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North Carolina-Outer Banks

Dress Fitting Woes

Hey All,
So I had my first dress fitting on Saturday. Let's just say it did not go as I hoped. I didn't love it. I barely even liked it. I was tremendously dissapointed. The bustier didn't fit properly, so the top was wider than it should be. There were so many things I didn't think through when I bought this dress. For instance, the fabric is wrapped in layers around the skirt, so no side seams. Which means that the alterations to make the dress more fitted would involve literally taking apart the entire dress. So, all the seamstress can do is hem it at the bottom and put darts in the top. But the mid-section of the dress, which is loose around my hips and butt, cannot be taken in at all. And I ordered a size up for the dress so it would fit my rather large chest, so it's definitely too big in the hips already.

I was so unhappy that I started to cry at the salon. My MOH who was with me felt bad. She thought to cheer me up she would tell me that she didn't like her dress either, which we had already picked out and bought. Then my neice proceeded to tell me, "Auntie Sarah, this dress looks terrible". Needless to say, these comments did not help. The only good thing that came of my tears was that the shop girl told me my bustier would be replaced in the correct size at no charge.

I just don't know what to do. I spent already more than my budget on this dress. The alterations are costing $300 in addition. I cannot afford to go buy another dress but I'm so unhappy with this one.
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Re: Dress Fitting Woes

  • JAK33JAK33 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    AWWW Sarah, I am so sorry to hear about this.  :(.  I am going to think about this one for you.  My first thought it would selling it unaltered to make back some $$ and looking for a new dress be at all feasible? 
  • edited December 2011
    Oh no!!!! I was going to say the same as JAK... you could maybe atleast post it up everywhere (craigslist, ebay, theknot, etc etc) and see what offers you get? You never know what people may offer you and if you get a good chunk back, would that be helpful enough to look for another dress?
  • rebecca2929rebecca2929 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Sarah I'm soooo sorry to hear this.  There's nothing worse than your dress not fitting and then people telling you that they don't like it.  I can't imagine what it must have been like.  I would suggest the same thing as above...selling it to make some money back.
    Anniversary
  • edited December 2011

    A couple thoughts... First, I agree that it might be possible to sell it and then repurchase another one.  But, I know that's a stressful process and you're getting close to your wedding.

    Second, maybe you could check out recycled bride, oncewed, TK classifieds, and other used sites to snag a dress super cheap.  It may or may not happen.

    Third, what if you wear a fuller slip/crinoline?  Your dress had those wrap around waves, if I remember correctly.  You may be able to puff it up enough that it doesn't cling/fall on your body and use the slip to take up the extra space in your dress.  It would change the look of your dress a little and it still wouldn't be fitted, but it might make it look like it was suppose to be that way.  Without seeing it on, I don't know if that would work or not.  Do you have pictures?  Maybe I can think of something else.

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    06.24.11 OBX, NC
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  • edited December 2011
    Wow, what is the seamstress charging $300 for?  Hemming?  I must have missed the boat on this enterprise.  I am a great sewist and find this price very high for hemming.

    Please post a pic. of the dress.  I wish I lived closer as I would try to help you out.  I am so sad for you.  Best of luck with this.
  • sarahebrownsarahebrown member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thanks all,
    You girls are the best. I am still very bummed out about all this, but your comments make me feel better. Here's a pic of the dress from front.
     


    Trying to Conceive Ticker
  • OBX2011OBX2011 member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary 25 Love Its First Answer
    edited December 2011
    Hugs Sarah....I am so sorry that you are going through this!

    I have to ask.....what in the world are they charging you $300 for?  That seems crazy high for alterations.

    Was there a 2nd dress you tried on that you really liked?  If so, maybe you can sell this one quickly and that also means no $300 extra needed for alterations, so maybe you will have enough to get the 2nd dress.

    Would you consider buying a dress from someone else on CraigsList or here on the Wedding Classifieds page? 

    I know I know I know that you will get through this and work it all out!  Please, let me know if there is anything that I can do to help out

     

  • edited December 2011

    Oh man, worst nightmare.  I haven't started shopping yet (bc I can't :() but I am so afraid of this!!  My body is oddly shaped.  I'm so afraid I will buy something and not like it later.  I really wish you the best!

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  • hibiscus118hibiscus118 member
    Sixth Anniversary 500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011

    ::hugs::  Sorry Sarah!  I don't have anything to add that is different from anyone elses but I hope that you get it all worked out.

