Dress shopping take 3.... with FMIL, an experience!

[ilovesparkles]

So while I was down in Omaha visiting my darling FI last weekend, I also went wedding dress shopping with my FMIL. I was not looking forward to it as his parents had a big blowout about a week before I came down. It wasn''t pretty, and lets just say I lost all respect for his mother. Shockingly, the trip went well. She was more than pleasant, she was actually fun to be around and was quite kind to me and H. Not everything was perfect, especially dress shopping, but he and I had a ton of fun!

Sp dress shopping, we went to this bridal outlet. First annoyance, His mother had no idea how to do it since she has only one son and no daughters. She didn''t realize I needed help getting into and out of the dresses. It was a nightmare trying to do it all myself! The SA didn''t help because I think it just wasn''t that type of store and they were really busy! And I am sure she assumed my FMIL was helping me. But no, FMIL was running all over the store trying to find every possible dress I could try on. And then she made me try them all on, I think there were a total of 30. But most of them were so awful, I refused to take pictures in them! Some I did take pictures of were so awful I refuse to post them! Lol. Other than those two complaints, things went pretty well.

At the end, the SA showed us the vintage gown section. There were no dresses in my size, but I found one with this incredible lace skirt. It was only $50! So in a fit of lust for the lace and spontaneity, I purchased it! I figured I can either re-attach it to a dress I buy, make a detachable train out of it, a shawl/bolero/wrap, or veil. If none of the above, I have some gorgeous lace to use for something, at some point!

OK, on to the pictures! First, that lace!

 

[ilovesparkles]

Close up of the lace. I skewed the contrast/coloring of the picture so you can better see the details.

 

[ilovesparkles]

I couldn''t help but attach this one, H''s cat Lillie decided to explore the dress while it was hanging. Unfortunately, the other pictures of her under there are all blurry from her moving too much. But it was quite hysterical!

 

[ilovesparkles]

#1

 

[ilovesparkles]

#1 Unfortunately, the other pet peeve was the bustiers they carried were of horrible quality, I actually wore 2 to try and get some support. But they were really stretched out, and barely worth wearing. I think some of the pictures would look better with nothing but my bra on. This one being the worst I think!

 

[ilovesparkles]

#2 This was one of my favorites in the store, and I don''t know if its just the pictures, or I had a skewed image of how it looked on me. When I got home to see the pictures, I thought it didn''t look half as good as it felt on in the store! Humph

 

[ilovesparkles]

#2

 

[ilovesparkles]

#3 This was my other absolute favorite. Only problem is it''s a discontinued gown and the only size left is one too small. Its possible I could have a seamstress put in a corset back to make it fit me. However I hate the idea of buying something off the rack that a million girls have tried on. Second, it doesn''t match the lace I purchased on a whim at the end of the day.

 

[ilovesparkles]

#3 I should note the roses in the back can be detached and let out. I hated that one aspect of this dress. I might also add it gave me a killer figure!

 

[ilovesparkles]

#4 I disliked both halters I tried on. This one was huge, we had 4 clips and I had to squeeze my arms together, hence the funny pose. It''s the only picture of the halter dresses I will show.

 

[princessplease]

#3 is lovely on you!!!!! #2 is also gorgeous!!!!! #3 is first, then #2, then #5. And that lace, O.....M.....G

!!!!!!! I'm glad the experience went well with FMIL.

Who makes the 3rd dress? Maybe an extraordinary shopper on here can find the dress in your size coz it is AWESOME on you!

 

[ilovesparkles]

#5 I don''t remember this dress as sticking out to me, but looking through the photos, I like it quite a bit now. Hmmmm....

 

[cocolaw]

i like number one! i like the fit and i think the detail under the bust is very pretty!!

 

[ilovesparkles]

#5

 

[ilovesparkles]

#6 I was not crazy about this one, but a few people really have liked it, including FMIL. The bust dip is crazy. But perhaps if the dress was in my size and not humongous on me, this wouldn't be the case!

