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Wedding CJ goes Dress Shopping - Need Help

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CrownJewel

CrownJewel

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Sep 26, 2006
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So far there are only two contenders. In the past 2 weeks I went to:
1. Priscilla of Boston in NJ - super nice people, beautiful upscale salon, found one dress that I love there (Dora by Melissa Sweet)
2. Bridal Garden in NY - super nice people, very small no frills salon, all secondhand donated dresses or donated samples, mostly size 8s and 10s, I saw one size 0, one size 4, some size 6s, some dresses in excellent condition, proceeds go to a children''s benefit fund, I didn''t find anything I liked there
3. Kleinfeld''s in NY - the receptionist had an attitude, but my consultant, Patricia was wonderful wonderful wonderful, as were the veil specialist and some other consultant who walked by (maybe Barbara?). I guess I picked a good night to go. I found a Jim Hjelm dress that I loved.

I have one more place to go (Wedding Atelier - thanks Karasue for the suggestion!) on Friday. Then I go back to Priscilla of Boston to try on the new collection on Saturday and maybe purchase the Melissa Sweet dress!!!

We are having a non-religious garden cermony in the Hudson Valley in NY. It is scheduled for September 2008, so hopefully the weather will be pleasant. I am limited in terms of what I can wear because I am a shortie. I''m avoiding drop waists, colored sashes, and ballgowns because I think they emphasize my diminutive size. I''ve also been avoiding assymetry and side ruching.

I like a graceful, romantic, "soft" style with a subtle touch of fun. I want a dress that has some detailing (either lace or beading or interesting fabric, but only just a TINY bit). I''ve been leaning towards A-line dresses that have a lot of movement and flow, with either empire or natural waist. Trains are ok, as long as they are not gigantic. Straps are ok too. If you have any suggestions please feel free to post them! I need all the help I can get.


First, a picture of me (5''0" and approx. size 0 or 2) wearing a size 8 Dora. I am rather small-chested so I was told the sweetheart neckline and cups would be made much smaller. I love the flow of the dress and it feels so light and fun. I have a lot of work to do at the gym on my arms and shoulders!

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In the picture on the right, the front of the skirt looks funny because I turned and didn''t turn the dress with me.




CJ_Dora.jpg
 
Here''s a better view of the Melissa Sweet dress on the runway (you can also see this beautiful dress on the gorgeous Jas12).

MS_doraRunway.gif
 
And the 2nd contender is this Jim Hjelm that I saw at Kleinfeld''s. It doesn''t move as much as the Melissa Sweet, but it is still very light and beautiful. It is a little more formal than the Melissa Sweet. I couldn''t take pictures so this is the dress on a model.

jh8758_jimhjelm.jpg
 
And detail of the bustline and waist on the Jim Hjelm.

jh8758detail.jpg
 
Hm. I''ll repost a less fuzzy version of the Melissa Sweet on the runway. Sorry!

MS_doraRunway.jpg
 
So I''m torn between the two dresses right now. I still have one more salon to visit, but I don''t know which direction to go towards. I love the MS because it moves and flows so nicely. But I worry that it will be too much fabric on me. The JH is also beautiful and is definitely not too much fabric (but maybe I think that because the JH sample was closer to my actual size), but I think it doesn''t have as grand a presence as the MS. I don''t know!
 
Its hard without seeing it on you, but from what I''ve seen the second choice is the winner hands down.
 
I like the details on the second dress better, it looks classy.
 
I tried on a great Melissa Sweet dress called Aurora that I loved, and it sounds SO much like the look you are going for. The neckline is stunning and very flattering. Did you try it, by chance?

MS Aurora great neckline.JPG
 
I really like the Dora-I think you look great in it!
 
I really like the detailing on the second one. Which one of them made you feel more like a beautiful bride?
 
I really have to suggest Mark Ingram''s Bridal Atelier. They have FANTASTIC stuff and the staff is absolutely amazing. Ask for Kelsey! It''s not as overwhelming as Kleinfeld''s. The salon really is comfortable.
 
