HERE COMES THE BRIDESMAID
Finally, the bridesmaid has something to look forward to besides the bouquet. The Dressing Room, a Holsum Lofts boutique dedicated entirely to the bride's right-hand woman, offers dresses intended for a second wear, not the nearest Goodwill.
"(The Dressing Room) is for brides who want their bridesmaids to look and feel pretty," said owner Gabrielle Clark. "For brides who make fashion a high priority."
No wonder the five featured designers -- Thread, Jenny Yoo, Lynn Lugo, Coren Moore and Blue Tux Shoes -- make regular cameos in magazines such as In Style Weddings, Town and Country Wedding edition and Martha Stewart magazine. The gowns look like something bridesmaids would wear if they were running the show. Color schemes borrow from runways, styles take cues from red carpets and fabrics pick up where the bridal gown leaves off.
Naturally, the cash register chimes a little louder than David's Bridal here. Prices fall between $275 and $400, not exactly music to the bridesmaids' ears. Fortunately, the female side of the reception line tends to consider the price justified if it means they, too, are allowed to shine.
"The minute I saw (the dresses) I knew they weren't the traditional poofy dresses that bridesmaids never want to wear again," said Mary Rose, Clark's former client. "My bridesmaids looked spectacular."
Rose discovered The Dressing Room just before its doors opened this past June (a sister store is located in St. Petersburg, Fla.) while browsing Jenny Yoo gowns online. She was a challenging first client; her wedding boasted 10 bridesmaids with 10 diverse body types, from super skinny to big-bosomed. Together, she and Clark managed to cherry pick four styles that had Rose's bridesmaids thanking the bride, not cursing her. They were happy and so was Rose. "There was no inappropriate cleavage anywhere," she noted.
Even the 900-square-foot boutique itself could be mistaken for an upscale dress shop, not the place bridesmaids go to face their doom. Most notably, the space offers just one humble rack that runs the entire length of the store and gives gowns some breathing room. The store's centerpiece is a cotton candy rug topped off with a white leather lounger. Both beckon clients to come in and stay a while. But, only if they've called ahead. If the two fitting rooms -- held shut with long, white linen curtains -- don't imply limited occupancy, then the sign on the door certainly does: "By appointment, 656-8400."
"I try to make it a special time for them," Clark said. "I want it to be a fun experience, not another chore."
The Dressing Room is located in Holsum Lofts at 231 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 150, 656-8400, thedressingroomlv.com
Contact fashion reporter Xazmin Garza at xgarza@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0477.
bridesmaid bonus tips
The Dressing Room's Gabrielle Clark provides a few tips to smoothen the bridesmaid dress search.
Never too early: The bride should start looking for bridesmaid dresses five to six months before the wedding and make the final decision at least four months before. (That means all you Valentine's brides should have made up your mind two days ago.)
Matchy match: These days, bridesmaids don't all have to be in the same exact dress. However, if that's the bride's preference, she should find a style that can flatter a variety of body types. Often an A-line dress is the best choice.
Who's the boss?: It is recommended that the bride and her maid of honor make the initial appointments when looking for bridesmaid dresses. Having too many opinions can often be overwhelming and make the decisions harder.
Shiny, happy shoes: Metallic shoes -- gold, silver or bronze -- are a fabulous complement to any color gown. A mango colored dress doesn't need mango dyeable shoes.
The bold and the beautiful: Rich and bold colors are the way to go. Eggplant, fuschia, emerald green, chocolate and berry colors look fabulous.
Great lengths: Cocktail or knee-length dresses have found their way from garden and beach weddings to evening weddings.
