Happy New Year!

As we go into the new year, it's easy for one to feel defeated and unhopeful. 2020 has been a challenging year for everyone all over the world. It's true that these challenges are still continuing on, however, it is important to remain positive at times like these. Here at Dress Haute, we hope to spread positivity and hope. We are hopeful that 2021 will bring us many blessings despite the devastation 2020 has brought. As a community, it's important to come together this year to help support and love one another. Together, we will get through this!

We hope you all have a fun and safe New Year! Dress Haute can’t wait to see you all in 2021!

#LUVYOURSELF

New Year's Eve Outfit Ideas

New Year’s Eve may look a little different this year but that doesn’t mean you can’t dress up for the occasion. Whether you are staying in, celebrating virtually, or seeing family, start the New Year looking and feeling your best! Scroll to see the top New Year’s Eve fashion trends for some inspiration. 

1. Metallic Mini Dress

ASOS

2. Colorful Sweater

LOFT

3. Jumpsuits

Nasty Gal

4. Leather Pants

Aritzia

5. Mini Bags

Forever 21

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Dress Haute! We love this holiday because it is filled with everything we love. Christmas brings joy, family, and lots of sparkle!

If you are celebrating Christmas this year, be sure to soak in every moment. Take time to relax and enjoy all the little things like food, warmth, family, and friends. After this year, you deserve to have a special Christmas surrounded by everything you love. It’s time to celebrate the life we get to live every single day and be grateful for what we still have. Remember to squeeze your loved ones a little tighter this year, you never know who needs extra love and support during times like these!

We want to thank all of you for all your continued support, we truly love each and every one of you! Enjoy your time with family and friends, we hope this Christmas is everything you need and more. See you after the holidays, take care!

#LUVYOURSELF

Dress Haute Wishlist

Not sure what to put on your Christmas list this year? Don’t worry, Dress Haute has tons of gift ideas that are perfect for you or a family member. We created a list featuring some of our favorite gifts, available right here at Dress Haute. Check them out below, we hope you enjoy! 

1. Princess Club 

 The Princess Club is about encouraging young girls and women to learn self-expression, confidence, and self-love through life lessons, experience, and creativity. Ages from 2-18 can sign up to become a part of the Princess Club and receive our subscription boxes! These boxes are filled with goodies and exclusive perks for everyone to enjoy! 

2. Dress Haute’s 2021 Calendar 

Order our new Dress Haute Calendar now! You can order this by December 14th, just in time for Christmas. This is a great way to not only get a gift for your friend or family member but also give back to your community. A portion of proceeds will be benefiting Project Prom of Allegheny County! 

3.     Dress Haute Magazine 

Our first ever magazine is finally here! Our magazine will encourage young girls to accept and embrace diversity. We hope that this magazine will start the ongoing conversation of self-love. There are articles for inspiration, activities, DIY’s, and so much more!

4.     Custom mask or gown 

Do you have a friend or family member that loves to dress up? Stop in or email us about creating a custom mask or gown. This can be for an event or occasion, we’re ready to make your imagination a reality.  Make your loved one the dress of their dreams, unique just for them.

The Importance of Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving! As this time of year rolls around, everyone is thinking about the perfect side dish to bring to dinner. Sometimes we forget to take the time to stop and remember why we do all of this in the first place. Thanksgiving is all about being surrounded by family and friends. Most importantly, it’s about giving thanks. But why is giving thanks so important? 

Gratitude, or giving thanks, is an appreciation for what we receive, tangible and intangible. It’s important to recognize all that we are grateful for as it improves our lives in many different ways. It can deepen our relationships, boost joy, reduce depression, and provides us with a sense of peace. 

As the craziness begins today, we at Dress Haute challenge you to slow down and practice gratitude. Before you start Thanksgiving dinner or even at the end of the night, think of three things that you are grateful for today. These can be simple things such as being grateful to wake up this morning. Go around the table or room and ask your family to participate! 

Dress Haute wishes you a Happy Holidays! We are grateful for each and every one of you. Thank you for supporting Dress Haute! 

#LUVYOURSELF

COMING SOON: DRESS HAUTE MAGAZINE

Do you want more Dress Haute? Be on the look out for our first magazine “Love Yourself” available this January! 

Dress Haute was created on the idea that love conquers all. Loving yourself and who you are is the most important thing to teach children at a very young age. Expressing oneself through fashion can lead to the innermost beauty of a young woman. 

Our mission with this magazine is to encourage young girls to embrace and accept diversity. We hope to inspire our audience to celebrate their flaws and live life unapologetically. Through every article, this magazine will start the ongoing conversation of self-love! 

Don’t forget, the holidays are fast approaching! This magazine is a great gift and will also be a part of our Princess Club boxes. The Princess Club is a monthly subscription box for kids ages 4-18. Each box is filled with accessories, clothing, and more! You don’t want to miss out of this great deal for the holidays, sign up today! 

#LUVYOURSELF

Finding Your Personal Style

Our clothes can say a lot about us. It represents who we are and how we’re feeling. One thing about our style is that it grows and changes as we do. Every day we wake up and pick out something to wear for the day. Without even thinking about it, we are showing the world our own personal style. Finding our own style can be challenging at times, but it’s about having fun and experimenting to find our identity. 

