How Does Trying On Dresses Work?

Question

I have asked another question about wedding dresses a few minutes ago, but this is slightly different.

I love an Alfred Angelo dress, ( http://www.alfredangeloanz.com/Collections/ProductDisplay.aspx?productID=4c5bde25-163e-4c41-ab90-a1fc843a2373&categoryID=3a36bec7-ef85-4a20-a512-eeb1e5c1d587&pg=0 ) and I think it is the one I want to marry in. However, I do not get married for another 3 years and I have been warned that the dress will probably be discontinued soon.

Now, when I went to the bridal shop (it is a really small shop - I live in a small town, but they DEFINITELY sell it) they didnt have it in, but they said they are having a bridal fayre in September, so they will have one in then for one of their girls to wear to show it off (in a different colour, but basically the same)

I was told that when this comes in, I can phone up and go and try it on, but last time I saw one of their fashion shows, they had tiny girls (UK size 8 - 10) wearing them and showing them off. Now, I am a 12 - 14 at the min, so if they have a size 8/10 for those girls, how am I meant to try it on?? It will never fit me, so I wont get the proper look! I was told they only order one in at that time, (wasnt told the size, I am assuming it will be small because they want their girls to look great) so how am I meant to try any dress on when they are too small?

How does it all work??? :S Our bridal shop is literally 2 tiny rooms that are crammed with dresses, probably one size of each. I just dont understand how it is meant to work, because I havent gone dress shopping yet!

Any help? Thanks ladies!

Answer 1

First most smaller boutiques will go by appointment only and won't have people lining up to try gowns like that... everything would get ruined and these dresses don't come cheap.

Second, they usually have gowns in a standard/average size 10 or 12. If you're bigger than that but your hips will go through then they have these really big clips that they will clip the back to each other or to your bra. They'll make it as fitted as possible but you'll still have to use your imagination for the most part.

If you try on lace-up dresses that may be a bit smaller, you'll get a better understanding of how gowns look on you. A word of advice: try on a few different styles.... this way you'll know exactly what you like and don't... sometimes what we think is beautiful is not nearly as beautiful as something else that the salesperson or your friend will just pick out.

On another note: if you are not engaged, wait till you get engaged... don't take the fun out of it all and also you never know what you'll like in 3years, unless what you liked 3years ago is exactly the same as now... I know I don't like any of the dresses I liked a few years ago.

All the best.

Answer 2

This happens to a lot of people. A lot of the times they won't have the samples in your exact size - but I wouldn't fret too much about it. The people at the bridal shops have experience with all of this. They have clips and pins to hold you in so you can get a good look and feel of the dress.

I would advise you to call them up and see if they have any of that designers dresses at the store in your size...this way you will get a good feel as to what size you would have to order.

However, if you are planning on getting married in 3 years you may want to wait to order the dress. I know that the fear is that it won't be there when you want to purchase it, but new styles come out all the time. I would hate for you to purchase it then find another dress that you like even more.

I believe that the dress you are looking at has been out for a couple of years. It might not hurt to browse through ebay or used wedding dress sites to see if someone might have the dress in your size and the color you want. You can get it for a fraction of the cost and in most cases it's only been worn once.

Good luck to you!

http://www.preownedweddingdresses.com/

http://www.sellyourweddingdress.com/

http://www.woreitonce.com/buy.cfm

Answer 3

If you aren't even engaged then don't get a dress.  So much can change from then to now and if you change your mind or something else happens then you are stuck with this dress you would have to sell.

Wait till you get engaged and look then, there may be even better styles for you then.  

Answer 4

I didn't get to try on my dress in the proper size. I'm a 12 (in this line at least, I don't know why it's such a small size), and I tried a 10 at the store, so I had a pretty good idea of what it looked like. They can do a fair bit in terms of making it look approximately the same at the store if you get someone in to help you try it on (it's much easier for women who are too small, but they can do it if you're too large too).

It won't look identical, but it will look close. If you're really worried then go try on other similar dresses to better evaluate the style and then use that along with how the actual dress looks on you.

Answer 5

Allow me to settle your concerns a bit.  I'm a 12 and I tried that gown on in a 10.  It's tight, but it will fit enough for you to decide if the look is right for you.  The dress looked fantastic on everyone in our party (we all had to try it!), but in the end I went with another gown that I liked better.

Best wishes!!!!!!!!!