Dress OCD Continues . . . Help me stop??

[Loves Vintage]

Here was my last post re: my ebay dress being a little snug: prior thread

I had Friday off from work, so I went to the seamstress. She told me that I need to lose 10 pounds, and it would be $300 to hem the dress and make a slight alteration to the straps. Seemed a bit pricey, given it''s just really a hem.

Then I went back to a bridal consignment shop where I had tried on a bunch of lovely dresses, including my dream $2,300 dress. (For those who don''t recall, I''m eloping and can''t justify that much for a dress, although I would get it without a second thought if I were having a full wedding.) They didn''t really have anything new, except for a very pretty lace overlay dress that had tons of beading which I did not like.

I like my ebay dress. It is very pretty, but there are a lot of pretty dresses. This one does not feel like MY dress. So, I''ve been rather obsessively looking at dresses on-line all weekend. I think I finally know what I want. A simple lace dress. How hard could that be to find? VERY HARD. I like this dress, a lot, although I would want a little more back coverage, I think I could just have that added:

lace dress

I cannot find this dress in an 18 or 20 anywhere!!! Help me?

I am toying with the idea of ordering from China soon. The dresses are so inexpensive, and if it turns out to be not so nice, well, I already have the pretty dress . . . .

Help?

 

[Loves Vintage]

Oh, and, the ceremony will be on June 5, but we are flying out on May 28, so, this is not the type of thing that I could really order through a salon.

 

[sera]

I love that style! It''s one of the styles I''m considering as well (very simple beach wedding).

Those prices on the dresses from China are tempting, but I think you will get what you pay for. I just think there will be a huge sacrifice on the material (itchy lace and lack of "flow"), and I just envision uneven hems and sloppy seams. I would love to hear that I am wrong about this!!!

 

[Loves Vintage]

Date: 3/23/2008 12:49:43 PM
Author: sera
I love that style! It''s one of the styles I''m considering as well (very simple beach wedding).


Those prices on the dresses from China are tempting, but I think you will get what you pay for. I just think there will be a huge sacrifice on the material (itchy lace and lack of ''flow''), and I just envision uneven and sloppy seams. I would love to hear that I am wrong about this!!!

I know what you mean, and that''s what everyone says, but when I look up the feedback of these sellers on ebay, people seem just delighted at what they receive.

I did notice that lace halter beach dress in a much smaller size and for much, much less, on ebay, for like $47. It was probably a 6 or an 8, if you wanted to look for it.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 3/23/2008 12:56:52 PM
Author: Loves Vintage

Date: 3/23/2008 12:49:43 PM

Author: sera

I love that style! It's one of the styles I'm considering as well (very simple beach wedding).



Those prices on the dresses from China are tempting, but I think you will get what you pay for. I just think there will be a huge sacrifice on the material (itchy lace and lack of 'flow'), and I just envision uneven and sloppy seams. I would love to hear that I am wrong about this!!!

I know what you mean, and that's what everyone says, but when I look up the feedback of these sellers on ebay, people seem just delighted at what they receive.


I did notice that lace halter beach dress in a much smaller size and for much, much less, on ebay, for like $47. It was probably a 6 or an 8, if you wanted to look for it.

Before you decide to buy from one of these sellers...you need to figure out where you fall on the scale of consumers on ebay. My theory is that many people are very happy with the quality because many of these people shop at K-Mart, Walmart, etc. Now there is nothing wrong with buying your clothes there, as the majority of America does, but it is imperative to remember that THEIR quality is very different than the quality of clothes at higher end stores. So if you are someone who shops for clothes at Walmart and is happy with the quality, you likely will be happy with the quality of these dresses.

But if you're someone who shops at Bloomingdales and the like, I highly highly doubt you will be satisfied with the quality of the fabric and construction.

I think these ebay sellers get such high feedback because a majority of their clientele are the Walmart shoppers...so to them the quality is just fine.

