Second thoughts on my dress.

ginadog

I chose the JCrew Sophia wedding gown in ivory because I already own  FIVE of the JCrew Sophia dresses.  They look very nice on me, good fit and flattering.  I bought the gown NWT on eBay for $175.

 

But this gown doesn't fit the same.  It needs altering.  It's about 2 feet too long. It must be a later model because the boobage area is totally unfitting (the dresses fit an A cup, but this gown is made for a C cup).  Alterations will be about $40-50.

 

My wedding is casual & outdoors; I want to be able to move around easily.

I started to second guess the dress when I saw a real wedding online with the same dress.  She was pretty but the dress did not fit her well.  I'm assuming right off the rack. Ihttp://illuminartsphoto.com/portfolio/?gallery=clorinda-william

With the intent of taking my dress to the seamstress today, I detoured and tried on real wedding dresses!  By myself!  One store had quite a few affordable dresses and I was really surpised at how good they looked!  As in strapless dresses that I'd never thought I'd choose.  They were stunning.

Here's the dress I own - online from JCrew



Me in the gown:





Then a $600 dress I tried on today, which was stunning and perfect!
I'd hold off and watch for sales, because that would be too much for a one day dress.



A $300 dress which was also very beautiful.



I love me some chiffon - all of them are chiffon.

I don't know.  This is outdoors, under a pavilion with a teepee and fire pit nearby.  Not fancy, but the views are stunning (Teton mountains).  Maybe the first dress will do if I add a wide flowered cumberbund and hairpiece to match.  Accessorize.

I just keep thinking of what to do with the dresses when I'm done.  I want to be able to reuse it.  Only the first I'd dye and reuse.

littlemoments324

I agree, the dress doesn't look good on the other bride, but I think it looks great on you!!!  if you really don't think it's the one, then keep trying other dresses on and see if you keep going back to your original...I think your dress is perfect for the type of wedding you're having

ginadog

Aw!  Thanks!  If I do get it altered "just to see" then I most likely cannot resell it since it's not original NWT.  I could dye it and use for fancy summer events though.

I'm am too practical for my own good!  Thinking about keeping costs low, resale, or repurposing after!  Sheesh.

There is definitely something to be said about getting a real dress at a bridal shop.  The fit of all of them was just more luxurious.  Unless I can find that exact designer/model/size used online!  FI said if I do want a different dress, just stick to the bridal shop ones so I get it done right.

ginadog

Hmmmm.  I was browsing sashes on Etsy and I found my dress on a model who is wearing a sash.  Not crazy about how it looks on her either. You'd have to make sure it was always centered on the waist dress band which could be annoying.

Besides not wearing a bra, I think she has the dress on backwards because there are normally boobie pleats on the front.

Nati05

Well I can see where you want to get it altered, it seems to be a little too loose in the wrong places. And I noticed the same thing on the other bride.. for some reason esp on the back, the fabric kind of ballooned out since it was too loose. I'll be honest though, I'm loooving your 3rd dress. Very pretty and I love the detail. Not too much for your outdoor wedding

When it comes down to costs, you'll be at about $225 after alterations with dress 1... $75 away from dress 3. Is that a considerable amount for you? Which dress did you feel more comfortable in? If the answer is dress 1, then go for the alterations until it's a perfect fit. If it's dress 3, I totally think it could be shortened and dyed afterwards to make a cute summer dress. You could even get rid of the train for the wedding if you wanted to! GL

ETA: I agree, I don't like the way the dress hangs in general. You know what you could do? Why don't you see if you can get a consultation with your seamstress so she can tell you what can be done to fix it and how much it will really improve. Maybe that could help you decide a little better...?

ginadog

I thougth about an underskirt to poof it out the JCrew gown a little.  I agree, seeing both photos online, I'm not loving how this one hangs.  It wouldn't hurt to get a consulation though.

Very good point about the cost being only $75 away from the other  Maybe even closer after buying a sash too. 

Good points Natasha!!

The bridal shop gowns were all very comfy and had built in wires so I don't think I'd need a bra.  Made me look very va-va-voom in fact!

Nati05

Well in that case, an underskirt, a sash AND alterations are definitely going to make it come very close to dress 3! If it were me, I'd sell dress 1 and get dress 3 hahaha. Saves you a little trouble not having to find the right accessories to go with dress 1. I know it's probably not what you were planning on, so that could suck. But honestly the way I see it, I personally hate having regrets about something I could have changed.. but I didn't. It's up to you girl!

Madisonpenny

I agree the dress does look good on you and since your getting alterations anyway, I don't know how, but it'll look even better .  If you do decide to go with one of the more expensive dresses do keep in mind they will probably also need alterations once it comes in.
If you do decide to get one of the more expensive dresses I can definitely see the $300 one as a short cocktail dress after the wedding.

mekiakoo

A thought here- since you already have 5 dresses from JCrew and you aren't too in love with this one, maybe it'd be fun to have a change for once?

If you LOVE the other dress(es), I say go for it! It doesn't sound like you spent too much on the 1st dress. The 1st dress looks a bit plain in my opinion, but it looks good on you! You can still dye it and wear it for other occassions in the summer. I think the 3rd dress is very cute.

Think about how YOU feel in all 3 dresses

ginadog

"A thought here- since you already have 5 dresses from JCrew and you aren't too in love with this one, maybe it'd be fun to have a change for once?"

Excellent point! 

The others just need to be hemmed up and train removed, could be equal or cheaper in alterations.  Otherwise the bodice is perfect as is with quite a few of the shop dresses I tried on.

I think I'll go in next weekend to get photos and come back to share!

littlemoments324

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_july-2012-weddings_second-thoughts-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:066005ef-215f-48b1-8655-328b41e07c52Discussion:bea16b6f-8ee5-4580-acbc-e8b505bf1536Post:16b4b537-7c0a-4fd2-90fe-0c3854e0bca2">Re: Second thoughts on my dress.</a>:
[QUOTE]"A thought here- since you already have 5 dresses from JCrew and you aren't too in love with this one, maybe it'd be fun to have a change for once?" Excellent point!  The others just need to be hemmed up and train removed, could be equal or cheaper in alterations.  Otherwise the bodice is perfect as is with quite a few of the shop dresses I tried on. <strong>I think I'll go in next weekend to get photos and come back to share!</strong>
Posted by ginadog[/QUOTE]

YAY!!!  Good idea!!  Can't wait to see!!

mekiakoo

Great!! Looking forward to seeing pictures!

NIKKIANDTYE

I say if you don't feel comfortable in your dress now you probably will not later, you can save the first dress and change it into a different dress for another day, but if you found one at a bridal shop that you more comfortable in then go get it because you want to feel pretty on your special day and not spend the whole day second guessing your self on your dress when you should be happy.  I changed my mind 4 times before i picked my dress.

ginadog

Someone had brought up the fact that I already have FIVE of the Sophia dresses (I wear them to special events), so why not change it up and get a bridal shop dress since there were so many affordable styles.  That was also a good point! 

michelle11988

I really like the 3rd dress!! You could always alter shorten the first dress for your RD or something else I definitely want to see pics