Wedding Question about trying on dresses...

[PearlDahhhling]

So I have my first appointment tomorrow to go try on wedding dresses. It''s at David''s Bridal cause I figured I''d knock that out first and just kinda get a feel for the fabrics and styles in person. Now of course, like any good PS bride, I''ve watched my fair share of wedding shows, especially Say Yes To The Dress. In all the shows it seems the consultant goes into the dressing room with the bride to help her into the gowns etc. Now I''m a little freaked out about the idea of getting down to my unmentionables in a room with some random woman I just met and having her help me get dressed.

So I''m just wondering if this whole "consultant helping the bride change" thing is normal protocol for all bridal salons or if it''s just in the more upscale ones? And if anyone could also give me their feedback about going to Davids? Much thanks.

 

[purrfectpear]

I don''t know about bridal salons, but it''s typical for most high end boutiques and couture stores.

If you had gym in high school you should be used to being in underwear around others, no? I was an only child and it took me awhile to get used to it, but I don''t think anything at all of stripping down now

 

[kama_s]

I went to three bridal shops, and at TWO of them they had me change with not just my door open, but the main door open as well so that everyone in the store could see me in my skivvies. I was quite uncomfortable, but I pretended like I was going for my pap, shut my eyes and went about doing what I was doing. In the last store I was still changing in front of the sales lady....but at least not everyone entering the store saw me in my panties!!

When I went back today to get my final measurements done, I requested to be allowed to change into the dress alone because I was late this morning and forgot about the bridal appt and wore a red lacy thong

!!! One thing you can do is wear semi-thick slacks/leggings. That's what I did a few times...as long as you're okay being in a bra.

Also, wear a strapless bra so that you dont have to take it off!!

ETA: Saw people mentioning type of salons and just wanted to add that the two stores where the doors were open were both really high end stores.

 

[bootsiekin]

I only went to two salons, one more upscale than the other..but in both the consultant came in to help. She helped me get into the longline bra, and of course did so with my back to her. After thats on, you get the slip on and you are pretty well covered already! So after that, getting the dresses on and off doesnt result in very much exposure. I am sure if you have a friend or family member going with you, that person could help with the bra and slip..but the consultant would definitely be the fastest at getting you in and out of the dresses. I wouldnt really worry about it - its a tiny bit weird at first but they are professionals. I was chatting up a storm with mine by the second dress!

 

[bootsiekin]

Date: 10/8/2008 11:39:35 PM
Author: kama_s
I went to three bridal shops, and at TWO of them they had me change with not just my door open, but the main door open as well so that everyone in the store could see me in my skivvies. I was quite uncomfortable, but I pretended like I was going for my pap, shut my eyes and went about doing what I was doing. In the last store I was still changing in front of the sales lady....but at least not everyone entering the store saw me in my panties!!


When I went back today to get my final measurements done, I requested to be allowed to change into the dress alone because I was late this morning and forgot about the bridal appt and wore a red lacy thong

!!! One thing you can do is wear semi-thick slacks/leggings. That''s what I did a few times...as long as you''re okay being in a bra.


Also, wear a strapless bra so that you dont have to take it off!!

Oh my! Thats terrible!! At both of the shops I went to the doors were definitely closed! That is a good point though, if you are worried about the bra just wear a strapless one when you go.

 

[jstarfireb]

The consultant at David's came in to help me change. They give you a bustier-style bra and a slip to wear, so it's not like you're completely naked, but it's still a little weird. I'm sure you could ask to change on your own if you want, but it was pretty helpful to have someone holding up the dresses so I could "dive" into them...

I was very happy with my David's experience. I went a total of 5 times to 3 different stores, bought one dress, then exchanged it for another (you can do one exchange for an equal or more expensive dress)! At first I hadn't looked at the website much and just picked dresses from the catalog. For subsequent visits, I chose exactly which dresses I wanted to try on (printed them out from the online catalog) but was also open to suggestions from the consultant. They weren't at all pushy toward me. Other people's experiences have varied, but I give them great reviews. The dress itself is comfortable, fits well, and does not seem cheaply made at all (the beadwork is exquisite!).

However, if you do buy from David's, I'd encourage you to get your alterations done somewhere else. I've been told the quality of their alterations is a bit sloppy. Luckily, I don't need many alterations (I have a corset-style dress, so it's "adjustable" on top, and I'm tall, so the hem is fine), but I'll get my bustle done by an independent seamstress who did a great job on my way-too-big Jim Hjelm bridesmaid dress.

 

[havernell]

Yes, in all of the places I tried on dresses a consultant was in the dressing room with me to help me get the dresses on. I didn't make it to David's so I don't know what the protocol is there, however.

But, understand that the consultant helping you try the dresses on is necessary for a few reason:

1. These dresses are big and bulky and you really would have trouble putting them on yourself. Not only getting the dresses over your head, but reaching all of the zippers, button loops, and ties are nearly impossible for one person to do for herself.

2. The store want to ensure that none of the dresses get ripped or damaged during try-ons (since the need to keep the samples in tact so that others can try the gowns on). Having the consultant help you try on dresses means you are less likely to damage the dress accidentally.


Just remember that your consultant sees *hundreds* of women in their underwear every year, so she won't even be paying attention to what your body looks like. It's like your gynecologist (as kama alluded to)- it's just their job. So really don't be nervous about it at all. I guarantee that no matter what underwear you wear tomorrow, your consultant will have seen a lot stranger things! Don't worry about it and just concentrate on having fun trying on gorgeous dresses! And bring your camera so you can show us all the gowns you tried on!

