Found possible dresses, want your opinon

[firebirdgold]

After a great deal of googling and a severely traumatizing trip to David's Bridal which put me off most dresses I finally found a place that makes very simple white silk dresses and then hand-paints the flowers of your choice onto the dress. I Love the idea, but... there's no way to try them on first and I'm not sure they'll be flattering. I'm quite curvy with great cleavage and a fairly broad back and shoulders, by the wedding I should be best case a size 10 and worst case a size 12. (I'm an out-of-shape 14 now)

I'm worried about the placement of the seams.

Dress 1 is a v-neck dress with straps.

Dress 2 is a strapless with a straight neckline

Close up of bodice:

(don't worry I wouldn't have a flower on my chest).

ETA: Barefoot on Hawaiian beach with groom in nice silk shorts and a linen or silk shirt.

 

[fisherofmengirly]

I think it would depend on just now *curvy* you are up top. I have seen some brides in strapless dresses that just couldn''t hold them up, if you know what I mean.

Maybe you can find similar dress styles to try on, that way you''ll know what you like better. They seem to be kind of summer-style, so I bet you could find several close to them out in the stores right now.

What sort of flower are you going to have on it?

 

[firebirdgold]

I''m a 38D, as long as I have something to hold me, I can manage to hold the dress up.

And I''m hoping to have a cluster or scattering of some kind of plumeria near the hem.

 

[E B]

Unless they're fabulously priced (or the company has a great return policy), I wouldn't buy one without trying it on.

I fell in love with 2 normally high-priced gowns on ebay (dresses I was *sure* would look good on me), and I decided to find retailers and try them on before hitting the "bid" button. In person, they weren't right. Neither one fit me well at all.

What was traumatizing about David's Bridal, if you don't mind sharing? Was it the quality of the dresses or the customer service?

 

[firebirdgold]

the company has a zero-return policy as it''s all custom made. The dresses are in the $200 range. Which is pretty cheap.

 

[moremoremore]

not a fan.sorry

For one, they don''t look well made and I think it''s a huge mistake to get a dress w/o trying it on...or a sample thereof...

 

[laine]

I suspect neither dress would end up fitting well, as they don''t even look super well fitted on the model, and with such a simple dress, the fit needs to be perfect.

What about having a local seamstress make a simple white dress, so the fit and style would be just right, and then find a local artist to paint it for you. I suspect you could do it for the same price as the online dress and have a better finished product that is exactly what you want.

And I love the idea of a cluster of smaller flowers sort of thinning out and scattering around as they go up the skirt (not sure I said that clearly).

 

[mercoledi]

I (in my personal opinion) don''t think that they look like very well made dresses. I think that you''d be better off buying a dress you like, and then comissioning the screen printing, either from a local artist, or from someone on etsy.com. It''s not too complicated, and I think you''ll get a better product. I''m working with a woman I met on etsy for a custom sash and have been happy. Another bride had her sash printed by Smoking Lily. I think you have better options, but that''s just me!

 

[decodelighted]

My fashiony friend would say no no no no. Because of the fit & fabric. I think Watters & Watters has a lovely light cream bridesmaid dress that has a similar look ... but better quality fabric. I''ll try to find the pix.

 

[ladykemma]

from a seamstress point of view that dress is not worth 200 dollars. and it doesn''t even fit the model. you could have one made locally for much less. i can imagine white linen with some boning inside to hold you up and for 38D motion control. lined for modesty.

 

[Jas12]

I have to agree, they look poorly cut in the pics...u could very very easily have this made to your size and style. I love the idea of the painted flowers, very neat--but not worth the risk online

did u narrow down what syle of dress looks best on you at David''s? I suspect that if you have broad shoulders and have a nice curvy figure a thin-strapped halter dress (tea length) would look amazing. I have seen a lot of chesty girls in strapless gowns/dresses this summer and they just yanked them up all day/night--it didn''t look great, but if u really love that look go for it and get a great bra!

 

[decodelighted]

Here it is ... they say it''s also available with handpainted hydrangea??

