For more than 70 years, thousands of brides have traveled to Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City to find their wedding day looks. From the moment you walk through the doors, you’ll feel the magic of Kleinfeld. Not only does Kleinfeld have 30,000 square feet filled with the largest selection of wedding dresses in the world, it also has the greatest professional staff of over 200 employees who are dedicated to finding and perfecting your bridal look.
Photo Credit: Jose Villa
We often get asked on our Instagram and Facebook often how to shop for wedding dresses as a taller bride. Well, we’ve got the scoop! We spoke to our bridal managers and expert alterations staff to learn how to approach shopping for your wedding day as a tall bride, and these are the tips you definitely don’t want to miss.
Bring your ideal wedding shoes.
If you’re thinking about wearing heels on your wedding day, bring them with you to your bridal shopping appointment so your consultant has an idea of your exact height. Even if you don’t have your wedding shoes yet, bring in a pair with the same height and style (think stilettos for stilettos, wedges for wedges, platforms for platforms). This way, your bridal manager can accurately measure the length of the gown you choose so that it arrives long enough to accommodate your shoes.
Ask about extra length.
When you arrive at your appointment, discuss with your consultant about finding a designer that offers dresses in longer lengths. For any bride over 5’8″ or 5’9″, you’ll want to consider an “extra length” option. Many designers offer what’s called a hollow-to-hem measurement, or a special custom measurement from the hollow of your neck (the indentation at the base of the front of your neck) to the hem of the dress. This measurement will indicate whether or not you’ll need to order your dress with extra length. While many designers do offer this option, it does typically come with a fee, as extra length can change the pattern of the overall style and uses more fabric to compensate.
Shop during a trunk show.
A trunk show is a time when a designer brings in their newest collection to Kleinfeld for brides to try on (including styles not typically found in-store). Not only will you get to try on the newest styles, but you’ll have the chance to meet with the designer themselves (or a representative) and discuss options that accommodate your height. Plus, you may get the chance to receive a special trunk show promotion!
Consider silhouettes.
To help accentuate (or draw attention away from, depending on your preferences) your height, make sure you’re choosing a silhouette that’s best for your body shape! Learn all about how to pick the perfect style for you here. Also, take into consideration balancing out your frame—for instance, if you’ve got a short torso and long legs, you may want to consider a style with a dropped waist (like mermaid), to help even out your torso-to-leg ratio. If you’re short-legged and have a longer torso, try an a-line or full ball gown style with a short waist instead.
Ready to shop? Make an appointment!
Love these tips and need more? Read our blog.
Browse our newest dresses here.