Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 9, 1992 TAG: 9202060254
SECTION: YOUR WEDDING PAGE: YR-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By ANNE PIEDMONT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
BARGAINS BIG IN BRIDAL FASHIONS
What's new is what's old in bridal fashions. The traditional, classic romantic look continues to be popular with Roanoke-area brides.The classic, open-neck, short-sleeved gown made of natural, or natural-look, fibers is the choice here, say Nancy Shawn and Jean Wimmer of the Bride's House and Formals in Roanoke. The gown is likely to be ivory or white with beading or sequins.
But the most pronounced trend, Shawn and Wimmer say, is the one produced by the recession. They are definitely seeing brides on a budget, looking for lower prices in all facets of the wedding.
Connie Pettus of Terrell's in Christiansburg agrees. "They're looking for sales," she said, adding that most of her brides either fall go with one extreme or the other. `'The gowns are either expensive or less expensive."
At Lynne Rene, brides "are setting a limit of what they want to spend and staying within the budget," said co-owner Peggy Williamson. She has been selling a lot of dresses with portrait necklines and beading, that are fuller at the hips.
Weddings go on despite the economy and brides still want to find the perfect dress, said Shawn. The big difference over past years is that they are shopping around for the best price. "You can find what you want, she said.
That translates to choosing natural-looking fibers over natural and buying a gown that was beaded overseas. The companies that make the gowns, she noted, have responded to the market by lowering prices.
The search for value also means the bride is very particular about what she wants. "She'll want a look and that look only," said Pettus. And that look tends to be classic.
Williamson recommends that brides communicate their budget limits early in the search, so that the bridal stores can help them narrow their choices. "We'll work within her budget," she said, adding that a nice satin, beaded gown with a train can be had for a very affordable price.
The emphasis on value carries over to the choice of bridesmaids' dresses. Brides are more and more looking for gowns that can be worn on another occasion. "We hear that from every bride that comes in," said Wimmer.
The classic, open-neck, short-sleeved, tea-length dress is popular, said Shawn, adding "they're looking at dresses without frou-frou." Popular colors this year seem to be navy and fuchsia, as well as black and white. She sees this as a way for the bride to do something a little different (instead of pastels) and yet still be practical. The two-piece cocktail dress is also very popular, especially for more mature bridesmaids.
Pettus is selling a lot of bridesmaids' dresses in black and purple. "Purple is very big." The high-low hemline is still popular, said Williamson, and, for spring and summer, floral prints.
But, the biggest news in bridesmaids' dresses is the price. They can be bought for around $100 and below.
Mothers of the bride are seeking a younger look, as well as a dress or two-piece suit that can be worn again. About 80 percent of the mothers' dresses she sells are tea-length. This year, for the first time, patterns have become popular with the mothers, said Shawn. She is selling a lot of brocade jackets.
Prices for mothers' dresses also are very good - in the $100 range. Shawn and Wimmer have noticed most mothers looking for something that can be used on other occasions, rather than as a one-time only investment.
The gown should be one of the bride's earliest purchases. Williamson said that, under optimum conditions, the bride should order her gown eight months to a year before the wedding. But, she stresses, it can be done faster. With the ordering time taking eight to 14 weeks, and time needed for alterations, she said it is "best if the bride can get it out of the way early" so she can concentrate on other things.
If an early choice is not possible, Williamson said there are express-service dresses for both the bride and the bridesmaids. The selection will not be as large, however.
In fact, Shawn and Wimmer have noticed a trend toward buying dresses later. This they attribute to the economy and the bride waiting until she can afford it. "We're seeing more and more last-minute purchases from the stock."
All three stores say that the economy has affected the wedding business, but note that, with careful looking, planning and communication, any bride should be able to find just what she wants.