Cotton Shoppers

Maternity Clothes to be Worn after the Baby's Born

In an industry that can trend toward the highly specialized , Ariane Goldman makes clothes that do double duty. twobirds Bridesmaid is her line of convertible bridesmaid’s dresses that she says can be worn for years after the wedding.

Now, she’s making maternity clothes that aren’t just for pregnant women. Hatch is a 14-piece collection — which includes drawstring pants, a button-down shirt, and a variety of dresses — ranging in price from $98 tunics to swing coats for $338.  Ms. Goldman says the collection was designed to be worn before, during and after pregnancy. Below are excerpts from a conversation with her.

Many pregnant women don’t want to wear maternity clothing in the first place. What’s wrong with it?

Maternity clothes have buckles and snaps and high empire waists that highlight the fact of being pregnant, and emphasize the bad parts of what’s happening to your body. They’re $39.99 pieces from Target that are basically disposable solutions to get through pregnancy.

Source: Wall Street Journal (blog)

It's Important To Choose Fabulous Casual Bridesmaid Dresses For ...

by Cindy Su

There used to be a time (your parents’ and grandparents’ time) when weddings are conducted in churches and you can’t wear something that does not appear formal or superior adequate for the house of God. How about now? Brides are asking for easier receptions like garden weddings or even beachside weddings (think Pamela Anderson)! Definitely, it would be tough to walk about in full formal garb with 10-feet dress tail. So brides are now going for additional casual styles. Likewise, the bridesmaids will have to do exactly the same, so they too, would also have to go for casual bridesmaid dresses. Lengthy gone are the days for conventional, all-alike dresses for bridesmaids. But believe me when I let you know that casual bridesmaid dresses aren’t all that effortless to shop for.

So what exactly are casual dresses for bridesmaids? For one, these casual dresses have to have not to be of classic full length gowns that you simply can’t ever wear once more in your lifetime. Short bridesmaid dresses are acquiring a lot more prevalent these days since they have a casual look. They also can look reserved, demure or flirty. Try the Strapless Brief Bridesmaid Dress by Mori Lee. This dress with square neckline makes a superb option. Its bodice is diagonally pleated towards the center and is banded beneath the bust line, therefore producing an impact of slimmer waist. The dress also looks youthful with its flared out circle skirt, which reaches to just beneath the knees.

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Ruffled® | DIY Vintage-Inspired Wedding

by Amanda

DIY Vintage-Inspired Wedding

Being an avid sewer and dressmaker, it was a no brainer that the bride Suzannah would make her own wedding dress, as well as her bridesmaids’ dresses. Her vintage-inspired gown, a drool-worthy gray tulle tea length number is off the charts amazing. Thank you Becky Studio 623 Photography for the images!

From Suzannah : I always imagined I’d have a DIY wedding. I do everything myself by nature, and love the power I feel from taking things into my own hands and doing my own home décor, minor upholstery, jeans-mending, trendy dress-making. From before we were even engaged (and before DIY weddings were cool, I swear ;) !) I’ve imagined I would do just about everything for the wedding myself. I love making food for large groups so figured I could even do the catering, and make the cake! And of course I’d make my dress and the bridesmaid dresses, and everything else would be vintage! But once the ring was on my affair was. For more than 100 guests, many from out of town, we needed a big place with amenities like a hotel and a real bar, and from going to more friends’ weddings in the time before ours I realized no, I would not have time to instruct the AV guys exactly where the mic should go, or set up the cake table. I would be in pictures and getting dressed and maybe freaking out a little. I know some brides do it ALL, but for me I found I needed to stick to what I knew.