Blog - Flair Boston | Wedding Dresses in Boston MA | Bridal Gowns, Bridesmaid Dresses, Accessories, Wedding Dress Cleaning

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Tara Keely Fall 2016

Fall into fabulous!

It’s trunk show season y’all! What does that mean for you? More dresses in the store AND lower prices! Yeah, pretty much a win win! Trunk shows are a win for us too, because we love seeing our designer’s latest creations on our beautiful Boston gals. This weekend we welcome Tara Keely’s new Fall 2016 collection, and we couldn’t be more excited! If you’re coming to see us, here’s what you can expect:

A mix of modern and traditional: A bride’s dream! Most girls come in looking for something a little unique, yet not so outside of the box that they’ll look back on their dress years later in horror. Tara Keely has achieved the perfect mix that will ensure you wow your guests and remain timeless in your photos!

New style #2659 has a traditional silhouette with a modern twist – a subtle chevron pattern!

Unique beading: This season, TK took bling to a whole new level! Look for sparkle in places you haven’t seen before, and eye-catching looks that are sure to make for some pretty phenomenal photos!

Style 2653 has a delicate beaded strap along the bottom of the low back; super sexy and chic!

Hot tops: While the entire dress is important, if we had to pick a “better half” it’s definitely the top. After all, it ends up in pretty much every photo; close ups, wides, and everything in between! Tara Kelly recognizes this and this season she outdid herself with some truly intricate and stunning tops that are guaranteed to be (almost) as gorgeous as your glowing smile!

Style 2652 has a sleek, chic skirt that truly lets that gorgeous, appliqued bodice shine!

Soft shades: You’ll be hard pressed to find a bright white gown in TK’s new collection, and we, for one, are thrilled about that! Bright white can be super tricky to wear, and 9 times out of 10 the more off-white/ivory tones work best.

Style 2650 is made in a flattering, unique, and gorgeous Ivory Gold shade; we’re in love!

Bravo TK, this collection has us swooning!

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Wedding Dress Knockoffs

Bride/Buyer Beware!

I was doing a quick Google today, which started like many of my searches, with the words “wedding dress.” Then, Google does that fabulous thing where they fill in the rest of what you might be looking for. Normally I love that feature, except that every symptom I put in seems to always have “cancer” following it, but I digress. So today, Google thought I’d want to see “wedding dress” + “under $100” and it got me thinking. Tons of brides must be searching for that if it made the Google auto-populate list…tons of brides that most likely will end up sorely disappointed. I get it; we all want a bargain, but there are certain times when spending more is totally worth it. Your wedding gown is definitely one of those times! If you’re tempted to explore those bargain sites though (I admit, I’ve done it!), here’s what you should consider before clicking (or, as we recommend, NOT clicking!) “Add to cart”:

Brides Beware is a great resource for those looking to avoid a cheap dress blunder! Plus, it’s just fun to look at these crazy bad knockoffs! Photo courtesy of Brides Beware and the Huffington Post

Customer service – That low, low price is likely to come with absolutely zero customer support. From start to finish you’ll be on your own. If the gown is lost in transit to you, good luck finding someone to track it down for you. If it doesn’t fit or it has a defect, we have a bad feeling that a warm, understanding person will not be greeting you as you call in a panic. In fact, getting an actual human being to talk to will likely be a feat. Oh, and what happens in the worst case scenario; you’re unhappy and you want your money back? Hahahahaha!
Fabric and embellishment quality – These are often the first things to go in order to cut costs. So while you may receive a dress that in theory looks somewhat like the design in the photo, if it’s made in a cheap fabric or with gaudy bling, does it really matter?
Quality of construction – Sure, there’s a (small) chance that you’ll open the box and be happy with how your gown looks, but a lot more goes into the creation of a wedding dress than just getting the outside appearance just right. Quality designers do a ton of extra work to not only make the dress look great, but feel great, and stay that way for the entire day of your wedding. We’ve heard horror stories of a cheap dress literally unraveling before the “I do’s”; don’t let that be you!

