Welcome to
Uptight Clothing
Home of the Coloured Wedding dress. Bedfordshire.
Uptight Clothing, independent Alternative, Corset Wedding dress designer.
A note from me.....
Welcome to Uptight Clothing....
Hi There, and Welcome, My name is Janice, I am the sole owner, Designer, maker at Uptight Clothing, since, 1999, I just wanted to update and apologise if I have not responded to any emails , messages over the past few years, it was not intentional, more a of a bit of a life change situation, lets just say my IT department is not great! but I'm working on it!
If you have messaged on something that I can still help with, please do message again, I'm in much more able to respond place now, and my next mission is to learn Zoom... to allow me to work with more over seas and mail order with the same service as much as possible, on smaller items like the belts etc... I'm working on a shop page, so keep checking back!
.....and also teaching, which I am passionate about, just need to get a bit more confident on this! So if you've messaged and I didn't reply, please message again, I'm getting there I promise! xx
The past few years has seen a lot go on with my personal life, as well, I'm a person, so this will happen, I sadly lost my Dad in 2022, my 22 year relationship/ marriage ended after we lost our adopted Daughter, I was pretty broken after this, then in Aug 2023, I had a heart attack, my body had had enough! But its been a year since, and I've slowly re built myself, time has healed what it can and things are good. I'm learning new things and trying to catch up, so please bare with me on this, but I'm am most defiantly here and back for good, So please enjoy your visit to Uptight, let me know what you'd like to seem more of or less off on here, and how it can be improved, I do listen.
Janice-Uptight xx
Whats new at Uptight Clothing???
Weddings fayres!!!!!!! 2024, London, Hackney, Nottingham, Hereford and Southampton!
Well, wedding fayre season is over for Uptight now...
its been brilliant , but hard going...its lot of lugging stuff about...a lot of stuff, so I don't miss that, but it was wonderful to meet so many amazing vendors and couples planning their weddings of all kinds!
Its really helped me find me groove again, and helped me find my place in the world again.
A massive thank you to all my fantastic, hard working models/best friends, Bex, Bev, Tamsin, Celene, Victoria, Jem, who have travelled about the place and dressed up and chatted for hours to people, something I'm not great at...thank you muchly for this, and Super Phil for all the carrying about of the stuff and dealing with the stressed out Jan the the days before....
https://www.hampshireweddingnetwork.co.uk/alternative-fayre
No more now till next year, the Hampshire alternative wedding network won hands down as it was in a hotel and we got to stay the night before,
which made it less stressful, the hand picked selection of unique and wonderful vendors by Alex Dargon was a fantastic, 3 massive rooms of alterative wedding joy! and we got to be next to The Ambro Brothers, https://ambros.shootproof.com/
with the fabulous set in the pic, who take amazing pics on the day in these clever sets made of junk, such as great addition to any event!
But that is for this year, time to rest, tidy and ready for next season, I will now be taking consultations and bookings for 2025/26.
Janice-Uptight Clothing xx
What the people say....
Past real Bride, Louise...Uptight wedding dress Experience Review...
I'm in the process of updating the website , I've over 20 years of past brides, so its quite a task, I lost most of my reviews when the old site went down, but I just by chance came across this wonderful review from Louise, who had a beautiful bespoke gown made a few years ago. Things have changed a bit now, I'm happy for you to take your own pics now in the consultations, but apart from that, the process and myself are much the same, as are my prices, this dress was made in 2011, 13 years ago now, and price wise, it would be aprox £4000-£5000, a bespoke dress in metres of pure silk, generally including me going to dress you on the day too! So in the scheme of things, not as much inflation as you might think!
But the biggest question, is still the same.....
(I lost the 'why so expensive?' blurb as well, but I may re write that so this make sense...but long and short, its hand made in the UK, by me, with UK living costs, not fast fashion made in a third world country.)
The Uptight wedding dress experience (and why I’m so happy with the price of my dress)
Firstly if you haven’t read “why so expensive” go back and read it. This is a follow up to that! I’m a real Uptight bride. I wanted to write this for no other reason than to share my own positive experiences with Uptight clothing and to help future brides to make up their mind about their wedding dress.
I was quite frightened about choosing my wedding dress, I’m 5’ 10”, busty, broad-shouldered and had been told that my wedding dress hunt might be more of an ordeal than a joy. Not long after Phil had proposed I found myself wandering into a bridal gown shop near to where I live. It was mid-week, so they weren’t busy, and I thought I’d pluck up the courage to make an appointment.
When I walked in one assistant was having a cup of coffee and tidying her enormous oak desk. The other shop assistant was hoovering the carpet. Neither of them even acknowledged me or asked if I needed any help. When I asked if I could make an appointment to try on some dresses, the one with the cup of coffee looked me up and down and said “We are awfully busy this time of year, perhaps you could make an appointment another time”. They wouldn’t even give me an appointment. I felt terrible. I now look back on that moment and feel I should thank them, without their insulting attitude I wouldn’t have scoured the internet, found Janice’s website and I would not have had the amazing wonderful journey in creating my dream dress.
The start of my Uptight journey
I live over 150 miles away from Janice’s showroom, but decided to visit her one summer day, “just to see”. My fiancé drove, but he wandered off for a walk while I tried things on.
