Where can I find old fashioned bridesmaids' dresses?

Question

I don't want Renaissance dresses, but I don't want the modern skanky look either.

Answer 1

What do you mean by old fashioned? I get not tight and not strapless, but did you mean it has to have sleeves? what about halter tops? or did you mean a time period just not renaissance?

This is very conservative
http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridesmaids_detail.jsp?stid=2788&prodgroup=110

This is very 1950s style
http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridesmaids_detail.jsp?stid=1652&prodgroup=110

This is most southern belle style (they are updating right now though)
http://www.gownbarn.com/bridesmaid.html
http://www.quinceanera-boutique.com/CE601.htm

http://www.alfredangelo.com/index.cfm/fuseAction/COLLECTIONS.productDetail/fromAdvancedSearch/0/productID/ca746209-d029-46c4-a0bc-16f0a015d8aa/categoryID/772F03C9-DE43-4942-BFA0-DA77E21EBD65
http://www.alfredangelo.com/index.cfm/fuseAction/COLLECTIONS.productDetail/fromAdvancedSearch/0/productID/0672289f-e2b9-4a5e-a57e-a9827fbea620/categoryID/772F03C9-DE43-4942-BFA0-DA77E21EBD65
http://www.alfredangelo.com/index.cfm/fuseAction/COLLECTIONS.productDetail/fromAdvancedSearch/0/productID/b5ab21cf-9c3f-4bf1-b986-7fdd12638e9e/categoryID/772F03C9-DE43-4942-BFA0-DA77E21EBD65
http://www.alfredangelo.com/index.cfm/fuseAction/COLLECTIONS.productDetail/fromAdvancedSearch/0/productID/65b930c7-4e72-4fb5-b12d-057c6c355b0a/categoryID/772F03C9-DE43-4942-BFA0-DA77E21EBD65

I think Jessica Mcclintock has several that are conservative like this one--however Jessica is a line to avoid if your bridesmaids have larger chests. They do not offer good coverage.
http://www.jessicamcclintock.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=101675&categoryId=10107&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=10103
http://www.jessicamcclintock.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&categoryId=10107&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=10103


I consider these to be quite modest
http://store.fairytaleendeavorsbridals.com/embodbridorp.html
http://store.fairytaleendeavorsbridals.com/shslabrorprg.html
http://www.barijay.com/style.php?coll=barijay&PHPSESSID=ef87e2d08e47023f5718799677242834&showid=103&PHPSESSID=ef87e2d08e47023f5718799677242834

You could also consider searching not just bridal shops but prom dresses, quinceanera gowns, special occasion gowns--it doesn't have to be bridesmaids gowns.

http://www.quinceanera-boutique.com/CE602.htm

Plus when I was trying on my wedding gown, there was a bride beside me who was getting sleeves added to her gown. Often sleeves or cap sleeves can be easily added to make it more modest--or they could carry the shawl in the wedding and discard it for the reception. My cousin had a strapless gown but it had a jacket with a sweetheart neckline that they wore in the reception.

Give us some more details on what you describe as "old fashioned" and "immodest" and I'll edit this later with something more exactly to your question.

Answer 2

Personally, the only thing my husband and I don't share as communal property is our clothes. We have a small closet, and it's divvied 50/50. If there is some article of clothing on my side of the closet, it's there for a reason, no matter how ugly/out of date. I don't keep clothes that I don't wear or don't have some sort of sentimental value attached. I would be quite upset if he damaged something, especially if he was behaving like a total jackass and that's how it got ruined. I don't wear his clothes, and I'd certainly hope he wouldn't try to wear mine. I'm sorry, but my 6'2 muscular husband would NOT look cute wearing my XS dresses (if he could even manage to get them on). I have never understood guys/girls who think it's fun or sexy to dress in their partners clothing. Most posessions in a serious relationship/marriage are communal, but articles of clothing are not. I don't blame her at all. Take this as a lesson for the future that she probably isn't one of those people with a fetish for seeing a man in drag.

Answer 3

You can look for them at bridal gown stores, on line, or even at a theatrical costume store. If all else fails, you can have them made by a seamstress. Good luck.