So, when it comes to wedding dresses, think of them like sushi. Sure, you can find it cheap, but is it worth the stomachache?

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Wedding and Bridesmaids’ Dress Sizing

Don’t fear the measuring tape!

We see countless brides and bridesmaids in the store, and each one is unique. One thing they all have in common, though, is a fear of the dreaded measuring tape. It doesn’t matter how fit or confident a girl is, when we pull it out everyone has the same response – yuck! We get it; it’s not fun to have a virtual stranger pull that tape around you and then ::gasp:: discuss your numbers with you! Unfortunately, though, we can’t do away with it because it’s an essential part of the dress buying process, and ensures that you get the best fitting garment possible. We’ve found that learning about potentially nerve-wracking things tends to make them less scary, though, so today we’re going to go over every little detail of the sizing process. Here’s what you can expect:
Who: Everyone – no one is immune to the sizing process! Even if you fit well into a sample dress in the store, we’ll likely still take your measurements. The dresses in the store tend to get stretched out from being tried on so often, and are therefore no longer an accurate representation of their size.
What: Here’s what we’ll use – a soft, flexible measuring tape and the designer’s size chart; that’s it! What you should bring: a tighter fitting outfit and your beautiful self! Bulky, loose clothing is harder for us to measure around and may affect your measurements. Bonus points if you bring: an open mind! Sizes in the wedding world don’t always line up with ready to wear sizes, so don’t be alarmed/surprised if we mention a number that you’re not used to wearing.
Where: With us, ideally! Of course, if you can’t make it to the store there are other places you can get your measurements done, but with our knowledge of the dresses/fit, we prefer to measure as many people in house as we can. In the event that you have to be measured elsewhere, just be sure that it’s a reputable, knowledgeable place. We suggest trying a tailor, bra shop, or other specialty clothing store that is used to measuring customers.
When: We typically start the sizing process once you’ve settled on a particular dress/designer that you like best. Each designer has a unique size chart so it helps to have a focus before we measure. Non-local brides and bridesmaids take note, though – if you don’t live in the area and may not be back for any follow up appointments, let us know and we can take your measurements earlier in the process to save you time/stress down the line.
Why: Well, duh. You need the best fitting dress possible!

A handy dandy guide/infographic for those of you preparing to get sized 🙂

How: Here’s how it goes down. Most of the time, just three simple measurements are all we need; bust, waist and hip (for some bridal gowns, though, we may take more). We’ll take around the fullest part of your bust, the narrowest part of your waist (i.e. where your natural waist dips in a little), and the fullest part of your hip (yup, your butt). Then, we’ll explain where your measurements fall on the designer’s size chart. Most girls tend to be all over the place, so we often recommend ordering for your largest measurement; you can always take the dress in! Ultimately, though, it’s your dress and therefore the final size decision is yours. Be ready to make a decision and come prepared with any size related questions you may have for us. We’re always here to help!

See/measure you soon 😉

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Wedding Veil Styles

The icing on the bridal cake!

I never know where I’ll find inspiration for the blog. Sometimes it’s something I saw on TV, other times it’s food (yes, I can relate even food back to weddings!), but most of the time it’s our brides! This week we received a photo from one of our bride’s wedding days, and it was just a perfect, shining example of why you wear a veil. Check it out:

Our bride Shannon and her new husband Chuck just ooze love; we’re swooning! AMAZING photo courtesy of the fab Sarah Dickenson Photography

