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Saturday Happenings
Sunday Happenings
My sister got engaged over Christmas and is insisting that I be the maid/matron/whatever of honor at her October wedding. I'm the only female in the wedding other than the bride, so I get to pick any dress I'd like to wear. My sister is coming to town over Easter to "help me" with this choice, and I'm at a loss as to which stores we should hit. Filene's seems a natural, but are there any good second-hand spots we should search out? Thrift stores with a bent towards the fashionable bridesmaid?
Please help!
Kristie
Finding the perfect dress for a wedding is one thing; finding the perfect dress that gets your sister's approval is another. Bostonist is glad to hear that you are able to get creative with your dress choice, and since you aren't limited to the ackward tea-length dress that is sweeping all wedding parties in 2005, there are plenty of options to hit up on finding the right frock. While some might shy away from the generic feel of the department store, Filene's, Bostonist thinks you should start there, but begin in the basement. Filene's Basement can be a bit intimidating with clothes everywhere (and let's not even get started with the open room dressing area), but they do have some great dresses at slashed prices. Bring your patience and digging through the racks might just pay off.
If you are set on looking at only second-hand stores, there are some good ones on Newbury Street; Second Time Around (176 Newbury St.)always has great labels there, as well as The Closet Upstairs (175 Newbury St.) Last time Bostonist was at The Garment District (200 Broadway, Cambridge), there were more than just old T-shirts priced at a dollar-a-pound. On one visit, there was a vintage strapless dress straight from the 1950s. Bostonist has never been, but has also heard great things about Boomerangs (716 Centre St, Jamaica Plain) for vintage stuff too.
Now if you want to spend a little more on this dress, you should go to some of the smaller boutiques around the city. Beacon Hill's Wish (49 Charles St) is definitely a step up in the price range, but carry more unique dresses with lots of detail. Newbury Street's Eye of the Needle, Serella, and the ever chic Louis Boston all have dresses that will make you feel like the belle of the ball. And even though you might not be the one walking down the aisle, you could also hit up The Altered Bride (376 Boylston St), which carries a selection of "party dresses" as well as bridal gowns.
Since the wedding is in October, you do have some time. If you are looking to stay away from the pastels of spring, hit the sale racks in hopes of finding something from last season. It's always a good idea to talk to shop owners to get a feel about their inventory. Some might even keep an eye out for what you are searching for if you ask "pretty please."
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For vintage dresses, "What Once Was" in Allston Village often has wonderful 40s clothes for not too much. And Bobby's in the South End has a good reputation (and higher prices), though I've not actually shopped there.