Inspired by . . .

Fancy NY Gracie Gown & Jaxie Accessories

What length should I choose?

Determining the perfect length for your wedding gown or bridesmaid dresses or any dress in general can be a challenge.  As most things with the big day, it is up to you in the end.  But you’ll want to take some things into consideration. Make sure to consider the season, location and the overall theme, look or feel for your wedding. Do you envision a traditional and stunning formal night?  Maybe go with floor length. Are your bridesmaids walking down an aisle made of sand or grass?  You can opt for knee-length.  Is your theme vintage or do you love the look of old Hollywood style (think Audrey Hepburn or the iconic Marilyn Monroe)?  Then tea-length might fit perfectly.  But I can’t stress enough that there are no rules when it comes to the length of your dresses. Seeing is believing. If you don’t know what you want, try all lengths. Mix it up and see what works for you. You’ll know what’s right when you see it!

Miniskirt

A skirt that ends well above the knee. This length is best for a more casual look, or for a sassy bride!

Knee-length

A great look for maids or for a casual bride. This length ends just at or below the knee and is the most common for casual weddings but is increasingly popular for all types of weddings.

Tea-length

This dress length hits towards the bottom of the shin and offers a somewhat conservative look, but is also a great length for those looking for that retro or vintage look. Tea-length dresses are a nice option for a semi-formal affair.

Floor-length

The hem on this gown just barely touches the floor. This length makes for a very formal look.

Wedding Gala

We participated in the Wedding Gala event in Wauwatosa a while ago and are finally posting photos from the event. Sorry for the delay!  Miss Ruby provided the dresses for the fashion show and the photos were taken by I Do Photography.

Famous Fashion: Audrey Hepburn

This is the ivory satin bridal gown designed for Audrey for her planned wedding to James Hanson in 1952. The wedding never took place so Audrey wanted the dress to be worn by someone who couldn’t ever afford a dress like hers so she asked the designers to find the most beautiful, poor Italian girl. The dress was then donated to Amabile Altobella, a poverty stricken young Italian girl engaged to be married to a farm worker. They stayed married, had three daughters, and five grandchildren!

Haute Apple Pie Blog feature

We were lucky enough to guest blog for Haute Apple Pie this week.  It is a fantastic little blog by a trio of very creative and inspirational local ladies. Check it out!
http://hauteapplepie.com/2010/06/23/on-trend-mix-match-bridesmaids/

Natural vs. Synthetic Fabrics - Is there really a difference?

Dresses today are made of many different types of fabric. And most fabrics fall in one of two categories – natural or synthetic.

Fabrics made with natural fibers are created from plants or animals. Natural fabrics typically consist of cotton, linen, wool, and silk. Synthetic fabrics on the other hand are a man-made product created through a chemical process. Polyester is the most common synthetic fabric, but others include acetate, nylon, and spandex.

Shopping for clothing in general can get daunting due to all of the options out there. And can be especially challenging when shopping for bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses. You want to look your best on the big day as well as be as comfortable as possible and what fabric you choose can really make a difference.

Here are some tips to consider when choosing between fabrics:

• Synthetic fabrics aren’t breathable so you’ll be much warmer – not the best option for a hot summer day.
• Natural fabrics breathe and wick moisture away from the body. They’ll keep you cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
• Synthetic fabrics can sometimes be more durable than natural (but not always).
• Synthetic fabrics can be easier to care for – most silks require dry-cleaning, however cotton fabrics are easily washable.
• Dresses made in natural fabrics (such as silk) sometimes have a higher price point, however, more and more reasonably priced silk dresses are available and priced just as well as synthetic. Cotton dresses are also very reasonably priced.
• There is a very wide selection of synthetic fabrics out there that have been created to look similar to their natural counterparts.

So next time you hit a dress shop you’ll probably be overwhelmed with fabric choices so keep these tips in mind. After trying on the different fabrics and knowing what you are trying on you’ll be able to come to a conclusion on what fabric you prefer. For myself? I’d choose a natural fabric over synthetic. I hate being uncomfortable so I’d want a breathable fabric made of natural fibers any day over a non-breathable dress made of synthetic ingredients like plastic. Wearing a plastic bag? Not my idea of comfort, especially on my wedding day. Plus there are so many silk and cotton dresses out there with a price tag similar to synthetic.

Inspired by . . .

Alvina Valenta Style 9028
Fabric: Silky Taffeta
Color: Eggplant

Just in . . .

The Dessy Fall 2010 collection has arrived and includes some fantastic dresses at very inexpensive prices. All of them are easy to wear no matter what your body type.  And this also only marks the beginning of our fall collection. New dresses will be arriving throughout the summer. Can't wait!

Real Wedding

The Couple: Kim & Trevor

The Dresses: Bari Jay Style 809

Fabric: Chiffon & Charmeuse

Color: Black
Photos by: MiaS Photo http://www.miasphoto.com/

Inspired by . . .

Dessy Style 2780
Fabric: Duchess Satin
Color: Palomino

Famous fashion: Jacqueline Bouvier

When Jacqueline Bouvier married John F. Kennedy in September 1953, she wore one of the most beautiful wedding gowns of all time. The dress was created by Anne Lowe and is an absolutely gorgeous gown. A serious work of art!

Do wedding shoes have to be white?

Heck no! While many brides do choose to wear a shoe in white or ivory that matches the color of their dress, there is no reason you can't do a little something different. How about choosing a shoe in a bold color? Maybe select a color that coordinates with your bouquets or bridesmaid dresses. Or your favorite color. Or maybe a color that represents your personality!

photo by Marke Brooke Photography courtesy of http://www.oncewed.com/

www.freshlimeevents.com

inthedetailsblog.com

shopheylady.com

Let's get FANCY

New gowns from FANCY NY have arrived! FANCY offers beautiful dresses inspired by the tradition of Sunday Best on your wedding day. The gowns are a perfect alternative to the formal gown and are designed for the bride that exudes elegance and a flair for creativity. Oh so pretty!

Extra Extra! Read all about it . . .

Check out the front page of the Journal Sentinel or http://www.jsonline.com/ today! Miss Ruby was featured in an article regarding weddings and the recession. Here is a link to the article: http://www.jsonline.com/business/95828799.html.  Enjoy! 

PS - Thank you to Nicole and her maids!  Don't they look great?

Just in . . .

More dresses have arrived! Here is a sneaky peek . . .
(and remember all dresses are available at our online boutique as well - shop.missrubyboutique.com)

Inspired by . . .

Dress Style: Alvina Valenta 9034
Fabric: Dupioni
Color: Strawberry