Seriously, how stunning is that? Today, when wedding traditions of the past are getting left behind more and more, we really hope that veils never go by the wayside. I have a feeling that photos like this will keep them in fashion for years to come! If we’ve convinced you to consider team veil, here’s what you need to know when it comes time to shop for yours:
Length: It’s not just long and short!
Birdcage – A small piece of material that just covers about half of the face (usually the eyes). Ideal for a vintage look!
Shoulder length, elbow length, waist length, fingertip length, and knee length – These are pretty self-explanatory, right? These shorter veils are something to consider if your gown has a great deal of detail at the skirt that you may not want to “fight” with.
Floor length – This veil just hits the floor, and has no train.
Chapel length – The first veil with a train, chapel length extends no more than 3 feet beyond the hem of the dress. Perfect for the bride looking for “length light.”
Cathedral length – Going for drama? Cathedral is your girl! With more than 3 feet of train, this veil is ideal for a formal wedding, but may be tricky outdoors.
Trim: i.e. what covers the edge of your veil. Don’t want trim? Consider a cut edge veil, that is trim-free and just has a clean edge.
Beading – Whether it’s crystals, beads, or pearls, this edging is the perfect way to add some sparkle to your look. Just be forewarned that this veil edge often comes with a bigger price tag.

All of the below veil trim photos are courtesy of Flair’s fab veil designer, Illusions bridal 🙂

Cording – This option gives a rolled edge look to our veil. Delicate and generally not expensive!

Lace – This is an obvious one, right? You can’t go wrong with lace, it’s oh so bridal, but just be prepared that it can also can be oh so pricey.

Ribbon – An affordable way to add a little texture to the edge of your veil! Often available either sheer or shiny, and in various ribbon widths. A classic option!

Soutache – Subtle and chic, soutache basically means tight stitching on the edge of your veil. If you want a minimal look but something more than a cut edge, this is a great option!

Give us a ring when you’re ready to shop for your veil, we’re happy to walk you through it 🙂

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Bridal Gown Embellishments

The Flair (see what we did there?) of the Wedding Dress World!

Over the last couple of weeks, we have been conducting somewhat of a mini-seminar on wedding gowns. We have gone over the various fabric and fit options, and for our final session we’re going to tackle the fun flair of the bridal world – embellishments! Yup, we saved the best for last! When it comes to trimmings and flourishes, you’ve got a ton of options available to you. Here are the basics:
Appliques – Essentially, appliqués are pieces of fabric sewn onto the body of the dress. Often, they are cut into shapes, such as flowers, and they can be accompanied by crystals or left to shine on their own. Appliques are a great way to add some chic texture to your gown!
Beading – This is an easy one! If you like bling, beading is your best friend! Whether it’s in the form of crystals, sequins, or pearls, adding beading always ups the glamour and drama of your dress. Just be warned, though, that beading often tends to up your gown’s price as well, as it is one of the most expensive embellishment options.

Hayley Paige’s “Star” bridal gown is bling-tastic, and for good reason; HP is known in the wedding world as the queen of sparkle!

Embroidery – Basically a fancy word for added stitching, embroidery is a newer, more modern embellishment in the wedding world. It gives the gown an almost 3D look that is perfect for brides who want a trendy, unique style!
Lace – You truly can’t go wrong with lace if you’re looking for a romantic, timeless bridal style. Lace is one of the most versatile embellishment options; it comes in many different forms/designs and therefore is also available at many different price points. It’s a bridal classic that will never go out of style!

Amy Kuschel’s Boston gown is a lace dream!

Ribbons – Whether it’s worn as a classic sash at the waist or as delicate banding built into your dress, ribbon is an affordable, fun way to add some interest to your wedding dress! Even better, ribbon tends to be one of the more affordable embellishment options, so you don’t have to break the bank to get some added style!

If you’ve been reading along, then you’ve totally earned an A+ in “Wedding Gown 101!” Now, give us a call to book your appointment and put your knowledge to use at your bridal gown appointments 🙂

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Wedding Dress Styles

Get silhouette smart!

