Tag Archives: dresses

Aug7

Dress Obsessed: BCBG Edition

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Dress Obsessed: BCBG Edition

Hellooo everyone and a happy Tuesday to all of you! I would never call myself a “label whore” by any means. I’m happy as a clam in any brand, as long as the price is right and it looks cute. But, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t more high end brands that I admire from afar. One of them being, BCBG. What I love the most about that brand is that they do sexy clothing in a way that’s still really tasteful and chic. The silhouettes in BCBG’s clothing are always form fitting but it’s done in the way that it should be: it shows your body’s shape without the garment clinging to you for dear life!

I was lucky enough to snag two BCBG dresses from TJMaxx for forty dollars apiece, which is still cheaper than the original price of eighty-eight dollars per dress. Take a look at the little number we’ll be discussing today and swing by tomorrow to look at my other new favorite dress:

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Before we even talk about how gorgeous this dress is, I really need to commend BCBG’s sizing. It can definitely be intimidating when you order things online, because you always have to factor in the “what if it doesn’t fit” element. That’s why, I’m pleased to say that this dress fit me like a glove.

I looked up BCBG’s sizing chart before ordering and went with a size small, which is for sizes four to six. I am a true blue size four and that really is what I got with my new purchase. It fit me beautifully without being overly tight or clingy. It showed my shape without showing it in its entirety through a modest knee length and long sleeves. Like I said earlier, it’s sexy done right.

Now, we can talk about the simply charming nod to 70’s flower power in the long sleeves and the netted black carving a gorgeous shape throughout the fabric. From the color combinations and pattern to the varying degrees of texture, this dress is interesting to look at both on and off the hanger! I feel like I’ve never seen anything that looks like it before, and I’ll definitely be scouring the TJ’s website monthly for more BCBG gems like the dresses from today and tomorrow’s post.

My new BCBG dress really doesn’t need accessorizing, because it’s a fairly busy piece. But, I do plan on pairing it with my pearls and wooden Steve Madden heels for a sexy but still sweet OOTD.

What are some brand names that you admire from afar? How would you style this dress? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun6

English Factory Tennis Dress

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English Factory Tennis Dress

Hello!! My favorite thing about TJMaxx, other than their amazing prices, is that it gives you access to brands that you’ve never heard of or brands that are a bit out of your budget. Both of these go for the brand English Factory, which I discovered during an online shopping stint on TJ’s website. Upon inspection of English Factory’s own page, I saw that there was really nothing on there that I would be comfortable paying for, because all of their items were upwards of one hundred dollars. But, thirty five dollars for the beautiful, albeit a tad wrinkly dress seen below? I can swing that! Take a look:

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Before we go any further – yes, this dress has been ironed since these pictures have been taken! Lol!

I haven’t had much luck recently when it comes to finding some cute new dresses. And, with summer officially here, I was getting pretty desperate to find a lightweight dress or two to wear for work or play. And then, this English Factory beauty comes along and knocks me off of my feet. As soon as I saw this online, I loved it and I was completely confident that it would look awesome on me. And, obviously I was right. So much so, that out of the seven or eight items that I ordered, this dress is the only thing that I kept.

I love the quirky retro brickabrack detailing on this little number. It looks so sailor girl chic against the crisp, white cotton and I’ve never seen anything that looks like it before. The shape is also extremely flattering on me. The more structured top that turns into a flouncy skirt gives a unique silhouette – very different than every single piece of clothing in my wardrobe. And, the best thing about this dress, is that there is a slip built into the skirt so that your underwears don’t show through. Freaking SCORE.

My new English Factory dress doesn’t need much when it comes to styling an OOTD. A fun pair of platforms and one of my new Foley + Corinna purses are all I need to create a statement look!

How would you style this dress? What are some of your favorite, lesser known brands? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug21

Say Yes To The Guest (Appropriate Wedding Attire)

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Say Yes To The Guest (Appropriate Wedding Attire)

Hello hello everyone and happy Monday! With summer drawing to a close, the familiar crisp rush of autumn air comes swooping in with one thing for certain in store: Fall weddings. The autumn season is such a gorgeous time to host a marriage ceremony that can range from whimsical fall fun to a more dark, romantic approach in the style of your big day. Of course, the wedding is all about the bride and the groom but that doesn’t mean that you should be slacking in the style department as a guest.

