2 weeks left .... dress doesn't zip

gingerbride26

So I actually bought my dress 3 years ago - I swear the movie "Five Year Engagement" was based on my life.  When I first bought it, it didn't zip all the way, but I've tried it on and have gotten it to zip twice since then - including 6 weeks ago!!  This past Sunday, FMIL comes over to do seating chart and help me do one last try-on and figure out jewelry. She couldn't zip it up - granted there was no mirror so I couldn't see exactly what the gap was but I think it was like 1-2 inches - all in the boob/upper rib area.  The most messed up part is that I've LOST WEIGHT since the last fitting.

Now my weight has been known to do some crazy weight/bloat swings - I have IBS and some food sensitivities.  I'm worried - but not in total meltdown yet because I did have a lot of takeout last week while we were craft cramming for the wedding.  Other half isn't concerned at all - he says just up the water, cut out all processed food, track eating, and up cardio.  FMIL is freaking out and stressing me out about it completely.  She was ready to drag me out of work to go buy a new dress this week.  Compromise we made is that I'm doing a final go/no-go try-on Friday - depending on how that goes, I'll do nothing, or go get a new dress OTR as plan a, or just an OTR dress as a day-of backup and consign reject after. I did see a rapid ship dress on Dessy that wasn't bad for <$300 and 100% returnable.

I guess my question is who's the one over/under reacting?  I'm down 5 lbs from where I was at the last fitting - but we all know weight and inches don't always correspond.

theartistformerlyknownas

The worst thing you can do is stress about it. Try to relax and don't let anyone make you panic. Do your thing, drink your water, and what will be will be. For all you know the zipper just got stuck - the zippers on my BMs' dresses had a few of them convinced that they suddenly didn't fit, when it was really the fault of the person working the zipper. It sounds like you have a good backup plan so be confident that it'll all work out!

blabla89

Is there any chance you could find a seamstress to let it out a couple inches on short notice? I think it's worth calling around to ask.

Maggie0829

blabla89 said:

Is there any chance you could find a seamstress to let it out a couple inches on short notice? I think it's worth calling around to ask.

Yeah I would be finding a seamstress and taking the dress to her as soon as possible.

MobKaz

Were you wearing different bras when you tried this dress on?  Could you wear the dress without a bra and just insert cups into the bodice?  Was the dress up at the same height on your torso as in previous try-ons?

atlastmrsg

Really good shapewear?  I'd call a tailor anyway.  If it's really tight up top, you're going to end up with muffin top up high/boob spillage/four boobs not two.

See this girl?  She's not obese.  But her dress is too tight so it's making her look heavier.  Even though it zips, it's not flattering.  Don't be her.  Let it out.

Next up...this girl's dress zips...but she has an extra boob coming out under her arm because dress is too tight or poorly fitting.  Just because it zips doesn't mean it fits.

gingerbride26

MobKaz good thinking on the zipper and height on torso - didn't think of those.  The last time I tried it on it was someone else zipping so maybe that was it...hopefully....

atlastmrsg, my mother was a sewer for a long time so I'm very sensitive to spill over where there should be none - double boob and muffin top will be a consideration with the go-no-go.)

The problem with alterations is the entire bodice has a lace and applique overlay which would need to be removed and re-pieced to be let out (assuming there are seam allowances to let out) - kind of like the back boob example picture - talking lots of hours and $$ where the new dress would possibly be faster and cheaper.  I did read last night about where they could possibly just make two short cuts under the armpits and sew in a stretchy material so it has a little give - since we're not talking about very much give.  Hoping that would be fast and cheap.  I'm just concerned that if I do something like that and then with last week stress drop more weight it'll now fall off mid dance.  Though I guess day of we could hand stitch the top of the sides back closed and wear a push up....Probably still better than no dress...

Tomorrow is the day of reckoning - then Saturday might be crazy running around day trying to find a seamstress.

badbnagdway

I would definitely do the things your FI recommended -- cut out processed and salty foods, drink lots of water, and up your veggies too -- to flush your system. This usually helps me drop several pounds in water weight in just a few days. It is strange it is not zipping if it was before. I do wonder if it is stuck somewhere. Dress zippers are not made like they used to be -- oftentimes they have those plastic zippers which look fine but have a tendency to get stuck very easily, especially where there is a gathering of fabric. I encounter this a lot with just regular dresses I buy being difficult to zip, even when just on the hanger. I'm not sure the remedy aside from a new zipper or just very careful zipping. 

