? Because wedding costs have doubled over the past twenty years!
About two million American couples get married each year. The average cost of a traditional wedding ceremony is around $25,000. Not surprisingly, more and more couples are choosing unconventional ceremonies. The outdoor wedding, for instance, can save couples thousands of dollars.
Why is the modern wedding so expensive? It all started in 1840. That was the year Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in an elaborate royal wedding that set the tone for future generations. Instead of simple ceremonies, Western brides fell in love with the pomp and pageantry of the so-called white wedding.
White weddings were and continue to be elaborate affairs that involve designer dresses, exotic flowers and expensive decorations. They are typically all-day events that include a ceremony in a church and a reception in a fancy restaurant. The price-tag for the average contemporary white wedding is fast approaching $30,000.
As wedding costs continue to rise, couples are exploring other options. The beach and the backyard wedding are incredibly popular these days. One item that brides-to-be refuse to compromise on, however, is the wedding dress. They spend over one thousand dollars on wedding gowns, even if they agree to a more casual ceremony.
Bridal warehouses have helped bring down the cost a bit, but most brides-to-be refuse to walk down the aisle in anything less than their ideal dress. This is something the average man cannot possibly comprehend. Sexual stereotypes aside, most women invest an incredible amount of energy in finding the perfect dress. In fact, they generally start shopping for their bridal gown a full year before their big day.
Color
The latest trend in wedding day fashion for the bride is the shift away from white. No, brides aren wearing blue or red. But they are eschewing pure white shades, since they do not compliment most skin tones. Off-white colors like champagne and ivory have grown increasingly popular in recent years. Pure white is still the top shade, but it certainly isn the only one available at local bridal boutiques or salons.
Length
The classic white wedding gown was an elaborate, floor-length number with a heavy train. But because more and more ceremonies are being held outdoors these days, the most popular dresses do not sweep the floor. Tea length and mature wedding dresses ballerina length gowns are now more commonplace than full-length gowns. These dresses have hemlines that fall around the ankles.
Material
Heavy brocade wedding gowns look great coming down the aisle, but they are difficult to dance in. Not only do they weigh ten to fifteen pounds with a train, but they also don breathe well, which is why many traditional brides buy a second, lighter gown to wear at the reception. The average price of these reception gowns is around five hundred dollars. Purchasing a shorter, lighter bridal gown can eliminate the need for a second dress.
Heavy materials like satin, silk and velvet are common for traditional gowns. As we mentioned, these materials are most assuredly eye-catching, but they do not breathe well. Lightweight fabrics like china silk and douppioni are far more comfortable. They can be worn the entire day.
Accessories
The two most expensive and indispensible accessories for the bride-to-be are her shoes and her veil. Elaborate veils are quite common for indoor ceremonies. But for more casual, outdoor affairs during the summer months, shorter veils are de rigueur. The most popular short veil is called the blusher. It is a lightweight accessory that touches the shoulders and can be swept back by a stiff breeze. For indoor ceremonies, the flyaway veil is a multi-layered veil that also touches the shoulders. It is a bit more elaborate than the blusher, without being uncomfortable or obtrusive.
Shorter dresses give brides-to-be the option of adding a few interesting accessories. A high hemline, buy alfred angelo online for instance, can be decorated with beads, lace or embroidery. This is an easy and inexpensive way to spice up a somewhat plain or pedestrian outdoor wedding gown.
Another fashion accessory that is quite popular with younger brides is leg wear. Beach brides often wear white fishnet stockings when they stroll down the sandy aisle. Many also choose to go barefoot and bear-legged. It all comes down to personal taste and style preferences.
Strapless
While it is still considered risqu?for traditional brides to wear strapless gowns in church, unconventional brides wear them all the time. Outdoor ceremonies in the grass or on the sand during the summer months generally call for shorter, strapless numbers.
Finding the right wedding gown takes patience and time. The bride-to-be should start shopping for a dress at least nine months ahead of her big day. Take some time to find your perfect wedding dress now.
How to buy a prom dress for different body types
When a girl see a Prom Dress online, retail store or in a magazine, sometimes fall instantly in love with it, buy it, and when they try it, they come to know that its not so beautiful looking as they had seen in magazine or had imagined. Sometimes they look weird in that Designer Prom Dress. Their dream of looking prom diva is shattered and they feel upset for the financial loss.
However it doesn mean that dress was not beautiful. It just happened with you because it didn fit you well or you didn pay attention to your body type. Before you buy a prom dress, look in the mirror and learn to understand what body type you have and decide which of your physical attributes and features you'd like to accentuate, and which you'd like to downplay.
Here I am describing few common body types and respective instructional guidelines which will help you to buy your dream prom dresses:
1.Pear Body type: According to its name, the body is narrow or slim on top and wider at bottom, usually wide hips, narrow shoulder alfred angelo 7053 or sometime small bust (though not always). Such type of figure is observed in most of the girls.
Recommended Style ?A-line prom dresses or princess cut prom dress work very well as it drapes gracefully from a natural waist and hide your bottom area. Empire dresses also look beautiful on a pear shape. It just start beneath you bust line and emphasize your smaller bust and deemphasize the large hips. Both the styles lengthen the legs and torso, giving the appearance of balance and height. Wear the dresses that can accentuate your top half and draw the attention upwards. It a real secret to minimize your hips and bottom portion. Choose the prom dresses that have some fashion detailing like ruffles, gathering or embroidery details to accentuate the body part you like the best.
2.Apple Shape: The apple body shape usually has a fuller bust and weight is carried around middle part, less-defined waistline with more narrow shoulders and thighs.
Recommended Style - Prom dresses for apple shape should be those that draw attention away from the midriff and tummy area. Empire dresses, trapeze, A- line shift are suitable dresses. Always remember, fit is a key. A-line dresses should fit at the bust, emphasizing the curves you like while providing comfortable ease elsewhere. Detailing of neckline, collar and embellishment will draw the eye up and away from the waist.
3.Hourglass shape: The hourglass body has proper curves, with a full bust, defined waist and full hips.
Recommended Style: If you have an hourglass shape, you can consider yourself a lucky girl, virtually every dress will enhance your figure. A lower neckline such as U neckline or scoop or V- neck style keeps your appearance from becoming too top-heavy, while a fitted bodice or corset helps you to flaunt off your curves. Mermaid prom dresses, wrapped dresses, strapless or halter top dresses are some great options to make your prom night memorable. Prints and complementary color combinations will also look well.
4.Straight: Straight body type has very little definition between bust, waist and hip measurements, sometime look like a boyish figure.
Recommended Style: Try to create some illusion. It a first thing you should do, start by defining your waist. Fitted dress with ruching detail at midriff or waist, belts or ties help to create visual curves. As I said earlier proper fitting is a key to show some curves, A-line skirt is also a good option, it will help add volume and balance your curves. Off shoulder dresses, ruched bodice, ruffled dresses and flared skirt are also there for you to try.
Once you know which body type you have, it's easy to find an elegant and glamorous prom dress that flatters your figure. Always remember you can look beautiful if you have self confidence and attitude to present and a sense of style
Have a look at the marvelous collection of such wonderful garments at online store floradress.com and unleash the treasure of such exclusive prom dresses suitable for your body types.