 

[sera]

Date: 3/23/2008 12:56:52 PM
Author: Loves Vintage

Date: 3/23/2008 12:49:43 PM
Author: sera
I love that style! It''s one of the styles I''m considering as well (very simple beach wedding).


Those prices on the dresses from China are tempting, but I think you will get what you pay for. I just think there will be a huge sacrifice on the material (itchy lace and lack of ''flow''), and I just envision uneven and sloppy seams. I would love to hear that I am wrong about this!!!

I know what you mean, and that''s what everyone says, but when I look up the feedback of these sellers on ebay, people seem just delighted at what they receive.

I did notice that lace halter beach dress in a much smaller size and for much, much less, on ebay, for like $47. It was probably a 6 or an 8, if you wanted to look for it.

Yeah, I''ve looked at the feedback on a lot of these and looked at many dresses there. With my budget I''m not going to have a couture dress with the nicest fabrics out there, and I don''t think it''s absolutely necessary for a nice dress, but there is a difference. I would love a gorgeous, stunning, lacey, Jim Hjelm v-neck trumpet gown with empire sash... but... not likely gonna happen. *sigh* But, I should still be able to find a nice dress.

I do read the feedback and think these types might work; then I''m reminded of all the times I''ve heard someone refer to something as elegant and classy and I''m like, ummm... no. So, what one ebayer was thrilled with and felt it was the most gorgeous dress ever- I may be less than pleased with.

I would love to hear from someone who has bought from this type of seller... I''ll bet there are some nice ones out there- I just wouldn''t know how to filter out the crap in order to get a decent dress. But, since I don''t know which would be nice and which wouldn''t, I''m can''t bring myself to take the chance.

I''m looking at some of the pre-owned ones. I don''t believe things carry karma, so it doesn''t bother me. Even if I did believe it, the dresses were worn at happy weddings, not the divorces.

Good luck on your search! I hope you find a great dress for a great price!!!

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

I have had the same problem as you and I strongly considered the same thing you did. Thnakfully, I found a salon where they had both the original which was still a "budget" dress at $800 and the chinese knockoff which they offer to brides on a really tight schedule. There was a noticable difference in quality. The Chinese dress looks like it was made for halloween out of stuff they picked up at a craft store. Although fathful in design, it was truely atrocious in quality. If you look at the picture, they didn''t even bother to hem the bottom of the dress.

You might consider one of these:
http://www.moncheribridals.com/CollectionProductDetail.aspx?cname=Destinations&did=0&pid=502270&year=2008&season=Spring&
http://www.moncheribridals.com/CollectionProductDetail.aspx?cname=Destinations&did=0&pid=431&year=2005&season=Spring&best=True&
They are quite cheap as I understand it and your salon could contact the company which often has pre-made ones in different sizes.
Another option
http://www.bestbridalprices.com/davinci-wedding-dress-p-1362.html?cPath=1_36 this one is available in 3-4 weeks in certain colors!

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Can you check some salons for sample gowns? They might have some 18''s and 20''s. The salon I purchased my dress from had a bunch of sample 18''s and 16''s which was awesome!! It was so nice to actually try dresses on. Speaking from my own experience it is going to be hard to find a pretty non-renaissance dress on ebay that''s an actual 18 or 20. But it may happen! Have you tried David''s?

Do you like this? It''s more 60''s.

Also, could you post the dream dress again? Maybe we can match it!

I tried this one on at David''s and it was really beautiful in person, kind of beachy though.

This is beautiful

Pretty w/ a sale!

Hope this helps some, I will look more later.

 

[E B]

Loves Vintage,

How comfortable are you with strapless? Or do you prefer halter/some kind of strap?

 

[Loves Vintage]

Date: 3/23/2008 1:38:30 PM
Author: neatfreak

Date: 3/23/2008 12:56:52 PM

Author: Loves Vintage

Date: 3/23/2008 12:49:43 PM


Author: sera


I love that style! It''s one of the styles I''m considering as well (very simple beach wedding).




