Corset Dress Sizes!!

agsoftexas

Ok guys I need some serious help. When I bought my dress I was technically a size 16, but he lady said don't lose any weight or the strings won't pull any tighter. She knew I was trying to lose weight anyways. So I ordered a 14. Well after a month I tried it on again there and it fit much better. The inside actually closed together etc. My question is how much weight is safe to lose and still be fine with my corset dress? If I got down to a size 12 would the 14 still fit since it is a corset? Thanks in advance!

Maggie0829

A corset dress can be altered.  For example, if you lose enough weight that the corset area closes up completely then the top of your dress will need to be taken in so that the corset works and looks correct.

agsoftexas

Is it pretty pricey to take in a corset dress though? I was going to go ahead and use DB for alterations to be safe but all I need is a hem and bustle at this point. I will spend the money to look right, but I'd rather not spend a ton of money on alterations. 

Maggie0829

agsoftexas said:

Is it pretty pricey to take in a corset dress though? I was going to go ahead and use DB for alterations to be safe but all I need is a hem and bustle at this point. I will spend the money to look right, but I'd rather not spend a ton of money on alterations. 

I am not sure about the price, but I will say making sure your dress is altered correctly for your body is worth the money.

I have heard that DB over charges for alterations (and they aren't so great) so I would really look elsewhere.  Add in the fact that the person helping you is basically telling you to not lose any more weight because the corset strings won't pull any tighter is a red flag as to their knowledge of how wedding dresses can be altered.

A corset dress is great because if your weight fluctuates a few pounds one way or another (+/- 5 pounds) then you don't have to worry too much about taking it in or out but the corset isn't supposed to act as a way for you to not have to alter your dress at all.

agsoftexas

Thanks so much! Yeah I def want to do what makes it looks best. I was just worried about a different seamstress botching it and ruining the dress. /:

flyingfoxes

I bought a corset dress in a size 14 to fit my hips, but the top was way too large - even when laced up tight it was too big, plus I want the corset to show - not be laced so tight you can't tell it's a corset. 

I took it to a private seamstress who took in the bodice, also fixed the edges of the top so it would still lay correctly on my bust and added a bustle and bra cups, and my alterations cost $90 total.  DB is gonna charge you far more than that, I think.

Maggie0829

agsoftexas said:

Thanks so much! Yeah I def want to do what makes it looks best. I was just worried about a different seamstress botching it and ruining the dress. /:

That is when you need to do a bit of research of local seamstresses.  Maybe ask your local board or family/friends who have gotten married recently and which seamstress they used.

QueerFemme

It's not any harder to take in a corset dress than it is a zipper dress.  Most of the time, alterations will come from the sides, not the back.  If they are taking it in, they'll take it out of the sides, otherwise, the bust would not fit correctly.

So, corset or not, if you need it taken in, it's generally not a big deal.  

hyechica81

my dress was a mori lee julietta 3098 in ivory with an extra strap it was a corset back.. i am a street size 22 the sample i tried on was a 22 i was able to get inside the dress i couldnt be laced up but i got an idea of how it fit. when she went to measure me i measured at a 28 but i was only 5 inches bigger than the sample so we ordered the 26.  when the dress came in the waist fit like a glove but the top was way to big and not laying right on me. they had to take in the bust area 3 times i had to try on 3 different bra styles long line, strapless, and ones with clear straps, nothing worked so they finally went with cups sewn in.

corsets can be laced tight so whoever told you it wont fit if you loose any more weight is not experienced that much with them.

davids will rip you off in alterations

my sisters prom dress a taffeta long black gown miermaid fit was on super clearance for like 70 dollars after alterations which they told my mom she needed to pay a rush to get it altered in time ( when really she didn't need to) after all was said and done the dress ended up costing  350.00 on a 70 dollar dress. if she had known alterations were going to be that expensive she would have taken it elsewhere.

bellaluna290

hyechica81 said:

my dress was a mori lee julietta 3098 in ivory with an extra strap it was a corset back.. i am a street size 22 the sample i tried on was a 22 i was able to get inside the dress i couldnt be laced up but i got an idea of how it fit. when she went to measure me i measured at a 28 but i was only 5 inches bigger than the sample so we ordered the 26.  when the dress came in the waist fit like a glove but the top was way to big and not laying right on me. they had to take in the bust area 3 times i had to try on 3 different bra styles long line, strapless, and ones with clear straps, nothing worked so they finally went with cups sewn in.

corsets can be laced tight so whoever told you it wont fit if you loose any more weight is not experienced that much with them.

davids will rip you off in alterations

my sisters prom dress a taffeta long black gown miermaid fit was on super clearance for like 70 dollars after alterations which they told my mom she needed to pay a rush to get it altered in time ( when really she didn't need to) after all was said and done the dress ended up costing  350.00 on a 70 dollar dress. if she had known alterations were going to be that expensive she would have taken it elsewhere.

This isn't true at all. If someone loses so much weight that the sides of corset are touching each other, then the corset is too big for them. I had the same thing at my final fitting; I had almost lost too much weight, and the corset was almost closed.

Knottie5228959

Good thing about corsets is they are more forgiving than a zipper. However, while you can sometimes get away with wearing a dress that is not your true size because the corset gives you more lea way, it's not always the case, and it won't fit you as well all around as the dress that is your best, true size. I tried on one dress in a size 6, the corset closed all they way, and the dress was still too loose. Then I tried another dress in the same brand in a size 2 that fit "proper". As in the corset had a nice V shape and it fit well overall. Don't know what the 4 would have been like, but I imagine it may be something I could get away with wearing, but would not have fit as well as the 2.