I deliberately wanted to be on my own, so that I didn’t get caught up on other people’s opinion. I needed to know how I felt in the dresses not just how I looked, and no one but you knows how you feel.
If you are nervous about dressing in front of someone, or if you are shy, you have nothing to worry about with Janice, she is very patient, kind, and discreet whilst helping you into the gowns.
We started with a corset which was too small for me, just to give me an idea. I’m sure it must have looked ridiculous from behind but it looked great from the front view and gave us a starting point.
Again don’t be embarrassed, Janice is very discreet and you will not feel self conscious. I can’t remember how many gowns I tried on in the end, but Janice was great and guided me through.
This was genuinely a lovely experience, no stress, no pressure, no pushing; just lovely. Once we had an idea of what sort of shape corset and skirt I liked, we then started laying various different fabric samples over the top of the trial gowns.
I had pretty much decided on a two tone gown (being tall I can get away with it), but I really hadn’t decided which shade of blue or purple or burgundy I might go for with my antique ivory skirt.
No matter at this stage. Janice and I then sat down and started to design my dress. I had quite a few ideas too, and had brought some sketches I had done.
Do not worry if you are not artistic, Janice is brilliant at interpreting your ideas; you won’t have to draw too! I also had some weird plans too.
I wanted an artist’s palette and a microscope (I’m an art teacher and Phil is a scientist) embroidered somewhere on the dress.
Phil had proposed under my favourite tree in our garden, and hid the engagement ring in one of the knots. I wanted that tree embroidered somewhere too.
The whole thing could have ended up being a complete mess, but Janice started interpreting my ideas straight away to give me an idea of what could be achieved.
At this point, I must explain, there is no obligation, no hard sell, she is simply showing you what might achieved if you go ahead with it.
There is absolutely no pressure – this is important to stress as you may think that with so much time spent in you might feel obligated. Honestly, this was just a fun chat with Janice drawing out some plans.
Making the decision; writing the cheque.
Later that week Janice sent me everything I needed to help make my decision. She sent a drawing of the dress, some photos she took of me on the day trying on the most successful gowns (you won’t be allowed to take your own photos, so this really helped), some fabric samples (as I still hadn’t decided on my colour) and of course the contract and the price quote. I was going for something quite elaborate, full skirt with train, fully embroidered corset and a jacket with full length sleeves.
My price quoted was £3200. The deposit you pay is 50% of the full price. Wow. I gulped. I was past my price range. I am 39, getting married for the first time, and paying for the dress with my own money that I had saved.
So why did I gulp so heavily? That was same amount of money my car cost! The most expensive item of clothing I had in my wardrobe was a velvet jacket from Per Una at £120! How on earth could I spend this amount of money on a dress?
A dress I would wear just once, for one day.
Here are a few thoughts that might help you if you feel the same way.
Brides often don’t disclose how much they spent on their dress, and a couple of friends of mine divulged that their wedding dresses had actually cost more than that!
They were indeed beautiful dresses, made from beautiful material, but they weren’t made for them, to their exact specifications.
I needed to adjust my sights; wedding dresses were more expensive than I thought.
I haven’t got a “shoe or a handbag habit”. I started to justify in my head that my dress was going to make up for all the Louis Vuitton handbags I’d never bought, all the Jimmy Choo’s I’d never own, all the Gucci sunglasses I wouldn’t get.
If you have got a shoe or handbag habit then just stop buying them for a bit and save the money for your dress!
But it’s still for one day, just one day.
But what a day. When in your life will you have everyone taking your photo, all day? There will be photos of you from every angle, photos you didn’t even know were being taken?
When in your life will walk into a room and everyone, absolutely everyone will be looking at you? How many days in your life will you have recorded on video, possibly several video cameras?
How many times are you going to look at all these photos of your special day?
How many years to come will you see “that dress” captured forever in photo form? The thought of having a great dress to look back on in all the photos is lovely but not essential. True.
But when I thought about my wedding, I was thrilled to be marrying the man I loved, and thrilled that everyone was happy for us, but I was dreading all those photos, I was dreading how I would look.
When in your life will you declare your love publicly.
How many days in your life will you want to remember forever and ever? What other day in your life will there be when you have to look amazing yet feel comfortable?
How is that even possible? I took the plunge. Read and re read the contract, wrote out a check, and sent it off. That was it. I was going to have my dream dress. Incidently, the price quoted was the final price I paid. No hidden extras here!
Throughout the wedding planning process there have only been two things that didn’t worry me at all. One was the man I was marrying and the other was my dress.
The creative process
The rest of the process is just wonderful. I’ve read about brides, who get their dress quite early on in their engagement. Then they see a better one nearer the time and buy another one!
Most recently in the newspaper there was a woman who had nine different dresses for her wedding day! I’ll bet she didn’t like a single one of her dresses as much as I love my one!
There are plenty of opportunities to change your mind when getting a dress from uptight clothing. But decide on your fabrics carefully as once they have been purchased the making begins.
Even once the making process has begun there are still some details that can be changed. I still couldn’t decide on the colour of the top of my gown. The samples Janice had sent were great but I still wasn’t certain.