Those prices on the dresses from China are tempting, but I think you will get what you pay for. I just think there will be a huge sacrifice on the material (itchy lace and lack of ''flow''), and I just envision uneven and sloppy seams. I would love to hear that I am wrong about this!!!

I know what you mean, and that''s what everyone says, but when I look up the feedback of these sellers on ebay, people seem just delighted at what they receive.



I did notice that lace halter beach dress in a much smaller size and for much, much less, on ebay, for like $47. It was probably a 6 or an 8, if you wanted to look for it.

Before you decide to buy from one of these sellers...you need to figure out where you fall on the scale of consumers on ebay. My theory is that many people are very happy with the quality because many of these people shop at K-Mart, Walmart, etc. Now there is nothing wrong with buying your clothes there, as the majority of America does, but it is imperative to remember that THEIR quality is very different than the quality of clothes at higher end stores. So if you are someone who shops for clothes at Walmart and is happy with the quality, you likely will be happy with the quality of these dresses.


But if you''re someone who shops at Bloomingdales and the like, I highly highly doubt you will be satisfied with the quality of the fabric and construction.


I think these ebay sellers get such high feedback because a majority of their clientele are the Walmart shoppers...so to them the quality is just fine.

Good Point. I hadn''t thought of it that way. I just assumed it was similar quality material, but that the labor costs so much less, that''s why the dresses are so expensive. At this point, I was thinking, let me just try it out. What''s another few hundred? However, I see this as evidence of my ever-growing insanity with this dress thing.

 

[Loves Vintage]

Date: 3/23/2008 2:41:16 PM
Author: brazen_irish_hussy
I have had the same problem as you and I strongly considered the same thing you did. Thnakfully, I found a salon where they had both the original which was still a ''budget'' dress at $800 and the chinese knockoff which they offer to brides on a really tight schedule. There was a noticable difference in quality. The Chinese dress looks like it was made for halloween out of stuff they picked up at a craft store. Although fathful in design, it was truely atrocious in quality. If you look at the picture, they didn''t even bother to hem the bottom of the dress.


You might consider one of these:

http://www.moncheribridals.com/CollectionProductDetail.aspx?cname=Destinations&did=0&pid=502270&year=2008&season=Spring&

http://www.moncheribridals.com/CollectionProductDetail.aspx?cname=Destinations&did=0&pid=431&year=2005&season=Spring&best=True&

They are quite cheap as I understand it and your salon could contact the company which often has pre-made ones in different sizes.

Another option

http://www.bestbridalprices.com/davinci-wedding-dress-p-1362.html?cPath=1_36 this one is available in 3-4 weeks in certain colors!

BIH,

Thanks for offering me suggestions. I''m afraid I might be getting annoying to this board with my constantly shifting dress ideas. I remember you tried to help me out when I first started looking! I am going to do as you suggest and call a salon that carries Mon Cheri and see what they might be able to locate in my size. I assumed all salons were the same - size 10, which is really a size 6, soooo frustrating. I really like the first dress you posted. I think I came across it earlier today too.

Thanks!

 

[E B]

Loves Vintage,

I don't know what your dress budget is, but this beautiful lace over light taffeta champagne Casablanca is $858 with free shipping and can ship in one week. It also comes with free shoes and a veil, apparently:

Casablanca 1899

 

[Loves Vintage]

Date: 3/23/2008 2:58:27 PM
Author: SarahLovesJS
Can you check some salons for sample gowns? They might have some 18''s and 20''s. The salon I purchased my dress from had a bunch of sample 18''s and 16''s which was awesome!! It was so nice to actually try dresses on. Speaking from my own experience it is going to be hard to find a pretty non-renaissance dress on ebay that''s an actual 18 or 20. But it may happen! Have you tried David''s?


Do you like this? It''s more 60''s.


Also, could you post the dream dress again? Maybe we can match it!


I tried this one on at David''s and it was really beautiful in person, kind of beachy though.


This is beautiful


Pretty w/ a sale!