I am all about research and preparation. If I’m going to a new restaurant, I head to Yelp first to get the low down (of course, taking everything with a grain of salt – Yelp always has a few unnecessarily rough reviews)! If I’m driving somewhere new, hitting up Google Maps in advance helps me find the best route. Back in school, I used to relish in my perfectly organized and highlighted notes. So yeah, long story short, I’m a big nerd. Another time that dorkiness came in handy was when it came time to shop for my bridal gown. I had magazine cut outs (I shopped in 2010 PP – Pre-Pinterest) and my buzz words ready to go. For me those words were “mermaid”, “fit and flare”, and “texture.” Most brides, though, don’t come armed with my prior knowledge of all things bridal; I had already been working for Flair for a couple of years at that point. So, for today’s blog we’re going to do a brief overview of the main bridal gown silhouettes so that all of you can head into your appointments with your fit buzz words at the ready!
1) Mermaid – Much as its name implies, a mermaid gown tends to be very fitted through about the knee, then it flares out in a dramatic, tail-like fashion…just picture a pretty, not at all oceany tail. This is a good choice for the bride who is looking for a sexy, fitted style, and one who doesn’t mind a more restricting, tight feel.
This gown is probably not for: The bride who is self-conscious of her hips. A mermaid gown puts your hips on display, so be ready to rock them!

“Bianca” from Blush by Hayley Paige is fitted and fab! An ideal mermaid 🙂

2) Fit and Flare – If you like the idea of a mermaid but want to take it down a notch, then a fit and flare gown may be your best bet. Sometimes called a trumpet gown, this style is also fitted with a flare at the bottom (hense the name), but unlike the mermaid the flare is a little less pronounced/dramatic and tends to hit below the knee.
This gown is probably not for: The bride looking for an uber fitted look/feel. Fit and flares are not designed to be skin-tight!

Tara Keely style #TK2411 perfectly showcases a fit and flare! Her subtle flare and snug, not too tight, fit are perfection!

3) Ballgown – You know our girl Cinderalla? She wore a ballgown. So, if you want to create your own princess look you should take a cue from her! Ballgowns typically have a fitted top that sits at the natural waist and then poofs out in the fullest, most voluminous skirt on the bridal market.
This gown is probably not for: The shorter bride. Generally, the fuller the dress, the shorter they make you appear.

New to Flair, Hayley Paige’s Decklyn gown screams “modern ballgown”!

4) A-line – If you like the fullness that a ballgown has, but don’t want to take it quite that big, then you should definitely try an a-line gown. Similar to a ballgown, a-lines usually have a fitted top/waist and then a full skirt. A-lines, however, generally lack the layers upon layers of tulle underneath the skirt, which makes the skirt full but not nearly as much so as a ballgown.
This gown is probably not for: The bride looking to make a huge statement. A-line gowns tend to lean towards the more subdued side of the bridal gown spectrum.

Amy Kuschel’s Daffodil gown is the perfect example of an a-line; a full skirt but not huge!

5) Sheath – If simplicity is your game, then sheaths are for you! Straight, sleek and clean, these gowns typically come without the weighty trappings of other silhouettes. There is little volume in the skirt and generally no train, so if you’re looking for comfort above all else then you should definitely give these a try!
This gown is probably not for: The bride who wants to hide her tummy. Sheaths tend to cling to the body and almost always require a shaper underneath, so be ready for that!

Meet Amy Kuschel’s Ginger – sleek, chic, and timeless!

Once you know your desired style/fit, it’s time to consider the length. Most brides these days are still opting for the traditional floor length, but if you’re looking for something a little more unique and modern, you can always go for a tea-length (typically mid-calf) or knee-length design.

What do you think?? Feel prepared to head into your gown appointments? It’s not as overwhelming as you may think, and if you go to a top-notch boutique (coughFLAIRcough) the consultants are always there to help! Happy shopping 🙂

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Bridesmaids’ Dress Fabrics

The key to comfort!

