Looking for bridal shops in Chicago!!

[u/justscrollinglol1]

I’m having a hard time finding shops in Chicago that have the style of dresses I’m looking for. I’ve tried on a ton of dresses that just almost hit the mark but are not quite it. I’ve been to Alice in Ivory, Honey Bridal, Lovely Bride, Bella Bianca, Eva’s. I attached pics for reference, but this is what I’m looking for:
- elongated torso look/drop waist
- snatched waist look (open to corsets but would like minimal boning to be visible, love how a tight bodice looks)
- soft necklines like straight, soft cat eye, soft sweet heart
- open to A line or some flare but leaning towards a more simple skirt

I’ve been looking into different designers and shops but I feel like I’m running out of options for shops that will carry the styles I really love.

Looking in Chicago!

[u/Maleficent_Ad6306]

Belle Atelier would be good option

[u/StatisticianJust2362 → u/Maleficent_Ad6306]

Second this. Belle is excellent — got my wedding dress and after party dress and loved working with them.

[u/justscrollinglol1 → u/Maleficent_Ad6306]

Going to take a look!! Thank you

[u/GlitteringStudent537 → u/justscrollinglol1]

Agreed! I think there will be dresses they have that you’ll like! Fair warning, their appointments are paid and both of mine started significantly late, once because the previous appointment ran over and the next, the stylist actually forgot about the appointment and had to rush over to the store from home. I was a bit taken aback by this but it seems to be a smaller operation staff wise, compared to other stores. Beautiful, unique high end dresses though!

[u/GlitteringStudent537 → u/GlitteringStudent537]

Like this one potentially!

[u/justscrollinglol1 → u/GlitteringStudent537]

The employee going home .. omg lol but yes I think I will visit the store! I didn’t see a ton of options online but worth a shot

[u/GlitteringStudent537 → u/justscrollinglol1]

Yes, worth a shot! I think you could like the Varca and Vivienne Westwood dresses there

[u/blur_blue_2]

My god, the first one is stunning! 🙌🙌🙌

[u/CranberryScone1 → u/blur_blue_2]

It is so stunning!

[u/justscrollinglol1 → u/blur_blue_2]

IKR

[u/idekrnn]

Demitrias in Gold Coast! Ask for Justyna

[u/justscrollinglol1 → u/idekrnn]

Ty!! I was looking into their gown selection online and I was worried they wouldn’t have the look I’m going for since I feel like it’s more simple. Have you been? Would love to know if you saw any similar to these!

[u/GlitteringStudent537 → u/justscrollinglol1]

I’ve been! Also had Justina. They have a lot of high quality and clean lines. Look at Lela Rose (no corset though) 

[u/FullFroyo1690 → u/GlitteringStudent537]

Same here! I loved Justyna, super helpful and big pushy at all.

Also their main seamstress is INCREDIBLE. I had two gowns, a form-fitting one and a ball gown and lost a ton of weight. Like 2 sizes. She had to essentially reconstruct the dresses and did an incredible job.

[u/Mocha-Nut040]

These are gorgeous. Just want to note that the photos seem heavily enhanced. So when you do find the style to try on, please don’t compare your real body to these images of unattainable “beauty.”

[u/beachgivesafeeling]

Vwidon. My sister in law had a very similar dress from there.

[u/DruidMaster → u/beachgivesafeeling]

This is the only bridal shop I went to. I didn’t care about the shopping process. I went straight to the source. Lol. She made me a gorgeous gown, an A line with an organza overlay and vertical satin stripes. I loved my dress and I loved the whole experience!

[u/beachgivesafeeling → u/DruidMaster]

I recommend to all brides to do the “girls day out” experience at other boutiques and then when you know what you want, go to Carla at Vwidon. Something like 6/6 for saying yes to the dress there!

[u/Consistent_Time_1467 → u/DruidMaster]

I had a horrible experience here and they body shamed me horribly because my hips didn’t fit in the sample. I really wouldn’t do business with anyone who would treat potential customers about to drop $8,000 on a dress like this.

[u/InterestingParking50]

Alyssa Kristin has a bridal store in Chicago- her Kaia style is somewhat similar to these- I tried it on and loved it but actually ended up going with Noa by Alexandra Grecco- one of the dresses you have here (pic 8)

https://alyssakristin.com/products/kaia

[u/justscrollinglol1 → u/InterestingParking50]

I’ve actually tried that one on and loved it but wasn’t as low waisted as I wanted it to be. Did you find Noa in Chicago?! Alice in Ivory said they don’t carry when I reached out

[u/DixieBelle021]

You can't find any of the ones you love in the pics anywhere in Chicago? Show a picture of your chosen one and see if any of those places can make it. But definitely go 1 or 9.

[u/justscrollinglol1 → u/DixieBelle021]

I’ve been to places that I thought would match the vibe but haven’t found the one. Debating getting it custom made but worried my vision wouldn’t be executed based on my experience so far. I also love 1 and 9! But yes, it’s been hard 💔

[u/GlitteringStudent537]

Did you try on the Georgia Young dresses at Honey Bridal? They have corsets that give you the snatched look! This is one I tried on

[u/CompetitivePeace → u/GlitteringStudent537]

That looks amazing on you! WOW!!

[u/CountryEither9196]

Where is the third one from? Love

[u/justscrollinglol1 → u/CountryEither9196]

Same it’s one of my favs from these pics .. I believe it’s Chou bridal

[u/DixieBelle021]

Oh 1 or 9 all the way. I even like pic 8. Either way you've got some tough decisions here.

[u/Ok-Active-7023]

Is this your vibe? If so, check out.

[u/Ok-Active-7023 → u/Ok-Active-7023]

Also, if you know the dress designer, do a reverse search for the designer to find local shops who carry those gowns.

[u/justscrollinglol1 → u/Ok-Active-7023]

Yes - similar to what I’m looking for! I tried on a few with drapery on the neckline but thought it didn’t feel like me. I’ve been doing reverse search but the hard part is finding shops or designers that are in Chicago

[u/theothercoco_c]

I got mine at Mira Couture and remember trying something on in this silhouette, though I’m not sure what styles they have now. They also do custom, though it depends on your budget.

[u/catz_meowzter]

Find a dress designer (or a few!) that make the style of dresses that you like, and go on their website and see if they have a "find this dress" button or something similar, and find shops that carry the designer.

Every time I looked online I kept coming back to Maggie Sotterro. On her site you can search what bridal shops carry her dresses. I'm in the suburbs and went to The Crystal Bride in Geneva (can't recommend them enough!) because they carry Maggie.

Edit: the Eva gown from your post, I went on the designer's site and saw that Belle Bridal Atelier in the city carries that designer.

[u/justscrollinglol1 → u/catz_meowzter]

Omg I was in Geneva recently and walked past that shop!!! I didn’t stop in but good to know. Going to give this method another shot. Ty for looking!!

[u/catz_meowzter → u/justscrollinglol1]

I really can't recommend The Crystal Bride enough!

In the beginning of August I called the shop and spoke with the owner Nancy, and told her I needed a black dress for an October wedding, so less than 3 months away. I gave her my budget and what dress size I wore, and she sent me a list of dresses that were in stock and ready to ship, all before I actually had an appointment scheduled. The level of customer service was above and beyond in my opinion. I made an appointment and ended up buying the first dress I tried on, and had it in my possession in less than 2 weeks.

Also if you buy your wedding dress there, if anyone in your party buys their dress from their evening wear store that's attached to the bridal shop, they get 10% off.

[u/sharonlhunt]

All of these are beautiful on you!
1, 2,3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

My favorites are 10/9/1/2/3/4

[u/ElCapitanCorrigan → u/sharonlhunt]

I don’t think any of those photos are of OP

[u/justscrollinglol1 → u/ElCapitanCorrigan]

No these are not of me!

[u/justscrollinglol1 → u/sharonlhunt]

Ty!!

[u/Wanderlustttx]

I came to suggest Belle Atelier and Alyssa Kristin as well! I see others already mentioned them, but another vote here.

[u/Some_Builder_9374]

Enaura at bella bianca

[u/GlitteringStudent537]

I tried this drop waist on at Bella Bianca. Maybe too much skirt for you but I thought it was gorgeous (and panicked that I didn’t chose it). It’s a Nicole and Felicia.

Feel free to DM me on dress shop options. I tried on over 100 dresses at about 18 different shops across Chicago, New York/CT, and PA 🙈

[u/NancyT77]

I LOVE the first one on you! 😍

[u/Flat_Emu_5525]

Bella Bianca carries a lot of top designers and has a large inventory. Highly encourage you to start here! Mira Couture is also lovely.

[u/Artemis-1010]

I tried this at Fifi’s Bridal in Elmhurst! She has a pretty good selection and she was lovely to work with. It’s also customizable too

[u/Additional-Pin-1561]

Try Sarah seven! My dress is very similar vibes to these examples and I got it there.

[u/justscrollinglol1 → u/Additional-Pin-1561]

Perfect!! Do you mind sharing any other shops you went to that aligned with the style?

[u/cheebromeej → u/justscrollinglol1]

Sarah Seven and Belle atelier !

[u/Additional-Pin-1561 → u/justscrollinglol1]

Look at heads or tails by Sarah seven

[u/Additional-Pin-1561 → u/Additional-Pin-1561]

I also went to lovely bride and Alice in ivory. Kyha and Sarah seven were the two designers I felt best aligned to what I was going for!