What should I wear to try on dresses?

Maybe you are going to Goodwood Revival for the first time or maybe you want to find a dress for a wedding/cruise/prom etc!

We want you to feel happy and confident in what you wear, even when trying on.  

You can just come in... we are open 7 days a week, and if you haven't planned to try on dresses, that's fine!  However, for some people, with a special event coming up, they want to find 'the one'.

Here are some of our top tips!

Wear clothes that are easy to take on and off

We are a very small shop, with a changing room that is designed to fit in!  Wearing clothes and shoes that are easy to take on and off will make things easier for you.

Wear the right underwear:

The right underwear (bra) can make a big difference!  Vintage-style dresses often have darts, which, with the right bra, can ensure the dress sits in the correct place on your body.  

Your sports bra will have a totally different shape to your strapless bra!

Do I need to wear shapewear?

If you would normally wear shapewear when wearing a dress, then feel free to wear it.  However, please don't feel you have to!  A lot of our 50s-style dresses are fitted around the natural waist and then flare out. 

Can I wear make-up?

Yes, but please keep it to a minimum! Wear enough to make you feel confident but not so much it will transfer to a dress you don't plan on buying.  

I've been told to scoop and swoop? What is Anna talking about?!

Anna will explain! Essentially, using your bra, your breasts and the dress to get the dress to sit in the correct position on your body.  By ensuring the darts in the dress or seams line up in the correct place, you will feel confident in the dress!  

'Scoop and swoop' is actually a technique for ensuring an excellent fitting bra.  However, the same kind of movement can apply to dress fitting! Essentially moving your breasts up and forward into the place you want them to sit in the dress.  

The first thing is to have a good-fitting bra. We are going to send you to Boob or Bust for excellent bra-fitting advice! 

Then you can lean forward (dress undone) and using one hand, scoop the opposite breast tissue from under your arm towards the centre of the body.  Repeat with the other side.  Do the dress up (with help if needed) and see if you need to adjust again once the dress is on! 

Anna sews in her (very little) free time! So, making sure a dress fits in the right place is important.  The darts in a dress should point towards to bust apex (the fullest point of your bust).