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What Does Couture Mean?

A lot of people throw around the word "couture" withour really understanding what it means. Couture is simply high fashion designing and dressmaking. This goes back in time to the mid-1800s in Europe, where couture garments were specially made (tailored) for the customer. Couture garments are designed to look absolutely stunning on clients, with fits customized to the client's body, way of movement, and personal style. The detailing on couture garments such as beading and embroidery is always done by hand, representing hours and sometimes months of labor.

Today, couture garments also require customization and fittings.

With ready-made bridal gowns to choose over couture bridal gowns, and at lesser price tags too, why would a bride opt for couture bridal gowns?

Take some time to read this expert article (see below) on why there are still many brides out there who opt for couture bridal gowns.

Why Choose a Custom Or Couture Wedding Gown?
By Laura Firenze

There are thousands of wedding gowns from which a bride can choose, so many in fact that it can seem absolutely overwhelming. With so many choices available, does it really make sense to consider having your wedding gown custom made? The answer is yes, and it is not only the rich and famous who order one-of-a-kind wedding dresses. These are some of the reasons why you might want to choose a custom or couture bridal gown.

First of all, there is something that needs to be cleared up, and that is the true meaning of the word couture. The term has been misappropriated and misused to the point where many women have lost sight of what it even means. When you see an off-the-rack mass-manufacturer of wedding dresses calling themselves "Such and such Couture Bridal", you should be aware that they are trying to make themselves into something they are not. Couture is always a unique garment that is carefully handmade for one specific person, and made using only the finest materials and techniques. Haute couture refers properly only to a group of specially designated French designers, although it is reasonable enough for an American designer handcrafting top quality custom wedding gowns to refer to them as couture as well.

The reasons to order a custom or couture gown are as varied as the women who do so. You may be surprised to hear that one of the most common reasons is for fit. If a bride has a difficult figure or is simply two different sizes on the top and bottom, she may actually find it less expensive to have her gown custom made by a talented seamstress than to order a wedding gown that needs drastic alterations or pattern changes.

To make a distinction, true haute couture bridal gowns run into the six figures, but a well made custom wedding dress from a local designer can run you much, much less. It depends on where you live and who you are hiring, but for a top quality custom gown, expect it to start at a bit more than a comparable gown from a good designer. (Of course keep in mind that you will not have the alteration charges for a custom made dress that you would for one you order.) Handmade gowns will naturally be in a completely different price range than the mass-produced dresses, but that is really apples to oranges.

Certainly one of the other primary reasons to order a custom gown for your wedding is style. This can be as simple as liking the bodice from one dress and the skirt from another and asking your seamstress to make one gown combining the two designs. In other cases, a bride may have a desire for something that is offbeat that she would never find in a readymade bridal gown. Having your gown custom made just for you allows you all sorts of options such as unique materials, interesting colors, or an unusual cut or silhouette.

If you do opt for a handcrafted gown, be sure to pay equal attention to your accessories. The wrong ones can detract from the special wedding dress that you invested so much of yourself into creating. Timeless pieces like bridal jewelry sets with a cultured pearl bracelet, necklace, and pair of earrings are one lovely idea. Brides who like to mix the classic with the contemporary can layer and stack some bold and fun crystal bracelets in with the cultured pearl bridal bracelet.

Custom made wedding dresses have many advantages over those that are already designed. If you are looking for a unique gown that fits your vision of a dream bridal gown and fits you to a tee, you will be happiest with a gown that is made especially for you. The most important reason to choose a custom or couture wedding gown is that it will be a true original, just like the bride who wears it.

Laura is interested in wedding planning and wedding trends including jewelry,receptions and gifts. Cultured pearl bridal bracelets are always elegant and tasteful.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_Firenze

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