Dress shopping tips needed!

Re: Dress shopping tips needed!

• vt&dt member

  

  October 2013

  A good consultant will definitely steer you towards styles that flatter your figure.  I wouldn't worry too much about the sample sizes - if they are just a size or two too small, you'll likely be able to get in the dress & just not zip or tie the back all the way up.  Of course, it's not perfect, but should give you a good general idea of what the dress looks like on you.

  
  

  I'd suggest bringing a light or skin colored strapless bra - most shops will have some you can borrow, but I know I personally feel much better in mine.  

  
  

  I think you'll have a blast - keep an open mind, try on a little bit of everything, and have fun shopping with your mom!  When I found the dress, I still needed to sleep on it because I have a hard time making a big decision.  The store is a bit out of the way - so they took my measurements and we called later to order/pay the deposit.  If you think you found the dress but might need to sleep on it, that might be a good option.  You don't want to order a dress just because your mom is there and then potentially regret it later if you had doubts.

  
  

  Good luck!  

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• jlazgrl member

  

  October 2013

  I think that even if you're set on not liking a particular style, if your consultant suggests it, go ahead and try it on. You never know what you might like once you actually try it on. And if you hate it, that gives your consultant a better idea of what you will like.

  Bringing your mom along is definitely a plus. She will give you honest opinions instead of just trying to "sell" you on a dress. Ask her to take pictures of you in dresses you like. That way if you don't end up buying that day you will have them to look at to help make your decision.

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• vmj23 member

  

  October 2013

  Dress shopping was the thing I was most looking forward to. Bring people that will encourage you and share their opinions without putting you down and enjoy it!!!   I went to 2 stores - the first was a chain (david's bridal) and they had a variety of sizes.  The second was a boutique (I ended up finding my dress there) and there sample sizes were all larger - around 12.   with the help of clips they did a great job making the dress "fit" from the front at least  I did try some at the first store that were  a size or two too small, and wouldn't zip, but I think you will still be able to tell if you will love it or not.  Good luck and have fun!!!!

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• ElcaB member

  

  October 2013

  OP, I'm so glad you posted this. I am a size 12 and am a little nervous about squeezing into sample sizes! 

  

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• NYCMercedes member

  

  October 2013 edited October 2013

  You could pre-shop first. Try on some at Davids or Macy's or Nordstrom, with an appointment, so you're not starting from scratch. That would then make a more efficient use of your limited time together.

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• EAR123 member

  

  October 2013

  Thank you ladies! I'm both excited and nervous about dress shopping. I've done some pre-shopping when locating stores to book appointments with and have a few ideas, but am still not entirely certain what will work. I'm also a little nervous about timing as I am moving to a different state with my fiancé this spring (military relationship, we're on separate coasts currently) so will be buying the dress in one city and will need to locate a seamstress to do fittings in my new city. These first world problems, huh? Lol. Thanks again for your messages. I will report back next month, either successfully or lamenting having to do a second shop!

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• msdidonato member

  

  October 2013

  @EAR123 Thank You so much for posting this question. I am going shopping this weekend and can be a size 12 or 14. 

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• EAR123 member

  

  November 2013

  Update -- shopping trip was successful! I had three appointments and we found The Dress at #2. My first visit was at a bridal outlet, which had tons and tons of options but none I really loved. But they had lots of different sizes, which I really liked. I am not plus size, but there was a big rack of larger sizes which I thought was great. I chose 5 dresses to try and my stylist pulled a few others she thought I would like. It was an easy experience and even though I didn't find a dress there I found a maybe dress I liked we'll enough and planned to return to of I didn't find anything I liked better. The second store was a small boutique with about 60 styles in stock. I had printed photos of four or five I liked from their stock before going and my stylist grabbed those and a few others to try on. They were all in sizes 8 or 10 (bridal size) and even if not a perfect fit, I was able to determine quite easily how they would in my size. I wound up finding a dress I really liked and decided to go for it and cancel my third appt at JCrew. I was happy with my selection and didn't want to make it into a dress odyssey -- going to a bunch of stores and trying dozens and dozens of dresses is just not my thing; I can see how that would be fun for some, though! The process was so nice and easy; I was really pleased with how well it went. I found a great shape and color, and willI be doing alterations on my dress -- adjusting length, removing under layers, adding straps, removing train -- but the stylist was great about showing me how I could make changes to it quite easily. I did get my hair blown out the morning if the appointments and wore my Spanx - helped with confidence! I brought a pair of low heeled sandals but wound up not even using them when trying in dresses -- some we're so poofy it was almost impossible to step into dresses with them on or trying to put them on once the dress was on. So unless you are doing on the spot tailoring I suggest not worrying about shoes when shopping! Happy shopping everyone!

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