Although they sometimes appear in magazines, actually finding a tea-length dress to try on in stores can be difficult. Here are some ideas on where to start your search:
Bridal Shops
It's true, most of the wedding dresses you'll find in bridal shops are going to be full-length gowns. But many designers are now featuring at least one tea length dress--they might be called "informal" or "destination" wedding dresses. Some full-length dresses can also be ordered in tea length, or even altered to a shorter length. You'll probably end up paying for the whole dress, though!
Some designers specialize in tea length gowns, such as Stephanie James, Dolly Couture, and British designer Candy Anthony.
Vintage Dresses
Vintage dresses, wedding or otherwise, can be found online on Ebay, Etsy, Posh Girl Vintage, or any other site specializing in vintage clothing. If you're lucky enough to have a high end vintage clothing store in your real life, you might have some luck in person-- no stressing out waiting for the mail to arrive and wondering if your purchase will fit!
White prom dresses or cocktail dresses can also double as a wedding dress, and if you're a gal who doesn't want a white dress at all, your options may open up considerably. Hazards of shopping vintage: many dresses are only available in smaller sizes, and you'll want to inspect the condition of the dress carefully before purchasing. As well, vintage dresses may require special cleaning and repairs before they can be worn.
Bridesmaid Dresses
Although bridal shops don't openly advertise it, most bridesmaid dresses can be ordered in white. If you go this route, there are many tea length styles to choose from, and even the most expensive bridesmaid dress will likely be cheaper than a traditional wedding gown.
When I inquired about this option at my local bridal shop, I was told that there is an additional surcharge for ordering a dress in white, because "they have to be extra careful when cutting and assembling the dress". I personally think this is a way for dress stores to ding you extra for being a bride-- be sure to find out if there will be extra charges if you're ordering a bridesmaid dress for your wedding dress.
Making A Dress
This is the kind of project that you think will make your wedding extra special, but in reality could very well make you into a crazy woman. Making your own dress is an option for the most fearless of brides, and it might be wise to consider having a friend or family member help with this project. Vintage patterns are readily available for sale online, and pattern companies have been reissuing authentic vintage patterns with modernized instructions. A bride taking this route should probably be confident and experienced with sewing-- this is not the best beginner project! Be sure to make one, two or fifteen muslins before starting on the real thing.
Have A Dress Made
Still no luck finding your dream dress? Take the route I did and have your dress custom-made! As a bride on a budget, I shopped around to find someone local. Prices do vary, depending on the complexity of the design and the type of fabric you want. But since my dress was shorter and didn't need as much fabric as a traditional gown, it was still quite affordable. You could also take that fabulous vintage pattern you've found and have someone else make it for you instead of sewing it yourself.
Have you found a fabulous source for vintage dresses or patterns? Please share it here!
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