 

[fisherofmengirly]

That''s beautiful, decodedlight! I think that looks MUCH better, and the flowers seem more elegant, too. Then, you can even decide between straps or no straps; it has both options in the same dress!

 

[Mannequin]

I second Fishie''s comment. I really like Deco''s suggested dress better than the ones up top.

 

[firebirdgold]

The ladies have spoken. Dress goes bye-bye. Back to the drawing board. I love that watters dress! I need to track down someplace that carries them.

David''s bridal trauma started when the lady showed up with her arms full of things I had to wear first. I had to wear a control slip that actually made underwear lines more obvious, and a foam corset thing that made my waist dissapear and put at least an inch on. Once the corset thing was on of course, they didn''t have anything in my size that fit so I ended up in a 42 C which stuck out away from my chest. So now, even before a dress goes on I feel fat and underendowed as well as bullet proof.
Out come the galina dresses, and well... let''s just say that I looked better in the 4-yr old target t-shirt dress I wore in to the store. There was a far amount of tugging with the itty lady who didn''t even come up to my shoulder assuring me that it was the corset that was making the dresses not zip up.
The dress I looked best in was a more formal gown. Although I didn''t exactly look like the model after they stuffed me into a big puffy stiff underskirt. The store had a large selection of the color matching bridesmaid stuff but not the dresses I was interested in, and by then I just wanted to run screaming from the store and have a drink. Which I did.

 

[kcoursolle]

I like the watters dress much more! It''s really cute!

 

[flutterby]

dress shopping isnt easy if you arent a size 2. I had wanted a dress at davids and really had my heart set on it for months before trying it on. I looked like a house! It was aweful! I eventually just went out and tried dresses on, more dresses and then went back and tried dresses that i had liked. I found a perfect dress, that was a watters bridesmaid dress and very reasonably priced. I cant believe i considered the davids dress.....(not that davids is bad, the one i wanted didnt suit me)

you will find something beautiful and perfect for you! just keep looking and try not to feel bad before trying them, think "this could be the one"!

 

[Mara]

i think you have have have to try on tons of dresses to see what works for your body.

the stick figure models can pretty much wear anything and have it look okay i think. or they can pad the top or whatever to make it more curvy. i tried on a bunch of dresses and some stuff you wouldn't expect to look good actually does, and things you think may look good, don't always!

but if you already have curves, then you have to make sure that you find something where the 'fit' is flattering. i wouldn't buy anything without trying it on first. i love that watters dress as an option. good luck!

 

[ChargerGrrl]

Date: 9/5/2006 11:56:02 PM
Author: SanDiegoLady
Indie, I'm about the same size you are.. 12/14.. with a not so small chest.. I'd go with something that isn't too deep.

I hated David's Bridal too.. I felt like crap when I left there and sat and cried in my car. You could find a beautiful dress at Nordstrom or Macy's or Ann Taylor- who has BEAUTIFUL dresses out right now (I was there today).

I was lucky with my wedding gown.. but it doesn't always happen so easily! Be careful sugar!

Another similarly sized bride here. I just wish I had more "upstairs!"

I really liked the look of the JCrew wedding collection, and had my heart set on one of those dresses. I thought I would first look around locally. In the end I'm glad I did, but my first dress-shopping trip to BD was awful! Indie, I hear you about them! I had a horrible experience there too. The "undergarments" didn't really help, and the dresses just didn't fit my boyishly built body. I'm "thick" in the middle, and it looked like 2 piglets fighting under a blanket! UGH.

I never did get around to trying on a JCrew dress, as I ended up buying my dress off the rack at an Alfred Angelo during my lunch hour. But, I would recommend you check out what JCrew has to offer. At least you can return them if it doesn't work out.

GOOD LUCK!

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 9/6/2006 12:17:30 AM
Author: IndieJones
The ladies have spoken. Dress goes bye-bye. Back to the drawing board. I love that watters dress! I need to track down someplace that carries them.

