Advice needed: hate "the dress", too late for a new one

jidesmom · February 2010

So I ordered Alfred Angelo 1774NT, which looks great on the model and, of course, I was only able to try the super-small sample on. It came in a few days ago, I tried it on yesterday and lef the store almost in tears.

I love the bottom of it, but the top makes me feel like I should be singing opera somewhere in a helmet with horns., driving an 18 wheeler and chewing tobacco (sorry to any ladies out there who do may do that!).

I think it's the "uni-boob" look that doesn't work...makes me look like a put an inner tube around my chest. Maybe it's just too straight across. They say they can't alter it to a sweethart because of the lace.

Any advice at all out there? Has anyone successfully changed a neckline like this? Would a different necklace help?

Looking for any advice and pointers at all...don't want to have to cry the morning of the wedding....

stacelace22 · February 2010

My dress is lace across the top...and they are altering it to a sweetheart neckline. Maybe ask another seamstress.....

Other changes you could make...wear a sash/ribbon, have some straps sewn on....there are some very pretty straps out there....this can totally change the look of the dress and break up the top of it. Or, you could find a lace bolero/jacket....this is what I am doing for the ceremony portion of my wedding.

However...to be honest, I think this dress is really pretty. I love the lace detailing, and think you look very nice in it. But, it is your opinion that counts....

Good luck!

Also...if wearing your hair down is an option...this too will break up the neckline of your dress...just an after thought.

HEATHERM10 · February 2010

I agree with pp ask another alteration shop and see what they think. Even with the lace from the little sewing I can do i know you can change it probably just more of a pain. I know there is no sation but maybe if you add satin to then top as a sweetheart detail or something that would help.

But I think it looks great on you

prideeinpynk · February 2010

I love the dress! I also think a sash as PP said would really make it lovely, and there are plenty of them available on etsy that would look gorgeous with it, but it looks great on you! Honestly, it could just be nerves that are making you feel this way.

ashleychow · February 2010

Hi there!

I think you look great in your dress! It's beautiful! If you're a little bit self conscious you can always ask your bridal store to have the designer of the dress send you some fabric to make some cap-sleeves for you etc... But I agree with what the first poster said and you can DEFINITELY have it altered to a sweetheart neckline.

Again, you look great either way though!

BreStellar · February 2010

I agree - find another QUALITY seamstress to do the alteration. Most anything can be altered. Don't shed another tear - start making some phone calls. Good luck!

jpirrung · February 2010

I think it's very pretty, but yeah find a private seamstress for the sweetheart neckline....love sweethearts!

jidesmom · February 2010

Thank you all for your kind words and great advice! I feel much better now and will work to find a seamstress and explore bolero jackets! What a great resource this is, I sincerly appreciate your comments...

WhatawagSBNy · February 2010

      I like the dress on you as is, but would also like it with a minor alteration and cap sleeves.

     With that much lace, completely redoing a full sweetheart neckline would be possible, but a major alteration cost.

With a very minor one, a seamstress does not re do the whole neck, but simply makes a very small stitched cgather in the front center, pulling the gathers so there is a 5/8 inch to 1 inch dip in the center.

She then adds 2 cap sleeves. Rather than try to match the heavy lace, which is difficult, some lighter organdy, satin (like the underskirt) or similar, perhaps with a small lace applique and a few crystals to give a sense of pattern as with the lace.. These are attached very far apart, at the outer point of the bodice atedge of underarm.

The addition of sewn in cups to keep your GIRLS a little separate, also would be less a shelf look.

     Cap sleeves have been added to strapless gown designs for years- About 50 of Maggie Sottero's can be ordered that way - because the small amount of material drws the eye up and out, to the wideest part of the shoulder, making the waist seem much narrower.

   Below: I drew the strapless dress outline in burgandy, painted it in, then copied it. I added sleeves wedges to the one on the left, and took out a tiny V in the center. No other changes to the width or neckline.
The illusion is a longer body, more narrowing at the waist.

Below - I am good with a needle, not with photos, so I just pasted 2 wedges of white like the dress on your dress photo shoulders, for comparison. Beside it the original of the dress.

