Neckline News

We’ve all seen this a million times: Kate Middleton’s custom bridal gown designed by Sarah Burton, featuring hand-made Irish and French lace, ivory silk gazar and 58 organza covered buttons.  But no one remembers those details.  Kate has been credited with bringing sleeves back into bridal fashion.  But let me tell you, our brides beg to differ! 

More and more, we have brides coming through our doors with heavy opposition to strapless gowns.  They want a strap, a cap sleeve, a one shoulder… And every girl who wants sleeves insists that it has NOTHING to do with Princess Kate.

Trends tend to come full circle.  Strapless dresses really only came into fashion in the early 2000s.  Even in the 90s, girls we’re doing a lot of off-the-shoulder, cap sleeves, and even a lot of long sleeves.  Now that we are into the 2010s, more girls are asking for a strap, sleeve, or something to cover their shoulders.  This trend was evident at Bridal Week back in April…

Many designers got into the illusion neckline trend and created some beautiful high neckline dresses. 

Lian Carlo

Amsale

We like this look because it is elegant, but still not too covered.  You're still showing a little skin under that lace.  It brings the gowns to something a little more traditional, but still young and fashion-forward.

V-necks have always been a good look for a lot of girls.

Oscar de la Renta

Lian Carlo

A v-neck does a nice job of framing one's collar bones.  It's something to look into if you have a beautiful, and even broad but toned shoulders.  They're also worry-free (Although, we are always remind our brides not to rule out strapless for this reason.  With good alterations, that dress is not going anywhere!) and comfortable!

A few designers included one-shoulders in their collections.  We've had mixed feelings about the one shoulder.  While it's super trendy and can be very flattering (again, this is great if you have pretty collar bones), some brides just aren't catching on. 

Carolina Herrera

Amsale

Finally, and of course, there are a few full sleeve gowns.  This one by Monique Lhuillier is stunning!!!

Monique Lhuillier

It's classic, elegant, and traditional.  We're wondering, though, is the full sleeve look too traditional, is it too trendy or is it falling somewhere in the middle?

Now don't get us wrong, there is nothing wrong with strapless dresses.  In fact, we feel that this time, the designers are catching up with the demands of the brides for once.  Our heads are usually spinning wondering, "Why would they EVER try to sell that?!"  Now we have, "Why won't they give us more dresses with sleeves?!"  Congratulations, Brides!  You've dictated the trend this time around.  Keep up the good work!

Boston Bridal Week

Hello Boston Brides!  We are so excited to announce the start of Boston Bridal Week, in conjunction with Vera Wang Boston, Musette Bridal, and L'elite Evening.  It starts tomorrow, May 31st, through Friday, June 1st!  See details below, then call for an appointment- or for more information!

Boston Bridal Week
May 31 - June 10, 2012

You are cordially invited to celebrate Boston Bridal Week
On Newbury Street

Vera Wang Boston
Bridal Trunk Show
Preview of the 2013 Spring Collection
73 Newbury Street
www.verawangboston.com
617 424 1060

L’élite Bridal
Tour our New Expanded
Bridal and Bridesmaids Location
14 Newbury Street
www.lelite.com
617 424 1010

Musette Bridal
Grand Opening
123 Newbury Street
www.musettebridal.com
617 424 1070

L’élite Evening
Preview of the New
Red Carpet Designer Collection
121 Newbury Street
www.lelite.com
617 424 1010

All showings are by appointment only

"Mother-Of" Rules

One issue that arises with almost every wedding is the rules for the “mothers-of”. Questions like who gets to pick their dress first, “Do I have to match the bridesmaids?” and “Am I going to upstage the bride?” are continually asked of us here at L’elite Boutique. We want to give a little helping hand to those of you that need those very important questions answered!

1)      Who gets to pick their dress first: mother of the bride or mother of the groom?