I discussed this with her over the phone, as getting to the showroom again before the first fitting wasn’t possible.
Again Janice was so patient. She sent me further samples and took photos with the coloured fabric next to the ivory, and with different embroidery colours and chiffons. This was so helpful and enabled me to eventually decide on a dramatic shot purple to go with my more traditional ivory.
We still weren’t sure about how the embroidery would look or exactly where it would, but that didn’t matter at this stage so I was able to think about it a bit more. At the first fitting the skirt was made and a mock-up of the corset and jacket in test fabric. This was great, Janice was able to make some size adjustments and able to fit the corset depending on how busty you want to be. She also checked my shoulders for the sleeve fitting.
On this occasion my Mum and Dad came with me. I did not want my Dad to know how much the dress was costing me, as I didn’t think he’d understand why I was spending so much money.
Once in the showroom, he couldn’t not believe how complicated the corset was, and how many seams there were to adjust. He said “this isn’t just a dress it’s a feat of engineering”. My Mum loved it, even she tried on a couple of jackets to give herself some ideas for her outfit.
Janice even explained the complicated sleeve process to my Mum to help her if she wanted to make something for herself! How many other dress makers would be so generous with their time?
When we got in the car he asked me what the price was. Reluctantly I told him. He nodded sagely and said “You get what you pay for, there’s a heck of a lot of work going into that dress. I’m surprised she can do it for that price!”
You could have knocked me down with a feather. My Dad understood that you are not just paying for a dress: you’re paying for a trained and talented person’s time. It costs money to pay anyone to do anything- the plumber, the builder, the electrician all charge us for their time and expertise. Why should dress-making be any different?
Janice kept me informed throughout the next phase. She sent emails of the embroidery of the tree, microscope and palette before finalising the dress, I still would have been able to change things if it hadn’t been what was in my mind. I didn’t change a thing, Janice’s interpretations were superb.
I kept looking at the photos she sent – she had taken an eccentric idea and turned it into something beautiful. I started to get very excited about my next fitting. Being a teacher it’s almost impossible to take time off work so all my fittings were in school holidays or at weekends.
Janice worked round my tight schedule without a problem, she was so accommodating. Janice also makes amzing wire work jewellery to go with Uptight gowns. Being a creative type I was determined to make something for my wedding day and wanted to make my won necklace. I made a start. It wasn’t bad but not quite right, I emailed Janice to admit that I was trying to make something in her style, but that it was important for me to have something I made myself, but I needed some advice to neaten it up.
Her reaction was so lovely, she told me to bring my unfinished necklace with me so that she could help. My second fitting was a joy, the dress was all but done, just missing the ribbons at the back, some of the crystals, and the dingley-dangley bits. We were also able to decide on putting the microscope and palette at the foot of the train rather than hiding them in the folds of fabric which was our original plan.
We then had time to inspect my jewellery, and Janice advised me on how to fit the clasp, which suppliers to use and how to mould the shape more effectively. Janice was however making some butterflies for my hair, she carefully inspected the crystals I had used so that our work matched.
This is important to point out, on your wedding journey you will not find someone so helpful, or someone that understands your little foibles. Janice wasn’t annoyed I was making my own necklace, she loved it and enabled me to create something myself that looked great alongside her creation.
Subtle extra touches like this make all the difference to your journey. Between the second fitting and my final fitting, Janice continued to email me with updates. I suddenly made a decision that I wanted removable wispy sleeves to put on, just in case I took my jacket off later on in the day. This was fine and Janice made some in time for my final fitting!
Meanwhile my Mum had also emailed Janice asking her for some spare fabric as she wanted to make us a “wedding quilt”, so Janice kept the spare off-cuts and was able to give them to Mum when we collected the dress.
Collecting the dress was incredible. My chief bridesmaid was with me too this time, keen to see how the lacing up worked and how to hitch up the train for later in the day. Again Janice’s patience shone through.
A tie for my husband to be and a bow tie for my Dad had been made by Wendy Harrup to match my dress and my beautiful butterflies were ready and waiting, in a beautiful little box. Everything was in place.
Whilst planning my wedding there have definitely been times when I felt stressed out and overwhelmed. On those days I simply look at my dress (at whatever stage it was at) and felt happier.
There is so much joy in this process, and no fear at all. I knew right from the start that this was the very best way to get my dream dress. The wedding itself was an absolute dream.
There were a few folks gathered outside the Medieval hall to watch me arrive and there were many gasps as I got out of the car! As indeed there were in the hall when I came down the aisle.
My friend Eleanor, mother of one of my bridesmaids, had already seen the dress that morning, so when I walked in she looked at Phil, my husband to be, instead of me. She said his face was a picture, his lips wobbled and his eyes didn’t move from looking at me.
He didn’t notice the tree until we were signing the register. He mentioned it in his speech –“it blew me away when I saw that tree…” He said he didn’t even notice what colour the bridesmaids were wearing until the end of the ceremony!
You will see on the Uptight website many brides saying what incredible comments you get in an Uptight gown. Well it’s true.