Being invited to a wedding is and should be held as an esteemed honor. The new couple likes you enough to want you there on their special day – this is a big deal and should be respected as such. This means that a dowdy dress or suit simply won’t do. Let’s take a look at The Black Tux’s wedding guest style guide and then stick around to chat with Lil Red for some more pro tips:

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^^^ Who knew that there were so many different styles of wedding attire?!

The first thing that we’re going to talk about when it comes to dressing as a wedding guest ties into the guide seen above. It is so SO important as a guest to respect the vibe of the wedding. It shouldn’t have to be said, but it is such an obvious DO to accommodate to the dress code if it’s listed.

If there is no dress code on the invitation, then it is in good taste to dress appropriately for the type of wedding that you are attending. Is it an early afternoon church ceremony? A knee length dress for the ladies and a semi-formal suit for the gents will do. Or are we attending a rustic style wedding with outdoor vows? Remember, it’s autumn and there might be a chill in the air. A smart suit set for the ladies with trousers or a skirt with thick tights underneath is a chic take on outdoor wedding style. For the guys, you can get away with a more casual look, as well, with a nice pair of slacks and a suit jacket or blazer on top.

It is always worth mentioning, again, that the weather is subject to change during fall weddings. Be prepared. Being stuck with the sniffles all day because you failed to bring a cardi or a blazer for over your dress is nobody’s fault but your own, because I’m literally warning you right here. Despite this warning, I just know that it will not be heeded by everyone, which gives the rest of us a chance to score some brownie points. Guys, wear a cardigan under your jacket in case you see a damsel in distress with the shivers. Ladies, if you’re wearing a thicker dress or suit set, offer your extra blazer to a gal in need. You’ll be a wedding hero, trust me.

And, finally, if you’re in doubt about what to wear, just ask! It is so much better to shoot a quick text to the bride or groom and get their opinion instead of showing up to the wedding looking like a straight up goon. That suit or dress that you’ve been feeling wishy washy about wearing might work, after all. But, if that isn’t the case, then do be sure to check out The Black Tux’s suit and tuxedo rentals page for all of your gentlemen attire needs. And, as for us girls, I think that we can swing some wedding guest dress shopping with a trip to the mall or an online shopping sesh – Hello, Modcloth!

With The Black Tux’s style guide and Lil Red’s pro tips, you should have no problem Saying Yes To The Guest (Appropriate Wedding Attire)! What is your favorite part about attending a wedding? How do you style a wedding guest appropriate look for fall? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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Jul21

Zara Haul: Black & White, Alright Edition

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Zara Haul: Black & White, Alright Edition

Hi everyone and welcome to the conclusion to my Zara Haul series featuring a twenty dollar button down dress with to die for details! I’m unsure of the original price for my dress because there was no tag on the item but I’m assuming that it’s starting price was around seventy or so dollars, because that’s the Zara way. The button down dress is an item that I took for granted until I realized that I flipping love them, so now I have to make up for lost time and BUY ALL THE BUTTON DOWNS! Take a look at this new beauty and let’s discuss:

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White is a color that I don’t wear very frequently, just because I find it very anxiety provoking. Hello, future coffee stains. But, I always do enjoy a crisp, white piece of clothing when the perfect one comes a knockin. I simply love this dress, so having to be extra careful with eating, makeup, etc. while wearing it is totally worth it. The sleek fabric, kimono-esque style, blossoming pattern, and daring details all make this dress worthy of being in my expansive wardrobe.

The button down dress is a classic piece of clothing. It’s something that looks good on every body type and can really be worn for any occasion depending on how you style it. The button down dress offers timeless beauty to all who wear it and I am ashamed that it has taken me so long to appreciate that. The few button down dresses that I own are some of my favorites, so it’s definitely nice to be able to find one that I think is so well suited to me to add to the collection.

