Buying my dress on Etsy?

BrittanyEIrwin

So I'm looking for some feedback. I have found the dress I love online. Has anyone had any experience buying their dress from the Sofitdress shop on Etsy? I'm currently corresponding with the shop to get some information, and she seems very helpful and responsive. Can anyone share their experience with me?

BrittanyEIrwin

https://www.etsy.com/listing/157408066/white-beach-wedding-dress-v-neck-prom?ref=shop_home_active_2

Is the dress, in case it matters lol

QueerFemme

Ships from China. I wouldn't. Looks like it would be a knockoff site.

Dignity100

I probably wouldn't buy a wedding dress I couldn't try on.  To me, the zipper on the back looks a little unfinished which makes me wonder how the rest of the quality of the dress is.

BrittanyEIrwin

Yeah, I saw there was a rough spot or two and figured I would definitely need a seamstress involved. And I know it will be a knockoff, but the dress I'm in love with seems to be discontinued, so I don't know that I can find it any other way. It's the Pronovias Mali dress, seems like it was a 2011/2012 dress that they no longer make. And don't seem to sell in any boutiques in my state.

JasperandOpal

While I haven't purchased from that seller, I have purchased a few things from china via ebay and etsy (including a bridesmaids dress for my sister's upcoming wedding).  While there can be issues, I have overall had a lot of success.  Something to note is that the sizing can be very different so make sure you communicate with the seller on the actual measurements and opt for bigger rather than smaller (you can always have your dress taken in). 

I also bought my wedding dress on Etsy but it was a one-off dress so it was slightly different circumstances.  I couldn't be more pleased with it.  No I didn't get to try it on first but for the price I knew if it didn't work out I could get something else instead.  

QueerFemme

BrittanyEIrwin said:

Yeah, I saw there was a rough spot or two and figured I would definitely need a seamstress involved. And I know it will be a knockoff, but the dress I'm in love with seems to be discontinued, so I don't know that I can find it any other way. It's the Pronovias Mali dress, seems like it was a 2011/2012 dress that they no longer make. And don't seem to sell in any boutiques in my state.

The downside is, if you buy from China, there will likely be communication problems.  And often, there are major sizing and fabric quality issues.   Have you tried finding the dress that you love used? 

BrittanyEIrwin

I have been looking for it with little luck. There were a few postings, but they were all older posts and the dresses were gone. They are also way out of my budget unfortunately.

QueerFemme

Also, that dress in the photo doesn't seem like it would be that hard to find something similar. 

These aren't exact, but flowy chiffon dresses are pretty easy to find.

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Chiffon-Sheath-Gown-with-Sequin-Tulle-Bodice-SWG625_Bridal-Gowns-Features-Destination-Wedding-Dresses

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Soft-Chiffon-A-line-Tank-with-Illusion-Lace-Back-WG3429_Bridal-Gowns-Features-Destination-Wedding-Dresses

 

 

 

BrittanyEIrwin

Thank you for your reply JasperandOpal. I have seen a lot of posts from people who had positive experiences with Etsy, now I just hope to find someone who has worked with this specific shop. She has been very responsive thus far and does offer fabric swatches so I can see what the dress will be made of.

BrittanyEIrwin

QueerFemme, I actually went to David's Bridal specifically to try on these dresses. And wouldn't you know it, they didn't have either in stock.

bmciver

I'm also wondering about this seller.  I was looking at the bridesmaids dresses and the huge color selection (126 colors!) is what's drawing me in.  It would be great to hear from anyone who's used them.

Also, worth noting, my sister pointed out that sellers from China are sometimes sweatshops/factories that are actually in violation of Etsy's Terms of Use. Anybody know if there's a way to tell? 

kimberly0315

I just asked a similar question and then saw your post.  I am curious about ordering from Etsy as well.  I'd love to hear if you do and have luck with it.

flyingfoxes

BrittanyEIrwin said:

QueerFemme, I actually went to David's Bridal specifically to try on these dresses. And wouldn't you know it, they didn't have either in stock.

I ordered my dress online at David's Bridal (mine is discontinued so they didn't have any in-store).  They do returns when you order online, so you'd just be out shipping the dress back if it didn't work out, I think?  I liked mine and it fit (a bit snug, but I have a year), so I didn't have to go through the returns process but it looked fairly straight-forward as long as the dresses aren't closeouts and non-returnable.

hyechica81

@  brittany elrwin the english is very bad on her website big red flag about the quality of the dress i would stear clear do you have any bridal consigments in your area i would check them out to see if they have the gown you really want.


bridepower.com aka vows bridal outlet aka tlcs hit show i found the gown they carry a large selection of pranovias sample gowns http://www.bridepower.com/Pronovias-Auth-Retailer-Sheath-P4865.aspx they did have this gown in stock at one time but if you give them a call they could probably locate one for you

BrittanyEIrwin

hyechica81 Thank you so much for that link. I will have to see what I can do there... We just officially got engaged this weekend, so now my step mom wants to take me for round 2 of dress shopping. Maybe I'll find something better locally this time around. Trying to be positive, lol. My experience at David's Bridal was not fun. They didn't really listen to me at all regarding my style, but maybe a smaller boutique will be more customer friendly. I still, of course, have my heart set on the Pronovias dress, but am keeping an open mind.