Dress shopping frustrations already! Help?

mamie · Sep 1, 2008

After trying on 13 dresses in the past week and a half, I''m getting a tad frustrated. I didn''t expect to see the clouds part and all that jazz, but I don''t know if I''m getting any closer to "the one."

Here''s what I''ve been liking so far:

- lace (either all lace or lace details at hem and neckline)
- corset back
- asymetrical drape on bodice or sash tied as a bow in back
- no pickups or anything too ball-gowny
- A-line or slim A-line
- sweetheart neckline (straight strapless gives me shelf b00b)
- oh, and did I mention I''m a budget bride?

If anyone has an opinion on what seems to be working in the ones I''ve tried so far or has suggestions for dresses that meet above criteria, I''ll be in your debt forevah. : ) I''ll attempt to post some pics of dresses I''ve already tried (90% Maggies). Thanks!

neatfreak · Sep 1, 2008

Try Casablanca dresses. They are reasonably priced and meet a lot of your criteria.

E B · Sep 1, 2008

What is your budget (if you don't mind my asking)?

mamie · Sep 1, 2008

neatfreak - thanks for the suggestion - this Casablanca looks similar to what I''m looking for:
http://www.bestbridalprices.com/casablanca-wedding-dress-1827-p-3036.html?cPath=1_110

-- For an idea of what I''ve tried so far:
Maggie Sottero Mylie - http://www.bestbridalprices.com/maggie-sottero-wedding-dress-mylie-p-27106.html
MS Vienna - http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?style=A3021
MS Krisha - http://www.bestbridalprices.com/maggie-sottero-wedding-dress-krisha-p-20167.html
MS Libby - http://www.anaffairtorememberbridal.net/inc/sdetail/857

I also have my eye on a few Mori Lees:
http://www.morilee.com/DressDetail.aspx?C=12&D=4202&P=1
http://www.morilee.com/DressDetail.aspx?C=12&D=4176&P=1
http://www.morilee.com/DressDetail.aspx?C=1&D=2162&P=1

Well, you get the idea... : )

mamie · Sep 1, 2008

ebree - ideally the limit is around 750. (I''m not opposed to ebay or preowned, and of course, sample sales.)

mamie · Sep 1, 2008

It''s been awhile since I''m attached pics on here...let''s give it a whirl:

This is me---hourglass size 12. Does this help? : )

Gypsy · Sep 1, 2008

http://www.sophiatolli.com/CollectionProductDetail.aspx?cname=SophiaTolli&did=0&pid=501701&year=2007&season=Fall& sophia tolli Sarah.

http://www.sophiatolli.com/CollectionProductDetail.aspx?cname=SophiaTolli&year=2007&season=Fall&best=False&pid=501702&did=501642&dvid=979& No assymetrical ruching but lovely. Sophia Tollli

http://www.sophiatolli.com/CollectionProductDetail.aspx?cname=SophiaTolli&year=2007&season=Fall&best=False&pid=501707&did=501647& Not a full sweetheart but it''s got a dip a good seamstress and expand on.

http://www.sophiatolli.com/CollectionProductDetail.aspx?cname=SophiaTolli&year=2007&season=Fall&best=False&pid=501708&did=501648&dvid=987& Everything you asked for. Sophia tolli Grace

http://www.sophiatolli.com/CollectionProductDetail.aspx?cname=SophiaTolli&did=0&pid=501713&year=2007&season=Fall& Also everything you asked for Sophia Tolli Gina.

http://www.sophiatolli.com/CollectionProductDetail.aspx?cname=SophiaTolli&year=2007&season=Fall&best=False&pid=501717&did=501657& Also no draping, but pretty.

Good thing about all these is they are from her 2007 collection so the samples should be in stores.

Gypsy · Sep 1, 2008

mamie, also check out Watters brides. No corset back... and they are a little pricier, but I've seen that exact style and tried it on in the watters and I have a curvy 14 figure and it looked good (but I decided against strapless) but you can get them though Pearls or RK or netbride cheaper than retail by a lot.

mamie · Sep 1, 2008

Thanks Gypsy -- you rock! And I love Watters. In fact my dream dress is Genova --
http://www.houseofbrides.com/product.php?productid=26115&src=froogle

Ooh, just noticed that one''s going down in price.

