Bridesmaid ordered dress two sizes too small...

mbagirl_0714

Cliffs Notes: FSIL ordered her BM dress two sizes too small and has not lost the weight she said she was going to to fit into it.  Do we find a new dress?  Hope the bridal shop can add material?  WWYD?Hi Everyone,I was told this past weekend that my FSIL ordered her bridesmaid dress two sizes smaller than she should have.  My FMIL and FFIL are the ones who told me about it in a joking manner "Oh FSIL better start to lose some weight!" and then told me why.  I don't know the whole story but I guess she told the lady at the dress shop who measured her that she is losing weight and will lose enough to wear the size that she ordered by the time the wedding rolls around, so it was ordered.FMIL told me she has not lost any weight and really hasn't even tried to do so since the dress was ordered.  The wedding is Nov 7th, and the dresses are supposed to be in this weekend.  She lives 4 hours away so she will not be able to try on the dress right away.  I know I should not be concerned until she tries the dress on and it doesn't fit, but what would you do in this situation?  There will not be time for her to order a new dress as these have taken almost 5 months to come in.  Would you start looking around for dress alternatives (something in a "close enough" color off the rack?)  Or hope that maybe the dress shop can add panels to the dress to make it fit?  I have never ordered a dress too small so I'm not sure what to think!!  TIA for your thoughts

banana468

Well, mail her the dres so she has it right away.  Then, once she has it, she can figure out how it fits.  How it fits will affect the next step.  Ideally a seamstress will let it out or add material to it so a new dress will not need to be purchased. 

mbcdefg

My gut reaction: if she knowingly purchased it too small, then it's her problem to find a way to get it to fit, not yours. So I don't think you have to babysit her on this one. And if she can't get into it by the wedding, I think you'd be within your rights to suggest that she just attend as a guest. However. Since it's your FSIL, it's probably in your best interest to take the high road and help her out. Like Banana said, send it to her and tell her to take it to a local seamstress, who can suggest the next step. The seamstress may be able to let it out, or add a corset back so that it can be adjusted. Maybe some Spanx would help a bit. A seamstress in my area told me that she once took a matching shawl and used it to create more room in a bridesmaid's dress, so maybe suggest that FSIL order a matching shawl or some extra fabric ASAP. She could also look for the same dress on eBay in her correct size, or at least one from the same designer in the same color, length and fabric. Also try Craigslist and the Trash To Treasure board on the Nest. If you want to find a "close enough" off the rack dress, that's also an option. Good thinking.

aerinpegadrak

Many dresses are designed to be taken in or out up to two sizes.  Definitely get her in the dress and get her to a good seamstress ASAP.  She'll let you know what your options are.You might be able to get some extra fabric rush ordered from the manufacturer.  Just make sure your FSIL knows that since she's the one who placed the order for the wrong size, she's responsible for the charges.

mbagirl_0714

Thanks ladies!  I'm hoping it will be able to be let out as much as it can to make it work.  I'll be hoping for the best.  That's a good idea, I'll over night it to her this weekend if I have to, just to make sure she has it asap.  I will also check into the bridal shop and rush fabric if we need it, and also making sure FSIL knows this charge is on her :)Thanks again!

s4pph0

I gained a little weight from the time I had ordered my dress for a friend's wedding and the time in came in (No good!). So when the dress came in, it was decision time. Work out and diet like mad and hope to fit into it, or contact the seamstress. I got in touch with the bridal shop from which we had purchased our dresses and had them order extra fabric just in case so in the event I should need a gusset (Fabric on each side of the dress) added, we could do so. Gave us great peace of mind, and everything worked out fine.

mbcdefg

Out of curiosity, what's the dress? Maybe someone here has seen one on eBay, or has one she can sell to your FSIL.

mbagirl_0714

This is the style FSIL chose:http://www.alexiadesigns.com/main/?p=32I let each BM choose their own style by this designer, floor length, in the Plum color.  It's really pretty, I was happy with her choice!!

mbcdefg

Pretty dress! And since you were so accommodating and let them pick any style they wanted, hopefully she won't have a problem finding a replacement if need be. Here's one on eBay in a size 10 (not sure what size she needs). Maybe she could cut it up for spare fabric, if nothing else: http://cgi.ebay.com/ALEXIA-DESIGN-2-PC-FORMAL-GOWN-PLUM-GRAPE-SZ-10_W0QQitemZ250288382756QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBridesmaid_Dress?hash=item3a4659a324&_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116Good luck! I hope it works out.

mbagirl_0714

Thanks mbcdefg!!  Ebay is a great idea, and at least I know now that there are some options on there.  She actually needs either a size 18 or 20, she ordered a 16.  But if we can find a dress in the right color on ebay, it might be cheaper for her to buy that and use the fabric for panels if necessary.  Thanks for your thoughts!