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Devoted April 2022

Any Over 40 Brides Going for a Ball Gown?

Christy, on March 30, 2021 at 12:48 PM Posted in Wedding Attire 0 63

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I am getting married April 9, 2022. This is my 2nd marriage (but feels like the 1st honestly) & I will be 42. A Google search for what to wear when you’re over 40 yields recommendations for nothing more than “toned down,” “modest,” and “conservative” dresses (none of which I specifically take issue with). Most of what I’ve come across suggests leaving the “princess dress to the 20 somethings” (which I do take issue with)! I went in for a slinky, subtle, fit and flare & came out with a sparkly, stunning ball gown and I am super excited to wear it! But now I am mildly concerned that it’s not age appropriate.

Now, I know it’s my wedding and I will absolutely wear whatever I want, but I’m curious if there are any other over 40 brides out there that are rocking a ball gown for their weddings.

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Latest activity by Mrs.evans, on February 7, 2022 at 2:49 PM

Expert November 2019
Noelle · on March 30, 2021 at 12:57 PM
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I was 42 when I got married. I wore a mermaid gown. I think you can wear whatever you like. I did almost wear a ball gown, but had second thoughts, not due to my age but more so it wasn’t my style. Anyway, here’s my dress. Do you have a picture of yours? I’d love to see it.
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Expert May 2021
Biaani · on March 30, 2021 at 1:05 PM
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I'm so glad you got it. Wear the dress you love. Honestly age is just a number. If you like it and you look good . . go for it
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VIP May 2022
Ava · on March 30, 2021 at 1:08 PM
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While I don’t fit into this category, I want to give a resounding YAAASSSS GIRL! ROCK THAT BALLGOWN!!
I don’t know who these “wedding experts” are that write these articles and books, but they all sound completely out of touch with modern day weddings and society. I do not think anyone attending a wedding would look at a bride in a ballgown and think it wasn’t age appropriate. Plus... A quick look at your profile picture shows that you do not look as though you are anywhere close to 40 years old!
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Devoted April 2022
Christy · on March 30, 2021 at 1:11 PM
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“Whatever makes you feel amazing” was my motto going into shopping & this was the winner for me! I never once considered my age as a factor for dress shopping until I came across an article while looking for makeup tips for “mature” brides! 😂
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Devoted April 2022
Christy · on March 30, 2021 at 1:18 PM
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😂😂😂 Thank you! My groom isn’t quite 30 yet so I tend to forget my age I am sometimes! Not that I consider myself old by any stretch of the imagination (and I probably never will 😂) but I did find myself a little offended by some of those stupid articles! Seeing the beautiful brides of all ages on here has calmed me down haha.
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Super February 2022
Grace · on March 30, 2021 at 1:23 PM
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All your age means is that you have had time to polish your swagger. Think about 40's and older actresses on the red carpet, do any of them look out of place in their ball gowns? No, they just are less likely to trip in their heels. Picture below is of Dame Helen Mirren at age 71.

