Kinda Heartbroken

[acwinsett]

Okay, you guys all seem so sweet and supportive . . . I just have to get something off my super-sized chest.

So I found a gorgeous new-with-tags bridal gown on eBay and won the auction for $120 + shipping. (I'd post a photo, but I'm too new here) The seller was really nice to work with, and I've been waiting anxiously. It arrived today in the mail and it's UNREAL GORGEOUS!!! A total steal!

Within a second, I managed to get a makeup smudge on it - small, but right across the front. (I'm a total klutz.) So right off the bat, I've gotta run across town ASAP and get this amazing gown to the best dry cleaner in Memphis.

But the worst part is I tried it on, and it won't fit my chest. I'm so disproportionate - an upside-down triangle. I'm 5'6" - a size 6 in pants and a 12 in tops. The dress is a 12 and knowing bridal sizes, I knew it would a long shot. But at that price, worth the risk, right?

So now that I have it and it's so pretty, it makes me sad. I don't WANT another dress. I want to wear that one

The wedding's not going to be until Dec 2009, and I've been good about counting POINTS and exercising - lost 5 lbs in the past month. I'm not giving up yet (and the dress might just be pretty enough to consider cosmetic surgery for), but for today I'm just kinda bummed . . .

- Andreah in Memphis

 

[bridetobe789]

Usually the first place women lose as we all know is our chest and butt!! So don't stress over it too much... If you are planning on losing wait I would just stick with that.. they can always let it out a size if it's not too terribly tight ! I would just stick with that dress if thats what made me feel like it was the one and when it comes closer to the wedding (like 6 months or so) if you still can't fit in it like you want then you may have to look around!

 

[BecBennett]

Plenty of time! Even have a chat to a couple of alterations people to see if anything can be done...

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

my dress wouldn't even zip past my waist when I first tried it on

just keep going!!

 

[acwinsett]

Oh my gosh . . . You look sooo fantastic! Thanks a bunch for the inspiration

I really appreciate everyone's great ideas. I'm gonna give it about 6 months - get a good tailor and a good dry cleaner. If I'm not happy next summer, then it's time to go shopping!

 

[Lynn5700]

Betsy is an awesome inspiration! You will be fine, you have plenty of time.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Betsy is an awesome inspiration! You will be fine, you have plenty of time.

I knew that was my dress and everytime I wanted to be naughty and eat something bad, I remembered I wanted to wear that dress! I ended up having it take it in 2" on each side!

 

[CoP Luv]

Don't you worry! You have PLENTY of time...I didn't get my dress altered until 3.5 months before our wedding and had quite a few things done to it. I am so jealous that you got your dress for so cheap! Good for you!

 

[acwinsett]

Quick update: Today I ran the dress over to Nunnery's cleaners in Memphis (a friend of mine told me not to take it ANYWHERE else). They got the makeup stain out right there while I watched, and didn't charge a dime! They are so fantastic!

I'm not giving up on it yet. Give me 6 months and a good seamstress . . .

Thanks to all for your good advice and kind words

Andreah

 

[quasar4legs]

Maybe try a different bra, I have found that a minimizer bra can make a difference to fitting in to some tops that are a little tight.

Good luck.

 

[Tink_Kel]

Good luck! We'd all love to see a pic of the dress!

 

[DizneeCM]

Hi, my niece has a similar build and had trouble finding a prom gown that would fit. She found a gown that she liked, and a seamstress was able to remove the zipper (or maybe it was buttons) from the back of the dress, and add pretty ribbon instead to lace up the back of the dress (the ribbon crossed back and forth kind of like shoelaces). It actually looked very nice, and it gave her more room on the top.

 

[acwinsett]

Hi, my niece has a similar build and had trouble finding a prom gown that would fit. She found a gown that she liked, and a seamstress was able to remove the zipper (or maybe it was buttons) from the back of the dress, and add pretty ribbon instead to lace up the back of the dress (the ribbon crossed back and forth kind of like shoelaces). It actually looked very nice, and it gave her more room on the top.

I really like the idea of removing the zipper and replacing that with a lace-up "corset-style" back. I think it would be prettier anyway. I've also heard about some people who have had "V" shaped pieces of fabric placed under the arms. It's not really visible to others. I'm feeling so much better about it now that a few days have passed.

A lady at work was telling me that I should probably just go get another gown, but it doesn't matter what size the gown is, I'm still going to be looking at massive alterations. That's just the way it is when you're three sizes bigger in the top than in the bottom . . . so I might as well just work with the one I've got

I've decided that I would just continue eating right and exercising for the next 6 months or so, then I'll go to the seamstress. If by next June, it doesn't look like it's going to work, then I'll start looking at other gowns.

I'll post a photo as soon as I reach my 10th post

 

[acwinsett]

Yay! I've got 10 posts now! Here's the dress:

 

[Belle'sMommy]

I have a similar body shape as you (except not as small on bottom).

I've had several formal gowns altered in the way that DizneeCM suggested. You can have them add a panel so that your back isn't bare, OR you can have them make the new edges be V-shaped so the sides slope towards where they meet a little further down.

I'd suggest waiting until early next fall to see how much weight you loose on top and then have the dress altered then.

 

[torsie24]

Beautiful dress andreah!

I was also going to suggest making it lace up and/or having an extra piece of material in the back for the laces to go over to widen it out towards the top a bit.

 

[tinks_1989]

disneydmnnut your story is so inspiring i love your dress it so so beautiful

acwinsett that dress is just sooooo beautiful and what a steal you got it for

good luck