From the lace up detailing on the side to the barbell shaped cuff links on the sleeves, this dress is full of surprises. Probably the biggest surprise being that white actually looks good on me! As a very pale gal, white is something that I tend to unconsciously shy away from because of the fear that it will wash me out (And also stains, lol.), but it’s actually quite the contrary. By some divine miracle, the color white manages to enhance and exaggerate my skin and hair color even more, creating a stunning effect – especially while wearing red lipstick!

Of course, I’m looking forward to wearing this as an actual dress but I’m more excited to pair this with some black super skinny jeans and a nice pair of stilettos for an edgy, office chic look. Throw a blazer or a moto jacket over top of it and you’re all set with a look that can be easily suitable for day or night!

So there you have it, the conclusion to my Zara Haul: Black & White, Alright Edition! What was your favorite item from my haul? Who else is getting some serious summer shopping in? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May24

Bollywood Style Target Haul

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Bollywood Style Target Haul

Hi everyone and happy Hump Day! I had a shockingly really nice day yesterday – I got a lot of work done and managed to squeeze in a Target shopping trip, which instantly turned the day from pleasant to fantastic! Oh, Target. The store notorious for people going there to get one thing and leaving with a cart full of so called “necessities”. AKA, my life every time I walk through those sliding doors.

I don’t think people realize just how much Target has improved in this past decade because honestly, their clothing and accessories used to suck eggs. But now, I can’t remember the last time I went into Target without trying something on in the dressing room or modeling a new pair of shades in their accessory shop. But hey, it could be worse. I could be going into Target and leaving with nothing! 😉

For the most part, I’ve been really impressed with Target’s summer line of clothing and yesterday was no exception. I was taken aback by the taste of Bollywood style that some of the pieces invoked and as soon as I saw them, they were basically as good as mine. I absolutely ADORE Bollywood inspired clothing. The jewel tones, the fine attention to detail, the flow, and flare. UGH. I love it all. Take a look at my latest indulgences and let’s discuss:

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As you guys know, ten out of ten times, I’m going to prefer black clothing. But, when I venture into color, jewel tones are where it’s at. My pasty pale complexion is such a blessing because it allows me to wear the deep, dazzling colors that I love. Emerald green, cobalt, mustard yellow, shocking magenta, and deep shades of wine. My skin tone turns into a blinding fifty shades of pale and enhances the color of the clothing tenfold. That is why I was so attracted to my new maxi dress and bralette top.

I’ve been on the prowl for a maxi dress since the weather began to warm up because I don’t own one. I have some fun high low dresses but no straight up, down to the floor maxis. I’ve tried on a few and some were nice but none of them spoke to me on a spiritual level. Then, I found this mustard yellow gown yesterday and yes, it moved me.

Mustard yellow is my color. Granted, it hasn’t always been that way, though. Before I began dying my hair red and was still wearing my hair in its natural shade of medium brown, mustard yellow looked ghastly on me. It was so sad because I wanted it to look good on me so badly but it was just very blah. Fast forward to when I became a red headed vixen (ayyy!) and it became all mustard yellow everything. Many people have told me that mustard yellow really is a red head’s best color and they are so right. I have never met a red head, real or fake, that that color hasn’t looked good on. It truly is an anomaly how simply changing your hair color can open up a whole new clothing color palette to you, but I am so not complaining. #blessed

In summary, this dress is fabulous. The way the fabric crimps, the silhouette, the color, the detailing in the bodice, the emphasized waist line. Holy moly. I love when I see pieces of clothing that I just know will look good on me and that’s how I felt about both of my new purchases. Sometimes, I find that maxi dresses can really overpower a petite gal, such as myself. But not this one. The way that it was designed with the slit down the bottom middle, the embellished bust, and the detailing on the waist line was genius because it broke the dress up. It turned what could have been a dress that looked like a potato sack into a gown with a distinctive top and bottom, which makes the eye dance around because there’s more to look at than a floor length window curtain. #greatsuccess

And, lord god have mercy, don’t even get me started on my new bralette. I love, love, love, love, LOVE this top. Crop tops are my number one BFF in my wardrobe when it comes to showing off my tattoo arsenal because five of my six are on my side and back. And best believe with my latest tattoo addition, that I’ve been wanting all of the crop tops to show it off!

