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Dress Dilemma

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Clairitek

Clairitek

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Jul 21, 2008
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4,881
I have totally fallen in love with a dress but I can''t find it ANYWHERE in the stores to try it on.

Its the Pronovias Dango from their 2008 collection. I even went as far to call the Manhattan Pronovias flag ship store and THEY don''t even have it in the store to try on anymore. I found one on ebay that is in my size but I am hesitant to spend $700 on a dress that I haven''t even seen in person.

I just can''t get it out of my head though... Everyone I''ve shown the dress to agrees that its very much my style and romantic. Maybe they are just telling me what I want to hear but I find myself envisioning walking down the aisle in this dress all the time. I even woke up this morning thinking about it.

What would you do in this situation? Buy it from the eBay seller (a girl who ordered it and then changed her wedding style... never been worn or altered) and hope to sell it if it doesn''t work out? Or should I just move on.

Here are some photos I found on the internet of the dress:
Train and back

Shots from the Pronovias website
 
I would totally buy it on eBay. Does the seller have positive feedback? Is it the size larger than your size? Much larger?

That dress is really beautiful and special. I can see why you're in love with it. If I had a certain comfort level with the seller, and knew that it could be altered to fit, then I would buy it.

Also, have you tried on dresses already? You should just be sure that this is the style/cut dress cut that you want.

I ordered a dress from ebay that was more ballgownish than a-line, which is the cut that works best for me.
 
Yea!!! i''m a Pronovias bride!!! If she''s selling it for 700, then that''s a STEAL. Have you tried on any of their other dresses? If you have and like the fit, go for it. If you haven''t, that''s what I would do first.

What''s the worst that could happen...you don''t like it, which won''t happen. Then you could sell it again and maybe lose a little money, but I think it''s worth it if it''s your dream dress! And it literally is your dream dress!!!
 
There''s one on Preownedweddingdresses.com for 650, size 8.
 
Just passing by to tell you I can relate. I''m in love with Pronovias "Layla" and I can''t find it either. Good luck on your search.
 
Date: 12/16/2008 3:11:55 PM
Author: lesco
Just passing by to tell you I can relate. I''m in love with Pronovias ''Layla'' and I can''t find it either. Good luck on your search.
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MaggieB just got married December 6th and wore the Pronovias Layla. Maybe she can let you know where she got it.
 
I LOVEEEEEEEEE the Pronovias gowns!!!!!!!!! I don''t know how to help you but I wish you luck!
 
It''s beautiful. Is there any dress that is similar to it so you can try on that style. If the style suits and you love it, then I''d go for it.
 
Wow thanks for the responses guys! I talked to my mother and she thought the dress was very me as well. She liked how unique it was without being too unusual. I feel like this dress screams spring/summer wedding which is probably what we will do.

I did see that one on preownedweddingdresses.com and I almost contacted the seller but then I realized it would be about 1.5-2" too short. Do you guys think that it would be possible to add a few more layers of silk onto the bottom to make it longer?

Also, I''m not familiar with hollow to hem measurements. I''ve never had one taken. I am 5''8"... does anyone know what sort of hollow to hem measurement I could expect to have? Do you measure it from the base of your neck to the floor or to the end of the train? The dress on eBay has a hollow to hem of 60".

The dress on eBay is a label size 8... it might be a squeeze but based on the measurements I think that it would work. The dress on preowned is a label size 10 so I would have a little more wiggle room assuming the bride didn''t have it taken in anywhere.

I feel like I could re-sell the eBay dress more easily if it doesn''t work out since the seller is offering to have it sent directly here from the bridal salon once it arrives from Pronovias to the salon. The preowned dress has already been worn once so it might be tougher to re-sell.

Gah... I see many positive aspects of buying one of these gowns but I am just worried about pulling the trigger.

To answer whoever asked if I have already tried on gowns- I have tried on one (a Paloma Blanca last week) that essentially had an a-line skirt. My FI is attracted to the a-line style gowns and I think that they are the most flattering. I like the look of a mermaid or trumpet on models but I don''t know if I like the idea of having such limited movement in my legs.

Sorry this is long and rambling. Its been a long day...
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I''d spend the extra $50 and get the size 10 just to be safe...much easier to take in!
 
