Weight lose, dress size and alterations...

Eliz77

This is probably a silly question but figured I'd ask...

I plan to lose weight before my wedding as most of us seem to! I have started my exercise regime and it remains to be seen if I keep at it and don't take back the weight!  I'm getting married in July and my dress is due in at the beginning of May. Obviously, if I lose the weight I'd (realistically!) like to, my dress could me altered to fit better. How many of you have lose enough weight to go down a dress size or two from when you ordered the dress to when wedding happens? I'm already on my way to ALMOST being a size smaller than when I first was fitted (as in, clothes that were snug at time of dress ordering are now very loose unless JUST our of the dryer!). I very much doubt I'll go down another size, though! Does a size less really change the dress or make alterations harder (more costly)? My dress is an A-line, so I presume that's easier than if it were a sheath or fit and flare style.

Just curious! 

meganpow87

I'm not sure if I can help much, but I'll let you know what my game plan is...

I'm planning on losing at least one size in street clothes (goal is size 4) before my wedding. I ordered the size dress that fit me when I tried it on (size 6). When I gain weight it goes straight to my thighs and waist (like most women I guess...) but I needed the size 6 for my hips. My dress does lace up the back and I have about 2 inches give if I needed it.

Since your dress is A-line you shouldn't have too much fitting problems unless it's in the waist since your dress will be a little loser around the hip area. In this case, IF you needed alterations it shouldn't be a huge deal unless you have lots of embellishments or lace around your middle.

So, yeah, I'm not sure if that helped much but I tried

StephBeanWed61502

In general, dresses can be altered down two sizes and up only about half a size (since there's usually not much extra fabric to work with to let the dress out).  If you're talking about less than a size, it shouldn't be a big deal to have it altered to fit, although obviously, yes, it will cost a little more than if the dress was sized accurately.

Eliz77

LOL, you helped! :-) I figured it being A-line makes it more forgiving if I were to gain/lose weight. I actually tried the dress on two sizes small and while I couldn't zip up all the way, it felt fine from where it was zipped to (midway) and roomy enough below. My dress is a zip up, which is sort of where my concerns lie. I figured after ordering if it had been corset, would've been smarter to lose the weight and not matter as much.

Good to know dresses can be altered down two sizes! Obviously, there was NO way I was going to under-size and not lose anything and it be too small!

My dress:

image.jpg

...so was wondering about the lace. But I think there is still room to be altered if needed.

meganpow87

Your dress is gorgeous...I'd call the shop where you got it from and talk to the seamstress

Melissa603

The issue with how much you can alter down will be with the detail in your dress. 

You can always take in but you can't always let out.

Talk to seemstress when your dress comes in and see. You may need more than one fitting. 

Eliz77

Thanks! I'm not a sentimental type person, but when I tried this dress on, I was like,"Great! This is it, all done!" and kinda knew it was the right dress for me.

I have spoken to the person I bought the dress from and she said not a problem-she does the alterations. I was just curious if she was humoring me, as in, no way will she lose that much weight! Or if that truly was a non-issue. 

Elle1036

My dress is is too big for me in almost every part of my body except for the waist.  I'm thick-waisted, so I had to buy a dress that fit me there but was bigger everywhere else.  I would say it's more than a size too big in the hips and bust.  The salon where I got it assured me that it could be altered, so we'll see.

Bett2012

Your dress is really pretty:)

My dress is all lace too and it's being taken in a size or two at the bust/ribs. The seamstress didn't even bat an eye. Wedding seamstresses are used to working with lace and beading and delicate fabrics, don't worry Actually, we asked my seamstress if she ever got nervous altering a dress, and she said that if you're nervous about altering, you should not be altering... you have to be 100% confident in your ability before you even touch a dress, so make sure your seamstress is 100% confident

Eliz77

Luckily for me, the seamstress is very well-known and respected in my area. I had no idea who she was when I went to check her store out for the 1st time and then once I started mentioning where I found my dress, several people had stories about the amazing work she did or how she went above and beyond to help them out. I could tell she is confident in her abilities, which made me confident in choosing her! Looking forward to my 1st fitting and hoping to lose weight before then!  

erbear84

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_weight-lose-dress-size-and-alterations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:76b77263-cbbd-4840-a2ea-ee82fda43683Post:a41dbf71-4070-4dc1-91c0-8e0c974d3b08">Re: Weight lose, dress size and alterations...</a>:
[QUOTE]My dress is is too big for me in almost every part of my body except for the waist.  I'm thick-waisted, so I had to buy a dress that fit me there but was bigger everywhere else.  I would say it's more than a size too big in the hips and bust.  The salon where I got it assured me that it could be altered, so we'll see.
Posted by Elle1036[/QUOTE]

<div>I'm just starting to look at dresses but I'm the same way - I'm looking at some measurements and inwardly cringing because my waist measurement makes me jump up two to three sizes.  </div>