Dress- did you "just know?"

[Laurenj915]

I don''t "just know" or get goose bumps or any of the other stuff people tell me will happen when I try on "the dress." So how do I decide? I have tried on lots of dresses that are really pretty. Hard part is that they are so big that it is hard to tell how they will actually look in my size. I don''t think putting large clamps on the back of a size 12 shows what it will look like as a size 0. The busts look silly on me.

Ok, here''s what I want. I want a v neck dress because they flatter my face in pictures. I''d like to wear a bra, a regular padded pushup bra with straps if possible because I am ridiculously small and I don''t feel comfortable in a strapless anything. And possibly something that is fitted through the hips because I am short and it makes me look taller.

Here are 3 dresses. I think they look terrible in the pictures because they are just too big but I would love to get any feedback because everyone is telling me I have to order this week (wedding in 5 months) and I have no idea what to do.

The first one is super simple and light (I like that it''s not to heavy. It''s also very plain and possibly boring)

The second one looked the best in the store but it doesn''t look nearly as good in the pictures I took (bad sign?) The train is too long for me. Can I get some of that chopped off when it gets altered?

The third one I just threw in here. I didn''t like it on the store but I kind of like it in the pictures.

 

[Laurenj915]

2nd dress

 

[Laurenj915]

2nd dress again

 

[Laurenj915]

3rd

 

[jcrow]

from these pics, number 3 looks most flattering. however, you mentioned you are short. how tall are you?
in number 3 you are standing on a block. this lengthens the look of you. i''m 5'' and i figured out that i couldn''t stand on the block because everything looked so long and lean on me. in reality, some of the dresses without the block made me look stubby. number 3 may have the potential to do that, maybe? or at least a similar style did that on me. so i''d tried on that one again if i were you.

number two seems too cut you off because the top is distinctly different from the bottom and there is a hard line defining the two.

number one also seems to work very nicely for you. nothing to cut you in half like the other two... just one long sleek line.

 

[misysu2]

Hi Lauren! I know just how you feel. I also felt frustrated because I never felt like I found "the one"; never had that light bulb moment.

I really like your dress #1. Very classic. Don''t worry about it being boring, because that''s what the ENDLESS possibilities surrounding veils/jewelry are for!

I think #2 looks like a saloon dress from a 1880''s bar. It would need something to class it up.

#3 just has WAY too much going on. My eyes keep moving around the dress at all the components and never fall on anything, much less on the beautiful bride wearing it!

 

[~*Snow*~]

LOVE LOVE #1!!!!
it''s simple but beautiful.

In all honesty #2 looks like the bottom half is missing. It''s also one of those dressing you like now, but looking back in 5 years will look dated. As for #1 is classic and very elegant and will be beautiful for quite some time.

 

[Laurenj915]

You are right about the block I want to buy that thing and stand on it all the time! I''m 5''3" so not really really short but I am short through the waist.

This helps, thank you. I never thought about those dresses cutting me off though the middle. That is totally true

 

[~*Snow*~]

Date: 1/2/2008 4:35:43 PM
Author: misysu2
Hi Lauren! I know just how you feel. I also felt frustrated because I never felt like I found ''the one''; never had that light bulb moment.

I really like your dress #1. Very classic. Don''t worry about it being boring, because that''s what the ENDLESS possibilities surrounding veils/jewelry are for!

I think #2 looks like a saloon dress from a 1880''s bar. It would need something to class it up.

#3 just has WAY too much going on. My eyes keep moving around the dress at all the components and never fall on anything, much less on the beautiful bride wearing it!

LOL

We are on the same page today Misysu2!!

 

[Laurenj915]

Thank you! Even better, dress number one is about $700 less than the other two.

 

[misysu2]

Oh Lauren- no question then! Can''t beat that!!

 

[surfgirl]

#1 absofreakinglutely! It just looks like your body was wrapped in light spun silk round and round and round. You just need a good padded push up bra and you''ll get that cleavage you want. You said you thought it was boring. I think it''s elegant, sophisticated yet not too frou frou, and the side sweep is extremely gorgeous on you. IMO, YOU should be the focus of the day, not the dress! And that is exactly what #1 does, it shows you off as a gorgeous bride, without all the extra fuss. You could pin a fabulous sparkly brooch or terrific silk cabbage roses right at the hip where the gathers come together...and the beauty of #1 is that you can play with the veil a bit more because it wont be competing with your dress. You could go with a sweeping plain floor length veil, or something a little shorter, or something with a little sparkle or some lace.

The other two do nothing for me. And I feel that the dress is wanting more attention than the person wearing those dresses, so another reason for #1...