Hope this helps some, I will look more later.

Hi Sarah

,

I''ve seen the first dress you posted before. It looks so frumpy, no. I don''t know why they don''t post a better pic? I have been to David''s. I tried the Galina dress (the beachy one), and it looked really nice and I actually loved the texture of that outer fabric, but didn''t think it was the most attractive dress for me.

I''ve been tempted to order that sale David''s dress all week!! It looks really nice and would be easy to return, but I don''t think it would be THE dress for some reason.

I never posted a photo of my dream dress. I don''t have one. I tried it on when I was at the shop and just loved it. It was several layers of the lightest silk, which was picked up by these dainty silk flowers and ribbons on each side. The second layer had little single leafs attached in random places, and the top of the zippered back had a single leaf. The leaves were really small. It''s hard to describe. It was just so light and airy and pretty, but no photos. I''ve actually been trying to forget about it! I looked at the designer''s name again when I was there on Friday, and it was really no one that I had ever heard of and I''ve completely forgotten it again.

I need to start calling some salons to see what size samples they have in the store. I didn''t know anyone would have 18''s. Are the samples always for sale??

I don''t have any photos of the dream dress

 

[Loves Vintage]

Date: 3/23/2008 6:52:22 PM
Author: EBree
Loves Vintage,


I don't know what your dress budget is, but this beautiful lace over light taffeta champagne Casablanca is $858 with free shipping and can ship in one week. It also comes with free shoes and a veil, apparently:


Casablanca 1899

Wow EBree!!

How'd you find that?

I am not operating under any specific budget, but I am trying to buy something "reasonably priced" given that we are eloping and will have no guests, and keeping in mind that everything is going to cost us 1.5 times as much in euros; however, I do still want my special dress. So, 858 does seem a bit high for me, but I'll take a look into this shoe and veil deal.

To answer your earlier post, I am surprisingly comfortable with strapless. Despite the fact that I would like my size to be a bit lower (street size 12-14 would be perfect for me, I'm a tall girl), I am so surprised that I think I look great in almost every dress I've tried on!! Must be a thing with bridal gowns!!

Thank you so much for your suggestion!

 

[Loves Vintage]

Wow, I''m so indecisive. Let''s say $500 and under for the dress. Thanks!

 

[E B]

Loves Vintage,

If you're open to a bridesmaid gown, this one from Watters comes in white and ivory lace and can be ordered in floor length. It's only ~$250 (floor length), so you'll have money left over for a rush order/alterations:

Watters 2884

If you want to see what it looks like white, full-length, and on a bride, here it is on a knottie:

Knottie tessainla

 

[Selkie]

LV, do you live anywhere near an Alfred Angelo store? Not just a salon that carries them, but one of the actual retail stores, I mean. Here''s a locator: AA stores. They have a good selection of dresses well under $1000, a good destination bridal line, and their stores carry a much greater selection of "plus size" sample dresses than most salons. I was able to try on a bunch of dresses in 18-20. Oh, and their SAs are actually NICE, too. They are decent quality dresses, better than David''s Bridal. I''ve always loved the one in the attached photo.

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Date: 3/23/2008 7:02:35 PM
Author: Loves Vintage

Date: 3/23/2008 2:58:27 PM

Author: SarahLovesJS

Can you check some salons for sample gowns? They might have some 18''s and 20''s. The salon I purchased my dress from had a bunch of sample 18''s and 16''s which was awesome!! It was so nice to actually try dresses on. Speaking from my own experience it is going to be hard to find a pretty non-renaissance dress on ebay that''s an actual 18 or 20. But it may happen! Have you tried David''s?



Do you like this? It''s more 60''s.



Also, could you post the dream dress again? Maybe we can match it!



I tried this one on at David''s and it was really beautiful in person, kind of beachy though.



This is beautiful



Pretty w/ a sale!



Hope this helps some, I will look more later.