Traditionally the mother of the bride had first right to a dress, but honestly why put that pressure? The key to gorgeous wedding photos and a happy, fun filled day is comfort. Let your mom and soon-to-be mother-in-law, choose a dress that makes them feel comfortable and beautiful. The first place you will see discomfort is on someone’s face in the pictures and those will be the visual memories you will look at forever. You want these two ladies in your life to feel just as special and fabulous as they ever have, so try and alleviate a little of their pressure.

      2)      Do mothers have to match the bridesmaids?

This is a question we have day after day! Please moms, stop worrying about what the bridesmaids are going to wear because more than likely you will not be in any pictures with them. Coordinating with the other mom is more important!

3)      How do I make sure that I do not upstage the bride?

There is always a pressure that moms feel about upstaging her bride, or seeming like she is showing off! A fellow co-worker once told me, “The bride has a beauty that only she can possess on her wedding day.” She is the one coming down the aisle wearing white and a veil. You will not upstage her! This day calls for elegance and it okay for mothers to step out feeling spectacular.

4)      What are the restrictions on my attire?

There are many traditional beliefs of what is appropriate or not for weddings; don’t wear red or black. Boleros, jackets, and shawls are a must. You must fade into the background and not look too flashy. Though traditions are okay to follow, do not limit yourself. We see ladies come in all the time that can look elegant and chic in a fire red dress without looking flashy. Black is not a just color to wear to a funeral anymore. Black is flattering on almost any skin color and can add the perfect elegance that a mother would want. As for covering up, don’t sell yourself short by feeling like you have to cover your shoulders and arms with a jacket or bolero. We want you to step out onto that aisle with confidence so break the rules and stop worrying about such traditional views!

Listen ladies! This is not only your daughter or son’s day! It is yours too! You are giving away someone very important away and you worked hard to get them wear they are. Spoil yourself! You deserve it!

Love It or Leave it: Colored Wedding Gowns

Happy May Everyone!  Unfortunately, the May Flowers here are masked by one of Boston’s more dismal spring days- cloudy grey skies, rain falling and wind whipping through the streets.  However, Newbury Street is still spotted with fashionistas putting a pop of spring into their wardrobes with fresh colors for the season.  With color coming back into play in our everyday outfits this time of year, we couldn’t help but talk about color as a huge trend on the bridal runway this season!

With all the shades or ivory out there (or silk white, natural white, light ivory, off white- whatever you may call it), it’s hard to imagine that most of our mothers wore true white wedding gowns.  These days, many designers are sampling their gowns in a shade of ivory.  A fabric with a warmer tone tends to look better on most people.  But what about these colored gowns that kept showing up on the runway at bridal market last month?

Last year, Reese Witherspoon made headlines when she wore a pink wedding gown that was custom made by one of L’elite’s favorites, Monique Lhuillier.  Within days, bridal blogs everywhere were asking brides if they would ever consider wearing a pink dress to their wedding.  Weeks later, in the debut of her Spring 2012 collection, Monique introduced her blush visions to the main stream bridal industry.    When two of her blush-colored gowns (Peony and Candy) landed in our store, Boston brides proved that pink dresses weren’t just for celebrities.  They have become two of our best-selling gowns, and although both are offered in ivory, our girls have been falling in love with the pink color as soon as they put them on.

 Reese Witherspoon

Monique wasn't the only designer to be ahead of the trend with color in her bridal looks, though.  Vera Wang started lightly incorporating color into her collections as far back as Fall 2008, and even before that with bold colored sashes and bows.  Her latest collection incorporated dark reds and blacks, which has come to be known as her signature look.  Romona Keveza also showed color on the runway starting a few years back, using shades of blue and blush.

 Romona Keveza

After the overwhelming amount of colored gowns going down the runway last month, Brides.com put together a slide show of their favorites.  Check it out here: http://www.brides.com/blogs/aisle-say/2012/04/pastel-wedding-dress-ideas.html

Like most things in the fashion industry, colored gowns have become a “take-it-or-leave-it” trend.  So tell us, what do you think- would you wear a colored gown, or leave it for the bridemaids?