Dress?

[Gypsy]

So-- as some of you may remember I was waiting for a truck show to try on a Jim Hjelm two piece that I thought I might like better than a Paloma Blanca gown I had tried on and liked. ( Old Thread ) I went today and the JH was NOT as nice as in the photo... the skirt was just wrong and the top wasn''t as long as it appears.

But I did find THE GOWN. Maybe.

The shop wouldn''t allow photos but we sneaked one anyway-- but it''s from a camera phone so the resolution is awful... you can''t see any of the details of the gown.

It''s an ''emma'' waist... which is apparently a dropped waist that dips over the hips and in the back. Which is the same as the Paloma. It''s got an organza circle skirt. Like the Palmoa. And it''s got a lace top... also like the Paloma. But the Paloma has alencon lace and this one has another type (forgot to write down what kind) of lace and the lace is accented with clear and white beads... which was lightly done and nice-- although not as lovely as the alencon in quality.

The biggest differences between this one and the paloma is that the neckline can be altered to what it''s pinned to look like in the photo... so that it dips a little in the middle-- not a sweetheart neckline... it''s called something else. This is the most flattering neckline on me-- and it can''t be done to the Paloma because of the way the lace is at the top of the gown. Well... that and the price. This gown is a Paula Varsalona (never heard of her till today... then looked her up) and the price of the gown itself isn''t that bad-- but it''s with the neckline change and the price of alterations and tax. It''s about 1000 more than the Paloma because I can get the Paloma through RK or Pearls. That''s a big difference for a neckline dip. Plus I disliked the Salon. I loved my salesgirl but the owner was a biotch on wheels.

 

[jesterjigger]

I like this dress...it''s unique and interesting with the neckline. Is this one a two piece as well? I don''t think it looks like one...if it is, lol.

 

[Gypsy]

I was also thinking custom. Or just trying to find this gown to try on-- unfortunatley the most likely place to try it on is back at this shop as there will a truck show there this week. But it has both the alencon and the neckline... and I wouldn't have to pay extra for the neckline change... but it's not organza. *sigh*

Custom???? Should I go custom?

ETA: All of the gowns except the JH which I wouldn't buy anyway are one piece.

 

[isaku5]

I really like this gown, Gypsy

. It''s sophisticated and not overdone; I especially like the dip in the centre of the neckline.

 

[Gypsy]

Whoops. I got the Paloma and JH prices confused.

Gown is 2000 more than the Paloma when you include the neckline change, the alterations, and the sales tax.

2000 for a dip.

Crap.

 

[bling*diva*]

~~I really like the gown too... I love the neckline and the lace is gorgeous!! BTW, who is the designer of the second dress you posted??

 

[Gypsy]

Thanks Bling. The second gown is also a Paula Varsalona. And there is a truck show for her at the show this week. I''m thinking of asking them to get this gown in for me to try on.

 

[fatafelice]

Gypsy, I REALLY like that first dress! It is beautiful! I would definitely see if they can get that other Paula Varsalona dress in for you, so you could see the difference. BTW, what bridal salon is this? Have you been to the Antoinette Rose salon on 10th in Belmar? I want to say that I tried on a similar dress there, but I''m not sure. You could call them and ask.

As for custom, it is always an option in my opinion, but it seems like you might be able to get what you want (or very, very close to it) without dealing with the hassle, which is better, IMO. Plus, I think it is very hard to find an excellent custom gown maker. Did you have anyone in mind already?

 

[AndyRosse]

WOW, $2,000 more?! Personally I wouldn''t pay that much more for just a different neckline, especially since it also has lace that you don''t like as much as the Paloma lace. But that''s just me

 

[isaku5]

Date: 7/23/2006 11:59:57 AM
Author: Gypsy
Thanks Bling. The second gown is also a Paula Varsalona. And there is a truck show for her at the show this week. I''m thinking of asking them to get this gown in for me to try on.

The second gown, the Paula Varsalona is a beauty in my opinion. It''s sleek and modern and I love it. My choice, hands down

I guess I''m not into lace anymore and when I look back over the pictures of my DIL wedding dress 14 years ago, there was a lot of lace. My daughter''s wedding dress 8 years ago was a beautiful dress in a sheath lace style, but I doubt that she''d choose it now. My point, finally, is that the second dress is timeless and sophisticated which happens to be the look I love.

Then again, I was married in a blue dress 43 years ago--- definitely NOT my choice but my parents were paying for the wedding and my mother insisted that the old adage "Married in blue, you''ll always be true" would work. Now, I freak when I look at those pictures!!! How I wish I''d been more outspoken then!!!

By the way, just in case anyone is considering a pink wedding dress, there was a saying for that too, " Married in pink your marriage will sink".

 

[KimberlyH]

The first gown is beautiful and you look great in it. It defines your shape well without overwhelming your frame.

 

[Gypsy]

Fatafelice... no I haven''t been to that shop-- I can call and see what lines they carry-- but I thought I heard that they cut the tags out their gowns. I just look online find gowns I like the style of and that are in the price range I have in mind, then find the shops that carry it to try it on. This one was in Morristown-- which was, needless to say, a LONG TRIP, to get to. But it won''t be that much of a trek if I can go during the week as I work in Newark.

Isaku-- I think I''ll give them a call tomorrow and see if they can get it in for Wednesday. The shop is open till 8:00pm on Wednesdays and if I leave work at 6:00pm I can make it with enough time to try the gown on.

Rascal-- yeah that''s why I''m going to try to see if I can try on the second gown. It comes with the neckline I like already-- it has the lace I like and it''s got a dropped waist aline which I love as well. If it''s as nice then I''ll get that one which should bring the price down sigificantly.

As for custom-- there was a very good seamstress/ designer in philadelphia area... some cute trendy area that starts with an R. Don''t know if she''s still there though.

 

[ephemery1]

Date: 7/23/2006 6:11:40 PM
Author: Gypsy

As for custom-- there was a very good seamstress/ designer in philadelphia area... some cute trendy area that starts with an R. Don''t know if she''s still there though.

Rittenhouse Square? We''re definitely cute and trendy here!

I''d be interested to know who she is... Maria Romia''s is a bridal shop down the street from me, and I believe she carries her own designs along with some other designers... could that be the person?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 7/23/2006 12:23:23 PM
Author: Rascal49
WOW, $2,000 more?! Personally I wouldn''t pay that much more for just a different neckline, especially since it also has lace that you don''t like as much as the Paloma lace. But that''s just me

Same here. No way would I pay $2000 more than the Paloma dress. It was gorgeous.

 

[E B]

I''ve only tried on one Paloma, but it was gorgeous and very well made. If it''s the one you posted in the other thread, that''d be my choice! Perhaps you can find someone who could alter the neckline while still maintaining the beauty of the lace?

 

[ChargerGrrl]

Although I really like the first dress, I hope you can try on the second one with the neckline you like. And don''t forget to sneak another pic!

 

[Gypsy]

Can''t make the time this week to go to the trunk show, unfortunately.

Plus, well... my two closests friends are basically in agreement with all of you who think 2000K for a neckline is crazy. I am going to call a couple of places and see if they will give me a cash and carry price on the second gown now, though... to see if it''s a good idea to tempt myself with trying it on.