This is a collaborative post: Bridesmaid dress shopping is a rite of passage for many women. Whether you’re a bride, a bridesmaid, or just a wedding guest, the entire process can be overwhelming and stressful. Even if you’re on a budget or have no interest in being a part of the wedding party, it’s easy to feel the pressure of finding that perfect dress that will suit you and your personality.
While there are some universal truths about picking out dresses, each situation is different, and you should never let anyone tell you what dress to wear. The following are five honest tips for bridesmaid dress shopping:
Know your body type
Knowing your body type is essential for determining what kind of dress you’ll need. Check Cicinia for tons of different styles bridesmaid dresses fit all body shapes. You can find your body type by looking at your stomach, thighs, hips, and arms.
-Hourglass: If your stomach is smaller than your hips and your shoulders are broad, then you’re an hourglass figure. You’ll most likely want to look for dresses with fitted waists that come in at the waist or flared skirts when shopping for a bridesmaid dress.
-Athletic: If you have a muscular build but small breasts, then you might be athletic. This will allow you to fit into more styles of dresses which will make finding the perfect dress much easier.
-Pear: If you have a larger midsection that’s proportional to the rest of your body, then chances are you’re pear-shaped. To get a flattering fit on your pear-shaped figure, look for dresses with sheath silhouettes that come in at the waist with full skirts on the bottom.
-Inverted Triangle: If you have curvier hips and thighs but smaller breasts, chances are you are inverted triangle shaped. This means that while most dresses won’t suit your figure type, there are some exceptions, like sheath gowns with draped bodices or trumpet style shapes with fuller skirts on the bottom.
Be realistic about your budget.
It’s important to be realistic about your budget. For some, the thought of spending upwards of $200 on a dress is frightening. Luckily, there are many options for bridesmaid dresses. If you’re on a strict budget, you can look into online affordable bridesmaid dresses, renting or borrowing dresses.
Be sure to check with your friends to ensure they’re okay with it and find out if they have any specific requests (e.g., black dress). Additionally, many inexpensive options available online will work perfectly for the occasion if you’re willing to do some legwork. Some stores might even offer discounts when purchasing multiple dresses; this could be an excellent way to save money when buying with friends!
Pace yourself
There are so many things to pay attention to when you’re dress shopping. It’s easy to get swept up at the moment and forget that it’s just a dress. Make sure you pace yourself during the process. Don’t try on too many dresses at once or feel pressured into buying a dress right away. You’ll be more likely to find what you’re looking for if you take your time and consider different options from different stores.
Shop with other bridesmaids for support
It can be not easy to find the perfect dress on your own, but it’s much easier when you have someone else with you. Shopping with your friends at the wedding party will help you feel supported and ensure no hard feelings about any dresses. Plus, you’ll be able to see each other’s reactions firsthand. You’ll also be able to give honest opinions about what dresses one another could wear instead of being impartial to one another.
Create a list of “must-haves” and “deal-breakers.”
The first step of bridesmaid dress shopping is to create a list of requirements and deal-breakers. If you’re able to be more specific about what you’re looking for, it’ll help narrow down your search.
For example, if the wedding colors are black and ivory, it’s worth mentioning that upfront as this will make finding a dress significantly easier. You can also mention whether or not you want sleeves or a low back.
Conclusion
Choosing the perfect bridesmaid dress can be daunting. With so many styles, colors, and fabrications available, it’s hard to figure out the best choice for you. And with so many stores to visit, it can take a lot of time and effort to find the perfect dress. Luckily, if you know what you’re looking for and set a budget in advance, you’ll be able to find a dress that is flattering and within your price range. And by shopping with your fellow bridesmaids, you’ll have a lot more fun and support on your shopping journey.