 

[Octavia]

I have something similar to this strapless full slip and it was my best friend when trying on dresses. It covered basically as much as a cocktail dress, so I wasn''t self-conscious at all. You definitely don''t want to try to get into most of those dresses yourself, even if they would let you.

 

[marchswallowbird]

David''s Bridal definitely has an attendant in there with you. And the rooms are TINY.

 

[Smurfysmiles]

i was in david''s bridal yesterday too and yes i did the bra and skirt thing underneath but they let me change by myself with the door closed. also i had my best friend with so when it was time to put the dress on we just crammed ourselves into that room and got that sucker on
not awkward at all

 

[honey22]

I am sure if you mention that you feel a little comfortable getting changed in front of staff, other customers etc, they will be a bit more discreet. They are probably so use to it, they don''t even think about it anymore, but if you feel uncomfortable, let them know. They may be able to at least work with you to feel a bit more comfortable.

Good luck!! How exciting!! I am going shopping for the first time with my Mum in two weeks and I can''t wait. I used to go to nudie beaches all the time and still swim at my parents a la natural, so I''m not worried about it, but I do understand that it can be really uncomfortable for some. Try not to let it ruin your day though. After all, there just boobies

Unless you have three or four, it''s nuthin to be worried about

 

[musincy]

I went to 3 bridal salons... two of them had the consultant go into the changing room with you. It was a little uncomfortable at first, but it really did help... the dresses are usually hard to put on by yourself.

The third was not such a good experience. They had one big "community" changing room... all of the girls in one room. So, not only was the consultant there, but also all of the other girls trying on dresses and whoever they brought with them! (no boys allowed though) Not fun.

 

[angielea]

I was used to trying dresses on with a consultant.. then I went to a dress shop in St. Paul with my FMIL. They put us in a large room,(no dressing room, just a big open room with racks of dresses) and the consultant ran away never to be seen again. My FMIL had to help me in my dresses, and also told me I needed to buy some new bras.... *sigh*

 

[Amandine]

Date: 10/9/2008 12:28:10 AM
Author: havernell
Yes, in all of the places I tried on dresses a consultant was in the dressing room with me to help me get the dresses on. I didn''t make it to David''s so I don''t know what the protocol is there, however.


But, understand that the consultant helping you try the dresses on is necessary for a few reason:


1. These dresses are big and bulky and you really would have trouble putting them on yourself. Not only getting the dresses over your head, but reaching all of the zippers, button loops, and ties are nearly impossible for one person to do for herself.


2. The store want to ensure that none of the dresses get ripped or damaged during try-ons (since the need to keep the samples in tact so that others can try the gowns on). Having the consultant help you try on dresses means you are less likely to damage the dress accidentally.



Just remember that your consultant sees *hundreds* of women in their underwear every year, so she won''t even be paying attention to what your body looks like. It''s like your gynecologist (as kama alluded to)- it''s just their job. So really don''t be nervous about it at all. I guarantee that no matter what underwear you wear tomorrow, your consultant will have seen a lot stranger things! Don''t worry about it and just concentrate on having fun trying on gorgeous dresses! And bring your camera so you can show us all the gowns you tried on!

This last part is absolutely true! I was a bridal store consultant, and did see more women in their underwear then I could count. Pretty much nothing surprised me except the women who went commando...I mean, seriously? You are going to be trying on wedding gowns, wear some undies!

 

[dcgator]

The only dress shop I have been to is Priscilla''s in Boston. There was an attendant in the room with you to help you get in and out of the dresses, and beleive me, you need it, especially in the ball gowns and some A-lines. The also provided me with the full length strapless bra and a kimono to put on in between dresses. The rooms there were the size of my bedroom I think and the door was closed in between each fitting. In fact you can stay in there the whole time if you want, since it had great mirrors. I did venture out of the room to get the great lighting, etc, but I imagine that if you are shy, you wouldn''t have to venture outside the room.

Where ever you go, just enjoy being dressed up and have fun!

 

[mimzy]

i went to five or six different shops (not davids though) and i made it pretty clear with my body language that i did not want any consultants in there with me and none of them insisted. i even told my mom to get lost haha. when i needed help with something i would just open the door a little and have them come in and zip it up, etc. i''m sure that if you are firm about not wanting them in there with you they''ll respect it. just tell them that you''ll let them know if you need any help

i didn''t have trouble getting into most dresses on my own, but if you are planning on going that route make sure you don''t wear a ton of makeup!

 

[bee*]

I''m starting dress shopping in two weeks and have heard that also. I''m just going to wear bigger underwear that cover a bit more down below. They see so many girls so I don''t mind at all. I always presumed they went in so you couldn''t take a sneaky picture or two!!

 

[marchswallowbird]

Actually, what I found when trying on dresses is that I got totally hot and sweaty. Even with the air conditioning they have, some of those dresses are HOT and you''re moving around, squirming into them, etc. I felt really self-conscious. I took to wearing my Spanx strapless slip, both for modesty, and to help me slide into the dresses much more easily.

 

[Daydreamer7130]

I, too, went there just to see what they had and to look at dresses for the first time. The attendants were worse than used car salesman! They were very pushy and hounded you forever, not really, but they would call every 2 weeks to see when you were coming back into the store. They have alot of turn over in attendents also. Go figure!

 

[marchswallowbird]

Yep, they do that. I gave them all my home number, which has call waiting, and so I never answered any of their follow up calls. I set up a "disposable" email address on yahoo and gave them that, so I could trash the address and all their junk emails. Alfred Angelo was the worst. I must have told them 3 or 4 times I''d already bought my dress, but they still kept hounding me.