Hi Sarah

,


I''ve seen the first dress you posted before. It looks so frumpy, no. I don''t know why they don''t post a better pic? I have been to David''s. I tried the Galina dress (the beachy one), and it looked really nice and I actually loved the texture of that outer fabric, but didn''t think it was the most attractive dress for me.


I''ve been tempted to order that sale David''s dress all week!! It looks really nice and would be easy to return, but I don''t think it would be THE dress for some reason.


I never posted a photo of my dream dress. I don''t have one. I tried it on when I was at the shop and just loved it. It was several layers of the lightest silk, which was picked up by these dainty silk flowers and ribbons on each side. The second layer had little single leafs attached in random places, and the top of the zippered back had a single leaf. The leaves were really small. It''s hard to describe. It was just so light and airy and pretty, but no photos. I''ve actually been trying to forget about it! I looked at the designer''s name again when I was there on Friday, and it was really no one that I had ever heard of and I''ve completely forgotten it again.


I need to start calling some salons to see what size samples they have in the store. I didn''t know anyone would have 18''s. Are the samples always for sale??


I don''t have any photos of the dream dress

Hello! Not all salons have samples in 18, but some will. Just ask around, a lot of salons are beginning to believe that not everyone is a size 2! I think they always have the like last season or two sample on sale. I second AA! Definitely look for an AA store.

 

[Loves Vintage]

Date: 3/23/2008 8:20:09 PM
Author: EBree
Loves Vintage,


If you''re open to a bridesmaid gown, this one from Watters comes in white and ivory lace and can be ordered in floor length. It''s only ~$250 (floor length), so you''ll have money left over for a rush order/alterations:


Watters 2884


If you want to see what it looks like white, full-length, and on a bride, here it is on a knottie:


Knottie tessainla

EBree,

I love this idea. The very first dress I wanted was a Watters bridesmaid dress. I never even realized you could order shorter dresses in longer lengths! This dress is a definite option. I would get it in ivory, I think. I would need to call them to get a firm timeline.

It''s funny because there are two other dresses, with no lace at all, that I totally love. Maybe one of these would work with a little lace bolero. Only on the Watters site do they show as coming in antique white:

Is this not adorable, although, maybe a little too fitted for me?

http://watters.com/product.php?coll=watters&showid=471

This is so adorable too:

http://watters.com/product.php?coll=watters&showid=472

I have to call some shops tomorrow to see how quickly they could get one of these or if they have any 18 or 20 samples.


Sarah and Selkie - Thanks for the recommendation, but I don''t appear to have any nearby. Not even in NYC? Anyway, I''m in CT, so if anyone happens to know which salons carry my size, I''d love to hear from you!

 

[unjustenrichment]

Here is my Alfred Angelo (size 1 from my beach wedding.

 

[surfgirl]

Date: 3/24/2008 12:13:53 PM
Author: unjustenrichment
Here is my Alfred Angelo (size 1 from my beach wedding.

I just wanted to say that you looked beautiful in that dress!

 

[unjustenrichment]

Surfgirl - thank you!

I was trying to be of assistance to LV, but don''t want to violate forum policy, IYKWIM!

 

[Gypsy]

Gladly. Do not buy anything more from ebay unless you have actually tried it or something similar to it on in a store.

My dress is in this thread: Mon Cheri Liz. I got it for around 600 from Netbride (they'll price match if you find it lower priced someplace else on the net, which I did). https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/i-started-to-cry.77253/ Any size above 16 costs a little more, but it's worth it for the peice of mind. It's a lovely dress, all lace, no beading. Find it. Try it on. Or something like it you can get from Netbride or Pearlsplace for around 600-700 and see if they can do a rush to get it to you in time. You will be saving yourself time, money and frustration in the long run. Do not keep buying dresses off ebay, sight unseen with no try on of the gown.
I'd also consider going with a Maggie with a corset back to save on alternations.

ETA: I LOVE the Watter's ebree found for you. I've seen it short, in black, and it's a really lovely gown! And you can't beat the price.

