Cotton wedding dresses
Sponsors: Fashion
By
on January 23, 2009
20
So you're planning a summer wedding, or a destination wedding, or you're just into comfortable, natural fabrics and don't want to feel suffocated in a sheath of polyester blends and scratchy tulle?
Enter The Cotton Bride, a contemporary couture bridal collection from designer Chris Kole.
Now, if you're thinking cotton wedding dress = semi hippie and probably like what you'd wear to a picnic, then you haven't seen these modern gowns, which are just as sophisticated as anything you've seen in organza. I mean, I'm all for lovely hippie dresses, but this gown would be just as fitting at a beach wedding as it would be on the lawn of a fancy-ass B&B.
I've included a few shots of The Cotton Bride's collection below, but you can see lots more cotton wedding dresses on their website.
The collection leans towards a modern aesthetic, and although many of the dresses are long and elegant, there are a few shorter, sassier styles available as well:
Their comfortable wedding dresses run the gamut from feather-light gowns with gathered skirts to the breezier, less constructed styles.
Designer Chris Kole has made a commitment to eco-wedding dresses, explaining that "In our new collection, I replaced all the crinoline petticoats with petticoats made out of 100% natural cotton organdy. I have also started to use some organic cotton which is very exciting."
So, destination brides, summer brides, eco-brides, and just brides who don't want to be itching and uncomfortable on their summer wedding days, get thee to thecottonbride.com!
Not that I have anything against Etta Jame's "At Last" or Michael Buble's "Everything," — they're both perfect first dance songs — but I've heard them both WAY to many times at weddings. So, combining my database of musician friends (some of whom made the list), Shrie's music writing experience and Ariel's… whatever the hell Ariel listens to (which, I believe, includes everything from deep neo-soul to esoteric Euro dance pop), the OBB team has compiled a list of totally not overused first dance songs, from the silly, to the romantic, to the extremely controversial!
Read more posts about: comfortable dress, cotton dress, destination wedding, dress, eco wedding« Previous post
About Ariel Meadow Stallings
Author of Offbeat Bride: Creative Alternatives for Independent Brides, Ariel acts as the publisher of all the Offbeat Empire websites. She lives, loves, and dorks out hard in Seattle, WA.
Mandi said
I looked at the whole 2009 collection, absolutely stunning! There are many choices and styles, something flattering for every shape. What sizes do they go up to and what is the price range, do you know? I probably could find it on their site I suppose
amber said
ohhhh my gawd! these are perfect!!!!
Em said
Re: Mandi's comment…the website says that their dresses start around $1800.00!
I loved The Cotton Bride when I first came across their website, but quickly had my hopes dashed when I read the FAQ…but at least it's a great source for inspiration!
Mandi said
Well, if I choose to go this route, I would probably just make something or have a fellow Etsian help me out. Definitely great for inspiration!
Sara said
I am LOVING these dresses!!!
Eliza said
Once again, I am wondering how soon after getting married I can begin to plan a second wedding…
Alie K said
When I saw this, literally, I went "AAAAAHHHHHHH!" Like a beacon of light had shone through the clouds or something. If my FSIL hadn't already made my super amazing dress (and had a metric butt load of cash to spend), I would get one of these.
Miss Kate said
Holy Moly, I just found my dress!!!
Sarah said
I've been planning a cotton 50s style party dress since the beginning, hopefully I can have it made cheaper than $1800 – but definitely great to see how much can be done with cotton!
Amy said
Stunning. I want one.
megan said
how hilarious is it that all of her "poses" are so that she can pinch the fabric of the dress in the back so that it fits her better!!!! I love that.
That being said, these are awesome.
Missybeth said
@ Em. I felt the same. When I saw the site a few weeks ago, I fell in love with just about all the dresses! But starting @ $1800 a dress is out of my tiny budget
Molly said
Yea, beautiful but just too darned expensive. I do agree with the premise, however, that you do not have to feel like a 300 pound tulle monster on your wedding day.
Rebecca said
Thank heaven! I've been wanting a cotton wedding dress for years, and hadn't had ANY luck finding vendors–good find, Ariel!
Alexis said
I love these dresses…but who wants to pay $2000 for one!
Jill said
*sniffle sniffle* I found Cotton Bride about a year ago, and absolutly fell in love with one of their dresses. But it was $2,500. It's still a sore spot in my heart (but the dress I did get was awesome).
Also, FYI–David's Bridal now carries 3 bridesmaids dresses in cotton. I'm so glad cotton is becoming popular.
gwyneth colleen said
aaah! love.love.love times one hundred million.
i've been planning on a custom made cotton (NO TRAIN!) dress…and these are so close to what i'll probably wind up with. y'know, if a guy ever happens along.
i am so blogging this link!
Amanda Mayers said
I am in the process of trying to have one of the Spring '09's duplicated. These dresses are exactly what I've been looking for, but Chris Kole doesn't have a vender in Arizona!!! Love them.
Tara said
bookmarked this site!!! I am a picky bitch and through all my wedding planning and vendor research I haven't ever seen a dress and just gone… "I need it!!!!!!"
I just did!!!!!
andrea said
I am just wondering how they came about deciding that a cotton line would be considered eco? I have worked with organic fabrics for nearly twenty years (linens, silks etc) working in everything from wedding gowns (which I used to sew) to crafts… they are just better fabrics period. Not just natural but organic… the cotton industry is horrible for the environment, so I don't really understand why they are labeling this as an eco line. I am not trying to be harsh, but people should be aware of what they are buying, and if you are researching options for an eco wedding gown and this comes up, I would say that it is false advertising. Also, for that price, you could have a custom gown made to your specific measurements in organic silk… it pays to see what is out there, especially now that there are so many amazing designers on sites such as etsy!