help me find a dress alternative

[leslieann]

I have fell in love with this Jim Hjelm dress http://www.jimhjelmbridal.com/jim_br/display_dress.php?imageno=8857&multimatch=x

However it''s a bit out of my price range.

Does anyone know of any alternative dresses that are similar but cost effective?

Leslie

 

[E B]

Watters has a few bridesmaid dresses that could fit the bill (and come in white and 'candlelight'). None of these should run you more than, say, $400. Just add a sash and a lace bolero, and you've got a pretty convincing lookalike!

Watters 3282

Watters 3225

Watters 9952 (Available in Off-White)

Watters 9250

Watters 1783 Available in Off-White)

 

[vintagelover229]

Keep on eye on preownedweddingdresses.com

and also check craigslist. Idk what style this is but its the same designer LINK

THIS ONE has more lace, but is pretty

I don''t know if Netbride can get them, I think they can though, you can try seeing what their quote it...it''s free btw.

heres another site http://www.oncewed.com/find.cfm?qsortBy=date&qdesignerID=18&qconditionID=&qstreetSize=&qstring=&x=31&y=10

 

[lovinsparkles]

That''s really pretty, esp. with the sash and little lace bolero thingy!

What part of it do you like, the dress only, or the dress with similar accessories too? I found that David''s Bridal had bunch of dresses of that general trumpet shape when I was in recently, and they have a bunch of sashes like in the one you linked to to wear with them. Here''s one that shows the sashes, though the dress itself is a little different. I''m sure you could find other trumpet shaped dresses more like the one in your link.

http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=2027&prodgroup=127

I''m sure others will chime in with non-DB suggestions too. Good luck!

 

[leslieann]

Ebree- I have looked at bridesmaid dresses and I am considering those but I think I might miss the train.

lovin - I pretty much love everything about it. The sash the bolero the style of the dress everything.

I found a seller on ebay to buy a sash from so if i could just get a plain trumpet style gown I guess that would fit the bill.

So I''m thinking... if I can maybe purchase the bolero by itself and find a cheap plain trumpet style gown then I could get everything I want in my price range.

I emailed the pictures to Milly Bridal to see how much they could make the dress for, haven''t heard back yet.

My fiance is freaking out though.. he''s a groomzilla. He''s putting all these stipulations on my dress, he even wanted to see it to make sure I wasn''t buying something stupid (I didn''t let him though). Another stipulation is he doesn''t want me to buy it over the internet. But all the dresses I like are just so darn expensive.

Mostly I''m just trying to figure out a way to work around his craziness and buy a dress at a salon and it be within budget.

 

[leslieann]

Ooooo the david''s bridal one looks close. I wonder if the sash is detachable and can be tied in a bow or something. I think I might just have to make a trip to try it out.

 

[lovinsparkles]

I can answer that one -- the sashes at DB are all detachable. They have a rack with a bunch of different colors. I tried on a pink one with a different trumpet dress when I was there, and you can tie them however you want.

 

[Lanie]

That''s a beautiful dress!!! I need to stop looking at other dresses because I''m getting jealous and I don''t want to be a 2 dress bride!!!

On a side note, would you wear a mermaid slip (petticoat) under there to make it poofier? My dress is a mermaid style, and now I''m wondering if I need a slip.

 

[Clairitek]

Date: 12/7/2008 11:34:37 PM
Author: leslieann
I have looked at bridesmaid dresses and I am considering those but I think I might miss the train.

I''ve read elsewhere on this forum about brides who ordered an extra length bridesmaids gown and then had a train cut into it. It won''t be a long train, more like sweep length, but it could work and would probably still be cheaper than a full blown wedding gown even with the alterations.

 

[QueenG]

You don''t happen to be in NJ, do you? Advertised through theknot:

Jim Hjelm Trunk Show
December 12-14, 2008

Plus, 20% off ALL merchandise in the store.

Please call (856) 745-9005 for an appointment.

Country Way Bridal Boutique
1310 N Kings Highway
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
www.countrywaybrides.com

 

[leslieann]

Lanie - I'm becoming a 2 dress bride. I already have a dress, but I felt so pressured to buy it and I really don't love it or even like it that much. So I have convinced my fiance to let me get another one but I have to make a good decision this time.

Clairitek - I never thought of the adding extra length. I'm pretty short so that might work well for me. I was looking at some of the Watters bridesmaid dresses and some of them already have a small train. So I am seriously considering those.

Lioness - Nope I don't live in NJ but you are sure making me wish I did.


I'm going to go try on dresses this weekend and hopefully pick something out. I'll probably have to rush order since my wedding is a little under 6 months away. I'll let you guys know what I choose!

I also heard back from Milly's Bridal they said they can make my dress for 220$ woah! What a good deal. I have only heard good things about them so I'm seriously considering that also.

 

[leslieann]

The more I look at this bridesmaid dress the more more more I love it. I might just have to buy a bridesmaid dress and get the extra length.

I''m all worked up and excited I can''t stop looking at dresses.

 

[Lanie]

Do you have pics of your original dress you can share with us?

There must have been SOMETHING you liked about it! Maybe you''re just second guessing yourself unnecessarily...???

 

[jstarfireb]

Mon Cheri tends to be <$1000 (I think!), and this dress is pretty similar to the Jim Hjelm one, only without the sash. Similar neckline and silhouette...and it has a nice beaded detail that I personally like better than a sash anyway.

ETA: Your FI sounds a whole lot like mine...groomZILLA! I actually had a different dress originally and exchanged it for one I knew he would like better. My tastes are very simple, so I originally bought a beautiful and simple destination wedding dress. But he made such a fuss about having to look "bridal" and have a train and beading...so I went back to David's and exchanged it for the one I have now. Silly boys!

 

[Clairitek]

I LOVE that Watters dress you linked from the collection posted by EBree. I think its so flattering and interesting with the criss-crossing sash cascading down the back. It would be gorgeous in white! I bet you could find a lace bolero on ebay or even have one made for cheap. JoAnn''s Fabrics sells bridal fabrics and they do have some decent lace. If you can bring in a 40% off coupon from the paper and special order the material to get a bolero made I bet whatever you end up will be just as nice, if not better, than the Jim Hjelm one and it''ll be just yours! How are you with the sewing machine and following patterns?

 

[lala2332]

I would splurge on the bolero and get the one by jim hjelm since that is the one you like and then find a plain trumpet dress elsewhere.

Teh watters bridesmaid dress is really pretty....I wonder if the back would look good with the bolero though. It seems a little busy when you combine the two.