alterations: waist vs bust

nahhan12

The dress I tried on (Alfred Angelo 1142) fit great in the waist and was too big in the bust. The lady at the dress store said when we order the dress we'll get the size that fits the bust since that's harder to alter compared to the waist and hips...

But my question is should I buy a dress that fits in the bust but needs to be let out in the waist by a few inches, or fits in the waist but needs to be taken in at the bust a few inches? I assume letting out is harder than taking in. What do you guys think I should do?

My measurements are 35-29-37 if that helps

jagore08

You purchase the dress that is the largest of the three measurements.  It's easier to take in a dress than to let it out.  Also, if your dress isn't a corset back then the bust will usually be larger to accommodate large busted ladies.

ETA:  I can't believe a sales lady would tell you that.  They should know better.

kellya01

I am a teacher and often have to fit children to uniforms with specific sizes -- and this is what the uniform companies have ALWAYS told me: 

You cannot make a child comfortable in their uniform if one of the measurements is too small.  Order the size that fits their largest dimensions, and then tell mom/dad that if the other dimensions don't fit (like a concert dress being too long), then they are welcome to alter it to fit their child.  

I can NOT believe that a sales lady told you to order for the bust and that they'd LET OUT the waist... often times dresses just can't be let out more than 1/4 to 1/2 inch without messing up the proportions of the dress.  If you haven't placed your order yet, please PLEASE make sure they order for your largest dimension.  Size isn't what matters -- FIT is what matters.  If you can't be comfortable, and there's no guarantee that they can actually let the dress out --- your whole day will be focused on you trying to stand, sit, and dance in a way that doesn't BUST that dimension on the dress!

Just my opinion, based on years of having to fit children and young adults to uniform sizes (especially dresses and tops for female students).   I'd get a second opinion from another bridal shop just to be sure, or even call Alfred Angelo directly to ask them.  

tldh

Ask to speak with the alterations manager because the sales lady has no idea what she is talking about.  You let out a dress and a last resort.

bnwgator

I ordered my dress from Alfred Angelo, and my sales lady was awesome. She definitely made sure that I ordered based on the larger measurement, and said that it's easier to take in, rather than letting out.  Perhaps ask to deal with a different consultant?

As a side note, my dress came in, and it's absolutely gorgeous. I love it. They really do make beautiful dresses.

Lisa50

Get it to fit the bust, alter the rest.  It is always better (and easier) to take in rather than let out.

Ashes_3

Go for the one that will have to be taken in. It is always easier to take in then it is to take out!!

opalsky007

Agree with PP. There is no way you can let out the waist of a dress by several inches. Get the one that goes ON your body, and then alter it down to size.

dizzinea

you buy the dress to fit the largest measurement you have, easier to take in then let out

tlbattaglia

That's great advice, ladies.  I was wondering the same thing.

waltzingmatilda13

Your sales person sound incompetent. You might want to mention something to a manager when you go back to order the dress, because PP are absolutely correct: you order to fit your biggest measurement (either bust, waist, or hips) and have the rest altered down to fit.

JustKate

Where PP are correct 99.9% of the time, you may want to ask the alterations department before making the final decision.  I didnt look up your dress but if there is anything specific or difficult to alter in the bust, it may be cheaper/easier to do the opposite of the norm

opalsky007

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_alterations-waist-vs-bust?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:f34520e4-4e56-4ebb-8c01-d42deb9cd9fdPost:21ca213c-ca45-438f-ba8a-0159028875c4">Re: alterations: waist vs bust</a>:
[QUOTE]Where PP are correct 99.9% of the time, you may want to ask the alterations department before making the final decision.  I didnt look up your dress but if there is anything specific or difficult to alter in the bust, it may be cheaper/easier to do the opposite of the norm
Posted by JustKate[/QUOTE]

That's true, except for a single detail: OP mentioned that the waist would need to be let out by several inches. There is no earthly way that you can let that much out. There's not enough fabric in the seam--if there was, the dress would never lay flat even if it fit correctly. You'd need to corset the back or something to put in some extra room, and even then, it would lay oddly.

nahhan12

Thanks for all of the great advice! I'll definitely make sure I get the right size when I go back to order.