Bottom - 2 Maggie dresses which can come sweetheart or straight across strapless, or with cap sleeves. The look is generally flattering to any full bosoomed figure.

This type of alteration should not be expensive. HTH Wag

plessjm · February 2010

The dress can totally be altered to a sweetheart! Find a another seamstress. I love the look of the sweeetheart that whatawagSBNy made... It was cool to see what the dress could possibly look like. Hope everything works out repost with what you ended up doing!! You will look beautiful no matter what you do!! Take a deep breath and know everyone here loves the dress!

Lenore2010 · February 2010

I *love* the dress on you! I almost got this dress, but decided that the alterations I would need to make it look right on my body type were just to extensive and costly.

I think the dress is great on you as is, but I also like the idea of the cap sleeves added to the dress, even the pic showed here with the makeshift cap sleeves looked really good.

elyse.mike · February 2010

I agree with PP's that you look fabulous in the dress! Don't be so hard on yourself . . I can't even tell you what I was imagining when I read the description before I actually saw the picture! I think cap sleeves and a slight alteration to the neckline would be beautiful if you're still uncomfortable with how the dress looks. A simple sash at your natural waist would be a great addition as well, plus you'd have a totally one-of-a-kind dress : ) Good luck!

lharri12 · February 2010

I agree with the other suggestions that were given, but I think you look great in the dress!! I don't see any uni-boob issues! Maybe you should go back in a week or two, try it on again, and see if you feel differently about it.

chevygrl87 · February 2010

how do you feel about halter top. it would be fairly simple to turn it into a halter top dress,and then it wouldnt look so strait across.

broncoschick80 · February 2010

The dress really accentuates your hourglass shape, totally beautiful! I agree with all the girls, change it to a sweetheart and adding a sash would really show off your tiny waist! LOVE IT!

http://shcdenverwedding.weebly.com

Spim7 · February 2010

It can totally be altered to a sweetheart neckline. You could also try a little satin jacket over it or do a cute sash with a broach. It'll slightly change the look and draw the eye away from the neckline if you're concerned. But I think it's very pretty.

Ken&Cass · February 2010

If you cannot get it altered to a different neckline in time maybe you can consider adding a faux halter top to it or some straps to draw some of the attention away from your chest and bring the eye upward to your face.

RONEA1944 · February 2010

I agree with the others, you look like in your dress but I can relate to with how you may feel having a larger chest and smaller waist (women pay good & lots of money to have our figure) You can try adding a jeweled strap to add interest, but it sounds like the bridal shop really just didn't want to help you. Any good seamtress or tailor should be able to fix that and you could some decorative detail at the top to help add interset and back it up some. (you should have ask them if they have ever saw Say Yes to the dress I have saw them change the neckline to a sweetheart several times). Good Luck! I have 9 days and counting...

sararv03 · February 2010

The PP have said it best, I just wanted to add that I think the dress it beautiful even if you didnt make changes but its all about how YOU feel in it. With a couple of easy alterations I think you will look great! GL

cambride10 · February 2010

You look great in your dress. Really. Wear your hair down. That's all.

mariakosmatos · February 2010

Hi there.. I agree with the others - a sweetheart neckline will be amazing! But regardless take your dress off to an independent seamstress and definitely leave some feedback for the bridal place.. not very helpful of them. If you are thinking of a sash you could incorporate a vintage broach? Just a thought. It's a beautiful dress and you look great in it!

crushme8602 · February 2010

i think that dress looks great on you! a sweetheart will definitely let the girls breathe a little...

Rhoyal_1 · February 2010

I agree with the pps- the dress looks nice on you. You could always try adding straps or placing a sash. Another idea is to add a killa necklace, maybe in pearls or diamonds. Please check with another seamstress for your sweetheart neckline. HTH

MoAnamCara · February 2010

I think this dress looks GORGEOUS on you just as it is!!!!

You may like the way it looks better once it is all altere and just the way it will be on that big day. I would wear a neckace with this....not sure what they are called but the kind that hang down....like a Y.

Please don't change the dress. You look amazing!

Advice needed: hate "the dress", too late for a new one

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