All day, all I heard was, “ You look stunning”, “That dress is incredible”, “ This is truly the most beautiful gown I’ve ever seen”. People wanted to get close to the dress, touch the fabric, inspect all the little bits and bobs. Far from being embarrassed I loved it!
Being married in the same year as two royal weddings presented no pressure at all; so many people that said to me “Kate’s dress won’t be a beautiful or as personal as yours!”
So now the day is gone and the thank you cards are being written, do I really think it was worth all that money. Oh yes, yes yes, a thousand times yes. I honestly was dreading how I would look in the photos and how I would feel with everyone looking at me all day.
In my perfectly tailor made gown I felt so happy and confident that I didn’t mind my photo being taken at all. I’ve only seen a few photos so far, but all of them look amazing. I can’t stop looking at them. They are helping me remember my day.
If you can save up for it, do.
My gown was not for one day, I will treasure it forever, and treasure my photos of my wonderful day forever, mainly because I married the man I love; but what a dress to wear while you say “I do”
Not just for Weddings...
Embroidered Corset Belts...
Uptight wedding dresses have always offered flexibility, due to being separates, corset, sleeves, jacket, skirts, now I am making Corset belts, these can go over your Wedding corset, and also can be worn over your everyday clothes too, or I can make them to go over a wedding dress bought else where to give it a touch of your own personal details, colour and sparkle!
Corset Belts as gifts and Mail order...
Due to the ease of sizing in these belts, they lace up and have elastic sides, I am happy to do these mail order to anywhere I can post to!
These, as the Uptight Dresses, are bespoke and personal, I can pretty much do anything you wish on them, designs and words, inside and out, perfect as a beautiful surprise gift for a loved one, or for yourself as a loved one, feel special and magical everyday!
match hand painted silk scarves and hoods also made to order.
Prices from £200.
Dress Up days!!!!
The Ultimate Uptight Experience!!!!!
Uptight is not just for Brides.....I realised that the experience of dressing up and feeling like the epic Queen that you are, should not be subject to just because your getting married. It would be fab to feel like this all the time, a little pick me up when you feeling not your self, a dress up day, no obligation to buy a dress, just time spent dressing up for fun, its not frivolous, trust me, you will come away feeling like an utter Goddess, because you are, some times we just need to be reminded! Bring your friends or come alone, take your own selfies, I will take pics also, less formal than a shoot day, just showroom pics of a fun day out!
I hate pricing this, as I honestly, just love doing it, but for bookings between now and the end of the year I will charge £50 per person to cover time and tea!
Message me or whatsapp me, Janice on 07884477286.
About Uptight Clothing...
About Uptight....
Uptight Clothing is a small independent business, based in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire. Run by Janice Whitehorn for over 20 years, working from her beautiful Turquoise purpose built gothic workroom and showroom, newly settled at the bottom of her magical garden...
Uptight specializes in Alternative, couture, corseted wedding/bridal gowns, made to measure underwear corsets and bespoke fantasy jewellery. All inspired by nature, period, theatrical and fantasy, Pagan/witchy elements, but mainly by the wearer themselves.
All corsets and gowns are completely designed and made to order individually for each client, all clients deal exclusively with the designer, Janice, from the initial consultation, fittings and finishes, dealing with you personally, all the way, including dressing on the day and photographing you in your magical dress too!
Visit The showroom, Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire LU5.
What happens in a consultation?
A consultation is an appointment where you come to the showroom...
What happens in this meeting?
If you think you would like to have a gown made for you, we start by having a consultation.
This is where we make an appointment for you, you can bring up to 2 people with you, where you can come to the showroom, in Houghton Regis, Beds. Where we meet, you can view all the sample gowns, and try them on too. Look at all the different fabric and embellishment options, like embroidery, beading, crystals etc...Look at the many past brides portfolios etc.
You can try on the samples and I will take photos to send to you as a record. If you wish to take photos, please just ask.
In this meeting, we will discuss your ideas, needs etc, and I will draw up your design especially for you. Take your details, and then send you a written quote, breakdown and a copy of your design.
The show room will be exclusively yours, I only have one client in at a time, and allow 2-4 hours just for you to try things on, chat, have a cup of tea, no stress, no pressure, no pushy sales, this is a big decision, don't take it lightly, I want you to be sure!
I never ask you to commit or take payments on the day. I much prefer you to take you time, go away and think about things. If you are happy with the quote and the design, we both sign a contract committing to it, a 50% deposit is required to hold the space, and I buy all the needed fabrics in etc.
This can be done via bank transfer or paypal.
You can come back as many times as you wish to see me again to discuss things and try on the samples.
I do not charge for this consultation, so please respect this by attending a booking or cancelling if it is no longer needed. x
view the new showroom virtually here!
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1082376296183502
All about you...The gowns collection and Real brides...
The best Part of my job at Uptight, is making real brides gowns!
I love to make things which are very personal to you, so I am very happy to incorporate any personal touches, into the embroidery, or actual pieces like fabric, jewellery, etc in to your design. During this meeting, the consultation, which is free, I allocate 2-4 hours to you, in the private showroom, where you can relax, and not feel under any pressure, its an informal chat.
