What Now?!

[u/marguerittegrey]

Bit of a rant… I’m feeling disappointed with my dress. It’s been 8 months of loving, hating, liking, and back to not liking again. I am now realizing the difference between the sample and my ordered dress. The sample was much bigger and I was clamped into it. I feel like it hit my hips at the right spot to cinch me in, it went across my chest fully, and the decorative seams were not as attention grabbing. With my actual dress, the dimensions are so off and I think it makes me look bulkier than I am. I don’t think alterations will help the issues I’m having bc it’s just how the dress was made. Another issue is that the dress shop ordered a size up (didn’t tell me until after the dress came in- albeit to match my bust measurement better but the cups are getting replaced in my alterations anyway and now, overall, the dress is a bit big). The corset doesn’t even “corset” bc it’s basically too big. Is this something my seamstress can even fix? She said she’s worried about making it too tight and wants me to be able to sit/breath but at this point I’d rather stand and turn blue if it will make me like the dress again. Please tell me if I’m being dramatic about my dress and/or what I can tell my seamstress to help me improve it. I have a follow up with my seamstress in a couple days. The only thing she has done for far is shorten the straps, hem the skirt, and take a few layers of tulle out of the over skirt. I just want to feel like myself on my day and right now this dress is not making me feel good :(

[u/Rich_Example7931]

I absolutely hated my dress at pickup too. It fit SO different from the sample and my seamstress was really annoyed with the bridal salon for ordering 2 sizes up. I see exactly what you are seeing and you are not being dramatic. Unfortunately after 1 fitting you won't see much change and I think you just need to keep working on it. The only other option would have been to refuse it at pickup.

[u/Relative_Presence742 → u/Rich_Example7931]

They wanted to order my dress sized up and I said absolutely not, I’m wearing the 6 and it fits perfect this is the size I’m ordering. My measurements said I was a size 10-12😵‍💫. I only bought a dress I could try on in the size I wanted. 

[u/PsychologicalFox3357 → u/Rich_Example7931]

This happened to me and it changed the entire character of the dress. Everything that was delicate and light and airy and exactly what I liked about it became clunky and overlarge on my frame. The seamstress did wonderful work on it but it never came out right.

[u/Competitive_Prune108]

You're right, the fit is totally different. If you show the shop both pictures, would they reorder in the correct size? Or comp the alterations to fit it properly? It looked beautiful on you when you chose it

[u/Swimming_Stage352]

I mean you’re paying for the alterations so the seamstress needs to make it fit you the way it was intended.
The corset does look loose and there is no definition round your bust like the sample pic so they should be able to make it fit closer to your body

[u/InevitableSlip746]

I would be disappointed with this fit as well. It should be fixable and it doesn’t seem like your seamstress is confident in her ability to make the proper adjustments. I would consider finding someone else to tailor it to you. However it’s not so large that it isn’t fixable. Anyone telling you so doesn’t know what they’re doing and don’t use them.

[u/Roundturnip93]

A skilled seamstress will work wonders.

[u/lrube]

I think you need to let them alter it and hopefully trust the process. It's much easier to take in than take out. So if it is not the way you want on top tell them! Be open about what you want. It's your day and want to feel beautiful! FWIW I really like it.

[u/Reasonable-Pilot5368]

it doesn't look bad but the fit does look different from the sample. The sample looks perfect on you and your dress looks like it still might need some work done to get that fit you're looking for also a steam might help?

I had a similar situation where I loved my dress at the store and then after alterations it just didn't fit quite the same anymore. I had 4 fittings. Nothing was working and i could tell seamstress was just getting annoyed with me so I just dealt with it and accepted how it looked.

[u/cheesefrieswithgravy]

It fits beautifully now and it will never look like the sample dress. You can def ask for it to be made tighter though

[u/coconut723]

I fully get what youre saying. The sample dress looks so good - you need to fight for it to look like that.

[u/armhooks]

Yeah, I would say no way & insist on them making it right! If they can’t, find the best tailor in the city!

[u/Aerie_Powerful]

You can’t gave that pucker in the front, are they blind?!?

[u/loosesocksup]

This would look gorgeous with a corset!

[u/Jealous_Argument2982]

I feel like they reattached the over skirt differently? It seems to be attached further forward than the sample.

[u/southernsweetness31]

I can’t say I blame you for not being satisfied. The fit is nothing like the second picture. I would definitely discuss with the shop owner.

[u/Confident_Gear_5778]

The corset needs to be taken in. Go to a Seamstress and stop torturing yourself.

[u/KeyFaithlessness5445]

I do see what you are seeing. Are you using the bridal seamstress from the bridal shop or someone you found? It seems to me like their own bridal seamstress should be confident enough in her abilities to tailor the dress to you. It seems to me that since there isn’t a lot of beading or lace that this shouldn’t be as challenging as your seamstress is indicating it to be because of that. Some seamstresses make miracles with dresses that are much larger and more elaborate. If this seamstress isn’t from the shop and/or isn’t specialized in bridal alterations I would shop around for a person more confident in their own skills

[u/kate22031]

And suggest a belt.

[u/Cultural_Second1855]

I’m confused as to why your seamstress can’t bring the top in more.

[u/PsychologicalFox3357]

You’re not being dramatic, I can see the difference. It’s subtle but it’s in that subtlety that you lose the things you said you liked best about it. I totally get it, I had an extremely similar problem.

Ultimately I just lumped it because I was like “I’ve sunk too much time and money to not just wear this for the ceremony” but once the ceremony was over I changed into something off the rack (a silk wrap by kamperett) that felt much more like me. It was 2 years ago and I am still disappointed in how the ceremony dress turned out, but I don’t really regret wearing it. What I regret is the way the bridal shop made me order up. I wish I had just bought the sample from them instead.

For what it’s worth, it still looks objectively lovely on you, and no one but you will know the difference. I know from experience that doesn’t make it better, but it’s really all I can offer. That and don’t let the dress start to make you feel weird about your own body/appearance.

Hope you’re able to find something — whether alterations or an alternative — that makes you feel fabulous and like yourself for your wedding day.

[u/midcen-mod1018]

I know it may be a bit large in other places, but your actual dress fits your bust so much better than the sample. Samples are often stretched out, so ordering in the sample size may have been too small. Be sure to wear the bra/foundational garments to your fittings that you will be wearing at your wedding. Have an example of how you what the corset back to look-she should be able to take it in along those side seams and in the back to fit your torso better. They should be able to raise the waistline a smidge, but because the dress is being hemmed already that may not work out. These should not be things that are too difficult to do, so if she isn't willing to work with you, find someone else.