I also vote the Jim Hjelm. I''ve found, in my vast dress-shopping experience, dresses that define the empire waist work better on us smaller-chested ladies. Plus, it''s beautiful. I love the detailing.

The Dora is also a beautiful gown, but from the pictures you posted, I''m not loving it on you. And without knowing how the smaller top area will fit/look with the rest of the gown, I think it''d be a bit of a risk to have it made.

Just my honest $.02
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FacetFire, I did indeed try on the Aurora!!! At the end of my visit to PoB, it was between Dora and Aurora. It was a hard choice, but I ruled out Aurora because of the drop waist sash. They said they could move it up to the natural waist, but then it would compete with the sash on the bust. But it IS a beautiful gown, huh?!!

Harleigh they both made me feel beautiful, which is what makes it so hard to choose. I think of the JH as the "sparkle dress" because of the satin and the crystal detail. On the other hand, the MS has a grander presence, because of the way it flows. Envisioning my appearance for the walk down the aisle, I think the MS would make more of a statement.

But on the other hand, like Ebree said, it could be a risk to have it made to fit me, only to find out it is not as flattering as I had fantasized!! It's hard to tell from the photos because it is a size 8 instead of a 2, and like 12 inches too long!!

Scarlet did you get a dress from Mark Ingram's? I considered going there, but I am running out of time!!

Thanks to everyone for their opinions! This really helps. I think the JH might win, unless a lot of people vote for the Melissa Sweet (the Jim Hjelm is also a lot less expensive).
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CJ-
Yup, as some of the ladies here know, I tried on over 60+ dresses before buying a Badgley Mischka at Mark Ingram (during a trunk show so 10% off). I went to many of the same places you did, including Kleinfeld's, Priscilla of Boston (in Short Hills), and Wedding Atelier. I did really like Wedding Atelier. Their collection seems to be pretty wide, ie. lots of styles so you may find something there.

When is your wedding? I'm sure Mark Ingram would be VERY accommodating!
ETA: I just saw your wedding is September 2008! I just purchased my dress in November and my wedding is August 2008. My salesperson expects the dress in in May (at the latest), and I'll have 3 fittings after that. One in May, one 1 month before the wedding and one 2 weeks before the wedding.
 
scarlet, I also went to the PoB in Short Hills!! I''m going back there on Saturday...which was supposed to be my last stop. I told myself that if I don''t find anything by Saturday, I''m going to buy Dora (or something from the new collection). Now I''m wondering if I should schedule an appointment at Mark Ingram for next week. Eeek! Look what you''ve done! If I go, I''ll be sure to ask for Kelsey. Did you post pics of your Badgley Mischka? Are you having your wedding in NY? We''re having a 80-ish people at Le Chateau in the Hudson Valley area in NY.
 
i vote the second. the first does look like too much material.
 
I do love the MS, but as was mentioned, it's a lot of material. I think a small chest would become non-existent in it- the bow would be sticking out but not any boobs.

The JH is GORGEOUS! I love the detailing, love the material, the flow, I just love it. I also think that it would be very flattering to those with a smaller chest. It's really beautiful.

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loser.gif
L's for love.
 
i change my vote - i vote for num 1. i took a look at jas12's pics and the dress is amazing. i reread your post and obviously i didn't read it carefully because in it you mention you are 5'0" and small size and so no wonder the dress you tried on looks like too much material.

even though i like num 2 - i kind of had a niggling thought about the color and the shinyness. i like the color and material of num 1. once it is your size it will look beautiful.

but that is my two cents and my personal style talking - both are great dresses i just greatly prefer num 1.

jas12 threads

thread 1

thread 2


pics of jas12 in num 1 (hope you don't mind jas12! and you look absolutely stunning!)

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P7010999-1.jpg
 
OOH... ringster is right, it is stunning on jas12... beautiful dress.

ETA: though I think #1 is a good choice for a garden wedding.

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loser.gif
L's for love.
 