Question for anyone''s who used Netbride, Pearls, RK, etc -- just how big are the savings?

E B · Sep 1, 2008

House of Brides has this Alfred Angelo for $799, but I bet you could get it for less through NetBride!

Alfred Angelo 1147

Gypsy · Sep 1, 2008

Glad to be of service

. I saved about 1/3 off retail for my dress through netbride. I think it depends on the designer and the dress. But I asked them to price match another retailer and they did. Which was great cause the other place was known for problem service and Netbride just rocks. It doesn't hurt to call them and ask for a qoute. They are VERY nice.

You know... it occured to me you want a slim A-line. Why are we limiting ourselves to bridal gowns. Here is a BM dresses I would TOTALLY check out.

I love this one. Sometimes their dresses are available in different lengths. It says tea length but you could call and ask if floor length is a possiblity.

http://www.jimhjelmoccasions.com/dress_db_occ/display_dress.php?imageno=5810&multimatch=x It's got a sweetheart neckline. The ruching you wanted under the bust. And it's just beautiful. It's available in ivory lace over ivory satin. And you would come in under budget, AND you could order through Pearls (which I think carries the line).

Here's the watters gown that I almost ended up with-- very flattering and one of their more affordable gown. You should try this one on, trust me:

http://watters.com/product.php?coll=brides&showid=675

http://www.houseofbrides.com/product.php?productid=22115&cat=1269&page=4 100 more than your budget.

I did find that when more than one site listed a dress for a price, that was usually (not always but usually) the RK, Pearls, Netbride price. So for example, 850 for the watters dress above would most likely be the best you can do. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't call and ask. And the store I was in wanted 1200 for it, and that was in January.

mamie · Sep 1, 2008

EBree-- thanks! The salon I''ve been to twice carries AA, so maybe I can dig around to try that one on. : )

Gypsy-- I just saw that Watters dress today on theknot -- it''s fab.
What do you think about these from DB?

http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=3740&prodgroup=127 -- not sure about the skirt
http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=2052&prodgroup=127 - w/o the sleeves
http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=3345&prodgroup=127 - ivory on ivory
http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=3342&prodgroup=127
http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=3053&prodgroup=127 - if I got through ebay or something?

E B · Sep 1, 2008

Date: 9/1/2008 7:58:03 PM
Author: mamie
EBree-- thanks! The salon I''ve been to twice carries AA, so maybe I can dig around to try that one on. : )

Gypsy-- I just saw that Watters dress today on theknot -- it''s fab.

What do you think about these from DB?

http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=3740&prodgroup=127 -- not sure about the skirt

http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=2052&prodgroup=127 - w/o the sleeves

http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=3345&prodgroup=127 - ivory on ivory

http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=3342&prodgroup=127

http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=3053&prodgroup=127 - if I got through ebay or something?

My favorite of the 5 are #3 and #5. They both look lovely.

angielea · Sep 2, 2008

I suggest Maggie Sottero Grace - and have the neckline altered to sweetheart.

i also saw these on preownedweddingdresses.com

http://www.preownedweddingdresses.com/dresses/2157/Maggie-Sottero--Tuscana-Vidal-Size-12.html

http://www.preownedweddingdresses.com/dresses/1382/Watters--5043B-Size-12.html

mamie · Sep 2, 2008

You wonderful laides are on a roll!

Please keep these great ideas coming. : )

Gypsy · Sep 2, 2008

I agree with ebree on 3 and 5. Since you are curvy as well, I want to give you a little advice if you don't mind. Less expensive gowns (including mine before alterations) sometimes (not always) lack proper stucture in them to hold their shape. Boning and so forth is one of the places the designers save money. So make sure when you are trying on gowns to really REALLY slouch, sit and move about. If the dress stays put and doesn't start (especially the bodice area and around the upper tummy) crease, you're going to be a lot happier with the fit.

Also, I just found out that casablanca will make any changes you want to a gown, and takes your measurements and makes the gown to them (not just hem to hallow but actual waist, hallow to waist, waist to hem...). So I would definitely look into them. I like style 1827 A LOT and it would look lovely with the right sash I think. If they make 'any change' they could do a corset back for you. And it seems to retail for around 650.

http://www.casablancabridal.com/Products/Detail.asp?ModelNo=1827&Cat=Fall+Collection&SubCat=2006

http://www.casablancabridal.com/Products/Detail.asp?ModelNo=1914&Cat=Fall+Collection&SubCat=2008 ( I have a feeling this one will be amazing on you).

http://www.casablancabridal.com/Products/Detail.asp?ModelNo=1920&Cat=Fall%20Collection&SubCat=2008 (with either that skirt, or a different,straight flowy skirt altogether).