So, what’s your style? If you are having trouble finding it, here are a few tips to define your style and love your wardrobe! 

Get inspiration. First things first, research. Go through different magazines, blogs, and social media accounts to start figuring out what works best for you. Some of the most famous looks were inspired by someone else. By taking a look at the world around us, we can learn even more about ourselves. 

Experiment! This may be the most important tip of them all. Keep trying different styles, even the ones you may think you won’t like. Taking a step out of your comfort zone can lead you to discovering something you really love. If you are not finding anything that speaks to you, don’t get discouraged. You will find it! 

Focus on you. The only person that matters when it comes to finding your style is you, no one else. Focus on finding clothes that make you feel confident and powerful. Always trust your gut and go with what makes you feel your absolute best.  

How to Feel Confident When Wedding Dress Shopping

If you’re a bride-to-be, preparing for your wedding has brought up many emotions. It’s normal to be feeling nervous about how you look when all eyes are going to be on you. Every bride wants to find the perfect dress, adding a lot of pressure on one single shopping trip. It’s easy to feel disappointed in your body when you can’t find the dress you’ve hoped for. Wedding dress shopping should be an exciting and memorable experience, not a miserable one! Here are a few tips to help you look and feel your best the day you say, “I do”! 

 Choose your entourage carefully

A good support system is very important when dress shopping. Being kind to yourself is already hard enough when shopping, you don’t want other’s being negative as well. We all have friends who are too honest and sometimes can come off as being harsh. These are the people you do not want to bring. Of course, every bride wants to have other opinions and criticism. Make sure to bring people who deliver these comments in a supportive manner. 

Stop looking at sizes

A number will never define your worth! Make a promise to yourself to not look at the size when you’re trying on dresses. Size is just a number and can vary from store to store. You may be a size 10 at one store than a size 8 at the next. It is not the size that matters, but the way you feel when you put it on. 

Try different silhouettes

Most brides come into their appointment expecting to get a certain style. Don’t close yourself off to different dresses just because you think only one certain silhouette will look good on you. Try on a wide variety of options, you never know what can surprise you! 

Replace the negative thoughts

This is key to remaining body positive while looking for your wedding dress. Anytime you have a negative thought about your body, try replacing it with a positive one. Shopping can be stressful, there is no room for negativity!

Was Your Wedding Postponed Due to COVID-19? Here's what you can do to stay positive

It is no secret that the pandemic has changed everyone’s plans this year, especially those planning a wedding. Couples all over the world are faced with the challenge of finding new venues and vendors, making it seem impossible. Here are a few tips on how to reduce stress and stay positive during this time. 

Take Time to Write Everything Down

In the midst of the all chaos, it can be easy to let your emotions get the best of you. Creating a journal during this time is a great way to reduce stress by getting rid of all your negative thoughts and feelings. Whenever you feel yourself becoming overwhelmed, grab that piece of notebook paper and let it all go. 

Celebrate Your Original Wedding Date

Your dream wedding may have to be postponed but it does not change the importance of your original date. This day can be a celebration of the love and commitment you made to each other. Having a nice dinner, getting dressed up, and taking a trip down memory lane are just a few things you can do. Remember that when your day comes, it will be just as magical was you dreamed it would be. 

Photo by Cody Black

 Focus on The Good

It can be difficult to keep things in perspective during a time like this. Thinking about how this situation benefits you can offer a feeling of relief. One way of doing this is finding the positive aspects to having a longer engagement. Take comfort in the fact that you more time to invest into the relationship, only making it stronger before your big day.

Start Those DIY Projects

Never got around to working on those DIY projects for your wedding? Now is the perfect time to get started. Not only this is a great way to distract you from all the stress, it’s the perfect opportunity to make your wedding more personal and meaningful to the both of you. 

Photo by Lanty

Learn to Be Open and Flexible

Change is expected, even without COVID-19. It is important to understand some things are beyond your control. Remain positive by only focusing on the things that directly affect you. After postponing your wedding, you may not be able to have everything you originally planned. Learn to let go of the small things and prioritize what’s important to you. 

You’re not alone, you got this!

Self-Love Saturday: How Do You Do Self-Care?

               Everyone is unique in a lot of ways, especially when it comes to what we like to do. One of the most important things we can do as a person is take care of ourselves, however that may be. Some of us pamper ourselves with face masks or long baths, while others take the time to crack open a book they’ve been wanting to read.

               It’s not always fun, but, for me self-care centers around building self-confidence by accomplishing tasks or undertaking small health goals. One week, it may be cutting down on my caffeine consumption and trying to drink more water, and another it may be exercising more regularly. The most difficult (but potentially most rewarding) thing I did this year was significantly cutting down on my social media usage. I deleted my Facebook and Instagram entirely, and uninstalled Twitter from my phone. I only check Twitter once or twice daily if I’m on my laptop, and honestly, I don’t miss Facebook at all. While it may not be helpful for everyone, I felt like it freed up a good bit of my time and improved my ability to concentrate.