 

[hopefulheidi]

Lauren...
I tried on tons of dresses and a lot of them looked good on me but I didn't have "that" feeling in any of them. On the upside, I could have chosen any of them and looked nice but at the same time I was freaking out that I hadn't found "the one". I've read so many stories of brides ending up with multiple dresses and I didn't want to end up in that same situation so I kept looking. Eventually on a trip to David's bridal of all places, I found "the dress". I liked the material, the beading, the lace work on the dress while it was still in the bag but as soon as I slipped it on I just had this amazing feeling. Looking down at the dress I said outloud, "ooh I think I really like this one." As soon as I came out of the fitting room and saw my family and myself in the mirror, I knew that this dress was a Heidi dress. I found myself swaying back and forth like a little girl with the skirt swirling around me and I asked if I could wear the dress home because I felt so good in it. Sure I had a little freak out where I posted here and questioned the pick up skirt on my gown, but that dress is the only dress that really clicked for me and so that's the one I ordered.

I'm sure that's not what you wanted to hear and you do look great in all of those gowns, but if you've got the time and the nerve to do so, I would keep looking until you find THE dress that gives you that feeling. At this point you know you could easily pick any one of those dresses and look really amazing on your big day but there's something magical about finding the dress that makes you FEEL amazing

~Heidi

ETA I re-read your post and notice you're 5 months out from the wedding so I can see why you're feeling pressured. In my experience 5 months should still be plenty of time to find a dress as it only took a few weeks for mine to arrive but I'm sure that depends on your bridal shop. I have to agree that #1 looks great on you and it sounds like quite a bargain. Maybe you should go try it on again and see if it speaks to you this time?

 

[mjso]

I like number 3 the best in these photos. I think part of that is due to the fact that the top seems like it might be fitting the best.

I like the top of number 2, but then the second part of it is too distracting.

I also like that number 1 is simple and classic. It doesn''t overwhelm your petite frame.

The one thing I think makes me like the shape of the top of number 3 better than number 1 is that the straps go up over your shoulders, instead of being off-the shoulder. I''m thinking that''s something that will look better once it is fitted instead of just clipped, because right now I feel like it just makes you look flatter (probably because there is just soooo much extra material).

 

[Laurenj915]

Yeah, I agree about number 2 being dated later on when I look at the pictures. Even more so with number 3 and the color in it. That is so popular right now.


Number 1 is also probably better and lighter for an outdoor, summer evening wedding in Florida.

I just needed some feedback. Thank god this board is here. I would have lost my mind in the months before I got engaged without the LIW and now I am clueless without this board. lol

Thanks!

 

[misysu2]

Hi again! I just wanted to post a reply to hopefulHeidi''s post.

At 5 months till the big day, you should be narrowing down and ordering. I know people say you should hold out to find "the one", but you can only hold out for so long. To make you feel better, I NEVER experienced the feeling other brides get with "the one", and ended up ordering one of my final choices. Kind of a blunt, uneventful end to my long search. HOWEVER, now that my order is in and I''m shopping for accessories and imagining myself in this dress, I CAN''T WAIT! I''m very excited, and I finally feel better about the dress. To make a long story short, don''t stress too much-- you''ll get plenty excited!

 

[Harleigh]

Hi Lauren,

I really like dress #1 on you...would you mind sharing the designer and the style number? I love the simplicity of it, and I think it makes your body look fantastic! Also, do you know if it is available in ivory or cream??? (Do I dare ask how much it costs?)

I am also a size 0 and about 5'' 3", shortwaisted and up in arms about this whole wedding dress thing! I also didn''t want strapless as I have the opposite problem as I AM busty, but I also have a huge scar on my right front shoulder due to 3 surgeries, so would like to try to cover that up more if I could, and those wider straps would cover it nicely, I think.

I have a dress I got on ebay, but I don''t LOVE it on me like I do with it on the hanger. I don''t think it''s the most flattering look on me, and would like something that shows off my figure a bit more. Does that sound horrible? I just want to LOVE the way I look on my wedding day, which is just a little over 6 months away, and I feel like I''m running out of time...

Maybe we can search for dresses together and see what we come up with. Good luck, and I can''t wait to see what you end up with!

 

[ang3199]

Hi Lauren! Out of them all I like number 3. I agree with you that one is boring, and I feel like 2 overwhelms your little frame.

Have you tried strapless? I know you say you don''t want to wear it, but I feel as though the sleeves (or whatevers

) overwhelm you. I think that strapless would look best on your tiny frame.

And to your first question: It took me about three months to find the one that I loved and I needed second opinions. So give it time. Don''t rush into something that you don''t love.