 

[surfgirl]

Why dont you just go to Alfred Angelo and see if they can get you that dress that unjust wore? I mean, I know for a fact that they carry larger sizes in their AA stores and you can buy off the rack there so call them and see if they can do a search for you and find the dress in your size (assuming you like it!)...I think that that dress makes a full figured gal look incredible! I''d never have guessed that was a size 18 ever! It looks very slimming and gorgeous!

 

[Selkie]

For some reason Alfred Angelo stores are scarce in the Northeast, where Loves Vintage is from. They need to get on that! But there are salons in New England who do carry AA, so that might be your next best shot.

 

[Loves Vintage]

Date: 3/24/2008 12:13:53 PM
Author: unjustenrichment
Here is my Alfred Angelo (size 1 from my beach wedding.

Unjustenrichment - You look gorgeous in that dress, and I do love it. I am trying to figure out what style number it is. Does it have sparklies woven into the lace? I can''t tell from the pic. Does the back have criss-cross straps?

Thank you so much for posting this. I love your dress. I guess I will try calling Alfred Angelo to see if they have something in my size. Maybe if they keep their shops stocked in my size, they can pull a dress and send it off to one of the salons in my area!

 

[Loves Vintage]

Date: 3/24/2008 1:00:10 PM
Author: Gypsy
Gladly. Do not buy anything more from ebay unless you have actually tried it or something similar to it on in a store.

My dress is in this thread: Mon Cheri Liz. I got it for around 600 from Netbride (they''ll price match if you find it lower priced someplace else on the net, which I did). https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/i-started-to-cry.77253/ Any size above 16 costs a little more, but it''s worth it for the peice of mind. It''s a lovely dress, all lace, no beading. Find it. Try it on. Or something like it you can get from Netbride or Pearlsplace for around 600-700 and see if they can do a rush to get it to you in time. You will be saving yourself time, money and frustration in the long run. Do not keep buying dresses off ebay, sight unseen with no try on of the gown.
I''d also consider going with a Maggie with a corset back to save on alternations.

ETA: I LOVE the Watter''s ebree found for you. I''ve seen it short, in black, and it''s a really lovely gown! And you can''t beat the price.

Thanks Gypsy. That''s some good advice. The OCD does continue though. I was up until 1 am looking at dresses on-line. I went to two dress shops to see what they had in samples in my size. I was lucky to find one shop that had quite a few dresses in my size, including a few Maggies, which were really inexpensive! I am not in love with the corset back though. I tried on a Casablanca that I need to see if I can find now that was so pretty. I don''t know what you would call the special edging on the top and bottom of the dress, but I am going to see if I can find that dress now. Maybe Netbride could get it for me. I had e-mailed them last night about their rush delivery timeframes and it looks like they could get me the Watters bridesmaid deal by May 15, probably sooner. The Casablanca dress would need to be taken in.

So, I spent 3 hours at dress shops on lunch and am going to work extra late tonight, otherwise the guilt would overcome me.

Your dress is gorgeous by the way. No beading. It really is a lovely dress.

 

[Selkie]

Could it be this one? 1669. I don''t see it in the current AA styles, but BestBridalPrices.com often carries older styles.

 

[Loves Vintage]

Thanks Selkie. That''s the one I was thinking, 1669.

Not to change the subject, but what is your kitty doing in that photo. I can''t quite figure it out?

 

[Selkie]

ETA: Even if that's not the same as unjust posted, it's BEAUTIFUL. I love the crossed straps.

Ha, I just posted about my cat somewhere else, so I'll cut and paste:

My cat? Is allergic. TO CAT DANDER. She gets into these vicious cycles of licking and scabbing, and pretty much is currently wearing a soft E-collar full-time (or a neoprene knee-brace that I've repurposed as a full-body bandage-remind me to post a pic of THAT some time). She had jumped into our laundry carrier and was peering out over the top of it very cutely. I just realized that Haven's avatar is also of a cat in a blue e-collar too.