DRESS VERSUS GOWN

Photo by Danielo
Okay, so . . . is there really a difference between a wedding gown and a wedding dress? I mean you hear designers and savvy merchandisers referring to what you wear on your big day as either gown or dress. So which is it?

Defined, gowns are anything to the floor and definitely ones with trains and/or extensions are considered super gown-worthy. For me the gown at its quintessential best is 'Harlowesque' lean-lined and clingy, something Hollywood designers borrowed for evening wear from sexy nightgowns back in the 1930s (hence comes the gown). The dress on the other hand can be any silhouette--even a ballgown--as long as it's ankle length or above. A good example of ballgown silhouette as dress is in the second image. BTW my favorite length and silhouette for bridal wear right now is Ballerina, just above the ankles and very full . . .

Photo: Sweet Light Studios

Dress and gown by Amy-Jo Tatum

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THE SCARF VEIL MAKES A COMEBACK

 Today's chic started with a casual trend borrowed from the fifties glamorized by Audrey Hepburn—the scarf. As Audrey and fashion icons like Jackie Kennedy showed us, some women can make even a sporty scarf look elegant. I began incorporating them into my collection once I realized they looked hot with so many of the 1950s throwbacks I was creating. Keep in mind they do lend themselves well to quite a few styles. Be imaginative. You can tie a lace scarf like a bandana or go gypsy style with it. Experiment. Create your own look!
The shorter version above works with this more casual look. This is one of my ‘Marilyn’ dresses . . . My 1950s ‘Going Away’ bride is headed for a drive up the coast to that country inn in her crepe halter dress and silk chiffon scarf. A casual as well as elegant look.
Long Scarf-Pictured below: Considered more an option in head wear than veil depending on the length of chiffon or silk gauze used to create it. A 5-yard length wrapped around the head framing the face creates a long band of train that works as an extraordinary veil. Perfect for Mosque weddings.

Below: A 3-yard galloon/scarf of Chantilly lace makes the perfect 20s style cloche-cap style veil to pair up with a vintage lace gown. 

All gowns and veils by Amy-Jo Tatum Bride

Photo Credits

Header Photo by E Jones Photography

Photo 2: Bride Chic

Photo 3: Pixamage

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FINDING YOUR CHIC FACTOR

 Still going through a dilemma about The Dress?  Try this:  Imagine the clothes you wear every day amped up in finer fabrics and more defined silhouettes.  Next consider your venue and overall formality of the wedding or lack thereof. Wedding dates have a lot to do with decisions too. Are you marrying in New York city mid-winter or having a country picnic in late Spring?

Since there are no rules here, only guidelines, go ahead and combine styles if you like. Blending gives your look individuality. Maybe you're a little punk and vintage all at once . . . Or cutting edge and classic. Whatever combo you fancy, your options are many. My motto has always been, "Read the rules then teach yourself the art of breaking them . . ."

CLASSIC

Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn are your icons. Everything you touch is timeless, refined, sophisticated. A Hermes scarf and cashmere turtleneck could be your everyday signature look.

Your Dress: An A-line or sheath either strapless or with bateau or V-neck. You love any fabric that has understated elegance like traditional duchesse satin and peau de soie.

Favorite Designers: Kenneth Pool, Carolina Herrera, Reem Acra, Amsale, Anne Barge, Peter Langner

Your Venue: A mansion, country club or sprawling estate defines your dream wedding site.

Veiled: A drop veil tacked to the back of a bun.

Unveiled: A tiara of course

Elle is wearing: The 'Giselle' Gown.  Empire cut silk dupioni with hand-beaded Chantilly lace bodice. Top photo: Tulle drop veil  Below:

Alencon lace and Ostrich feathered Tiara and rose adroned silk dupioni and tulle fascinator

VINTAGE

So you look into the best parts of the past to get your look, do you? Who wouldn't with such great laces and gemmies still hanging around from yesteryear? Like those satin baby-doll shoes from the forties better than brand new Jimmy Choos? Does an allover antique lace tablecloth make you think of restyling it into a gown? Then call yourself a Vintageholic and read on.

Your Dress: Mostly evening gown and chemise styles in lace and satin. You may be a 1950s retro buff who likes Candy Anthony type dresses with miles of skirt and tiny cinched waists.

Favorite designers: Pat Kerr, Claire Pettibone, Martin McCrea, Candy Anthony.

Venue: Almost anywhere the the Jay Gatsby daytime social can be reinacted. Landmark homes with acres of sprawling lawn are ideal but certain boutique hotels and B & B's work for the smaller bash.

Veiled: A cage veil adorned by head florals

Unveiled: A picture hat

Ana Marie is Wearing: Embossed chiffon gown with silk gauze detachable train with Rose cage veil.  Below: the organza rose cage veil

BOHO

Do you love peasant styles and the flower child  looks of the sixties?. Are you earthy and ethereal all at once? Consider yourself Boho if your eye is drawn to gowns sporting diaphanous fabrics topped off with head wreaths made out of fresh florals and greenery like ivy.

Your Dress: Something long and flowing, crocheted and/or full of lace and tulle. 
Favorite designers: Temperley of London, Lanvin, Claire Pettibone, Elizabeth Fillmore.