It is really hard without seeing the second without you... but I ADORE that Jim Hjelm.
 
I LOVE the first one-it''s GORGEOUS! I don''t think it will look like too much fabric when it''s in your size, personally.
 
CJ - you know I am absolutely in love with Dora. I am absolutely green over here that you might be getting it. I tried on that JH too actually, at Kleinfeld''s too. I also almost bought a dress at Mark Ingram (a sample sale though) and I really liked the people there. I absolutely hated Kleinfelds and the service I got there. Sorry, I got off-track.

Back to the point - I remember someone saying that PoB orders their dresses hollow-to-hem...did you verify that? I''m just worried about if you get the Dora, it might change the shape and flow of the dress if you have to take a bunch of inches off the bottom of the skirt. The best part of the dress (besides the fantastic sweetheart with the ruffles!) is the fabulous skirt, and I would make sure that they could keep the shape on your tiny little body. I''m 5''6" and I was worried about getting the hem done for that exact reason, I didn''t want to lose even an inch off the perfect flare.

Side note: When I was still searching desperately for Dora, I found a girl who wanted to sell hers on the partypop forums (she got a size 8 and I know you are way teeny or I would tell you to try contacting her!). She sent me pictures of the dress, and she had had the back slightly lowered and added the ruffle all the way around the back of the dress. It looked really great, she had the back lowered to a slight V (so there were only 3 buttons instead of the 4 there are normally), and the ruffle really looked great carrying over from the front. Just an idea for you!!
 
It''s a really tough call without being able to see the JH on you, and the MS being way too big on teeny you. I would lean toward the JH (I think the sparkle on it is actually pretty subtle), probably, but actually I think both would end up looking great!
 
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ooooooooh noooooooo! I was hoping you ladies would all vote for one or the other...hahahahaha. I think the JH is still winning, but now we''ve got some MS supporters.

Karasue, you looked SO gorgeous in the Dora. You''ve got the height and the boobs for it! But seriously, you look stunning in your new dress too. It''s so romantic. You''re so lucky to be tall!

Winston, the dress you posted has the top I''m looking for, but I can''t pull off any draping or assymetry...I''m just too short for any bold detail. Thank you so much for the suggestion. Any other ideas?

Isn''t the Melissa Sweet AMAZING on Jas12? She''s 4 inches taller than me, and I''m assuming she''s wearing 3" or so heels. So if I can find 7" platforms...
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All this looking at pictures of myself in dresses made me think hard about going to the gym. And I was talking to my boss about keeping your brain young (she''s a neuropsychologist). She said, "plenty of aerobic excercise and don''t drink too much." So guess where I went today?!
 
Date: 12/5/2007 5:48:08 PM
Author: CrownJewel
scarlet, I also went to the PoB in Short Hills!! I''m going back there on Saturday...which was supposed to be my last stop. I told myself that if I don''t find anything by Saturday, I''m going to buy Dora (or something from the new collection). Now I''m wondering if I should schedule an appointment at Mark Ingram for next week. Eeek! Look what you''ve done! If I go, I''ll be sure to ask for Kelsey. Did you post pics of your Badgley Mischka? Are you having your wedding in NY? We''re having a 80-ish people at Le Chateau in the Hudson Valley area in NY.
Click to expand...

CJ-
I say if you try on the Dora again and you love it, go for it. But if you''re still having doubts, then I''d keep trying on dresses. I was positive I''d never have that "moment" after trying on SO many dresses, but then when I put on my dress I knew it was it! Don''t feel like you have to settle!!!

I haven''t posted any pictures of the dress since the only ones I have are on a camera phone and not so fabulous, but its the Barbara from their Spring 2007 collection. Next time I go in, I''ll get some better pictures and post them!

We are having a NYC wedding (at Bridgewaters at the seaport) with what looks like close to 220 people (NOT my choice).
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I like the Dora better and I think it will look especially gorgeous once it is the right size for you!

Also, I was wondering...what does hollow-to-hem mean?
 
I like the Jim Hjelm the best!
 
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