When shopping for bridesmaids’ dresses, most brides and maids tend to focus on the cut/style of the dress. It makes sense; when you look back at your wedding photos the style of the dress is really what stands out the most. That is, of course, unless your bridesmaids are grimacing because they’re uncomfortable. Then, it will probably be their sour faces that make the biggest impression. To avoid that discomfort, consider the fabric of your bridesmaids’ dresses just as much as their style. No matter how cute the dress, if it’s made of a fabric that itches, pulls, clings, etc., your girls simply won’t look/feel their best. To get you started, here is a brief overview of the major fabrics you’ll likely come across as you shop:

Can’t decide on one fabric? You don’t have to! Mix and match like these gorgeous models in Jenny Yoo! Oh, and if you like tulle, give us a call because this month her tulle stunners are on sale! Photo credit to Caroline Tran

1) Tulle – Don’t freak out! Tulle gets a bad name from the horrid prom dresses of our past, but in the bridal world, it is the perfect choice for anyone searching for a soft, ethereal, and romantic look! Keep in mind that this fabric is lightweight and breezy, lending it more towards warmer weather weddings. If you want it for your winter wedding then definitely go for it, you just may want to opt for a warm, winter color to counterbalance the light fabric.
2) Raw silk – Sometimes called silk shantung or silk dupioni, this is a great fabric for the bride who just can’t decide. It’s not too heavy or too light, not super expensive, and it generally comes in a ton of colors. See, a real crowd pleaser! One thing to keep in mind, though, is that this fabric does have a unique texture. What may at first glance look like a blemish is actually the raw quality that gives this silk its name.
3) Lace – Somewhat new to the bridesmaids’ world, this fabric is something you’re probably familiar with from looking for your bridal gown. While it can be a little heavy, in a shorter style it still totally works for a Summer wedding. As gorgeous as it is, keep in mind that lace tends to be one of the more expensive fabric options for bridesmaids.
4) Chiffon – This is the most easy-breezy fabric in the bunch. If you’re having your wedding outdoors, prepare for some stunning photos of your girls’ dresses blowing in the breeze. Swoon! Its only downfall is that because of how light and thin it is, you’re going to be more prone to snags when you’re in chiffon.

Still unsure? Give us a buzz to make an appointment; we’ll be happy to go over all of the fabrics with you in person!

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Wedding Dress Care

How to combat common day of disasters!

Ready for a hard truth about weddings? Here goes: no matter how much you plan, things may go awry on your wedding day. I have a feeling if you polled past brides, the large majority would be able to tell a tale of some small mishap or another. We don’t say this to scare you, we say it so that you’ll be as prepared as possible and so that you won’t take it too hard if/when your own little oops happens. While we can’t predict what exactly might go wrong, there are certain somewhat common “disasters” that can happen when it comes to your wedding gown, and we’re here today to chat about remedying each!
Rips and tears – As careful as you are, most wedding mornings are a bit of a rush, and that’s when these little blemishes can occur. Be sure to have a sewing kit on hand, and know which of the ladies around you to call upon in your time of need. Not a sewer in the bunch? No worries; fabric glue is another handy item that anyone can use! If you can’t quite fix it all, have a brooch handy that can cover whatever may not be picture perfect.

Speaking of wedding dresses, Jenny Yoo’s are on sale this month! So, we figured this was a good opportunity to show some of them off 🙂 Up first is pretty Colette, right on trend with her delicate sleeves!

Stains – There will probably be breakfast and coffee floating around on the morning of your big day, and as hard as you may try, all things dirty seem drawn to that white piece of perfection! You’d be surprised, but a Tide pen and/or the classic club soda can do wonders; just remember to blot, not smear! Also, be sure to use your coordinator as a resource; he/she is likely well versed in the art of stain removal. Again, when all else fails, a well placed sash or brooch can also act as the perfect stain diversion!

Up next is stunning Clara; the perfect mix of a sexy fit and an elegant, timeless fabric!

A stubborn zipper – We always try to warn brides, but a brand new zipper is often a worthy opponent. When you first tried your gown on, it was a sample and the zipper had gone up and down many, many times before. When your brand new gown comes in, it may have only gone up once or twice before, and therefore may be a little stiff. If your wedding day dressers are having trouble, have them rub a bar of soap along the teeth to get it going. Just be sure to use white soap to avoid any potential stainage!