You get to come meet me in person, Janice-Uptight, where I will guide you through the showroom, try on the samples, look at all the fabrics etc, you can share all your ideas and needs, I will then do a hand drawn design based on this, followed by a written quote. This meeting and quote are non obligatory, there is no hard sell.
If you are happy with the design and the price, we both sign a contract, a 50% deposit secures your making space, and off we go. If you wish to come back again before this commitment, that’s fine too, I want to get it right, and I want you to be happy.
All gowns are made to measure, by me, there is no sizing or numbers, just a beautiful gown, made to fit you, just as you are, allowing you to feel your very best self!
A wedding should be a reflection of you, not a projection of others. xx
The Gowns Collection...
The Showroom in Bedfordshire holds the collection of Uptight Designs, these are all made as Sample gowns. Held in the Uptight Showroom in Bedfordshire, as an example of what can be made in Uptights style, a starting point as it were, all ready for viewing and trying on in person during consultations, where you can come and view the sample gowns, try them on, view the wide range of fabric options, and look through the past real bride portfolios too. These designs can be made exactly as they are, or as a starting point of your own personal design.
Gowns start from £3000-£5000+, price on application.
Gowns Price Guide...
As a celebration to Uptights new re opening and new showroom , I have decided to hold the price lift, fabrics and energy prices have rocket in the past few years, and like every other business, I have had to increase my prices to survive, but I appreciate this makes this bespoke product very expensive, so for this year I am holding my prices if I have stock of the silks to the price I was charging over 10 years ago, this is a massive reduction, for the same great personal service Uptight have always provided!
All Uptights corset and gowns are made to order, so an accurate written quote will be given after a consultation in person, but here's a guide to pricing based on Uptights most popular designs...
Full skirted silk gown with adorned corset, sleeve/jacket...
from £4000+.
The most popular of Uptight designs are the full skirted options, either in silk or a tulle with laser cut work, or Swarovski crystals...with a silk/velvet corset with some kind of personal embroidery on the front or back or both, with a sleeve option /bolero jacket.
Full skirted design as above, but no adornments...
From £3600+.
A full skirted option in silk or tulle, with a classic silk/velvet corset with sleeve/jacket option.
A slimmer skirted option with corset and sleeve/jacket options...
From £2800+.
The same classic Uptight corset, but with a slimmer skirt, as simple as a fitted a line, fishtail, or more flowing a line, but with no need for petticoats and nets.
All designs are made to order and to measure unless in the sample sale. Prices are made on application, based on design, and fabrics/details chosen.
Fitting your unique dress in person!
What happens in the fittings?
Fittings, in the contract, I allow for 3 -5 in person fittings, we generally only need 3, but its best to allow for more, just in case of weight change, or style change!
The first fitting is a calico mock-up of your dress. This is a canvas version of your corset pattern, the skirt may be in real silk to fitting point or calico, depending on the design. This I use to get the right fit on your body, this can be changed and altered, drawn on pinned in etc....without spoiling the silk, as it's just a mock up.
I then use this to make the fitted pattern, which is the second fitting. this is in the real silk, but not finished, so we can see how the fit is, and try on any embroidery or embellishment's etc... any embroidery will be sampled for this point for viewing.
Your shoes/boots will be needed for all the fittings to allow the hem line to be made to the right length.
At this meeting a further 30% of the payment is made.
If there are many alterations after this, we will fit again, but generally, if there are no changes at this fitting, I will make it to finish, and your next appointment will be collection.
At collection, you will come, try on the dress, with full footwear, jewellery etc...it is now ready to be taken home!
I will pack it in the dress bag, and carry it out to your car, and see you on the big day!
The final payment is due at this meeting and will need to be paid before removal of the dress from the showroom.
Hand painted and hand dyed silk gowns.......
Uptight has always made very special, unique, bespoke gowns, but we are now thrilled, due to the new dye shed, can offer completely hand made gowns, that are also hand dyed and painted in your own personal unique colour pallet in silk!
This dye service for just fabric to purchase will be available soon, please email or call to enquire if you are interested.
Prices for dyed fabric will be from £100 per metre.
Hand painted pure liquid silk.......night skies, galaxies, autumnal flows, rainbows, auroras....this new style of fabric completely unique to Uptight Clothing. All hand dyed and painted here in our new dye shed, allows all your colourful dreams to come true!
Hand painted wedding dresses are from £3000-£5000+
The New Printed collection....
Uptight has been lucky enough to have sourced the most amazing hand designed fabric, all designed by the most brilliant silk painting artist, Milike, were very excited about this, more new designs like this to come!
Printed corset wedding dresses from £4000+.
Be an Uptight Model for the day!!!
For those who would love to wear an Uptight frock but don't have a reason to get one made......
Uptight is now offering photo shoot days :)
This can be in the Uptight Showroom and new photography studio, and surrounding locations, our beautiful woods and Dunstable downs. Or at the new Charmouth, Dorset Location, with its rolling beach sunsets :)
You will be able to pic from the gowns collection in the showroom, and we can have a ball taking pictures of you dressed up in all your glory!
Prices £300 is for a full day , going out on location etc and will include a full set of digital images taken on the day, with edits, to use as you wish.
