What Should I Wear When Shopping for My Wedding Dress?
Make sure to savor your special day! Shopping for your perfect bridal gown should be an unforgettable experience, and Hand-Me-Gowns is here to help you make the most of it.
So, you've booked your bridal appointment and getting into prep mode? We couldn't be more thrilled for you! We know that this part of the process can seem super overwhelming (believe us, we know), but the fact is, you just need to follow a quick checklist of what to bring when wedding dress shopping. As professionals in the bridal industry, we've come to the conclusion that having the right clothing for the appointment, the right attitude, and the right people by your side can really make all of the difference.
And that's why we created this post folks, to answer just about everything you need to know about what to wear when going shopping for your wedding dress. We'll cover all the essential items to bring to your bridal appointment, from practical items like the best undergarments to wear as well as your biggest cheerleaders (and a cute outfit to boot!). Don't head out to your appointment before you've checked everything off of this handy checklist for brides in 2024.
What to Bring When Going Wedding Dress Shopping: A Quick List
Appropriate undergarments: seamless and neutral-colored being the top choice
Nipple covers: bra optional for your bridal appointment!
Hair clip/ponytail holder: to get a sense of your bridal look
Your favorite pair of socks: stay comfy while you try on gowns
A comfortable and cute outfit: be fresh and photo ready!
A few of your best dress shopping buddies: you’ll need a solid support system
What to wear when going wedding dress shopping: a checklist for brides
1. Comfortable (and neutral-colored) undergarments
This is a probably the most important one, you guys. Wearing the right undergarments is so essential when shopping for your wedding dress. Neutral-colored, seamless underwear is your best bet here. You'll want undergarments where the fabric and color won't create any type of friction and make things bunch up when we help you slip on those gowns.
Basically, don't wear underwear in jazzy colors and/or fabrics for your bridal appointment. While these may be fun, they aren't great when it comes to trying on a bunch of wedding dresses. Instead opt for beige, white, nude, or any type of undergarment more on the lighter side so that it can't be seen through all of the amazing preowned gowns that you'll be trying on. This rule doesn't count for the new Black Wedding Dress trend, of course, but we figure you'll probably end up trying on more lighter-colored gowns throughout your shopping journey. Better to be safe and wear a comfortable and practical pair of underwear that won't clash with all of that delicate fabric.
On that note, you simply must wear underpants to your bridal appointment! And that's not just the rule for an appointment at Hand-Me-Gowns, but it's the rule at all bridal boutiques.
What to wear when shopping for your wedding dress: undergarments, please!
2. Nipple covers
The must-wear-underwear rule for bridal appointments doesn't apply to bras. Most gowns have a built-in bra and support system already, so trying on a wedding dress with a bra will just add extra bulk. That's why nipple covers are an easy and practical thing to wear when wedding dress shopping.
You can also go braless if that's easier for you. It's all about being as comfortable as you can be, so wear a bra to your appointment if you like, but know that it's probably not a good idea to keep it on while trying on the gowns.
3. Your favorite pair of socks
Honestly, you don't need to worry too much about what shoes to wear at your bridal appointment. That's why we're recommending just wearing what you feel most comfortable in when trying on wedding dresses. We've found that most of our brides just end up going shoe-less for most of the appointment, so whether that be barefoot or with a comfy little pair of socks it's pretty much up to you.
As reported by Caitlin, the Hand-Me-Gowns Bridal founder: "Most of our gowns are unaltered, so they'll be about 5'9 to 5'11 and will be altered to their height anyway." So no need to worry about working with the initial length in a pair of heels. When getting your wedding dress alterations however, you should bring the shoes that you plan on wearing on the big day. And for other wedding dress shopping experiences, you'll need to check with that particular boutique.
What to wear when shopping for your wedding dress
4. A clip for your hair
Or any kind of pony tail holder. For your bridal appointment and finding your perfect gown, you'll need something to clip your veil in or style your hair to go with your dress.
You'll want to get the best idea of what you'll look like on the big day when going wedding dress shopping, so having a clip and a scrunchie (yes, they're back!) or hair tie will end up being super handy for your bridal dress appointment.
5. A cute outfit to wear to your bridal appointment
Last but not least, make sure to wear a comfortable and cute outfit to your bridal appointment! Choosing your wedding dress is a Kodak moment, so best to wear something that’s stylish and fun to help you get in the best mood for this experience. It's your time, and feeling great in your body will make this day all the more better.
Still on the fence about booking your bridal appointment with us? Feel free to reach out to us anytime – we're always here to answer your questions!
What to wear when shopping for your wedding dress
What Else to Bring Wedding Dress Shopping: Friends & Family
On top of good undergarments, the other item on that checklist you can’t go without is the right little entourage. Your bridal appointment is the time to gather your people and have your biggest cheerleaders by your side for this amazing day. At Hand-Me-Gowns Bridal, we recommend bringing three people. We find this tends to be the perfect number without getting too overwhelming. Of course if you have a few more people that you’d like to accompany you, just let us know when booking your appointment with us and we’ll be sure to put extra seating in our showroom for ya!
Honestly, to find those right people to bring wedding dress shopping, you'll have to do a little vetting first. Here’s some key things to look out for:
Friends/family who shop well: they are practical and have a keen eye for detail. They are critical when they need to be and super positive when the time is right.
Someone who knows your taste: choosing your wedding dress is about finding a beautiful piece that reflects your style and taste, not someone else’s. When looking at wedding dresses, they’ll know your bridal vibe when they see it.
Someone who listens to you: you want to bring along people to your bridal appoint who know you. Like, they know that face you make when you aren't super pleased with something. Friends and family like this are just good to have around in general, and people like this are perfect to bring with you wedding dress shopping.
Hand-Me-Gowns bridal boutique interior, Downtown Hammonton, NJ
What to Wear Wedding Dress Shopping As a Guest
If you find yourself to be one of the lucky ones and are a part of the bride's little entourage when going wedding dress shopping, we recommend that you wear something fun and comfortable to the appointment as well.
You won't be trying anything on, but there will be some photo ops in your future, so wear something stylish that you feel great in and get photo ready!
Ready to Take The Leap and Book Your Bridal Appointment?
You’ll be in great hands with us at Hand-Me-Gowns Bridal. If you’re looking for a classy, designer preowned dress for your wedding in 2024 or 2025, we’re your go-to bridal boutique in the South Jersey and Philadelphia area.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out this list of all the beloved wedding dress designers that we currently carry at the boutique, and please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.