DRESS SHOPPING

At the next store, as many different variations of the preferred profile should be tried on as possible. Make sure that both dresses and separates are tried on, with the idea being that a preference for one over the other is established. The shop assistant can be an invaluable asset in helping to make decisions about what is best for your shape, but to give yourself a head start, check out our article beforehand entitled Suiting your Shape. Unless there is a major rush and the Wedding date is looming, this will still be the ‘play’ phase of dress selection and should the preference change from separates to a dress, then it shouldn't cause too many problems.

If the preference is for a dress, at future appointments, Bride's should focus on trying on as many different dresses in the chosen style as possible. The idea is to confirm that it really is a dress, as opposed to separates, that is wanted and maybe even track down 'the one'.

If separates are the chosen path, the first task is to choose the bodice style and take things from there (check out our article entitled Tops & Bodices to see what's available). Once the bodice is sorted, one in the style of your choosing should be tried along with as many different skirts as possible that are in keeping with the chosen profile. Notes of what appeals (in terms of embellishments, straps, sleeves, necklines, hemlines, trains and materials) should be kept and this is an ideal task for any shopping partner who is tagging along. Once the skirt style has been identified, it is time to return to the notes that have been made along the way, and test the highlighted items out along with the chosen bodice and skirt style to see if they work together.