David''s bridal trauma started when the lady showed up with her arms full of things I had to wear first. I had to wear a control slip that actually made underwear lines more obvious, and a foam corset thing that made my waist dissapear and put at least an inch on. Once the corset thing was on of course, they didn''t have anything in my size that fit so I ended up in a 42 C which stuck out away from my chest. So now, even before a dress goes on I feel fat and underendowed as well as bullet proof.
Out come the galina dresses, and well... let''s just say that I looked better in the 4-yr old target t-shirt dress I wore in to the store. There was a far amount of tugging with the itty lady who didn''t even come up to my shoulder assuring me that it was the corset that was making the dresses not zip up.
The dress I looked best in was a more formal gown. Although I didn''t exactly look like the model after they stuffed me into a big puffy stiff underskirt. The store had a large selection of the color matching bridesmaid stuff but not the dresses I was interested in, and by then I just wanted to run screaming from the store and have a drink. Which I did.

Yeah...I had a similar experience with david''s bridal, pretty dissappointing. They made me put on the undergarmets that added about 10 pounds to my frame and made it impossible to figure out which size to try on. The cups on the undergarmet were so big that they made my boobs look rediculous. I finally just slipped it off before trying on a couple of more dresses. I think the lady could tell...but she was too polite to say anything. I tried on that dress, it was a really pretty dress. I really liked it, but I ended up with another dress.

 

[Tybee]

Hey Indie--
if it helps at all. The Davids chick gave me undergarments to wear too! (I am a chestless size 6!) I think it''s standard.
I tried on the first few dresses with it on, then realized that I would NEVER wear such a devise, and left it in the dressing room. It made a HUGE difference NOT wearing it.
I also love the Watters dress.
I hope you have a more delightful dress experience in the future!!!!

 

[decodelighted]

I ordered a Watters dress through a local dress shop (hasn''t come in yet - yikes!) ... but I only did that because I had such a short time frame. I think there are lots of online places to order from if there isn''t a dress shop near you that carries the line. Especially now that you have the style number etc...

Not sure how it works with the bridesmaid dresses (which the above flower one IS .. so YEA! Cheaper!!) .. but with the Watters Brides dresses apparently they have a policy where if the store near you doesn''t carry that dress in person, they''ll send a "sample" one for you to check out ... it might not be the right size though.

I''ll let you know how ordering a dress from MEASUREMENTS ONLY works for me - but I hope you don''t have to do the same. (Don''t wait til the last minute I guess

)

p.s. - Aria Dresses (also mainly a bridesmaid dress co., has a HOME try on program ... where they send you a dress or two in your size for $15 each ... I think Ms. Flutter used them for her bridesmaids & I seriously considered using one of their outfits as my wedding dress.)

 

[mercoledi]

I ordered my Watters dress over the phone based on measurements, and it worked out great. I probably could have gone down a size, but I was terrified that then it wouldn''t fit over my hips! I would go and try on similar styled dresses somewhere else first, so you know that you''re pretty in a strapless dress with a natural waist. Anything will probably have to be altered to fit perfectly. This is the size chart I used and it seems to be acurate for this season.

Good luck! The hand painted Watters dresses look wayyy nicer than the white ones you posted.

 

[Gypsy]

If you are curvy I would caution you about natural waist line dresses. Don''t get me wrong, they look great on some people-- but from what I understand dropped waistline gowns are usually more flattering to curvy women. It bore out for me.

 

[FireGoddess]

I voted the last option .... not a fan of the cut of the dresses in the first place...

 

[firebirdgold]

Well, Watters gets an A from my ''Bridal Bargins" book. (I love that thing) That bridesmaid dress is really pretty! I hadn''t noticed that one before. I think there is a store that carries Watter a little more than an hour away. Perhaps I''ll wait to try someting else on until I fit a bit better in my ''skinny'' jeans.

As for Jcrew, apparently you can ask your local store to order it in your size to try it on with no commitment. I really like the Avery dress. It looks just like my favorite slinky nightgown and still looks light enough for the beach.

 

[mercoledi]

FYI- the J Crew dresses aren''t really kind to the busty, but it never hurts to try! I thought about mentioning them earlier, but they don''t always work on the curvy girls. What about something like this? Or this one is less white, but has a pretty neckline Or this is pink but oh so cute. THIS is Carmen Marc Valvo, which is usually great for girls with curves and has flower cut-outs.