A perfect fit A perfect fit (February 11, 2005)

Custom gowns can offer the best fit, style

By Molly Tanenbaum

Can't find the bridal gown of your dreams? A custom-made gown may be a perfect fit. With a hand-made dress, brides can piece together elements of their favorite dresses.

What's important is finding a dress that flatters a bride's body and fits her personality, according to Grace Jung of Grace Jung Couture in Los Altos.

Off-the-rack gowns can be adjusted with a few nips and tucks, but a custom-made gown's fit is specific to the bride.

Custom designs also offer flexibility, especially for the older bride. While younger brides may want "the whole nine yards, the veil, the white dress," older brides tend to be more practical, Elaine Goldman of Elaine's Custom Gowns and Attire in Palo Alto said.

Older brides "want something they can wear again. I'll make a two-piece, chiffon skirt and lace bodice, so they could wear each piece again, so they have multiple uses. I actually recommend that," she said.

Both Jung and Goldman begin with a muslin fit to make the dress perfect for each body. That way, clients can see how the dress will look and make adjustments before they use the real fabric.

"It's sort of a work in progress, a labor of love. You see it as it happens, and there's always room for change. It evolves," Goldman said.

For a custom gown, brides should come in at least three months before the wedding and bring ideas from magazines, sketches, or friends. This will give the designer a place to start, and enough time to create the gown of their dreams.

"We don't have a dress here so we just play with the ideas until it's yours. You can try anything. That's the beauty of custom fitting," Jung said.

Hot trends right now are a drop waist, frayed edges, cut-outs, pleats, and tiers, Goldman said. Avoid "too much beading and big sleeves."

Lace is making a comeback, although the preferred fabric is still satin. Strapless dresses attract many brides, especially younger ones, but strapless isn't attractive on everyone, she added.

Additionally, train lengths have become shorter. Twelve to 36-inch trains are popular now, Jung said.

Goldman's custom gowns range from $800 to $3,500 depending on the complexity of the dress. Bringing one's own fabric adds $200 to $300 to the price. Jung's gowns are comparable to a designer dress, between $2,500 and $5,000 including fabric.
Sources: Elaine's Custom Gowns and Attire 3332 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto, 493-1433 Grace Jung Couture 322 State St., Los Altos, 559-0400 Magic Stitches 343 Cowper St., Palo Alto, 326-7343 Nouvelle Bridal Boutique 117 Town and Country, Palo Alto, 326-6230

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