We can’t get enough illusion tops, and Claudine has a pretty gorgeous one!

Your fit isn’t perfect – As many tailoring appointments as you may have had, there was likely still several days between your last fitting and the big day, and a few pounds up or down in that amount of time is not unheard of. If your dress is a little loose, have some extra padding (i.e. chicken cutlets) on hand that you can easily and quickly slip into your top. As long as the bust fits well, the rest will fall into place and you won’t be hiking your gown up all night! If your dress feels a tad tight, crank up the AC in the room; a little day of swelling isn’t uncommon, probably because of all of the running around you’ll be doing that morning. If all else fails, carefully wear your dress around for awhile that morning; wearing it should loosen it just enough to get that nice, snug fit you’re going for!

Worried about something happening to your dress on the big day? Be sure to call/email us or ask any questions during your appointment, we’re always here to help 🙂

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Fall and Winter Bridesmaids’ Dresses

Stay chic in the cold!

Newsflash: This summer has been really hot. I know, I know; New Englanders are, like, never happy with the weather. Too much snow in the winter, too hot in the summer; it’s really only those couple of temperate weeks in the Spring/Fall when we have no complaints. Even then, get ready for the whining to commence if we get too much rain. Regardless, the heat and humidity we’ve had recently has me dreaming of Fall and Winter, and longing for sweater weather. Good thing now’s the perfect time for us to start talking about Fall/Winter bridesmaids’ dresses! Late Fall/Winter brides need to be ordering in the coming weeks or so, and here are some things they should consider:
1) Be sensitive to skin tones – During the chilly months, most of our skin tones tend to revert back to a more, well, pasty shade. So, think jewel tones or other darker colors for your dresses, as pastels and soft shades will likely wash out your ladies. If you’re totally set on a paler color, then consider offering to pay for a spray tan for your girls. It’s a nice gesture that will help them get on your pretty, pale page!

In this blog, we’ll be showing off some of Dessy’s just released, brand new styles that would be perfect for a Fall/Winter wedding! Up first, you can’t go wrong with black, back, and bling, as seen on style 2972!

2) Don’t forget the fabric – Most brides tend to focus on the dress cut/style, but in the colder months the material the dress is made from is just as important! Try to avoid summery chiffon and charmeuse, and instead opt for a heavier weighted silk, satin, or even lace. Trust us; your girls will thank you for it!

Lace is perfect for Fall/Winter! Isn’t style 2966 a beauty?!

3) Think accessories – In the Fall/Winter, we have to dress a bit more practically. Don’t be afraid to do so on your wedding day, too! A well placed wellie boot, scarf, or jacket can actually help create super cool photos and will also go a long way to keeping your best girls comfortable.

UMM how adorable would style D730 look with a red tartan scarf?!

Ready to embrace the colder temperatures? Give us a ring and we’ll help you create a fabulous Fall/Winter look for your girls!

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Theia Bridal

Now bridesmaids can get in on the Theia fun!

Not going to lie; our job is super fun! Playing dress up with pretty dresses on even prettier Boston brides and bridesmaids? Yeah, it’s hard to even call that “work”. One hard part of our job, though, is finding new designers to integrate into our collection. Browsing through all of their gorgeous gowns is easy, but when it comes time to actually choose someone to add to our Flair family, that’s a little trickier. We have very high standards, as we only want to bring our Flair girls the very best. All of our designers have to have the perfect mix of affordable pricing, reasonable lead times, and stunning styles, to name just a few. We got lucky recently, though, when a designer we already know and love decided to add a brand new collection. We are thrilled to announce that Theia is expanding beyond their beautiful bridal gowns and is now offering equally beautiful bridesmaids’ dresses! They’ll be in the store soon, but in the meantime here’s a little preview of what you can expect: