Setting the Stage ~ Brideswomens' Outfits
  Examples

This is ideal! The jacket is perfect -- Victorian in shape with lovely details like a Queen Anne neckline, leg o' mutton sleeves, and a bustle-esque peplum in the back. It's shown worn with an A-line (or possibly lightly gathered waist) dress, instead of a skirt and blouse. The bow is pretty, but totally optional. The only change is that, instead of contrasting, the dress and jacket both would be all black.

Big thanks to Elisa for creating and sending me this illustration!!!

 

This picture is the closest photo I've found to the specific silhouette I want. Fitted jacket, full skirt.

Unfortunately, I think this outfit is really ugly in all white. But it can look totally different in black velvet (it's a silhouette/combination I wear all the time, and I think it's very attractive).

 

This picture is also the right silhouette -- another type of fitted top, paired with an A-line skirt (though the sleeves look like they're three-quarter length -- full-length is best for our wedding). Just imagine it in much heavier fabrics.

This image is of Style pattern number 2886.

 

This is a great jacket style. Just the kind of thing I was thinking about! The back is tapered into a little peplum, which I find very pretty. The front has a satin notched collar and satin cuffs (couldn't get a clear closeup of the front though).

This would look great with a very full, ballgown style skirt. Heck, it'd look wonderful with any skirt!

 

This jacket would be good too. It's got that longer length that is really popular right now (and can be easy to find in stores). I have a black crushed velvet jacket just like this that I got at Lane Bryant last winter!

Would probably look best with an A-line skirt or one with very soft gathers.

This image is of Simplicity pattern number 8804.

 

The above is a costume pattern (Simplicity 8375) that would be perfect for the ambiance and style of our wedding. It's for three variations of 1880s/1890s influenced two-piece dresses. The one in the center is my favourite, though I like the sleeves of the one on the right too (just not the sailor-style collar).

However, it might be a style of garment that none of you would wear much after the wedding (I would, but I'm weird that way ;-). So, while I like this pattern a whole lot, I'm not going to force you to make one of these outfits.

 

Here's another costume pattern (Simplicity 8752), although this is for a late 1700s inspired two-piece dress. Still, the silhouette is just what I'm trying to describe. The sleeves (and possibly the neckline) are quite similar to what I'll have on my wedding gown too.

I'm not going to press this one either because it's probably not re-wearable for any of you. But ain't it just darling???

  
 

 

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