Second-guessing Maggie Sottero Quinlynn dress

marco1j · August 2013

I'm having some serious second thoughts about the Maggie Sottero Quinlynn dress! I went shopping with mom & sister in February, right after I got engaged and bought the dress on the first day out looking for dresses. I never had the "this is my dress moment" and probably played along with their excitement over the dress for their sake--they both live an 8 hr drive away and it was really our only day for dress shopping. Anyways...I really wanted a mermaid/fit and flare skirt (which it has), a deep v-neck (yeah not so much) and didn't want a strapless gown (okay--so it has straps, just see through and seems impossible to wear any kind of bra with straps). The dress is also a size too big, and the ladies at the shop don't do a great job with the fittings--so it's impossible to see what the dress really should look like on me. Also, I'm concerned that it has such a big skirt--I never ever wanted the poofy princess look. I like the alternative dress (1 pic included) but I'm not sure that's the one either.

Has anyone bought the dress and altered the neckline? What's the likelihood I'll be able to sell a never-worn, unaltered dress for anything remotely close to what I paid for it? It's not in my budget to buy another dress if I can't recoup most if not all of it (and the store won't take it back). My fiance has been super supportive, but mom--not so much! It's an absolutely awful feeling to put your dress on and cry...even worse when I feel like I'm letting down my mom (who bought the dress and really, it's the only part of the wedding she's been a big part of--we've done everything ourselves). I'm feeling really stuck!

Maggie0829 · August 2013

If the shop you ordered it from is not good at fittings then definitely take it to another seamstress and have her pin it to make it fit your body. That way you will get a better idea of what it will look like on you at the right size. As for the skirt you can always take a layer or two of crinoline out to de-poof the skirt a bit. As for the type of bra you can ether find a low back strapless bra or have cups sewn into the dress to give you the support you need/want. For the neckline, I really don't know if that could be altered to make it the deep V that you want but I would ask your seamstress if you could make it a more pronounced sweetheart to maybe help open the chest area up a bit.

I think it is a gorgeous dress and even if you look gorgeous in it (which I am sure you do) if you are not happy with it then that will show on your face the day of your wedding and you do not want that. Unfortunately dresses, even new, never worn dresses are like buying a new car. Once you purchase it and drive it off the lot (or take it out of the store) the price that you can get for it drops dramatically. Since it has never been worn or altered you could maybe get lucky and get 50% of what you paid for it.

I really think that you should find a highly recommended seamstress and talk with her and see what she can do to make this dress fit more in your vision before trying to sell it and looking for something else.

Finally, if you do want to purchase another dress I would look on a pre-owned wedding dress website. There you can find barely worn dresses at half or even less then half the cost of a new dress so you may still be able to buy a different dress that fits your style at a lower price point.

marco1j · August 2013

Thanks for the response and the advice... I've got an appointment with a seamstress on Sunday.

I guess I'm still not sure what I want to do, I just know that I'm unhappy with the choice and worry that I might spend hundreds of dollars on alterations that I won't even like in the end. I know I'm over thinking this, but there's so much emotion involved. Yes, it's just a dress, but it's my wedding dress.

I think I figured out how to get the pics attached! Sorry--new to the site.

marco1j · August 2013

The first pic is Quinlynn, the second is Lavina Marie

Maggie0829 · August 2013

If you ever have to be happy with a dress, it is your wedding dress. You will be photographed more that day then any other and you have to feel beautiful. So no, I don't think you are over thinking this.

After looking at the pictures, I am afraid to even say, but you just look happier in the second dress. I think you look great in both but your face really says it all. they are both very similar in style and shape and I think the deep v really does look good on you. I think that by making the alteration with your original dress to a deeper sweetheart/more of a v neck style you will be happy with your dress.

Go to your seamstress appointment and see what they have to say. Seamstresses are miracle workers. And may I suggest you go to this appointment by yourself. Only you have to be happy with your dress and I don't think it would do you any favors to have a person in the background saying "but you look great", etc, etc when you aren't happy about your dress in the first place.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

SBmini · August 2013

I agree with Maggie. Both dresses are very pretty and your guests and groom are sure to love either, but your face says it all.

marco1j · August 2013

Thanks for the support ladies! I'll keep you posted! I just talked to a girlfriend who had a similar experience. I'm starting to feel at least like this might be ok!

Second-guessing Maggie Sottero Quinlynn dress

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