Down the Rabbit Hole

Where does one begin? The task of finding the ideal dress seems daunting. But the first step is really quite simple. Look. Look some more. Keep looking. Flip through bridal magazines and websites. Scour ads. Pick up the terminology where you can...a-line, empire, mermaid, ball gown, strapless, v-neck, halter, chapel train, cathedral train.

It seems like a lot doesn't it? The possibilities seemed endless. But really...there are not that many styles of dresses out there. Only a lot of different details.

What do I want? No full ball gown skirt or strapless dress, that's for damn sure. Besides not wanting to look like every other gal in a big satin dress, I also have no desire to keep hiking up the bodice as the weight of the skirt continues to loose against gravity. So possibly a halter...expect for the fact that all of that weight is then transferred to the base of my neck. The day will be stressful enough without the added back and neck pain. So straps or sleeves is it!

It is easy to decide what I don't want that I balk at the thought of what I DO want. I've always been drawn to Victorian and Gothic details. In perusing the hundreds of dresses, the ones the still catch my eye have those touches...a bit of lacing, a corseted waist, an opulent bustle, an antique lace...

So I book marked a few designers that continued to peak my interest...Alfred Angelo being the primary contemporary designer. Particularly for his dramatic use of color in his otherwise traditional white gowns. And many were striped of the often gaudy and overuse of rhinestones and appliques. His simplicity appealed.And looking to the past...Charles Frederick Worth. Years ago when in London I went to the Victoria and Albert Museum and feel in love with one particular dress. A rich cream satin bodice filled out into a gorgeous bustle before ending in a scalloped train edged in crisp pleats. The sleeves had long slashes down their length, exposing a subtle puff of fabric underneath. Below the trained bustle a richly embroidered skirt fell straight to the floor. I spent hours sketching it. Today it remains one of my favorite.

And on Etsy...my co-worker directed me to a seamstress who specialized in wench like corset tops. An odd combination of Victorian and Georgian with a hint of renegade and pirate thrown in. The eclectic look is right up my alley.
Only...

As beautiful as Worth is, and as fascinating as Damsel in This Dress's pieces are, I hesitate to go too far in those directions. Lest the dress become costumey.

So the search continues...

But I think I've struck a new path.