Okay, so I’ve been diving deep into the world of bridesmaid dresses lately, specifically looking for something unique. My bestie is getting hitched, and she’s not about the typical pastel, flowy stuff. She’s envisioning a darker, more romantic vibe, so we landed on the idea of Victorian gothic bridesmaid dresses. Sounds cool, right? It’s been a journey, let me tell you!
First Steps: Inspiration Overload
I started where everyone starts – Pinterest! I created a board and just started pinning anything that screamed “Victorian gothic.” Think dark lace, rich jewel tones, high necklines, long sleeves, and maybe even some velvet. My board quickly became a beautiful mess of different styles, from super dramatic gowns to slightly more understated (but still gothic) options.
Digging Deeper: Finding the Right Words
The Pinterest board helped, but then came the actual search. I quickly realized just typing “Victorian gothic bridesmaid dresses” wasn’t always giving me what I wanted. I needed to get more specific with my keywords. I started experimenting with phrases like:
- “Black lace Victorian dress”
- “Burgundy gothic bridesmaid gown”
- “Long sleeve velvet maxi dress”
- “Dark romantic bridesmaid dresses”
- “Alternative bridesmaid dresses”
Mixing and matching these terms helped me narrow down the options. I noticed using things like “Alternative” helped locate some gems.
The Hunt: Where to Actually Look
I looked EVERYWHERE. I’m not even kidding. I started with the obvious places, like department stores, those online marketplaces. I found some okay stuff, but nothing that really screamed “perfect.” Then I started branching out:
- Smaller Boutiques: I hit up some local shops and boutiques known for having unique or alternative styles. I find going physical helps when I need to know what to look for and what looks good in my opinion.
- Costume Shops (Seriously!): I even checked out a couple of costume shops, thinking they might have some Victorian-inspired pieces that could be adapted.
Making it Work: Customization is Key
After hours (days, really) of searching, I realized that finding the perfect off-the-rack Victorian gothic bridesmaid dress was going to be tough. So, I shifted my focus to finding dresses that had potential.
I started looking for dresses that had a good base – maybe a simple black maxi dress with long sleeves, or a velvet gown in a deep color. The idea was to find something that could be customized with a few key details:
- Adding Lace: I figured I could buy some pretty lace trim and either sew it on myself (or, more realistically, take it to a tailor) to add a more Victorian feel.
- Accessories: I realized that the right accessories could make a HUGE difference. Things like chokers, cameo brooches, or even dark-colored gloves could really amp up the gothic vibe.
- Altering the neckline: I realized I could have added lace to make it my desired Victorian neckline.
Success (Finally!)
In the end, I took a simple black, long-sleeved maxi dress. It had a good shape, but it was definitely plain. Then, I hit up a fabric store and found some gorgeous black lace trim. I took everything to a local seamstress, and she worked her magic. She added the lace to the neckline, sleeves, and hem of the dress, and it completely transformed it!
I also found some beautiful antique-looking brooches online, and we’re planning to add those to the dresses for an extra touch of Victorian flair. It was a bit of a process, but I’m so happy with how it all turned out! My bestie loves the dresses, and I think they’re going to look amazing on her wedding day. It just goes to show, sometimes you have to get a little creative to achieve your vision!
