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Original poster

Ruined the wedding dress i was going to send back

340 replies

whathaveidonehelp · 06/11/2024 21:10

Oh mumsnetters I'm hoping you can help me.

I'm getting married soon, and ordered a selection of dresses from John Lewis.

One dress arrived in a box, and as soon as i got it out i could smell it had been worn (BO). Took it back to the store same day, spoke to the manager, refund organised. Stay with me...

Try on another dress (also from john lewis). Got my daughter to take a couple of photos but it wasn't right, and was too small. Walked through to the bedroom and to my horror there is dark make up on the chest. It's a cream shimmery fabric. I have absolutely no idea how that happened, but it must have been my fault as the photo DD took had no mark on the dress.

Not content with messing it up, in my panic i tried to blot it gently and made it worse.

I'm on a budget. We can't afford a big do, I'm happy with that but I've just thrown £500 down the toilet. Ive already taken one dress back saying it was soiled and asked them to make a note to ensure it's not attributed to me.

Is there anything i can?

OP posts:
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Original poster
whathaveidonehelp · 06/11/2024 22:11

Just to be clear - i am not intending to attempt to clean the dress and return it. Or lie. If i wanted to do that i wouldn't have started a thread.

Getting it altered sounds sensible to at least explore.

I will talk to JL but fully expect them to tell me to jog on with my make-up-boob-dress, and quite rightly too.

Credit card insurance?

OP posts:
marylou25 · 06/11/2024 22:09

I'd definitely take it to an alteration place and see if it can be let out, wedding dresses of all things usually have decent size seams for just this reason as so many are altered to fit correctly. Might not be as expensive as you think, worth getting a quote anyway.

ThatIsNotMyNameSoWhyAreYouCallingMeThat · 06/11/2024 22:06

My very simple, lightly beaded wedding dress went in the washing machine in a duvet cover after our wedding and came out perfect!

PalisadesPatty · 06/11/2024 22:06

Such a shame OP, I feel bad for you! It shouldn’t cost too much to put some lacing into the back to make the bodice wider if that would help? Then maybe a bit of beading on the front to cover the stain.

Doveyouknow · 06/11/2024 22:06

Having worked in a shop it is fairly obvious when a garment has been washed and you are taught to look out for it when people are returning evening dresses / wedding gear as it's common for them to be returned following the event! I understand that it's a lot of money but it's really not John Lewis's problem. The best you can do is sell it on second hand.

Original poster
whathaveidonehelp · 06/11/2024 22:05

Thanks for the sympathy @StormingNorman , i feel so silly. Such a stupid mistake.

OP posts:
stichguru · 06/11/2024 22:04

Buy the dress! It's basic that if you touch something you aren't buying or will take back you need to keep it clean. Regardless of what happened, something obviously did while it was in your care - just buy it.

StormingNorman · 06/11/2024 22:03

I’d do the best I can with the stain and either wear it or sell it.

It’s awful when accidents like this happen. I’m sorry x

Original poster
whathaveidonehelp · 06/11/2024 22:02

Thank you @Longhotsummers x

OP posts:
Original poster
whathaveidonehelp · 06/11/2024 22:02

I will talk to them, and will tell them exactly what has happened. They might have insurance that covers this kind of thing, although i think thats highly unlikely. Up to them to decide.

I'm not going to attempt a sneaky return (unlike the smelly dress wearer!).

I'm also not going to dry clean and send back, if i get it cleaned then its to keep or sell.

So does anyone know how much it costs to get a dress made slightly bigger across the bodice? Not sure how charging for alterations works.

And i know it is my fault. I have absolutely no idea how make up wound up on there but it did, and that's on me. It is what it is.

OP posts:
Longhotsummers · 06/11/2024 22:01

Have a look at The Seam. They are amazing at removing stains, restoring garments, making alterations. They may be able to adjust it to suit you.

WingSluts · 06/11/2024 22:00

This reply has been deleted

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And fraud is for thieves.

MustBeGinOclock · 06/11/2024 22:00

Viviennemary · 06/11/2024 21:47

It was quite cheeky of you to order multiple dresses. And it's always a risk with expensive clothes when trying on at home. Especially items like wedding dresses.

It is not cheeky. Get with the times!

JollyPinkFox · 06/11/2024 21:57

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MayorOfHuyton · 06/11/2024 21:56

Nancy Birtwhistle on Instagram is the Queen of stain removal, I'd ask her advice

JollyPinkFox · 06/11/2024 21:56

If you're not going to lie there's no point talking to them - what are you going to say? I ruined the dress, what can you do for me? Sweet FA is what they will do then

gamerchick · 06/11/2024 21:56

frecklejuice · 06/11/2024 21:50

Don't most people do that? Not just with wedding dresses but regular clothes or shoes?

Show quote history

Yeah, it's cheeky and the reason a lot of places charge for returns now. Hopefully it'll catch on everywhere.

Does my head in that people think it's ok.

tallegorical · 06/11/2024 21:56

Cross-post with OP - fair enough you're not planning to lie but in which case i don't think there's much point in talking to John Lewis. If you admit fault they won't refund you,

lasagnelle · 06/11/2024 21:55

JollyPinkFox · 06/11/2024 21:51

I'd try and take it back, you've already had one with BO on it, JL customer service is great I expect they will refund you

A lot of effort will have gone into making it
That's really dishonest and not a good omen for the wedding

tallegorical · 06/11/2024 21:55

Really surprised at people suggesting you take it back try to get JL refund you. It's not their fault!

The first one - yes absolutely.

The second one - it's sad, it's unfortunate, but it's your error. I personally think it's in bad taste to take advantage of their potential generosity when you have ruined their stock which they will have to bin. It's basically stealing...

I would file this episode under A Bad Day and suck it up. Try to resell it for a fraction of the price and chalk it up to experience. If i were trying on white expensive dresses i would have no make up anywhere near them!!

Original poster
whathaveidonehelp · 06/11/2024 21:54

I want to be completely honest so don't want to try dry cleaning etc before I've spoken to John Lewis.

Regarding ordering lots of dresses, i ordered 3. When you bear in mind how wild the sizing can be, i don't think that's outrageous. I'm a size 10, this was a 12 and was too small.

And yes, i should have been far more careful. It is my fault. I'm not looking for a way to lie my way out of the situation.

OP posts:
lasagnelle · 06/11/2024 21:54

P.s. They have facenets for this sort of thing.

Heartbreaktuna · 06/11/2024 21:52

Viviennemary · 06/11/2024 21:47

It was quite cheeky of you to order multiple dresses. And it's always a risk with expensive clothes when trying on at home. Especially items like wedding dresses.

How on earth this that cheeky?

lasagnelle · 06/11/2024 21:52

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 06/11/2024 21:41

Have it dry cleaned and then try to take it back.

That's so unfair on the next bride to be

JollyPinkFox · 06/11/2024 21:51

I'd try and take it back, you've already had one with BO on it, JL customer service is great I expect they will refund you

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