Dress You Up

I went wedding dress shopping this weekend. It was similar to regular shopping in that I had to try everything on and all the clothes were on hangers. However, the similarities ended there.

I made an appointment to go to I Do Bridal in Wallingford. I had looked at their website and really liked a lot of the bridesmaid dresses. I figured that maybe that was the ticket for me. I don't like many of the traditional wedding dresses, but some of the bridesmaid dresses looked pretty cute. I saw a couple choices that had 3/4 length sleeves and a variety of colors. So I had high hopes.

I made sure to wear a strapless bra, so that I would be prepared. I arrived on time and walked into the shop. It is right down the street from the Guild 45th movie theatre, and I have to admit, I have been curious to go there and check things out.

When I walked in, I was greeted by two very cheery girls. One was assigned to be my helper and she invited me to look around. She asked me if I was looking for bridesmaid or wedding dresses. I told her I wanted to check out both and explained that I had seen some bridesmaid dresses on their website that I liked and showed her the pictures that I had printed of the website. She said they had some of those dresses in stock, but more would be coming in.

I looked around and my helper was quick to take any dress that I selected and hang it in my dressing room. I felt a bit odd, but figured that must be idea behind making an appointment - so that you get individualized service.

I continued riffling through the dresses and one of other girls complimented me on my handbag. I had my black Gucci knock-off bag with the bamboo handles. I love that bag. So that made me feel like less of a dork for looking at the bridesmaid dresses instead of the wedding dresses.

I looked at some of the wedding dresses and selected a few. I decided I was ready to start trying on, and cozied up in the dressing room behind the protective curtain. My helper said to let her know if I needed anything.

I thought, "Wow, maybe this will be kind of fun," and pulled on the first dress. It was probably a mother of the bride dress. It was gold brocade and looked like something the mom on "Bewitched" would have worn. Pretty cool, huh? It looked alright once I got it on, but the sleeves were too tight and it was a little matronly.

I thought maybe I'd veer in the direction of strapless dresses. I picked one and stepped into it. The dress was a little tight over my hips, so I had to tug on it...then I heard a rip. Shit - the zipper had jammed and the fabric was torn from pulling too hard. Ooops. It was a bridesmaid dress and was pale pink with black lace and a tie. I finally go it on it looked alright, but then I noticed that the skin under my arm looks kind of weird and pudgy. Not mention that I felt kind of naked in a strapless dress. I gingerly took it off and and hung it on its hanger, casually not mentioning that I broke the zipper.

I poked my head out to see if my helper was nearby. She asked me again how it was going. Her co-worker chimed in, "Put her in the Milana - it's a real wedding dress." As if my choosing bridesmaid dresses was a major faux pas.

My helper scurried back with a strapless, long, beaded wedding dress. It was a champagne color, which was pretty and it had a corset tie on the back. They got me cinched into it and I felt like the sister that Cinderella had to lace into her dress for the ball. It looked nice and I didn't feel like I was going to fall out of it because it was tied so tight, but it must have weighed about 40 pounds and it was so long that I felt like I might trip over it. Plus it was $899, which is over my budget. Both the girls that worked there told me it looked great, but I felt like the bride in the bride-and-groom wedding cake topper and asked to be uncinched.

As I was putting on about the 15th dress, I noticed that I was sweating rather profusely. My skin looked splotchy because I was so hot. I also had that panicky feeling that I get when I feel rushed and indecisive. I knew it was time to abort before I got really cranky. I just wanted to race home and-
put on my elastic waist shorts and my "Happy Camper" t-shirt that used to belong to my brother.

I put the straps back on my convertible bra and put on my street clothes. My helper asked me if I wanted her to write down any of the dress item numbers of the ones I tried on. I told her that's ok, just to let me know if any of the other dresses with the 3/4 length sleeves arrive.

I thanked them and fled out of the shop. Once I got to my car, I blasted the air conditioning to minimize the sweat beading on my forehead. I decided then and there that I am going to have my dress made. I hate trying on dresses. I'd rather be practicing my bass in my living room while a seamstress is somewhere sewing up a nice 60s syle suit with my name on it. I want to be comfortable at the wedding and not worry about stray arm fat or back zits showing in the pictures. I'd also like to have an outfit that I might want to wear again, instead having to hawk it on Craigslist or eBay or having it hang in my already overstuffed closet, never to be worn again. No thanks. I will be asking my friend for her seamstress' contact information post haste.