Or....as I'm just ironing and testing out how this can work... am much less formal set up, like a wedding dress consultation, but with absolutely no inters in buying a dress, you just get to try on fabulous dress, look and feel like the utter Goddess you are, I will take pics, you can take pics all in the showroom for the lets see how things pan out with this new, slash...been doing it for years anyway, I just really love dressing people up to make them feel good for a job... venture, of £100 for a 2-3 hour session....
if this appeals to you, just give me a message on her or on 07884477286.
The Uptight Models...
All Uptight models are my friends, amazing, strong women who I've been blessed enough to meet along the way. The re launch of Uptight has been supported very much by all of these strong women. We have the much-known original models Bex and Victoria, who always rock the dresses and have been for over a decade, are joined by the most recent Clare, Jude and Karen, a bunch of amazing ladies who I've met at the gym over the past few years on my own journey. Everyone's I've met, have their own painful yet beautiful story to tell, their realness to me is is their strength and their beauty that exudes beyond dresses and photographs. I have been lucky enough to have had the chance to photograph so many women, as Uptight, in a way I hope captures their light, their happiness, their joy, their strength, brought to the surface by a Uptight frock. None are ' real' models, by way of age, size, height, this is a stance I have always taken, which saw me rejected from fashion collage and into theatre costume at Liverpool city college, 25 years ago. As I refused to draw and design for the standard model type, it never felt real or what people wanted to see, or identify with. The worlds constant obsession with youth and thinness feels like the biggest source of unhappiness for women, when strength of spirit, strength of character, resilience, and love in a world give so much more joy and fullness to life. The Uptight models, my dear, beautiful in every way friends, each bride, customer I've worked with. Thank you. Thank you for your patience, your faith, your encouragement, for your belief and your trust. I hope you enjoy the new collections. Janice-Uptight Clothing xx
Now offering.....Uptight Teaching/lessons!!!!
Uptight can now offer the opportunity for one to one and class teaching of corset making, gown making, embroidery, or anything else I may know that you wish to know!
Years ago, I was too scared to teach, but I'm getting old now, going a bit blind, my back hurts...its time to pass on the knowledge before I forget, and a girl still had bills to pay ....I know a fair bit and discovered I love teaching now!
So can now offer teaching, which can be here in my studio, one to one. All lessons will be bespoken to your learning requirements, and I am also happy to come to an organised lesson with a limited group number.
Prices from £30-£60p/h
£200-£300 + per day.
Media...the Giganta dress, Miss international 2022, the making off....
Back in January 2022 Uptight was approached to do a last-minute job, a big job....a very big , last-minute job...
It was for a charity who were supporting Miss Eco international, this was a time that I was completely floored after the year form hell and had nothing left to give and wanted to quit making...then this beast of a dress, as I do love a challenge ... brought me back to life with a bang! well more lots of tears, screaming, late nights and a few altercations with unruly crinoline bones and ...people... It was a big learning curve, in making and my ability to say no, a new concept for me!
But what came after was all good...I got my fire back!!!
I will be adding a page to the making of this epic dress soon xx
Media...Miss England 2022....
***THIS DRESSS IS FOR SALE......£500... SIZE 8-10****
link below...
Uptight was chosen by Miss England finalist, Leigh Jane Cooper, I say chosen.... I box with her gran Anita, so it would be rude not to lol...
Uptight made her bespoke hand dyed teal fitted skirt and corset adorned with Swarovski crystals for the Semi-finals, and she will be wearing a fuller Uptight gown next week for the finals, good luck leigh!
https://www.missengland.info/qualifiers/miss-england-2022-final/
click here to vote!
About Uptight Clothing...
About Uptight....
Uptight Clothing is a small independent business, based in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire. Run by Janice Whitehorn for over 20 years, working from her beautiful Turquoise purpose built gothic workroom and showroom, newly settled at the bottom of her magical garden...
Uptight specializes in Alternative, couture, corseted wedding/bridal gowns, made to measure underwear corsets and bespoke fantasy jewellery. All inspired by nature, period, theatrical and fantasy, Pagan/witchy elements, but mainly by the wearer themselves.
All corsets and gowns are completely designed and made to order individually for each client, all clients deal exclusively with the designer, Janice, from the initial consultation, fittings and finishes, dealing with you personally, all the way, including dressing on the day and photographing you in your magical dress too!
Visit The showroom, Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire LU5.
What happens in a consultation?
A consultation is an appointment where you come to the showroom...
What happens in this meeting?
If you think you would like to have a gown made for you, we start by having a consultation.
This is where we make an appointment for you, you can bring up to 2 people with you, where you can come to the showroom, in Houghton Regis, Beds. Where we meet, you can view all the sample gowns, and try them on too. Look at all the different fabric and embellishment options, like embroidery, beading, crystals etc...Look at the many past brides portfolios etc.
You can try on the samples and I will take photos to send to you as a record. If you wish to take photos, please just ask.
In this meeting, we will discuss your ideas, needs etc, and I will draw up your design especially for you. Take your details, and then send you a written quote, breakdown and a copy of your design.
The show room will be exclusively yours, I only have one client in at a time, and allow 2-4 hours just for you to try things on, chat, have a cup of tea, no stress, no pressure, no pushy sales, this is a big decision, don't take it lightly, I want you to be sure!