Date: 12/16/2008 5:12:38 PM
Author: Clairitek

The dress on eBay is a label size 8... it might be a squeeze but based on the measurements I think that it would work. The dress on preowned is a label size 10 so I would have a little more wiggle room assuming the bride didn''t have it taken in anywhere.
Click to expand...

I wouldn''t rely on just the measurements. I would go to a salon that carries Pronovias and try on a few dresses (ideally that are similar in style to this one you like) to see what size you generally are in Pronovias dresses. That will give you the best idea.

Good luck with your decision!
 
You should so go for it! $700 is a steal and if it''s never been worn, you shouldn''t have much trouble reselling it if, for some reason, you don''t like it. But I think you''ll love it
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Don't buy one that will be a squeeze...you can't usually take these dresses out very much, but in is fairly easy. I would think about a few things before purchasing.

1. What if you CAN'T make it longer? What will you do? I wouldn't count on being able to BTW, that's often a hard fix.

2. Can you afford to flat out lose and/or have this $700 extended out if you can't resell in a certain timeframe? WIll this impact other budgets or can you afford to sit on it for awhile?

3. Have you tried on other dresses that are the same shape, with the same bust placement, etc. that you loved on you? If not, do this first to make sure you like the style, especially the top.

4. Make sure to try on a number of dresses before buying this one, what we think we want and what we want once we've tried some on are often different things.

If you've thought about those things and still want it, then go for it girl. It certainly is a gorgeous dress.
 
ditto nf on the top of the dress.
 
Wow, that''s a gorgeous dress. I wouldn''t ''move on,'' if I were you--$700 is a total steal! If you''re okay with taking a bit of a loss (which you might not have to) should you not like it, then the ebay route would be worth it to give the dress a shot.
 
Thanks again for the great advice and input. Man, I do love PS so very much.

I do think its wise to try on some other Pronovias gowns. There is a store not far from my school that carries the line so I am going to make an appointment for the week after Christmas and try on some with a similar top and shape. They MUST have some other floaty gowns like this to try on. Worse comes to worse I can get it online at a discount bridal site for $850 or so if the eBay and pre-owned options are gone and I am still totally stuck on the dress. If THAT plan doesn''t work out the store near my school will give it to me for $1125. Still not too bad... though it would be nice to do better. I''ve decided that regardless if I can''t find this exact dress to try on I will definitely at least wait until I''ve tried on dressed at Kleinfeld''s and this place in my home state before taking the plunge.

I''ve given more thought to the hem issue. I''ve read that with most bridal designs they make dresses that are long enough to fit a 5''8" woman (me) with a hem to hollow of 58". Under that you need to hem, over that you need to order extra length. The eBay dress ($700, size 8) has a hem to hollow of 60". I figure that will probably be enough. I''ll see if Kleinfeld''s will take my measurements (and give them to me) even if I don''t make an order when I see them on Sunday.

If I were to go with the larger but shorter dress on pre-owned I would definitely have to find a way to lengthen it. If I can''t add more length with a perfectly matched fabric I was thinking that I would add layers of blush pink silk organza (similar to gazar which is what the Dango is made of) in the same manner as the rest of the layers. Do you think this would look ridiculous or sorta cool? I won''t be hurt if you say you think it might look ridiculous.
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Update!!

I heard back from the girl who is selling the dress on preownedweddingdresses.com. She said that when the dress was hemmed none of the material was removed and that it was originally cut for a person who is 5''8" tall.
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So that issue is taken care of.

She said the only other alteration that was done was that the bust was taken in 3/4" from the original size and it has a final measurement of 35.5". I tried on a Paloma Blanca dress last week that was a size 10 with a bust measurement of 35" and it fit fine, even with my regular bra on (a VS Ipex so it probably added on 1/4" at the most to my bust measurement.

I am seriously considering offering her $700 for the dress + shipping. If it doesn''t fit or I don''t love it as much as I thought I would then I will send it back at my expense (in a timely manner) and she can refund me her original asking price of $650. This way she makes $50 for the inconvenience and I am only out that + cost of shipping both ways.

If you were her would you consider this deal or does it sound totally shady?
 
