Fitness Goals -- Bridesmaid Series (Sort of)

This is kind of a dual purpose post. First, just want to explain the absence of any sewing projects here on what, on first glance, might appear to be a sewing blog. I have embarked on a new diet plan. Let's call it a lifestyle eating plan rather than a diet. Really, it was either that, or amass an entire new wardrobe, because the current one was apparently shrinking. Phase 1 is 21 days, and while that sounds like a formal plan... it's not really. Just how long I'm giving it to see if it works for me, and if it does, I'll certainly tell y'all how I did it. I'm about halfway through this experiment, and am cautiously optimistic.

That means that I just don't want to start a sewing project if my measurements will be changing. Seems logical.

source

The Bridesmaid part of this post.

Ah, "fitness goals". That's the phrase we use in our note when a 'maid wants to order a size smaller than recommended because she is going to lose some weight, work out more, etc. Sometimes those goals are met and the dress fits like a glove, and sometimes, well, you know the end of that story.

The Bridesmaid of the '80s -- Bridesmaid Series

Way back in April I wrote a post about bridesmaid dresses, and how they are, most often, just never worn again. As I am semi-between my own current sewing projects, I thought it might be fun to go back to the dark ages reminisce about the bridesmaid dresses that I wore.

Besides my own wedding, I was in 4 other weddings. My cousin's, a sorority sister's, my own sister's, and my best friend from high school. Let's start with my own wedding because each of these dear women were also in my wedding, and you can see what they wore.

Susan, Cindy, Roland, Beth and Carrie

The date: October 29, 1983 (yes, our 30th anniversary is coming up). The place: Southern Methodist University's Perkins Chapel in Dallas, TX. The lovely maids are wearing burgundy moire taffeta dirndl style skirts with a blouse made using Vogue 2805, an Oscar de la Renta designer pattern. I did wear my sister's dress to a wedding in Italy the next year. No word on if anybody else wore the outfit again.

Before I go any further, let me add that until very recently, I actually still had all of these dresses. And no, I am not a hoarder... just maybe sentimental. Or something.

Backing up a few years, I was first in my cousin Carrie's wedding in 1977 when we were really but babes.

The peasant style top has a Sakowitz label, but I seem to remember that these were also made by my mom (or someone). There is also a Liberty print short overskirt that buttoned in the front that I plan to refashion into something else. It's just as full, so there is plenty of fabric. For a long time I also still had the 3 ribbons that we tied around our waists, but those are either squirreled away, or just gone. I may have worn the top again, but I don't really think I did. This one outlasted the marriage. All that lovely blue eyelet will make an adorable dress for a future granddaughter, don't you think?

For my sorority sister, Beth's wedding, we were in peach polyester taffeta.

This dress was floor length, and has since been sold in a vintage section of one of my Etsy shops. But it has been hemmed. Why, you ask? (Beth, if you happen to read this... I know we looked lovely on the day, but, well, it was just perfect for something else, too. Apologies in advance.)

Little Bo Peep and her little lost sheep, now found. Yes, Halloween.

Cindy was married in 1985 (I think) in January, which explains the burgundy velvet.

It doesn't really dip that low in the neckline... the elastic that goes over the shoulders, strap-like to hold up those great, puffy sleeves, is just shot. I wore this to a performance of the Nutcracker Suite in the late 80s, and I think that was it. I do still have it, thinking I might make some kind of holiday pencil skirt. May be time to just let this one go.

Finally, my sister, Susan's wedding. May, 1987. Again in Dallas, this time at Highland Park Presbyterian Church. Laura Ashley was very popular then, and that's what we wore. And I was 6 months pregnant. Can you tell?

I refused to let the photographer get a side shot of me. This time, I bought the dress 2-3 sizes too big, and had a friend help me make it a bit more pregnancy friendly around the middle. I never wore this dress again, and it was also sold from my Etsy shop.

Hope you enjoyed this little trip down memory lane! That was definitely the 80s for you... big sleeves, full skirts, bows, and that unflattering "tea" length.

Until the next bridesmaid/wedding post...

You Can Wear It Again -- Bridesmaid Series

If you are new to the blog, welcome! I've had a handful of new readers showing up from bloglovin', so ... YAY! Anyway, I sew, but since last September I've been working in the bridal industry as a Bridesmaid Consultant. From time to time, I plan to write about a few of my own insights. These opinions in no way reflect the opinions of my employers, and are my own.

OK, with that little disclaimer out of the way, let's talk about what bridesmaids wear!

You Can Wear It Again!

"It" of course, being the dreaded bridesmaid dress. Foisted upon best friends, sisters, future sisters-in-law, and occasionally the random friend that is in the wedding just to make sure the numbers on both sides are even. What? You thought brides only choose their very best and closest friends ever to stand by their sides? If only. But that's another post.

JCrew Bridesmaids

To be fair, I don't hear this every day. These days, it does seem most girls know the truth. But I do hear it, and sometimes most passionately from moms.

Bari Jay

But why aren't these dresses worn again more often? Or at all? Yes, some of them are hideously ugly. But the reality is that even the cutest bridesmaid dress is still a bridesmaid dress. And it has a very important role to play. The bride is wearing a dress that she will never wear again, so why should the bridesmaids?

Amsale

Yet, the bride often feels guilty making her bridesmaids pay so much for a one-time worn dress that the maid did not actually choose for herself. She has foisted her "vision" on these hapless girls and it involves colors and styles that just don't suit everyone. Think about it though... how often do you wear a long (or short), strapless, chiffon dress?

Alvina Valenta - JLM Couture

I think that, ultimately, is the bottom line. This type of dress is just not worn that often.

Let's talk about it! In my next bridesmaid post, I'll show off some of the bridesmaid dresses I've worn, and the ones my own maids wore. What about you?