This top is just stunning. The muted magenta color, the embroidery, the mirror decal embellishments. Omg. Just pure, modern, Bollywood fun. The best thing about this bralette is the possibilities that come with styling it. You could wear it with a:

  • Maxi skirt
  • High waisted/normal shorts
  • Jeans
  • Harem pants
  • Underneath a blazer/cardigan

I mean, seriously, the possibilities are endless. I feel like I am going to have so much fun incorporating this top into my outfits and I already have so many ideas in mind! When my MAN comes up at the end of the month for my birthday, I plan on wearing this with black shorts, my black, oversized boyfriend blazer, and my olive green platform heels for a sexy cool summer look. Dress to impress much?

Target hit the nail on the head with these pieces and I am so happy to have them in my collection as we head into the summer months ahead. My wardrobe is not the most accommodating to summer clothing because I thrive when I’m styling things for the cooler fall, winter, and early spring. It’s going to be fun to try something new and go into summer not feeling like I don’t have anything to wear!

So there you have it, my Bollywood Style Target Haul! How do you style a bralette into your outfits? What style of dress do you prefer for summer (maxi, mini, midi?)? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May8

New Dress Success

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New Dress Success

Hi everyone and happy Monday! I had a super fabulous Target haul this weekend and as your typical basic gal named Sarah, I went shopping there BOTH Saturday and Sunday haha smh. So this week, you guys will be hearing a lot about my purchases for a super reasonable price and if you love what I got, you can hit up your local Target and we can be twinsies. Ayyyy.

ANYWAYS, I had a really bad hankering these past few weeks to buy all of the things. As the seasons change, I always feel like my shopping is justified so that I can work in new weather-appropriate pieces into my wardrobe. At Target, I was on the hunt for some fun in the sun clothes like maxi dresses, skirts, and cute little mini dresses. But, with Sarah being Sarah, of course I ended up with a black and white Wednesday Adams dress, instead. Lol, take a look and let’s discuss:

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^^^ SO CUTE!

This dress is from Victoria Beckham’s recent line that she created for Target. To be frank, it looks like it didn’t do all that well because everything from the collection was marked down. But hey, it worked in my favor and I am so not complaining! I got this pretty little number for a whole twenty-five bucks, which I thought was such a steal.

I’ll be honest, I was pretty nervous trying this dress on because all they had was extra smalls and larges and I just wanted it to work SO badly. I am in that unfortunate spot between extra small and small. It really just depends on the clothing being tried on and from what store so depending on where I am, I can fit comfortably into either size.

While in the fitting room, I just had to take a deep breath and slip into the dress and thank freaking GAWD it fit! I wouldn’t say that the dress was a body con style by any means but it definitely laid closely to my body, which was just great because I never think to wear seamless panties when I’m shopping. So here I am in the dressing room with this gorgeous dress on and the literal WORST underoo seam lines ever. Lol, thank goodness that the Victoria’s Secret seamless panties work wonders for that awkward misfortune. -_-

I have always wanted a dress that looks like my new one from the Victoria Beckham line but I was never overly impressed with any of the ones that I’ve tried on in the past. I’ve noticed that this style of dress seems to be made baggier instead of form fitting and that just doesn’t work for my body type. The fact that this dress shows off my figure instead of trying to hide it is so fabulous to me. And the cute little rabbit decals on the collar had me sold the moment that I saw it.

This dress is going to be absolutely perfect for date nights or evenings out with the girls at a classy (not college student infested!) bar. I can’t wait to pair my new dress with a really fun pair of heels to offset the black and white palette, a red lip, pompadour hair, and a moto jacket for those chilly nights. Hello, sweet rocker chic!

