I love obscure dresses! Help!

[misysu2]

Hi everyone. Thought you could help me with some advice. I have been loving this dress for months. The first time I saw it I cried (yeah, I know...haha). No one around carries it and would only order it if I committed to buying it. There is one place about an hour away that said they could borrow it from the designer for $17 and I would have 5 days with it, no obligations. Is this worth it? With all of your experience with dress shopping, what are your opinions on buying a dress sight unseen wihtout trying it on?

 

[misysu2]

I also like this one, but NO one carries it again, and one place would only order it if I committed to buying it. No borrowing program. Worth it?

 

[misysu2]

I''m worried about getting a size that fits and making sure it''s quality made for the price. I tried on some dresses that were already falling apart at the bridal shop, and that scared me!! Also, how would I know if the dresses were flattering?

 

[robbie3982]

I would be very wary of buying something you''ve never tried on. At the very least you should find something similiarly cut and try that on and see if it''s flattering before you make a decision.

 

[misysu2]

That''s probably wise, Robbie. Do you guys know if different dresses by the same designer fit the same, size-wise? Like, if I try one on in a certain size, could I assume that I''d wear the same size in a different dress by the same designer?

 

[Sha]

Both are nice but I really like the first one. I think it''s wise to take advantage of the borrowing program, just to be absolutely sure that you''re happy with the fit and quality of the gown.

 

[havernell]

I don''t see what you''d have to lose borrowing that first dress for five days for just $17. That''s a small price to pay for piece of mind in my opinion.

As for trying on the second dress, are you planning to go on vacation/on a business trip/ to visit friends anytime soon in a different state? If so, maybe you could try to find a shop in that location that thas the second dress in stock so you could try it on.

Wedding dresses are such big purchases and its true that sizing/material quality are so variable that you really need to try them on before buying. I''ve also heard of LOTS of women who find the "perfect" dress in an ad, but when they try it on, it just doesn''t look right on them personally. So, as hard as it may be to refrain from just buying your dream dress sight unseen, DON''T buy a dress until you''ve tried it on!

Good luck!

 

[happilyeverafter]

could you "borrow" it twice and pay $17 each time? That way you could borrow it now for 5 days and see if you like it on, and if you do then arrange to borrow it for your wedding date again. I think borrowing is great, but I definitely wouldn't bet on a dress that i'd never tried on before.

ETA: I just realized that the borrowing program is only for if you intend to buy the dress. That's too bad - $34 would have been great!

 

[misysu2]

Oh! $34! What an awesome idea! Unfortunately, I don''t think I can take the dress out of the store.

 

[misysu2]

Okay ladies, I need some perspective here...

After some more calling around I found a place here in Houston who will be getting dress #1 in-store in another month. I guess it''s part of the fall collection. Makes sense. So I''ll be around to try it on and will still have time to get it before the wedding. The price is always around $700.

I also kept looking around for dress #2. Found it on some discount websites for as low as $325!!! I''m thinking, "Wow that price is hard to beat. Maybe if I go to a store with that brand and just fit myself....what if..." I''m sure you all know these places have no return pollicy or a 50% restocking fee...Ouch!!

This is what always happens to me...I find something, then keep looking and end up confusing myself. Same thing happened to my ering hunting. There are just too many options out there.

I think both dresses would be flattering for my body shape. I''ve been dress shopping a little and know that the simple dresses are better. I''m definitely pear shaped, have a 34C size chest with a small small waist that I want to accent but a larger butt, although I''ve been dieting down. I fit a size 2 Nicole Miller at the last bridal shop.

Can you help me? I need to make a rational decision! Going from $325 to $700 is a lot!

 

[happy in love]

I tend to think from your description (wanting to accent a small waist) that the first one would be perfect! After trying on lots of styles I loved how skinny I looked in the dresses that wrapped so much around the middle like the first one does.
That said, the second one is really pretty and it doesn''t sound like you need to find a dress especially to make you *look* smaller than your size 2 self, so I am sure that the second would look beautiful. And, what I hear multiple times a day is "think of what you could do with the extra money" (Which we have all heard a million times in this planning process, I''m sure!)
Anyhow, I don''t think I''ve been much help

but I thought I''d offer my 2 cents.

 

[Jas12]

Based on the description you give of yourself i think dress #1 would look terrific. I would easily pay the $17 dollars if you really love this dress.

I drove 4 hours to see a dress i totally loved in an ad and it looked awful on me...i was disapointed, but happy i at least tried it so i could ''let it go''.