Twist Dress

One of the biggest trends in weddings is transforming the look of a dress from ceremony to reception. Many brides are also opting to allow their bridesmaids to wear different dress styles. I discovered the “twist dress” by Dessy Group via a Facebook ad. As soon as I changed my relationship status from “In a Relationship” to “Engaged,” the right side of my Facebook profile blew up with wedding-related ads. A majority of the ads are not applicable to me, but I was intrigued by this ad after seeing twist dresses on David Tutera’s My Fair Wedding. Among changes to the ceremony and reception, Tutera frequently changes both the bride’s and the bridesmaids’ dresses. In several recent episodes, Tutera has opted for different versions of the twist dress.

I know a lot of brides say they want their bridesmaids to purchase dresses that they can wear again, but let’s be honest, how many of those dresses do we ever take back out of the closet? Depending on the number of weddings you’ve been in, it starts to look a little like Katherine Heigl’s closet in 27 Dresses. The twist dress is one of the few bridesmaid styles I have seen where I can truly picture someone wearing the dress on multiple occasions. The dress can be twisted into an elegant, ceremony-worthy style, but quickly transformed into a fun party/reception look. The jersey material and a more relaxed, fun twist allows this dress to double for date nights and other less formal affairs. Watch the video below to see some of the twistable styles.

The twist dress from Dessy Group comes in both full and cocktail lengths, allowing the bride to achieve different looks based on the theme and location of her wedding. I really like the cocktail-length version, because I can see this style worn after a wedding more so than the full-length version of the dress. I am definitely considering the twist dress as a possibility for my bridesmaids, but I’m not sure which style would coincide best with the overall look and feel I want to achieve.

The twist dress is available in 22 different colors in a washable matte jersey fabric. Based on the color swatches, a bride would almost certainly be able to find an approriate shade (I personally prefer the “concord” shade). There are a couple downsides to this dress, however. I’m not sure if any bridal boutiques offer this dress or similar styles in their stores. It would be difficult to decide on a bridesmaid dress without allowing your bridesmaids to try it on first. The different twistable options don’t necessarily guarantee that the dress will be flattering to all body types. The dress sizes also range from XS (0-4) to 2X (26-28), but a size 0 and a size 4 are two very different sizes. As far as dresses are concerned, I prefer to get a customized size based on my exact measurements.

If you're like me, and you're not sure if the twist dress is for you, you can purchase a sample-on-loan dress for $35 (either cocktail or full-length) in your color choice. However, the sample must be sent back within 48 hours with the pre-paid shipping label.

White by Vera Wang

“Every bride deserves to have great design. I believe the bride knows who she is and how she wants to look and feel on her special day. Every gown I create reflects that respect for other women and how much design means to me.”  --Vera Wang

Chelsea Clinton in Vera Wang

Recently, the infamous Vera Wang released a collection of bridal dresses through David’s Bridal. The collection is called White by Vera Wang and positioned as an affordable alternative to Wang’s traditional line of gowns. This is an interesting route for the designer synonymous with Vogue and couture fashion. Wang is arguably the most well-known bridal fashion designer, especially among celebrities. Among her celebrity clientele, Wang has designed bridal gowns for Chelsea Clinton, Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Lopez, and Kate Hudson.

The White by Vera Wang collection ranges in price between $600 and $1,400, a steal compared to Chelsea Clinton’s customized gown - inspired by Wang’s “Diana” at a cost of approximately $20,000.

The styles certainly look fashion-forward, and I especially love the folds of fabric on these two gowns (though they're probably not quite my style):

VW351010

VW351011



The design of VW351011 looks very similar to Clinton’s gown, but at a fraction of the cost. Since the gowns are inexpensive, I wonder if the quality of the fabric reinforces their fashionista designs.



I have to admit I am pleasantly surprised by this collection. I have never been a huge fan of the bridal warehouse style of David’s Bridal, so it’s a shock to see them partnering with such a big name in the fashion industry. Looks like an excellent marketing and repositioning move on behalf of the company. I will start dress shopping next month and have become intrigued by this collection despite my less than positive view of the David’s Bridal chain.

The Spring 2011 White collection has been so well-received, Wang has announced a bridal party partnership with David’s Bridal, as well. This June, your bridesmaids can also snag a Vera dress for $150-$200.

Want to learn more about White by Vera Wang? Get a few laughs and watch the clip below of Wang as a guest on E!'s Chelsea Lately.