My New Dress Success may not have been exactly what I set out for while shopping but, regardless, I am SO happy about it! You can shop the Victoria Beckham collection both in stores and online if you love this pretty baby as much as I do! How do you style a date night look? What is the best style of dress for your body type? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb4

Mystery Post!

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Mystery Post!

Hi everyone and happy weekend! This week I’ll be working on a very fun post for a super chic company that I am so excited for. I can’t give away all of the details but I’ll give you guys a little hint with the picture below:

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What do you think the balloon says? Can you guess the theme of the Mystery Post? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb2

Forever 21 Purchases

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Forever 21 Purchases

Howdy! So as I mentioned in my last post, my previous trip to the mall this week allowed me the time to use up my Forever 21 Christmas gift cards. I was really excited about this because the spring clothing in the store was in full bloom and I couldn’t wait to add something pretty and new into my wardrobe. I don’t have a lot of clothes that I would classify as “spring” worthy. My niche really is in cold weather clothing so I was looking forward to adding something that isn’t a peacoat, moto jacket, or skinny jeans into my collection! Take a look at what I ended up with:

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^^^ So cute!

My new jersey and dress costed only thirty five dollars which I thought was a steal and the rest of my gift cards went towards a sweater that I purchased about a month ago. I was really happy that I was able to buy three things with my fifty dollars in gift card cash and barely had to pay anything out of my own pocket! It was really a Christmas gift that gave a lot to me!

I am SO thrilled with my leopard print baseball jersey because I have a confession to make…I secretly love leopard print…when it’s done right, of course. Leopard print is one of those animal patterns that walks the thin line of either looking chic and cool or totally tacky depending on the colors used and the style of the clothing. I personally stray away from any leopard print that uses brighter colors and appears to be more for wearing for a night out. That’s why I loved that this jersey used a darker shade of leopard and had some lettering and numbers on the front and back to break the pattern up. The boyish shape of the top also helped this leopard print go from a night in the club to urban and hip and I really just adore it.

I plan on wearing this top a lot this summer with a pair of black shorts, Nike sneakers, a backwards baseball cap (which I’ve grown increasingly fond of), and some chunky gold jewelry for a fun urban chic daytime look. Then, come evening time, I’ll trade in the Nikes for a pair of wedge heels for drinks with friends or a late afternoon of shopping at my favorite outdoor mall. This top will also look so cute with a long sleeved shirt layered underneath for a chillier spring or summer night.

And finally, I really love my new dress! I have been trying to incorporate clothing that I can wear for both work and play into my wardrobe and I’ve found that dresses are the best way to do this. They’re easy, pretty, and can be quickly transformed from work to play by simply removing your tights and changing your shoes. Normally, I’m not the biggest floral kind of girl but the colors used in this dress are ones that suit me so well. Dark shades like the navy, burgundy, and deep yellow used are ones that always pop nicely with my pale skin and red hair and always has such a lovely overall effect on my look for the day.

This button down dress was something that I was able to look at and know that there is a 99% chance that it will look nice on me but it still felt so good to have that “yes!” moment in the fitting room! This dress will be perfect for wearing to work with tights and a little heel and then for play I plan on ditching the tights, heightening the heel, and adding a big floppy sunhat into the mix.

Fifty dollars at Forever 21 went a long way for me and I was happy to have had such good luck during my last shopping trip because sometimes you don’t always get so lucky at F21! I can’t wait for the weather to warm up so I can wear my new purchases but, until then, it will be nice to daydream of a sunnier, super fashionable new season!

So there you have it, my newest Forever 21 Purchases! What are you most looking forward to wearing in the spring? What season is your wardrobe the most accommodating to? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan24

New Target Dress

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New Target Dress

Hiii everyone and happy Tuesday! This past weekend I did a little shopping to beat the winter blahs of January away and I ended up with a super cute new dress from Target. As I entered the store, I was so happy to see that they had their spring clothing on display. The winter weather in Ohio has been unusually, freakishly mild this year – we’re talking weather in the 50s and 60s. So, needless to say, I have definitely been thinking spring! I am a bit sad that I haven’t gotten to make use out of all of my gorgeous cold weather clothing but I can’t complain about this warm streak of weather when Ohio winters are usually bitter cold.