Good luck! You can definitely get a quick dress replacement if you have to but in any case I would eat carefully and detox the next couple of weeks even if it does fit tomorrow. You don't want to have another rude surprise on your wedding day!

cowgirl8238

I just wanted to echo both the better diet suggestion and the fact that a bra cand completely change the fit of the dress. 

Also, are you getting near your menstural cycle/the type of person to have that affect you?  I know I can bloat nearly a full size if I eat anything even remotely salty the days before Aunt Flow is coming...

Finaly, when the person is zipping the gown, place your hands on the bottom of your ribs and give them a little push.  that is what my seamstress taught me when putting on my dress.  She said it helps to take the pressure off the zipper and makes it easier to zip the dress!

Good luck and I hope your dress fits tomorrow!

klk111415

Drink half your weight in ounces for water, that will definitely help.  Eat veggies and lean protein- no carbs (stay away from bread, pasta all that stuff).  Workout a bit (do some running or anything to get you going)  I bet it's water weight.  I've lost over 4 lbs in a week just by following the rules above.  I've done a couple of cleanses that didn't involve starving myself or juicing and was able to lose a couple of inches that way.   Get yourself some spanks.  I'm sure you will fit in the dress fine the day of.  The best thing to eat- salad with grilled chicken.  And you can even take some psyllium husk pills aka fiber pills which will get all that bad food moving right through your body. Just follow the directions.  

plainjane0415

kk111415 said:

Drink half your weight in ounces for water, that will definitely help.  Eat veggies and lean protein- no carbs (stay away from bread, pasta all that stuff).  Workout a bit (do some running or anything to get you going)  I bet it's water weight.  I've lost over 4 lbs in a week just by following the rules above.  I've done a couple of cleanses that didn't involve starving myself or juicing and was able to lose a couple of inches that way.   Get yourself some spanks.  I'm sure you will fit in the dress fine the day of.  The best thing to eat- salad with grilled chicken.  And you can even take some psyllium husk pills aka fiber pills which will get all that bad food moving right through your body. Just follow the directions.  

Don't do the bolded.  Spanx are designed to smooth, not cinch.  It would be like wearing a one piece bathingsuit underneath your dress.  It will add bulk and make your dress even harder to zip. 

futuremrshp

I was going to suggest the same from a diet perspective -- water, water, water and veggies!!  Good luck!

klk111415

plainjane0415 said:

kk111415 said:

Drink half your weight in ounces for water, that will definitely help.  Eat veggies and lean protein- no carbs (stay away from bread, pasta all that stuff).  Workout a bit (do some running or anything to get you going)  I bet it's water weight.  I've lost over 4 lbs in a week just by following the rules above.  I've done a couple of cleanses that didn't involve starving myself or juicing and was able to lose a couple of inches that way.   Get yourself some spanks.  I'm sure you will fit in the dress fine the day of.  The best thing to eat- salad with grilled chicken.  And you can even take some psyllium husk pills aka fiber pills which will get all that bad food moving right through your body. Just follow the directions.  

Don't do the bolded.  Spanx are designed to smooth, not cinch.  It would be like wearing a one piece bathingsuit underneath your dress.  It will add bulk and make your dress even harder to zip. 

Oh- just going by what some friends said.  But stick with the rest of what I said!

gingerbride26

IT FITS!! with no extra boobs or back pastries :-) thanks for keeping your fingers crossed

Must have been all the salt..and or a cycle thing..phew - being uber careful over the next week and should be good to go.  The bodice is still a little snug - though the cups magically have room to spare.  So I ordered a plain white chiffon sheath dress on Amazon a little bigger in case my dress gets uncomfortable for dancing after all the major photo ops are done (no one could bustle my train and I bet I'll get sick of lugging the wrist strap around anyway). Worst case I return it or bring it on our honeymoon cruise.

Guess I'll be living up to my girl scout roots and packing the minimizer bra, "chicken cutlets", and regular bra just in case.