You will look fabulous and not at all inappropriate for your age!
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Savvy March 2022
Connie · on March 30, 2021 at 1:31 PM
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You look stunning!!! Age should not be a factor whatsoever. As long as you feel beautiful in it and love it, that's all that matters!
Side note, I'm so happy to have found a dress twin (saw from the another thread)! Did you buy it in ivory or one of the other color combos?
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VIP January 2019
Maggie · on March 30, 2021 at 2:16 PM
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Definitely stop Googling tips for "mature brides"! Go with your gut and your preferences. This is absolutely a "you do you" situation.
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Rockstar December 2022
Michelle · on March 30, 2021 at 2:20 PM
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Wear whatever you feel beautiful in. Age is irrelevant.
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Devoted April 2022
Christy · on March 30, 2021 at 3:18 PM
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I got the ivory on ivory because that’s the one I tried on and I knew I loved it. But I definitely considered the ivory on merlot (I think that’s what it was called). Oddly, when I looked up the dress later and saw it on the models, I had 2nd thoughts because I didn’t like the way it looked at all! But looked back my pictures and breathed a sigh of relief. That’s why I too am happy to have a dress twin 🤣 It looks beautiful on you! My 8 yr old daughter told me it looks like I’m leaving behind a trail of snow 🥲
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Devoted April 2022
Christy · on March 30, 2021 at 3:29 PM
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Seriously! I was primarily looking for makeup tips since I was told by a makeup artist that “powder is an absolute must for photos.” I’ve always avoided powder at any age, but now I feel like it is especially unflattering.
I do feel like this time around it is more difficult for me because I am a lot pickier (because I know how to “do me” 😂).
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Savvy March 2022
Connie · on March 30, 2021 at 3:33 PM
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Omg that is such a beautiful way of describing the dress! The one I tried on was a blend of ivory, champagne, and moscato so that's what I ended up going with (and secretly did not want an all white dress so I was extra happy that my mom liked it too).
Totally agreed about looking up the dress though! The pictures online just don't do it justice at all. Had I not seen it in person or tried it on, I never would have thought to buy this dress let alone try it on.
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Dedicated June 2021
Reasie · on March 30, 2021 at 3:34 PM
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I will be 57 when I get married in June 2021. I will most certainly ROCK a white, white-sequined ballgown! I thought about a mermaid-styled dress but the ballgown called out my name... QUEEN REASIE!
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Dedicated June 2021
Reasie · on March 30, 2021 at 3:35 PM
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I stopped listening to "wedding experts" a long time ago. LOL
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Devoted April 2022
Christy · on March 30, 2021 at 3:38 PM
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Well said and so true! Thank you for that inspiration. I definitely found the information in the articles more offensive (I guess) & arbitrary than anything & wondered if any other brides felt the need to conform to such nonsense. And it did make me second guess my decision briefly. And I think the fact that I picked a dress I would’ve never dreamed of wearing at any age made it even easier to second guess myself!
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Devoted April 2022
Christy · on March 30, 2021 at 3:39 PM
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Omg! I love this! I hope you share some pics of your day!
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Devoted April 2022
Christy · on March 30, 2021 at 3:44 PM
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Are you wearing a bra or corset underneath? Or just letting the dress do the work? I’d like a little more lift than what I saw on the models online or on me in the store (but the dress was far too big so I couldn’t tell how it would look once fitted) and am hoping that alterations will help. But I’m not afraid of using tape if I have too!
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Dedicated June 2021
Reasie · on March 30, 2021 at 3:50 PM
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I will most definitely share pics here. I get tired of folks telling US WOMEN what to do, say, or wear. It can become a form of mental/emotional BONDAGE trying to adhere to ''standards'' someone else sets due to their own TRADITIONAL taboos.
My standard is: BE YOUR OWN KIND OF BEAUTIFUL!
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Savvy March 2022
Connie · on March 30, 2021 at 4:07 PM
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I'm planning on asking the seamstress to sew some cups in but also experiment with some of those stick-on bras to see if those give enough lift. The dress itself is pretty structured so I think it should be enough especially once altered. Agreed that I'll also have tape ready if I want some extra lift
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Master February 2022
Rosie · on March 30, 2021 at 6:54 PM
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Aww, that's so nice! I love a ballgown, and I think you should rock one at any age! I'll be 36 when I get married so not over 40, but I am wearing a ballgown. My thought is, why should I (or any of us!) miss out on the dress I/we always dreamed of, purely because it took us a while to find the most perfect man?
I will say, when I went shopping there were some ballgowns that I might have chosen when I was younger, but that just felt a bit childish on me - but that's probably more about my style and such at this age, not the ballgown silhouette itself, and if I'd had 'the feeling' in any of them, I would have bought them!
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Any Over 40 Brides Going for a Ball Gown?

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