 

[Laurenj915]

Date: 1/2/2008 4:50:50 PM
Author: Harleigh
Hi Lauren,

I really like dress #1 on you...would you mind sharing the designer and the style number? I love the simplicity of it, and I think it makes your body look fantastic! Also, do you know if it is available in ivory or cream??? (Do I dare ask how much it costs?)

I am also a size 0 and about 5' 3', shortwaisted and up in arms about this whole wedding dress thing! I also didn't want strapless as I have the opposite problem as I AM busty, but I also have a huge scar on my right front shoulder due to 3 surgeries, so would like to try to cover that up more if I could, and those wider straps would cover it nicely, I think.

I have a dress I got on ebay, but I don't LOVE it on me like I do with it on the hanger. I don't think it's the most flattering look on me, and would like something that shows off my figure a bit more. Does that sound horrible? I just want to LOVE the way I look on my wedding day, which is just a little over 6 months away, and I feel like I'm running out of time...

Maybe we can search for dresses together and see what we come up with. Good luck, and I can't wait to see what you end up with!

I found it at Alfred Angelo. I went with my mom to Miami Beach to some facny stores and tried on the other two and then when we were on the highway I saw a grand opeing sign for Alfred Angelo. We stopped in and I found that dress.

I know that is comes in white and ivory. The one I tried on was ivory. The one on the website is white. I would have never thought to try it on from the website picture.

Link to the dress- http://www.alfredangelo.com/Collections/ProductDisplay.aspx?productID=b55ac898-18fa-467f-8f36-1a945e143d20&categoryID=32e5a88c-cbf1-498f-afcf-dbfca138c5d3&pg=0

I think you should look it up and see if they have a store in your area. They were very nice and the price was only $499. Sell that dress you don't love back to someone on e-bay.

 

[VRBeauty]

#1!

I also like #2, except that I think the skirt is way too poufy. If the bottom could be deflated a bit, it would be a close second for me. But I love the simple elegance, and the off-the shoulder straps of #1. As Surfgirl said, see how you feel about it with some *ahem* upper body enhancement.

 

[GolfGirl2008]

Number THREE!!! It''s gorgeous and I do have good taste if I do say so myself LOL!

 

[Harleigh]

Thanks, Lauren, I''ll go look it up. The one in the picture looks really white, so that''s why I asked...thanks so much for claryifying!

Did you find the off-the-shoulder straps at all constricting? I wonder if they could be made into regular tank straps somehow. What do you think?

 

[Independent Gal]

I like number 1. And I didn''t get goosebumps with any of the 6000 dresses I tried on either. Although I thought ''WOW!'' with a couple of them.

 

[Laurenj915]

Date: 1/2/2008 5:19:19 PM
Author: Harleigh
Thanks, Lauren, I''ll go look it up. The one in the picture looks really white, so that''s why I asked...thanks so much for claryifying!

Did you find the off-the-shoulder straps at all constricting? I wonder if they could be made into regular tank straps somehow. What do you think?

They told me they could bring up the straps some when they altered it so that it was higher on my shoulders. Less "off the shoulder" and more very wide on top of my shoulder.

I didn''t find the straps constricting but I think the huge clips on my back migth have been distracting me.

 

[bee*]

I adore number one-I just love the simplicity and the elegance of it.

 

[Harleigh]

Date: 1/2/2008 5:26:54 PM
Author: Lauren1116

Date: 1/2/2008 5:19:19 PM
Author: Harleigh
Thanks, Lauren, I''ll go look it up. The one in the picture looks really white, so that''s why I asked...thanks so much for claryifying!

Did you find the off-the-shoulder straps at all constricting? I wonder if they could be made into regular tank straps somehow. What do you think?

They told me they could bring up the straps some when they altered it so that it was higher on my shoulders. Less ''off the shoulder'' and more very wide on top of my shoulder.

I didn''t find the straps constricting but I think the huge clips on my back migth have been distracting me.

LMAO! And to think I''ve missed out on this experience!!! I might have to go just for that!

I did find two stores within about 30 miles of me that carries AA, so I might gather up my girls and see what I find. $499 doesn''t seem too unreasonable to me!

Thanks again, Lauren!

 

[sluke]

definitely number one. classic; elegant and timeless. you can look back to your pictures and it won''t look "dated".

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

As a girl who is 5''2, the skirts in 2 and 3 are going to make you look short and squat no matter how tall your heels are.
The wonderful thing about the simplicity of number 1, which is my favorite, is that you can do what ever you want to add something to it if you feel you need to. You could have a beaded sash on the waist, a dramatic necklace, an intracate tiara, etc without having to worry sbout it clashing or overdoing it.

 

[xapora]

I think the top of dress #3 flatters you the most, but out of the three dresses, I like #1 the best.

 

[ladyciel]

#1, hands down!!