Venue: Any wooded or pastoral setting

Veiled: A floral head wreah with a drop veil

Unveiled: A Daisey or flower chain
Elle and Ana Marie are wearing: Above-Chantilly lace and point d'espirit chemise with silk gauze hankercheif hem and a dried floral head wreath.  Below-Silk chiffon gown with flared hem and Magnolia head wreath with foilage.

CREDITS

Photography by Sweetlight Studios

Gowns and head wear by Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal
Makeup and hair by Christal Saville

Models; Elle and Ana Marie

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WHAT'S NEW IN THE GOWN GALLERY?

 

Make-up by Pretty Girl

 Meet YOLANDA.  Inspired by an old MGM musical, this dress is layered in yards of tulle and crinoline. The bodice is a close fit covered in Chantilly lace appliques with an overlay of shirred tulle.  The rosy tint of the tulle is the result of a tea dye.  I cinched the waist with a gray satin belt.  This dress is available via special order through Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal

 

 

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PAIRING UP A BOUQUET WITH YOUR GOWN

Photography Stephanie Williams

Bouquet: JL Floral Designs

Dress: Amy Jo Tatum Bridal

Hair pieces + veils: Batcakes Couture

Make-up: Teena Hoffstetter

Hair: Kyle Rich

Check out these magnificent bouquets by JL Designs from the Vintage and Rustic bridal shoot.   Finding an inspiration point and blending that idea with your dress is just the beginning of working one or a few colors into an overall theme.

Above: A clean-lined linen Georgette dress paired with a bouquet of dark red dahlias and wine colored begonia leaves is the perfect backdrop...

1. 

Above: Color and texture are a great mix.  The embroidered organza here is shown with lavender ranunculas and purple anemones finished in a rustic off white muslin...

An allover Chantilly lace halter dress is complimented by a pastel ranunculas in peach, lemon, pale pink and coral...

A Swiss cotton eyelet dress with a bouquet of solid wheat is wrapped in brown lace...

Greenery makes up some of the simplist and most stunning bouquets. Here silk chiffon and linen Georgette mix well with Spring foilage . . .

Not to be forgotten is the groom here who wears a pale green succulent finished with a touch of cream reindeer moss.  It makes a simple and stylish boutonniere...

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TWO WAY COUTURE

Thought I should mention the popular MIRA gown that made such a buzz last season is actually a two-way dress. First version is a halter dress. The second, hugs the shoulder with cap-like sleeves. You've seen the halter all over the blogs thanks to the fantastic photographic talents of Stephanie Williams. I finally have images of the off-the-shoulder sleeve treatment created by criss-crossing the halter ties into a waist sash. The fitted and boned bodice is Chantilly lace, the full skirt linen GEORGETTE. Some versions I've done the skirt in silk chiffon. I'm calling this cap-sleeved version 'EASTER SUNDAY 1956' for reasons you can probably figure out. Worn either way this MIRA is a stunning hark back to the 1950s and ultra-fem dressing.

MIRA: THE HALTER DRESS

Stephanie Williams Photography
CAP-SLEEVED MIRA

MIRA can be ordered through Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal in silk chiffon or linen/georgette.
amyjotatum@gmail.com
415.258.8204

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LACE MEDLEY

Can you think of anything more vintage bridal than lace? Here are pieces from my Spring 2010 collections along with a few other inspirations I found on SMP that show lace in all its beauty as well as delicacy from Chantilly to peau d'ange and Alencon . . .

Top Photo by Ryan Chua

Above Left: Title: Jose Villa Photography
Above Right: Photography by Shelah Osbrink/aka digital She

Below Left: Photography by Ryan Chua
Below Right:Carla Ten Eyck

Gowns can be veiwed and special ordered through Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal

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MORE DIORESQUE

Photographs: Stephanie Williams
Bouquet: JL Floral Designs

Dress: Amy Jo Tatum Bridal

Hair pieces + veils: Batcakes Couture

Make-up: Teena Hoffstetter

Hair: Kyle Rich

Location: San Juan Capistrano, California

I want to talk a little about my 'Dioresque Collection'. The gorgeous Stephanie Williams photo series, Vintage + Rustic feature about it has been all over the net lately. Since the debut of these images you all have expressed interest in where I get my inspirations. Hurell and Dior were my icons so it makes sense most of my work is inspired by vintage looks. I'm especially fond of old Hollywood and 1950s Paris and always working on ways to bring these styles into a modern arena for contemporary brides.

I've always had a thing about dresses with tons of volume just above the ankles. Most in the 'Dioresque' collection follow this length which can easily go formal or semi-formal.

'Dioresque' is a capsule collection of 50s hourglass silhouettes. It isn't quite finished as there are four more dresses similar to these coming off the work table within the next few months. I am making a few changes in production. Next season I plan on replacing most of the crinoline underskirts with 100% cotton organdy.

Another fabric I'm incorporating into the collection is bamboo cotton. It has just the right under structure to make a great lining and feel good against the skin. Plus, little beknownst to most, bamboo has anti-bacterial properties which contribute to controlling body odors.

What could be more Paris 1950s than a picture hat swathed in tulle? When Stephanie found this piece in my collection she asked specifically for it to add as a piece in the shoot. Amber sure knows how to work this hat and gloved lady-like look.

Special thanks to all who made this shoot possible and with such skill to bring out the vintage looks reminiscent of an era we all love so much . . . .

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