ETA: That's part of the bustier you are seeing there!

 

[ilovesparkles]

#6

 

[ilovesparkles]

#7 This is the last dress! It turned out to be one I really loved! And the blue of course comes in numerous colors, I would most likely do dark ivory on ivory. Again, it wouldn''t go with the lace.

 

[Indylady]

I really like number 2!!

 

[ilovesparkles]

#7 I should add the blue belt is all messed up and won''t lay flat or in place because of how many people have tried the dress on. I am sure it lies in straight lines on the top and bottom when new.

 

[ilovesparkles]

And the best and last surprise of the entire trip... FMIL gave me a family heirloom ring! She said some really sweet things "from a mother to a daughter... and now to my daughter..." It is a sapphire and diamond ring that was her grandmother''s, so I would be the 4th generation to receive it! I am going to get some better photos on a sunny day and post it over in Colored Stones. Both H, FMIL, and I teared up when she gave it to me. It truly showed H and I that no matter what crazy thing she says or does, she truly loves us. And she is just the person she is and the things she says or the way she acts cannot always be taken at face value. I know her parents did not treat her well, especially in the past decade, and she had poor role models growing up. Not that it excuses things, but the giving of this ring just really made us realize she loves us, period.

Thank you for comments in advance everyone!

 

[princessplease]

Aw, the ring is SO sweet!!!!!!!!!!!

I always interrupt your picture posts with comments while you are still posting!

#2 is still the hands down best on you. They all really do look great on you, though, but #2 makes you look smokin!

 

[Inanna]

I absolutely adore the way you look in #2!

And that ring is lovely.

 

[ilovesparkles]

Date: 7/7/2009 3:45:18 PM
Author: princessplease
#3 is lovely on you!!!!! #2 is also gorgeous!!!!! #3 is first, then #2, then #5. And that lace, O.....M.....G

!!!!!!! I''m glad the experience went well with FMIL.


Who makes the 3rd dress? Maybe an extraordinary shopper on here can find the dress in your size coz it is AWESOME on you!

Princessplease - Thank you! #3 is a J.P. Originals style # 6801 size 22 is what I need. At the bottom of the tag the set of numbers 6801FS #83 062102 is also written. It was a local dress maker in NE, the bridal salon was in Wahoo, but I don''t know if that''s where the dress maker originally was or not. Apparently this woman was quite good, bought her own machines to run a factory. But once bridal salons became franchises she could no longer compete and had to sell her factory, salon, and remaining inventory to the owner of the outlet where I was. If anyone wants to help me search, I would greatly appreciate it! But the SA told me the possibility is slim since that outlet store had bought all the remaining inventory.


Cocolaw - Thanks for the input!

SZH07 - Thank you!

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I like #1 the most
So glad you had fun shopping!

 

[tlh]

I''m glad you had a nice time shopping. I think #2 is the most flattering... but sometimes with the exposed back, and the tied dress, they can be tied too tight, which can disrupt the lines in the back. The front looks phenom on you though!

 

[ms.halo]

I love #2! I think it suits you best of these but I think I remember one from your last shopping trip that I might have liked better...

 

[Lanie]

A) How cool is that?!? Your FMIL gave you an heirloom ring!
B) I like number 2
C) I don''t like it as much as one of the other ones you posted last week (2 weeks ago?!) Can''t remember which one, but this round''s number 2 didn''t draw me as much as that other dress.

 

[packrat]

I like #2 best out of this batch. I don''t remember the other ones..I gotta go look again!

 

[Dreamgirl]

2....5....& 7 are my favs!

 

[doodle]

Many of these are really pretty, but my all-time favorite is still #4 from your second round of shopping. Also, if you''re really wanting to incorporate the lace that you got from the dress today, what about trying on some white/ivory bridesmaids dresses? They''d be simpler, so they wouldn''t compete with that gorgeous lace you''re wanting to use. Just a thought. Anything really jumping out at you yet out of everything?