I never ask you to commit or take payments on the day. I much prefer you to take you time, go away and think about things. If you are happy with the quote and the design, we both sign a contract committing to it, a 50% deposit is required to hold the space, and I buy all the needed fabrics in etc.
This can be done via bank transfer or paypal.
You can come back as many times as you wish to see me again to discuss things and try on the samples.
I do not charge for this consultation, so please respect this by attending a booking or cancelling if it is no longer needed. x
view the new showroom virtually here!
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1082376296183502
All about you...The gowns collection and Real brides...
The best Part of my job at Uptight, is making real brides gowns!
I love to make things which are very personal to you, so I am very happy to incorporate any personal touches, into the embroidery, or actual pieces like fabric, jewellery, etc in to your design. During this meeting, the consultation, which is free, I allocate 2-4 hours to you, in the private showroom, where you can relax, and not feel under any pressure, its an informal chat.
You get to come meet me in person, Janice-Uptight, where I will guide you through the showroom, try on the samples, look at all the fabrics etc, you can share all your ideas and needs, I will then do a hand drawn design based on this, followed by a written quote. This meeting and quote are non obligatory, there is no hard sell.
If you are happy with the design and the price, we both sign a contract, a 50% deposit secures your making space, and off we go. If you wish to come back again before this commitment, that’s fine too, I want to get it right, and I want you to be happy.
All gowns are made to measure, by me, there is no sizing or numbers, just a beautiful gown, made to fit you, just as you are, allowing you to feel your very best self!
A wedding should be a reflection of you, not a projection of others. xx
The Gowns Collection...
The Showroom in Bedfordshire holds the collection of Uptight Designs, these are all made as Sample gowns. Held in the Uptight Showroom in Bedfordshire, as an example of what can be made in Uptights style, a starting point as it were, all ready for viewing and trying on in person during consultations, where you can come and view the sample gowns, try them on, view the wide range of fabric options, and look through the past real bride portfolios too. These designs can be made exactly as they are, or as a starting point of your own personal design.
Gowns start from £3000-£5000+, price on application.
Gowns Price Guide...
As a celebration to Uptights new re opening and new showroom , I have decided to hold the price lift, fabrics and energy prices have rocket in the past few years, and like every other business, I have had to increase my prices to survive, but I appreciate this makes this bespoke product very expensive, so for this year I am holding my prices if I have stock of the silks to the price I was charging over 10 years ago, this is a massive reduction, for the same great personal service Uptight have always provided!
All Uptights corset and gowns are made to order, so an accurate written quote will be given after a consultation in person, but here's a guide to pricing based on Uptights most popular designs...
Full skirted silk gown with adorned corset, sleeve/jacket...
from £4000+.
The most popular of Uptight designs are the full skirted options, either in silk or a tulle with laser cut work, or Swarovski crystals...with a silk/velvet corset with some kind of personal embroidery on the front or back or both, with a sleeve option /bolero jacket.
Full skirted design as above, but no adornments...
From £3600+.
A full skirted option in silk or tulle, with a classic silk/velvet corset with sleeve/jacket option.
A slimmer skirted option with corset and sleeve/jacket options...
From £2800+.
The same classic Uptight corset, but with a slimmer skirt, as simple as a fitted a line, fishtail, or more flowing a line, but with no need for petticoats and nets.
All designs are made to order and to measure unless in the sample sale. Prices are made on application, based on design, and fabrics/details chosen.
Fitting your unique dress in person!
What happens in the fittings?
Fittings, in the contract, I allow for 3 -5 in person fittings, we generally only need 3, but its best to allow for more, just in case of weight change, or style change!
The first fitting is a calico mock-up of your dress. This is a canvas version of your corset pattern, the skirt may be in real silk to fitting point or calico, depending on the design. This I use to get the right fit on your body, this can be changed and altered, drawn on pinned in etc....without spoiling the silk, as it's just a mock up.
I then use this to make the fitted pattern, which is the second fitting. this is in the real silk, but not finished, so we can see how the fit is, and try on any embroidery or embellishment's etc... any embroidery will be sampled for this point for viewing.
Your shoes/boots will be needed for all the fittings to allow the hem line to be made to the right length.
At this meeting a further 30% of the payment is made.
If there are many alterations after this, we will fit again, but generally, if there are no changes at this fitting, I will make it to finish, and your next appointment will be collection.
At collection, you will come, try on the dress, with full footwear, jewellery etc...it is now ready to be taken home!
I will pack it in the dress bag, and carry it out to your car, and see you on the big day!
The final payment is due at this meeting and will need to be paid before removal of the dress from the showroom.
Hand painted and hand dyed silk gowns.......
Uptight has always made very special, unique, bespoke gowns, but we are now thrilled, due to the new dye shed, can offer completely hand made gowns, that are also hand dyed and painted in your own personal unique colour pallet in silk!
This dye service for just fabric to purchase will be available soon, please email or call to enquire if you are interested.
Prices for dyed fabric will be from £100 per metre.
Hand painted pure liquid silk.......night skies, galaxies, autumnal flows, rainbows, auroras....this new style of fabric completely unique to Uptight Clothing. All hand dyed and painted here in our new dye shed, allows all your colourful dreams to come true!