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  • sarahebrownsarahebrown member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina-outer-banks_dress-fitting-woes?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:598Discussion:43208bcc-6c9f-4163-a05f-6973ecb2c195Post:d5b9313f-407c-4083-a4a9-ed6a2719c3f0">Re: Dress Fitting Woes</a>:
    [QUOTE]Hugs Sarah....I am so sorry that you are going through this! I have to ask.....<strong>what in the world are they charging you $300 for?  That seems crazy high for alterations. Was there a 2nd dress you tried on that you really liked? </strong> If so, maybe you can sell this one quickly and that also means no $300 extra needed for alterations, so maybe you will have enough to get the 2nd dress. Would you consider buying a dress from someone else on CraigsList or here on the Wedding Classifieds page?  I know I know I know that you will get through this and work it all out!  Please, let me know if there is anything that I can do to help out
    Posted by OBX2011[/QUOTE]

    Thanks OBX. They are charging for the hem of the dress, which is the bulk of the cost because they literally have to take out the whole piece of fabric from the seam, they can't just cut it at the bottom. Also, the darts for the top part of the dress and they are making a sash for me from scratch. There WAS a 2nd dress, at David's Bridal. The weird thing is I was thinking about it when I drove home from the awful fitting. I just don't know if I can afford another. I think I'm gonna have to suck it up and deal with it. Maybe I'll ask my florist to make my boquet bigger and I'll just hold it in front of myself all night- no one will notice the dress lol
    Trying to Conceive Ticker
  • OBX2011OBX2011 member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary 25 Love Its First Answer
    edited December 2011
    Is there a chance you could sell dress #1 and then go buy dress #2?  I would at least put an ad on CraigsList and the Wedding Classifieds here....ya never know who may pop up and buy it from you!  :)

     

  • JAK33JAK33 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    David's Bridal was going to be my recommendation for you to check out if you are able to maybe try and sell your current dress.  I got mine there for not much more than what you are paying for the hemming alone and I like it just the same as one that is 10X the cost honestly.   They have that big sale too, maybe the one you have your eye on will go on sale? 
  • edited December 2011

    Oh Sarah...I am so very sorry!
    Would you consider taking your dress to a different seamstress...just to get another opinion?  Maybe someone else out there has a different idea?
    Or what about the store that you bought it at?  Do they have any suggestions?  Have other brides had this issue with this dress?

    Good luck....no matter what, it will work out in the end!  It always does.

    I also agree about David's Bridal...you might be surprised what you can find there.

  • mparwulskimparwulski member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    So sorry.  I don't have much else to add than what everyone already recommended.  Did you buy your dress at a bridal shop?  I wondered if anyone advised you on the sizing, ordering up and not being able to alter it.  That seems like poor consulting on the part of the shop, knowing that you were ordering for your largest measurement.  It seems they should have steered you away from this one since you would have needed the alterations in the hips.  Not that any of that helps your current situation.  If it's any consolation, I bought my dress "previously enjoyed," but it's brand new to me.  I saved a lot of money going that route and got a dress that I really loved, but would not have paid full price for.  I hunted and hunted, and googled and looked on boards for the a good price on the one I loved.  You can also get a good deal on a sample.
  • sarahebrownsarahebrown member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Maria,
    I did buy it at a bridal shop. I was thinking the same thing, why didn't they tell me there would be no alterations allowed in that part of the dress? Not to mention, that the alterations would cost a fortune because how it was made? I was not in a good, cool-headed state of mind on Saturday. But I was thinking maybe I should call and talk to the owner about it. But it's like you said, what can I really do at this point anyway? Suck it up and hope for the best. At the very least, maybe I can find another dress for little $$ and wear it at the reception...
    Trying to Conceive Ticker
  • edited December 2011
    You have enough time between now and then wedding to put a halt on alterations until you can think it over.  I'd give the shop a call.
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    06.24.11 OBX, NC
    Planning Bio
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  • edited December 2011
    Sarah, Im so sorry to hear this. I don't really know what to say :( I would probably beg my parents to help me pay for another dress!!! I agree with everyone, see if someone is willing to buy it from you and put that money towards the dress at davids that you liked.  Remeber to check out Davids $99 sale, when they have it.
    I got my dress from Davids for around $450, plus the other crap! ha

    I hope everything works out for you. You will be beautiful no matter what!
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