LauraSLP07 · Sep 2, 2008

mamie -

I just have to comment that I am shaped like you (size 12 hourglass figure) and my wedding dress was a Mori Lee. The 3 you chose at the top are absolutely beautiful. Mori Lee dresses are known to have many of the fine details you described. From personal experience, my dress was very well structured....I was comfortable in it all day! Only toward the end of the night did I have to "tug" on the dress a bit to keep my girls in control! HaHa!

My favorite part about Mori Lee dresses is that you can usually order a custom hem. Either 55'''', 58'''' or 61'''' I ordered the 58'''' and it was the perfect height for my shoes (flats). I ended up not having to have it hemmed at all (which definately saved me some money on alterations)! I think my dress was around $745, so most of them would be right around your budget. Let me know if you have any other questions!

I am sure you will find "The One" soon!!!!

Izzy03 · Sep 2, 2008

The second time trying on dresses was still frustrating for me, but was better than the first time! Good luck!

Principa · Sep 11, 2008

Oh god Mamie, I''m in the EXACT same boat as you. Including the sizing and what I''m looking for!

I tried on about 15 dresses last weekend, and fell in love with Maggie Sottero''s Vienna... but it''s out of my price range.

I''m going to a bridal fair this weekend, and am terrified. I keep picturing bridezillas tearing my hair out at the dress racks.

Anyway, thanks for posting, and thanks to everyone else who replied, there are some great ideas here! Keep ''em coming!

Cleopatra · Sep 11, 2008

Mamie - I just wanted to post this dress for you...I've seen it in person and it's absolutely TO DIE FOR! And it seems to have everything that you were asking for!

Maggie Sottero - Anastasia

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?keywordText=anastasia&line=m&keywordType=any&page=0&pageSize=8&style=J1083

ETA - just wanted to add - this dress is amazing in pictures - it sparkles beautifully - a friend of mine had this dress for her wedding and her pictures are amazing!

mamie · Sep 18, 2008

I abandoned by own thread -- last time I tried to reply it wouldn''t submit correctly, and I forgot to repost from my work computer. Hopefully this one goes through!

Anyway, thanks to everyone who gave me suggestions; you''re all so helpful!!

Gypsy-- I tried on a lot of Casablancas last night including 1827 and 1918 -- these two are currently the frontrunners. Next week I get to try on some Mori Lees.

What do you think? Headed in the right direction?

mamie · Sep 18, 2008

That was the 1827. Here is the 1918:

mamie · Sep 18, 2008

I lied...wrong one.

Here it is...

mamie · Sep 18, 2008

and back...

mamie · Sep 18, 2008

Again, I lie. Ignore last one - not the same dress. It''s hard to see which ones are which when the thumbnail is so small!

This is the back of the 1918 -- it may be sideways (sorry!)

galleygal · Sep 18, 2008

I really #5 of the davids bridal choices. Sometimes Davids has sales where they take off a certain percentage off the wedding dresses. You should check their website if a sale is going right now.

galleygal · Sep 18, 2008

Here you go, they''re having a sale right now!

http://www.davidsbridal.com/specialoffers_bridalsale.jsp

mamie · Sep 18, 2008

Thanks, galley -- I plan on going to DB, but not until after this sale. : (

Gypsy · Sep 18, 2008

Date: 9/18/2008 8:49:25 PM
Author: mamie
I lied...wrong one.

Here it is...

This is the 1918? Can we see the front of it hon?

It looks like you are on the right track. The dresses look lovely. Would like a front view do that one though.

mamie · Sep 19, 2008

This should be the best front one I have...right now it''s looking boxy up under my arms, but if they took it in around the neckline, would it lay more rounded there?

And Gypsy...after I posted, I just saw that you''re a few days away from your wedding and having some stressful situations come up -- you''re a sweetheart for lending your advice! : )

Dress shopping frustrations already! Help?

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