               For Self-Love Saturday, we challenge you to spend a few minutes today to take care of yourself! After you’re done, share your experience with us! What does your self-care regimen look like, and how does it make you feel?

- Alysha ♡

Mani Monday Summer Trend Spotlight - Ombré Nails

Summer is in full swing, and it’s time for fun summer manicures to complete your vacation outfits. One summer trend we can’t get enough of over here at DressHaute is ombré nails!

Ombré Nails

Image Credits: @will100893 (Instagram)

Image Credits: @zack_pn (Instagram)

Image Credits: @zack_pn (Instagram)

Image Credits: @nailsbyevelyndlt

Image Credits: @colorove__art__studio (Instagram)

Image Credits: @colorove__art__studio (Instagram)

One thing we love about this trend is that it works well with every nail length and shape, and you can be bold with neons or use subtle pastels. It can be adapted to every occasion, so you can’t go wrong with trying this trend.

Share your plans with us! What will your next manicure look like?

The Taste of Sweet Victory

After many months of preparation, it’s finally here! Our South Hills Village location is now open! We’re on the lower level of the mall next to Michael Kors and across from the Starbucks. At this new location, we have tons of brand new bridal gowns and accessories, as well as gowns for other special occasions like proms or pageants. Stop in and say hello when you get the chance! 😊

Now that our first week is over, we wanted to take another moment to reflect on the experience and thank all the people who helped make our grand opening celebration that much sweeter! Special thanks to Bethel Park Bakery for our cake, and DLF Designs for our floral arrangements.

Also, a special thank you to our lovely interns Peyton, Sierra, Eva, and Alysha! We couldn’t have done it without all your hard work!

Check out photos of the store opening below, and visit us at 301 S Hills Village, Bethel Park, PA 15241. Our hours are Sunday: 11am-6pm, and Monday-Saturday: 10am-9pm.

DressHaute is located on the lower level of the mall next to Micheal Kors and across from Starbucks. Come check us out after you’ve gotten your daily caffeine fix!

Here at DressHaute, we’re dedicated to making your shopping experience as comfortable and positive as possible.

We carry a large array of dresses that will work for many different occasions from pageants to proms and more!

We do more than just dresses here at DressHaute! We have shoes, jewelry, veils, and more!

We offer a wide selection of belts that will be the perfect finishing touch for your wedding or special occasion.

Thank you, DLF Designs for the lovely floral arrangements!

We’re obsessed with this floral arrangement that was made to look like a dress. It was perfect for the occasion!

Thank you, Bethel Park Bakery, for the amazing cake!

What Does Beauty Mean to You?

              As women, we have so many outside influences telling us to feel beautiful right after feeding us idea after idea about how we should constantly change ourselves. Another aspect many attempts at body positivity don’t consider is that beauty is subjective and often personal and unique to each individual. Here at DressHaute, our goal is helping women feel more beautiful, so we must ask this question: What does “beauty” mean to you?

              The answers many would give range from physical aspects of the body or fashion to more philosophical approaches. For myself, I would summarize my definition as overall contentment in oneself. While it would be amazing for us all to feel 100% enthusiastic and positive about ourselves 24/7, that approach is not always attainable for many women across all walks of life. We all have our insecurities, and some attempts at body positivity ignore that and end up alienating women instead of empowering them.

                A more attainable approach would be wanting to be at peace with where you are now, even if you’re not always happy. It’d create a healthier relationship with fashion, for starters. When was the last time you bought something just because you liked the piece and not because you were chasing an ideal version of yourself? For many of us, that answer is a lot further back than we would like to admit. Maybe it’s time that we step back and appreciate who we are in its entirety and just have fun with fashion again.

Share your thoughts with us! What is beauty to you, and when was the last time you felt beautiful?

- Alysha ♡

DressHaute

Hello I wanted to take this time and introduce myself and my company DressHaute. DressHaute was formed in 2014 as a Bridal and Special Occasion Boutique. The goal was to bring beautiful gowns to woman of all sizes and embrace everyones curves and beauty. In this world where beauty can be vain and it’s difficult to try and be the perfect figure my mission was to make every woman feel beautiful in a DressHaute gown. As a person who struggled with weight and PCOS growing up it was difficult to have that inner self confidence and self esteem. I always felt inadequate to the other girls on the cheerleading squad and the popular girls in school. You get a sense of not being enough at least that’s what you tell yourself. I was always different and unique by the way I dressed, to the people that I hung out with and always got along with older people then ones my age. It was difficult in a society where you were judged based off your looks and not your heart. Over twenty five years later I have worked hard on myself and luving myself and not living in the past anymore. I’ve learned that you are not defined by your past, it’s just building blocks for your adult life, which makes you who you are today. That’s why DressHaute’s mission is to luv who you are and embrace your curves no matter if there are a size 2 or size 24 and feeling beautiful in your skin. Life is about dressing up and showing up and being the best you can be. There’s a saying that you need to fake it until you make so technically everyone is an actress or actor in their own movie and it’s up to write the storyline. In the coming weeks we will discuss beauty, fashion, self-esteem, designing gowns, events and much more.

Stay Beautful

Carrie Ann