Finding your size when buying a used bridesmaid dress.

One of the hardest parts of buying a bridesmaids dress is the sizing! Why don't they just make them the same size as every day clothing?!?! Many bridesmaids and wedding gowns are sized small. So if you normally wear a size 8, in bridal fashions you might wear a size 12!!! Wow, thanks a lot bridal industry, that makes me feel goooor-geous... Why do they do that to us?

Don't get me started! Instead, I'll talk about what we are doing to help girls save money and get the right fit for bridesmaids and wedding gowns.

We know that when you are shopping used and online predicting the fit can be a difficult task. So, in order to help you out we have been compiling a list of sizes from different manufacturers. It can be easy and fast to get the best measurement for you without leaving your house. The only thing you will need is a measuring tape (or if you don't have one a string and ruler will do). It's best to have someone, like a friend or your mom or sister, help you measure yourself.

HOW TO MEASURE YOURSELF FOR PROPER SIZING
Bust: Measure at the fullest part of bust and around the back.
Waist: Measure around your "natural" waist (this is the narrowest part of your waist, above where your pants sit).
Hips: Measure 8” down from your natural waist, at the fullest part of your hip, this may be 7” for petites. (fyi: Your “Low Hip” is 8” below your waist, this is most commonly used as the Hip measurement. Your “High Hip” will be only 4” below natural waist.)

FITTING TIPS
• If possible get a friend to measure for you, or use a mirror to make sure the tape is straight.
• Go with the largest measurement, if its not a perfect match (it most likely won’t be). It can always be taken in if needed. It's easier to take something in rather than let it out.
• Take into account the cut of the dress. Usually the hip measurement is not a factor in sizing, unless its a tight fitting dress at the hips. If its an A-line dress, for example, you will be ok just using bust and waist to size.
• When buying a strapless dress it's more important that the bust size matches and is fitted. This can easily be taken in as well.

Here is a link where you can find our measurement charts: http://www.ruffleswap.com/servlet/the-template/sizingtips/Page

See a popular dress maker that's missing? Or have your own fitting tips? Let us know by commenting! We are always updating and adding to the chart to keep it up to date! Good luck and don't let those exaggerated sizes make you feel not-so-gorgeous. (Seriously, can someone tell me why that is industry standard?)

xoxo

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

When you hear the name Betsey Johnson you might think: crinoline, leopard print and hot pink everything! And you might wonder how her style could ever translate into a wedding.

Well, you don't have to go Totally 80's to have fun with your wedding gown or bridesmaids dresses. Unless, of course, you want to. Here are some FUN alternatives to the traditional wedding gown and bridesmaids dresses for your Big Day created by Betsey Johnson.

images from betseyjohnson.com

A little about Betsey Johnson: She began designing in the 1960's, pulling inspiration from her her love for costumes and aspirations to become a dancer. She has grown in popularity to become world renowned for her truly unique use of color, texture and rule-breaking style. She is also legendary for ending her fashion shows with a cartwheel down the runway.

Whether you choose to go traditional or outrageous with your gown or bridesmaid dresses, never forget to enjoy each and every moment with your best friends. You don't have to do a cartwheel down the aisle on your big day, just make sure you enjoy every single second of it!

I ♥ Betsey Johnson! See more of her work and shop at: betseyjohnson.com

Disney Fairy Tale Weddings: where's the "Bibbity Bobbity Boo"?

I recently started searching for Bridesmaid's dresses for my fair "maidens" next fall.  As I clicked through Fall 2010 Bridesmaid Collections, one designer immediately caught my eye - Kirstie Kelley for Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings.  Disney was designing not only Bridal gowns, but also "maiden" gowns!  Sounds fun, right?  I immediately pictured the what these "maiden" dresses might look like...maybe poofy silver ball gowns for Cinderella "maidens" and slinky, moonlit-pool colored, mermaid dresses for Ariel "maidens".  I clicked through the collection looking for magical and character-inspired dresses - but I was a bit disappointed.  There was no blatant inspiration of Disney Princesses (I later learned this was on purpose). Curious, I visited www.disneybridal.com to see if the 6 disney princesses were better captured in the "bridal gowns".  Most of the gowns looked similar to the traditional and trendy dresses on the market.  I was kind of hurt, as a child I watched these movies over and over, and many of us little girls pictured wearing a gown as gorgeous as Cinderella's one day.  Those gloves... those sleeves... how it sparkled when she danced...

I then started to read about the designer, Kristie Kelley..."she watched the films, came to understand the essence of each princess, then developed that mood in a way that in a way today's bride could relate."  I was again hurt... I've known these princesses for decades and their personalities and stories are deep within my heart.  Kristie Kelly also adds that "The gowns in the collection are not film replicas, nor do they have a character read".  I'm confused - why not?  

If I bought a Cinderella Disney dress, I would want everyone to wonder if it hurt when the Fairy Godmother smacked me with her wand, said "Bibbity Bobbity Boo", and transformed me into a drop dead gorgeous Fairy Princess. 
-Beth

Barbie always had nicer dresses than I did.

It's true, she has and still does. I loved playing with Barbie dolls as a kid. I spent many allowances buying her new outfits for every occasion. One week Barbie has a ball to attend, the next week she needs an outfit to wear while she performs Madonna's Material Girl. Yup, an outfit for every occasion.

2009 has marked Barbie's 50th birthday! And she's had quite a year. She starred in the Barbie Runway Show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion week, where 50 fashion designers created Barbie-inspired fashion. Among them, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Christian Lacroix, and Diane von Furstenber. She's also had multiple spreads in many hot fashion magazines: Allure, Elle, W, American Vogue, Japanese Vogue, Italian Vogue, and it doesn't stop there. For 50 years, she has remained one of the most famous fashion icons.

Over this past weekend, I ventured into Toys'R'Us and was overwhelmed with the Barbie selection. One caught my eye for being so simple and so right! There were these gorgeous dolls wearing the classic Little Black Dress. So, now as an adult, I once again find myself looking to Barbie for style inspiration. Seriously, just check out these LBD's: http://www.barbiecollector.com/barbiebasics/ Just like a Barbie, no girl should be without one.

And I'm sorry Barbie, but these days, I spend my hard earned allowance adding to my closet!

~Sam

Our First Post!

Hi there! Welcome to our new blog about fashion trends, hot dresses, wedding inspiration and all other things fashion related. Please check back soon, we are just getting started and can't wait to hear from you all, too! In the meantime, please check out our website at http://ruffleswap.com and start swapping!

Oh, and we have a fun poll on the site. We change it every week and give you the past results!
xoxo :)