Evening Dress – How Will You Know When You've Found "The One"?
The event season is approaching, and you're starting to search for the perfect evening dress. Many designers and stores offer evening dresses in a variety of designs and colors, and you're not sure what will suit you? You've come to the right place: here are a few tips on how to choose the perfect evening dress for the event and what is most important to consider when selecting a dress for a wedding.
How to choose the "right" evening dress for me and one that fits the event I've been invited to?
"Arka" event hall at Tel Aviv port (photo by Avner Zarfati)
- Personal Taste and Style
Before you start browsing for an evening dress for the upcoming event you're invited to, try to define your personal taste and style: Are you the type to go for a luxurious and designed evening gown, or do you prefer something simpler? You can open your wardrobe and check: do you mainly have modest dresses, or do you tend to gravitate toward sexy and revealing ones? Do you like colorful evening dresses, or would you prefer a classic black dress that will work for many events? A designed evening dress with sequins and embroidery might suit the bolder types who enjoy drawing attention and being in the spotlight, while a delicate yet designed evening dress could be better for more laid-back personalities or those looking for a dress for formal and elegant events, not just weddings. Some women know they won't feel comfortable in short evening dresses, while others may seek modest evening gowns. Not everyone is looking for a classic evening dress—some may prefer a unique and one-of-a-kind gown to wear only once. But one thing is certain: before you begin the search, it's crucial to define your personal style and what exactly you're looking for. This will help you make precise choices and save valuable time during the search.
- Budget
Another important point is, what is your budget? Whether it's an evening dress for your son's wedding or perhaps for a friend's wedding, you can find evening gowns for weddings across a wide price range. The price of the dress will be influenced by various factors, such as fabric quality, other elements included in the dress, the designer, the style of the dress, whether it's a one-of-a-kind piece, and more. The recommendation is to begin searching for the perfect evening dress only after you have set your budget in advance. If your budget is relatively limited and you're looking for affordable evening dresses, it’s not worth spending your time looking for a dress at a place where the cheapest dress exceeds your budget. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a glittery and luxurious evening dress with extensive embroidery and sequins, you shouldn’t be looking for it among designers who focus on simpler styles. Therefore, before you go try on dresses, make sure to set your budget first so you can find the perfect dress for the event.
Evening dress for a wedding - What is your budget?
- Silhouette
When searching for designer evening dresses, you'll quickly discover that there are a wide variety of designs, styles, and silhouettes available. When you're looking for a dress designed for you, it's important to consider your personal body shape and check if the dress you're thinking about buying is the right one for you. What is your body shape? What is your body structure like? Do you have a curvy, feminine figure or a more slim and boyish one? Which area of your body is wider?
If your upper body is narrow and your lower body is wider, you should look for an evening dress that emphasizes the waist and hides the thigh area. If you have a large bust, you should wear a special evening dress without prints on the top and it's advisable to choose a dress with a neckline (and avoid strapless dresses). For those with a smaller bust, opt for evening dresses that combine several colors, prints, or design elements – unique dresses with lots of interest and style.
- What is the event?
After defining your personal style, desired budget, and the silhouette you're looking for, all that's left is to understand what event you're looking for a dress for. What is the style of the event and how formal is it? Where is it taking place and who are the invited guests? Is it a closed venue event or an outdoor garden event?
If the event is taking place in a closed venue, you can almost choose any evening dress you want – from luxurious and elegant evening dresses to very special ones. However, if the event is taking place in an outdoor garden, you'll need to consider the weather conditions of the season when the event will take place (for example, will you need a jacket? Will the event be held on grass and you won't be able to wear heels? Will it be very hot, so you'll need a special dress that won't show sweat stains?). If the event is more casual, you can look for designed and special dresses but with a more relaxed feel, allowing you to enjoy the pieces in your wardrobe even after the event you're buying them for.
The closeness to the host of the event is also very important in deciding which evening dress to buy. Evening dresses for a sister’s wedding will look different from evening dresses for a close friend’s wedding. Similarly, when looking for evening dresses for a mother-of-the-bride/groom, your closeness to the person hosting the event will greatly influence your decision.
So the next time you're unsure where to look for an evening dress for a wedding you're attending, and you wonder whether you should buy a classic black evening dress that will serve you for many events to come, or perhaps it's better to buy a special one-time evening dress – don't forget to ask yourself these four questions:
- What is your personal taste?
- What is your budget?
- What silhouette flatters you the most?
- What is the event and how close are you to the host?
In the meantime, don't forget:
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