Hand painted wedding dresses are from £3000-£5000+
The New Printed collection....
Uptight has been lucky enough to have sourced the most amazing hand designed fabric, all designed by the most brilliant silk painting artist, Milike, were very excited about this, more new designs like this to come!
Printed corset wedding dresses from £4000+.
Be an Uptight Model for the day!!!
For those who would love to wear an Uptight frock but don't have a reason to get one made......
Uptight is now offering photo shoot days :)
This can be in the Uptight Showroom and new photography studio, and surrounding locations, our beautiful woods and Dunstable downs. Or at the new Charmouth, Dorset Location, with its rolling beach sunsets :)
You will be able to pic from the gowns collection in the showroom, and we can have a ball taking pictures of you dressed up in all your glory!
Prices £300 is for a full day , going out on location etc and will include a full set of digital images taken on the day, with edits, to use as you wish.
Or....as I'm just ironing and testing out how this can work... am much less formal set up, like a wedding dress consultation, but with absolutely no inters in buying a dress, you just get to try on fabulous dress, look and feel like the utter Goddess you are, I will take pics, you can take pics all in the showroom for the lets see how things pan out with this new, slash...been doing it for years anyway, I just really love dressing people up to make them feel good for a job... venture, of £100 for a 2-3 hour session....
if this appeals to you, just give me a message on her or on 07884477286.
The Uptight Models...
All Uptight models are my friends, amazing, strong women who I've been blessed enough to meet along the way. The re launch of Uptight has been supported very much by all of these strong women. We have the much-known original models Bex and Victoria, who always rock the dresses and have been for over a decade, are joined by the most recent Clare, Jude and Karen, a bunch of amazing ladies who I've met at the gym over the past few years on my own journey. Everyone's I've met, have their own painful yet beautiful story to tell, their realness to me is is their strength and their beauty that exudes beyond dresses and photographs. I have been lucky enough to have had the chance to photograph so many women, as Uptight, in a way I hope captures their light, their happiness, their joy, their strength, brought to the surface by a Uptight frock. None are ' real' models, by way of age, size, height, this is a stance I have always taken, which saw me rejected from fashion collage and into theatre costume at Liverpool city college, 25 years ago. As I refused to draw and design for the standard model type, it never felt real or what people wanted to see, or identify with. The worlds constant obsession with youth and thinness feels like the biggest source of unhappiness for women, when strength of spirit, strength of character, resilience, and love in a world give so much more joy and fullness to life. The Uptight models, my dear, beautiful in every way friends, each bride, customer I've worked with. Thank you. Thank you for your patience, your faith, your encouragement, for your belief and your trust. I hope you enjoy the new collections. Janice-Uptight Clothing xx
Now offering.....Uptight Teaching/lessons!!!!
Uptight can now offer the opportunity for one to one and class teaching of corset making, gown making, embroidery, or anything else I may know that you wish to know!
Years ago, I was too scared to teach, but I'm getting old now, going a bit blind, my back hurts...its time to pass on the knowledge before I forget, and a girl still had bills to pay ....I know a fair bit and discovered I love teaching now!
So can now offer teaching, which can be here in my studio, one to one. All lessons will be bespoken to your learning requirements, and I am also happy to come to an organised lesson with a limited group number.
Prices from £30-£60p/h
£200-£300 + per day.
Media...the Giganta dress, Miss international 2022, the making off....
Back in January 2022 Uptight was approached to do a last-minute job, a big job....a very big , last-minute job...
It was for a charity who were supporting Miss Eco international, this was a time that I was completely floored after the year form hell and had nothing left to give and wanted to quit making...then this beast of a dress, as I do love a challenge ... brought me back to life with a bang! well more lots of tears, screaming, late nights and a few altercations with unruly crinoline bones and ...people... It was a big learning curve, in making and my ability to say no, a new concept for me!
But what came after was all good...I got my fire back!!!
I will be adding a page to the making of this epic dress soon xx
Media...Miss England 2022....
***THIS DRESSS IS FOR SALE......£500... SIZE 8-10****
link below...
Uptight was chosen by Miss England finalist, Leigh Jane Cooper, I say chosen.... I box with her gran Anita, so it would be rude not to lol...
Uptight made her bespoke hand dyed teal fitted skirt and corset adorned with Swarovski crystals for the Semi-finals, and she will be wearing a fuller Uptight gown next week for the finals, good luck leigh!
https://www.missengland.info/qualifiers/miss-england-2022-final/
click here to vote!
Miss England Finalist Dress, hand dyed teal silk.
Miss England finalist dress
£500.00
(£20.00 shipping)
A unique off off gown, made for contestant finalist Leigh Jane for Miss England 2022, consisting of a hand dyed silk teal and turquoise corset, with Swarovski crystals on the front, with ribbon laces, and a full length fitted skirt in the same silk, backed on cotton and black silk lined. Size 8-10, bespoke price would be from £2400, so this is a bargain!
You can come collect this in person or it can be posted to you at cost, depending on location, UK is aprox £20, aboard will be aprox £30-£50 tracked courier, or you can arrange a courier your end.
Sold as seen, no refunds.