If you''ve already tried on dresses like it and you pay via paypal with a credit card (so you are protected if she doesn''t refund you) I don''t think it sounds shady per se. I sold a wedding dress in a similar way, but I just had a price and then offered returns minus a 10% restocking fee which was $50. I had one girl buy it, decide she didn''t like it, and then returned it and paid for shipping both ways. Worked for both of us and when I eventually did sell it the buyer liked the return policy too just in case it didn''t work for her.
 
Neatfreak! I can always count on you to chime in quickly. Well, that is until your lovely twins arrive! I hope you''re feeling well.
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I''m glad to hear that its not uncommon for people to make a deal like that and that it worked out for you. I was going to suggest that Paypal be the "middle man" so we we''re both protected.

Its only a few days until I can try on some gowns so I will wait until the 23rd or so to make the purchase if I decide it will work. Thanks for the advice!
 
Date: 12/17/2008 9:26:21 AM
Author: Clairitek
Neatfreak! I can always count on you to chime in quickly. Well, that is until your lovely twins arrive! I hope you''re feeling well.
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I''m glad to hear that its not uncommon for people to make a deal like that and that it worked out for you. I was going to suggest that Paypal be the ''middle man'' so we we''re both protected.


Its only a few days until I can try on some gowns so I will wait until the 23rd or so to make the purchase if I decide it will work. Thanks for the advice!
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Hehe, yes, only until Friday then I imagine I''ll be pretty busy! With paypal please make sure to pay with a credit card, that way you have 2 layers of protection, paypal and a credit card chargeback. Paypal does weird things sometimes and rules in weird ways with disputes, so you want to make sure you are paying with a CC instead of with a paypal balance or bank transfer.
 
Claritek - Just wante to tell you how beautiful that dress is and how much I Love Pronovias!

I regularly wear a size 5/6 and I''m 5''8.

I tried on a few Pronovias dress and the length was perfect and the sample was a 10 which also fit perfectly. Of course everyone is different, but that should give you some ideas about your dress.
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Date: 12/17/2008 9:58:33 AM
Author: neatfreak
Date: 12/17/2008 9:26:21 AM
With paypal please make sure to pay with a credit card, that way you have 2 layers of protection, paypal and a credit card chargeback. Paypal does weird things sometimes and rules in weird ways with disputes, so you want to make sure you are paying with a CC instead of with a paypal balance or bank transfer.
Click to expand...
I''ll certainly heed that advice. I agree that two layers of protection is good practice.

Thomperchik- Thanks for letting me know about the height issue. Its good to hear that what I''ve read and been told is correct. I wear a 6 or so as well! The biggest part of me is my bust but I am confident I will fit into the measurement listed. I just measured myself again and I was a hair under 36.
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Does it have a built in bra? I remember the sales lady mentioned that some pro-novias have one. Either way, that will either help or hurt your bust area.

I''m the same size and I ended up trying on the dresses without my bra. I''m a 36C.
 
Date: 12/17/2008 11:46:33 AM
Author: Thomperchik
Does it have a built in bra? I remember the sales lady mentioned that some pro-novias have one. Either way, that will either help or hurt your bust area.

I''m the same size and I ended up trying on the dresses without my bra. I''m a 36C.
Click to expand...
The style of the dress would allow me to wear a strapless bra if I could fit one in there. The girl who is selling the dress told me that she wore a heavily padded strapless bra (shes a 34B I think) to fill out the dress. Its really great to hear that someone about the same size as me fits into the size 10 Pronovias with no issues.

I sent the girl an email with the offer I outlined in my post from this morning. She is in CA so I can''t imagine that I will hear back from her before this evening. Hopefully she will go for it and I will have the dress in my hands soon! Eeee!!! I''m so excited.
 
That is very exciting! Please keep us posted!!!
 
Clar, do you happen to have the contact info for the girl who was selling the 8 on ebay? I am trying to get my hands on a dango as well, and before my May 1 wedding, so I do not have the time to order it. However, my street size is 2-4, and I was hoping to alter the 8. Thanks!
 
I tried to contact her after the listing ended and she never responded back to me. Her username is heatheracunningham. Good luck!
 
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