Many brands have made strides in offering expanded sizing and price parity by 2020, and wedding dress boutiques across the country are taking notice. On Friday, February 14, plus-size brand Eloquii and designer boutique Ella & Oak announced a new partnership to offer a comfortable, VIP, in-store dress shopping experience for women sizes 12 and up in “pop-ins” this spring.
According to The Knot 2019 Fashion Study for Size Inclusivity, plus-size brides are twice as likely to call chosen wedding dress shops ahead of time to ask about whether a dress is available in her size. Brides sizes 12 and up were also twice as likely than their sizes 0 to 10 counterparts to be self-conscious about the shopping experience overall.
To combat negative dress shopping memories for brides of all sizes, the two forces are combining efforts to give women who wear a 12 and up the full wedding event shopping experience they deserve in four distinct Eloquii locations. Ella & Oak is bringing its prized, designer wedding dresses to Eloquii locations, where there’s a plethora of pre-existing engagement party, bridal shower and bach party looks. There, brides can shop for designer wedding dresses and all their event-related outfits too in one-stop-shop, while enjoying an experience that is thoughtful and fun.
“The partnership with Ella & Oak will come to life in our stores, which was intentional,” Mariah Chase, CEO of Eloquii, tells The Knot. “All brides should have access to a memorable in-person shopping experience to touch, feel, try on and have fun with the process. By hosting in our stores, we are doing just that—and she can also shop Eloquii styles at the same time to get all her wedding looks for every event from her engagement party to her bridal shower and bachelorette party. We’ve created a one-stop shop for the bride and her bridal party.”
(Credit: Ella & Oak)
If you’re between the sizes of 12 to 30 and in need of a dress (or multiple wedding event looks), here’s what to do. First, see if you’ll be within proximity to the following cities (Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia or New York), on the corresponding dates. Then, schedule a 45-minute appointment with a stylist at Ella & Oak for a try-on session at an Eloquii location.
“This is the first time Ella & Oak is partnering in this way,” says Christine Callahan, co-owner of Ella & Oak. “We’re excited to offer an innovative new retail experience where [all] brides can enjoy an amazing shopping experience, try on luxury wedding dresses at an accessible price point, and find all the other bridal apparel they may want for their special day.”
Eloquii, which has long been a leader in the inclusivity space, is one of the brands making a splash in the dress shopping scene. Lately, brands like Pronovias, Instagram brand Lulus, DTC bridesmaid dress company Birdy Grey, legacy wedding dress company David’s Bridal and more have continued to drive the conversation forward, now offering a range of plus-size options in a variety of styles to help brides and bridesmaids feel confident on the wedding day.
The best part is each Eloquii boutique will offer a launch party. Even if you don’t decide to go for your wedding dress necessarily, you can at least scope out party looks with your girlfriends, especially if you’re planning to be a wedding guest this year. Visit Eloquii for its pop-in locations and dates below.
Lenox Square, Atlanta, Georgia
- Launch party held Friday, February 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. ET
- In-store appointments with Ella & Oak Bridal specialists on Saturday, February 29 and Sunday, March 1. Full retail hours.
Pentagon City, Washington D.C.
- Launch party held Friday, March 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. ET
- In-store appointments with Ella & Oak Bridal specialists on Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29. Full retail hours.
SoHo, New York
- Launch party held Thursday, April 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. ET
- In-store appointments with Ella & Oak Bridal specialists on Saturday, April 11 and Saturday, April 18. Full retail hours.
King of Prussia, Greater Philadelphia Area
- Launch party held Friday, May 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. ET
- In-store appointments with Ella & Oak Bridal specialists on Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10. Full retail hours.
