Best Modest Bridal & Formal, Part 2

There's no need to sacrifice modesty for style when you can have it all in one gorgeous gown!

The difficulty, of course, is finding that gown.

Boutique Narelle hasn't done a formal/prom/wedding dress promotion for a while, so in the Spring I went in search of up-to-date gorgeous gowns to usher modest ladies toward their glamour moment.

Our new discovery was Margene's Bridal, which Boutique Narelle explores here: Best Modest Bridal & Formal, Part 1.

I remember when I first discovered the prom sections of these Latter Day Saints modest fashion stores:

• www.BeautifullyModest.com
• www.LatterDayBride.com

I was speechless with awe and delight. I experienced this all over again as I explored Margene's Bridal. I could easily say (once my speech faculties returned) that the modest gowns from Margene's Bridal are stunningly beautiful with nothing to detract (or distract) from their sweetness.

You can find more modest and beautiful gowns at these LDS stores:

• www.TotallyModest.com
• www.EternityGowns.com *

*See comment at end of post.

That being said, if you're Downunder as I am, you may yet feel frustration, because the featured stores in this post are located in the USA. Both the above stores ship internationally (a refreshing option to find at an American store), but I suggest you use this currency calculator [click here] to help you figure out whether it's worth it.

I took a hopeful spin through www.MaggieSottero.com and was utterly disappointed. Two to three years ago this Australian designer offered several fabulous, modest designs, but no longer. Every single design in their current catalogue is seriously (dangerously!) strapless.

Most of us don't have the cash to buy a designer gown for our special event. Boutique Narelle suggests that you browse the Formal and Bridal sections on the "Labels" section of the sidebar to find helpful tips on how to find a dress that's adorable and modest.

A number of these BN posts feature gowns and links from Modest By Design which is now closed . These links will still allow you to windowshop for inspiration, but their front door won't open. Designer images courtesy of deceased stores are still useful, however, serving as inspiration for you and your seamstress.

Learning of the sad demise of Modest By Design spurred me to check the other links we've recommended here since Boutique Narelle opened four years ago. There have been quite a few shop deaths. I'm happy to report that the following stores and designers are still swishing with a few modest options.

• www.Chadwicks.com
• www.DavidsBridal.com
• www.VenusBridal.com

Most of the modest options at David's Bridal are jacket dresses (an utterly charming range that I would feature here except that this post is long enough). The store also offers a Personalize Your Look sleeves/coverage option for adapting standard dress designs.

Venus Bridal offers Temple Bridal and Temple Maids, available only in the USA, and associated brand www.BellaFormals.com, a catalogue which can be ordered through bridal stores anywhere in the world.

Venus Bridal's Temple collections offer the greatest variety of necklines of any of the modest formal stores BN has seen, but just one sleeve style.

Note: We are very sorry about the missing images. They were unexpectedly and irreversibly gobbled by Google+. 😱😭