Heading to a dress fitting can be both exciting and overwhelming, regardless of whether you are going to a boutique to try something on off-the-rack, or to a studio to begin the custom fitting process. I've been doing this bridal thing for some time now, and these are my top 5 tips over the years for making sure you are not only prepared for your fitting, but that you get the most out of the experience and the best possible end result for your big day!
Photographed by Kevin Benny
Wear the right underwear/shape wear
The right foundation is crucial for any look, and foundational garments will set the stage for you to truly know what looks best on you and see a dress for what it is, instead of being drawn to 'flaws' or perceived issues that are actually easily fixed with the right underwear and/or shape wear.
Underwear
You can't go wrong with nude, seamless underwear. My advice for fittings - and on your big day! - would be a pair of briefs/French knickers/boy shorts or a thong if you prefer, as a regular panty line cuts right across the buttocks, which can be obvious and unsightly, particularly under a fitted or plain dress. Seamless underwear minimises the panty line bulge that can show through lighter, delicate fabrics and even thicker fabrics on a fitted dress. Please don't wear the brightly coloured floral or polka dot print panty to your dress fitting! Whether you are custom fitting or trying something on, it is guaranteed to be a distraction for you and your entourage if that's all they can see through your dress. It will become what they look at and look for every time you try something on, which can make you potentially dismiss the perfect piece for you due to believing a gown is 'too see-through', instead of acknowledging that your underwear is the problem, and thus a simple fix. Nude or skin tone is always best. Don't let your panty steal the show.
Bra
Even though most formal bridal wear will already usually have the necessary support and padding built in, a good bra can work wonders when fitting, particularly when you may find that there is a gap in the bust area. A supportive bra will help give you the lift and fullness needed to fill that gap and create the perfect fit. Additionally, a good bra will help determine any additional padding or support that needs to be put into the dress itself during alterations. Most brides I have met don't want too many extra garments, and love the idea of everything being built into the dress so they can put on one thing and take off one thing at the end of a very long day. No one wants to be pulling up a dress so that the bra doesn't show, especially when it's not the same colour as the dress! My advice would be to walk with a good, supportive strapless or multi-way bra that puts the girls where you want them to be. If you are having a dress custom made, this serves as a good base - or template - when fixing style lines and bust points on your pattern, as your body becomes the mannequin we work with. Furthermore, try to wear the same undergarments for every fitting for consistency. Wearing no bra for one fitting and then turning up with a super-padded bra a few weeks later changes quite a few things about your body and therefore changes any work done on your dress.
Shape Wear
If you've been following A Sip In The Studio, you know I've touched on shape wear before, and this won't be the last time. Shape wear can be a godsend, and it is not reserved for just one type of woman or one type of body! There are a variety of items on the market for all types of bodies and sizes, which can do anything from tucking and flattening to lifting and supporting. Now, I'm not as concerned about shape wear altering your God-given figure beyond recognition as I am about it providing you with the support you need for you to feel and look your best in your gown. If you do require shape wear, it's super important that you get this before you begin the fitting process because of all foundational garments, this one will make the most difference... this is not something you want to decide on the week of your wedding, especially if your dress is custom!
Wear as little to no makeup as possible
This one is a little tricky because, for many brides, going to a bridal fitting is a time to bond with loved ones, take photos and enjoy the experience. However, makeup hinders the process and can become a real nuisance should an item in store get soiled, especially with oily foundation or other bright makeup colours. Considering that bridal wear is generally white to ivory, in specialty fabrics that would require special handling and treatment in order to clean, you don't really want to have to foot a dry-cleaning bill for one or more dresses for a completely unnecessary reason, do you? Additionally, wearing as little to no makeup as possible keeps you fresh, like 'blank canvas', for your fitting. The benefit of this is that you can envision what could happen in terms of your final makeup choices on your wedding day, instead of being limited to a particular look you have already put on your face that may not go with a dress you are trying on that could actually be the one for you.
I once had someone come to her final fitting right after getting a fresh spray tan for Carnival. Another bride had to travel within a week of her final fitting, which gave us only a few days to do some heavy duty cleaning on a white dress that had been soiled with foundation. If you must wear makeup, for whatever reason, the boutique or studio should have a scarf or cover that you can use over your face and neck when trying on dresses, but it's also up to you to be aware of your actions and movements when in the gown. Beware of touching your face or neck in an emotional moment, only to instinctively smooth down the front or hips of the skirt in admiration once in front of the mirror. Also, limit the prancing up and down in white pieces for fun - unnecessary sweat, dirt and makeup stains, as well as additional creasing, are all headaches you don't want nor need before your wedding. You want your dress to be as fresh as possible.Same goes for jewellery!
Exactly what I said above applies for jewellery, as well. Excessive jewellery can not only be cumbersome and hinder the fitting process - think of the nuisance of trying to get a charm bracelet or watch through a fitted lace sleeve - you also risk damaging a piece you may not be purchasing, or worse, causing damage to your own gown. This is where prevention is better than cure. Jewellery can snag delicate fabrics and laces, creating holes in tulle and netting that can't always be easily fixed, and pull at beadwork. Furthermore, jewellery can have the same effect as makeup in that it may limit you from being able to properly envision your final look because of whatever is in the way that you already have on. Most boutiques will have accessories and other items you may want to try on with different dresses, so arriving to your appointment as bare as possible is likely to be more helpful than harmful to the experience. The one piece of jewellery you should be wearing, if any, is the ring, because you know you'll definitely be wearing that on the day!Bring a suitable pair of shoes
The goal is to attend your fittings with what you need to be as close to how it will be on the day. There's nothing quite like hemming or making alterations on a dress without an accurate measurement for the height a bride will actually be on her wedding day. Even if you don't have the shoe you intend you wear, walk with something that is as close to the style or height as possible, so that you can test your gown for walking down the aisle comfortably, and ensure that the hemline falls exactly where it should be for your grand entrance. As with undergarments, bring the same pair of shoes with you every time.
Photographed by Sam JacksonTie your hair up, please!
Some things we just don't know until we know, and this one may seem silly, but actually makes a huge difference. Having to move hair from one side to another when fitting is troublesome and, quite frankly, can be annoying. Long hair may have oils or hair products or hair dyes that can transfer to fabrics during the fitting process and create unwanted stains or spots. However, even more than this is the practicality of needing the client's hair to be out of the way during the fitting process - I need both my hands to pin, tuck, zip and lace the client, and I also need the client to stand in a still, balanced, neutral position for the fitting to be productive. Raising your arms to sweep your hair to one side or hold it up for me isn't actually helpful, because you have now distorted your figure and stance to do so - it changes your frame and your posture, which makes a difference to the work I have to do. In short, just walk with a hair tie, please, ladies :)
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So there you have it - my top tips to make sure that your fittings run smoothly and, most importantly, that they are fruitful and productive in the countdown to your wedding day. Feel free to comment or ask any questions you may have, and you can always get me at [email protected] for further info!
Stay blessed, stay beautiful, and stay tuned for more sips in the studio! ❤️
With Love,
Darcel
xoxo