WHERE TO SHOP FOR A BRIDAL SUIT

Jesus Peiro

If you are picturing yourself more tailored than romantic on your wedding day, you may have noticed the mainstream of bridal fashion remains focused on plunging necklines and layers of tulle. Fortunately more designers are putting bridal suits in their collections. There was a time when the only suits out there were those Mother-of-the-Bride numbers, sometimes bordered with pasty appliques and sequins. Now, thanks to an era of savvy fashion brides, the suit may just become traditional for a chosen few. In your Grandma's day, war brides had swift weddings with quick preparation out of necessity and her 'best suit' was often a woman's only available answer to the wedding dress. Today brides are fortunate. The wedding suit is a choice having more to do with lifestyle and many times the belief, less is more…

Piedad Rodriguez
The trick might be as simple as shopping for a simple sheath or short dress you can accessorize into a tailored look with a custom jacket, shrug or wrap as in the Jesus Piero image above. Or, you may have to shop the opposite direction the traditional bride would. The exception is the bridal salon that features one or more of the few designer lines that offer suits such as Carolina Herrera. Selections as of this writing are still pretty limited though. Initially your search for ideas will probably begin online. Once you get a thought of how you want the skirt and jacket to look, print out or bookmark the combinations. From there sketch them how you want. Next you might go to a fabric shop. Yes, to look at fabrics but also to comb through the pattern books. Pattern books are great for finding looks you can take with you. Or go online to vogue patterns. Look under coats and suits and think white. You’ll find plenty to browse through and get inspired. Below are a few images I found to get you started . . .


Vogue



Vogue



Vogue
If you take the department store route for buying a suit, you might find a particular designer has the suit you like but it’s available in every color but white. The designer or store carrying it may be able to special order it in white. If you’re satisfied with the idea of a ready-made suit, department stores might be a better option than anywhere, especially if they have an established relationship with the manufacturer. Salespeople within departments know their lines and designers well and can steer you in the right direction. You might be able to find your jacket by one designer—your skirt by another. Be warned though. Just make sure the shades of white aren’t too far off that they can’t be worn together.There is on the other hand a down side to department stores: If you want that particular fashion edge their merchandise probably isn’t as forward-looking as say, the one-of-a-kind boutique or specialty store. And believe me, a bridal suit should be classic, yes, but something about it has to be different. The kind of different only a tailor or designer can translate. Check out boutiques and specialty stores. They may not have the exact suit you want but they may be able to create one or point you to a first-rate tailor or custom designers who can. . If you can’t find what you want in a salon, department store or boutique and are serious about that real ‘tailored look’, find a good tailor, preferably a men’s tailor (they’re so skilled). Use some of the same guidelines for finding a tailor that you would a designer or dressmaker. Once you find your good tailor, he (most likely a he) will either have an array of fabrics in house or help you scout your desired materials out. Chances are you’ll want an exclusive fabric you can only find in a specialty store. A tailor knows how to take all the proper measurements and create a look you want . . . the look that undoubtedly says, You and sets you apart.