Not only did the spring style temps inspire me to buy myself something pretty but I also got my new dress to spice up my work wardrobe. I have grown weary of wearing the same pants and a blazer during the days when I’m bopping around visiting different day programs and group homes so I thought some fun new dresses would be a perfect way to go. For work, I always enjoy pairing up a dress with some tall riding boots and tights to create a look that is posh and profesh rather than too revealing. Take a look at my newest work and play wardrobe addition:

What I love the most about this dress is the shape and, of course, the color! Mustard yellow is one of those colors that happens to look really good on me thanks to the pasty pale skin and red hair so whenever I see something cute in this color, I always have to try it on! I love the base color of this dress but I also think that the periwinkle blue, cream, and pink floral pattern looks gorgeous over top of it. This dress reminds me a bit of my all time favorite dress from Urban Outfitters but I think that it is so darling that I don’t even care!

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The other fantastic thing about my new dress is the shape. It looks like a seriously seventies style frock and I think that it’s just perfect. The buttons down the front add some edge while the fluttering, flowy sleeves add a sweet touch of 1970s glam. I can’t wait to pair this dress with my tan knee high riding boots for work and then ditching the boots for my pair of BCBGeneration cut out heels for play as seen below:

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If you have spring on your mind and are getting winter cabin fever, then you better head to Target and get your shop on. Their spring collection is filled with pretty frocks, kimono tops, and a whole lot of girly fun!

How do you rock a business casual work outfit? What clothing items are you most looking forward to wearing when the warm weather finally hits? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov24

Looking After Your Wedding Dress After Your Big Day

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Looking After Your Wedding Dress After Your Big Day

Your wedding gown is a big purchase, and while you might only ever wear it for one day, you’ll still want to keep it in good condition. St George wedding dresses at VA Bridal are a stunning reminder of the day itself and who knows- in the future your own daughter might want to wear it for her wedding! After the celebrations are over, you’ve been on your honeymoon and are back home settling into married life, here’s what you need to do to look after your wedding dress.

Have It Cleaned: Having your wedding dress cleaned doesn’t have to be expensive, you can find cheap dry cleaning services just about anywhere. Inquire about wedding gowns, ensuring they have experience in cleaning and preserving them. It will be carefully inspected and cleaned using special chemicals that won’t damage the delicate fabric. It’s important to have this done, as sometimes stains can be invisible at first, but contain sugar which will brown over time. If there are any particularly bad stains such as red wine or mud, have these professionally cleaned as soon as possible. This is because the longer they sit, the harder they will be to remove. If there have been any spills like this on your gown, you could ask a friend or family member to take it to the dry cleaners for you. Especially if you’re jetting off on your honeymoon right after the wedding and won’t get the chance to do it until you’re back.

Package Carefully: It’s so important to use the right materials when you’re storing your wedding dress. Any kind of plastic wrapping or bags will eventually break down and cause yellowing of the dress so these should always be avoided. An acid-free paper or muslin will protect it, while still allowing it to ‘breathe.’ And finally putting it into a box will protect it from yellowing in sunlight. If you’re putting your gown up into the attic or a cupboard, a sealed box can be a good idea to prevent pests from being able to enter and destroy the fabric.

Handle Gently: The whole point of keeping Bridal Gowns beautiful is so you can look back on them in years to come. So if you want to get it out to have a look, go for it! Just be sure to handle it with care. Wash your hands before touching it and open the box in a clean area- keep any open drinks or food away. Alternatively, you could have your dress packaged in a box with a clear lid so you can see it without taking it out. Just be sure that the clear lid is acetate rather than plastic, which as mentioned earlier can cause yellowing. *Side Note: A girl on my Facebook newsfeed did this and it looks SO gorgeous!*

Looked after properly your wedding dress will keep in good condition for years to come and is a beautiful reminder of one of the most special days of your life. If you’re married, how did you have your wedding dress stored? If you’re getting married soon, have you put much thought into how you will preserve your dress? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Pexels