AliShopsBlog.com - The Twin Cities Shopping Blog

Anthropologie is so skilled at delivering that feminine, whimsical, vintage-yet-modern aesthetic, a bridal collection almost seems inevitable. Parent company Urban Outfitters Inc. - yes, the chain also home to bathroom humor books and vast amounts of flannel - announced today that it will jump into the bridal business with a website launching Spring 2011, and plans to open dedicated stores eventually.  Anthropologie's design team will create the yet-unnamed collection, including heirloom wedding gowns, bridesmaid and occasion dresses, shoes and bags, jewelry and accessories, intimate apparel, invitations and decorations, as well as gifts. Wedding gowns will range from $750 to $5000, with occasion dresses starting at $200.

Make me a bridesmaid! Monique Lhuillier is introducing bridesmaid dresses that could make any girl forget the hassles of planning a shower. Eight styles, available in a variety of colors, range in price from $275 to $340. Get the first look on Friday, April 15. The Lhuillier salon at 50th & France will be the only store in the country to carry the bridesmaid collection (also available online).

If you're planning a 2009 wedding, you might want to hold off buying your dress until the Goodwill Bridal Showcase on Feb. 21. Goodwill will have more gowns for sale than ever before - including a big shipment from a local bridal retailer of new and sample gowns - many designer. The dresses are being inventoried now, but at least one Reem Acra - original price, $6,000 - has already been accounted for!

Tough enough to find the perfect prom dress, but how about one that looks stylish, without costing $400? Mothers of teens have been asking for suggestions of places to shop beyond department stores and prom shops like Glitz at Mall of America. I've been trying to steer them to special occasion consignment, vintage and some lower priced alternatives like Sears and JCPenney - both of which might surprise (in a good way). Local mom Chris emailed me for ideas, and then followed up with the results of her two-day prom shopping marathon with her picky daughter and friend. She's got some great observations:
"We did all the vintage shops out 50th and France way, they really didn't any formal wear that would appeal to teenagers but we definitely plan on doing that shopping trip again in a few weeks just for fun when we are not on a mission, the stores were great!  Brides of France had a small selection, but in the $400 range.
"My Sister's Closet on Grand had a small selection of dresses that appealed to us and the staff was very helpful. It was worth the trip. Macy's at Rosedale had a great selection - the girls each found a few that made the final list there.  And the prices were $120 - $180 so right in the price range for prom.  JCPenney has a nice selection too and every dress is 50% off right now - we actually put dresses on hold there.
"Both the girls found the perfect dresses at Cache at Rosedale.  (I would have never thought to go in there).  The staff and even a few customers were having fun with the girls helping them shop.  The dresses were right around $200, the jewelry the sales ladies were trying to accessories the girls with was a bit on the expensive end ($60 bracelets and $40 earrings).  A suggestion for shoes is Charlotte Russe.  "Both the girls got their shoes there and the store had a special, second pair for $10 so we got two pairs of shoes for $32.00 - can't beat that!
"We're done until next year!  Again, thank you for your suggestions and your web site.  We are planning some more vintage and consignment shopping trips because we didn't get through the list and we have some new stores on our radar.  The girls were amazed that they could get those favorite Abercrombie and/or other name jeans for a mere fraction of the price in these stores so  I think they're hooked on the idea.  We did score on jeans and some other items at Nu Look. Strongly recommend that store for the teenagers, three pairs of designer jeans and two t-shirts for $50." 

Whsew. Time flies when you're judging red carpet fashions from the Academy Awards. My deadline for the St. Paul Pioneer Press has long since passed - the report will be in Monday's paper. But I couldn't let all the great comments from local boutique owner Stephanie Morrissey go to waste. It's no surprise that her shop, Stephanie's, has a fab dress section - Morrissey is a red carpet devotee. Here are the awards she handed out for the evening:
Best Supportive Dress: Kristen Chenoweth
Best Visual Effects: John Travolta's hair stylist
Best Animated Short: Ryan Seacrest
Most Unusual Handbag:  Amy Adams
Best Jewelry: Jennifer Garner
Best Dress: Anne Hathaway
Worst Dress: Tied - Diablo Cody (in a frock borrowed from Betty Rubble) and Marion Cotillard (impersonating a mermaid)

Other random thoughts: Why does Cameron Diaz keep getting invited? Refreshingly real to see a pregnant actress in flats - Cate Blanchett, but what an unfortunate neckline. Jennifer Hudson's boobs speak for themselves - a dress outlining them is a bit much. Nicole Kidman looked like she was wearing a chandelier around her neck. Wow, motherhood agrees with Keri Russell, and the layers of necklaces looked great with that pale strapless bodice. Nice to see Amy Adam's red hair long and glamorous, after all of those messy updos and the green dress was a good choice for her, but she took evening bags to a whole new level of pointlessness, carrying a gold mesh adornment with nothing in it! Not even a lipstick!