If, like me, you’re a bride on a budget you have may have considered a look at the high street’s offerings of bridalwear. Yes, some may turn their noses up, but it makes me feel a bit queasy when I think of the £1500 price tag that was delicately hanging off the dress I tried on and believed to be ‘the one’. It just doesn’t seem right, beautiful as it was.
So, yes. I have turned to the high street. And I have to say – it isn’t very promising. I have admittedly only looked in Coast, Debenhams and Monsoon (that was enough for me) but I really wasn’t taken with anything I’d seen. I don’t think I’m an overly fussy sort (honest) I’m not a ‘princess’ type bride, neither am I one for sparkle or ruffles or glitz but I do want my dress to be beautiful, elegant and just….special. The high street dresses, to me, don’t offer this. They seem rather on the ‘plain’ side. I find most of them just look like glorified maxi dresses. Perfect for a beach or destination wedding, but I don’t think very fitting for a church wedding.
When I first read about Richard Nicoll doing an ‘alternative’ bridal collaboration ‘blushing brides’ with Topshop, I was quite excited. This is what he’d said:
“I proposed the idea after my Spring/Summer 2012 show. I liked the idea of making a modern affordable alternative to meringue culture…. “
It was going to be highstreet, therefore more affordable, and being Topshop I’d had images of it being stylish, flattering and a step away from the traiditional strapless ballgowns – which are not me.
Well, the collection has arrived and non-traditional (is that even a word?) the collection is. From the high hemlines to the lack of ability to wear a bra under them – I would certainly be a ‘blushing bride’ if I were to don one of these to walk down the aisle. The sleeveless ones look more like bridal lingerie to me – something for the wedding night. 
It occurred to me that if you’ve got the figure for any of these, you’re not old enough to be getting married. That may be bitterness talking though, given that at 28 my body has been ravaged by having 3 kids and I could NEVER get away with one!!!
So, what do you think? Would you be choosing any of these for your big day?
I really don’t like those – you are right, they would suit someone who is not old enough to get married. For a cheaper wedding dress option some charity shops have a wedding dress dept. Oxfam does and Tenovus in Bristol. I donated mine which was a Caroline Castigliano which at full price would have been £3000 (I hasten to add I did not pay that much) so you can get a designer dress for a less than designer price
I’ve been looking around on Ebay, but I’m nervous about trusting the listings. I will definitely look into the charity shop option – Bristol is not that far away. I would be DELIGHTED to find a designer bargain! Thank you for the tips.
x
Your right they look like under wear i have not got the figure for those maybe we should make a dress like you used custom yours back in the day
eeek sorry no, none of those look like wedding attire! i saw a monsoon wedding dress in a magazine, it was more of a summer dress and would suit a beach wedding. i tried it on in the shop but it didnt feel special, like ‘the one’, it was only £150 which is a bargain compared to some ive seen! anyway that was years and im STILL not married. however maybe a plain dress isnt so bad if you know someone who can sew and add a little something personal to you, your colour scheme/style?
Wouldn’t even have occurred to me that any of those were wedding dresses. They don’t look substantial enough!
Yep, completely agree. I need something to hold me in, i don’t want to be constantly looking down to check my wotsits are suitable arranged.x