Help! I've messed up and need a drastic solution

[TakingUpTooMuchSpace]

My brother is getting married in ten days. I am a bridesmaid and have been asked to wear a red dress, like the other bridesmaids. I bought the dress a couple of months ago in a little shop while on holiday in Cornwall (we are in London). I just tried it on and it doesn't fit!!! I got on the scales and I've put on six pounds!

What can I do? Is there any way I can drop six pounds in ten days? I must say my period is due this week and that usually results in one or two extra pounds. But even that won't be enough to get the dress zipper to do up.

Is there any diet I can go on that will allow me to fit into the dress? I can't afford to buy another dress, and I wouldn't even know how to find the shop (even assuming they would still have the dress in stock and allow me to swap it for a bigger size). I can't wear any spandex-type thing under the dress because it has spaghetti straps and a wrap-round type skirt that 'opens' when I walk so would show anything falling just above the knee.

I don't mind if the diet is drastic - it would just be a mean to an end. A temporary measure. Please help! I feel so stupid. Thank you.

Have you tried some kind of shapewear underneath it. It might just pull you in enough?

Yes you could lose six pounds in that time frame but what if you don’t? The day before and you try it in and it’s still too tight?

Better to find it the next size up now or find another similar dress that does fit but is the same colour.

Fasting is great for weight loss but I would size up in the dress

A seamstress may be able to find a way to let it out a little bit, it can be done. I nearly had it done with my wedding dress but in the end bought new.

Have you tried eBay for a dress in the larger size?

Just get the dress to a good seamstress and ask them if they can do something.

All I can tell you is I have had two bouts of noro/stomach bug in the last two years. The first time I lost 9 lbs and the second I lost 6lbs.

What you choose to do with that information is your own issue...

Seriously, could you have it altered? Or a panel inserted?

Can you get it taken out instead? I know nothing about sewing btw so no idea if that type dress can be adjusted.

@DontBuyANewMumCashmere

All I can tell you is I have had two bouts of noro/stomach bug in the last two years. The first time I lost 9 lbs and the second I lost 6lbs.

What you choose to do with that information is your own issue...

Seriously, could you have it altered? Or a panel inserted?

Yep, time to leave a piece of salmon in a warm car for the day then eat it for dinner

Yes, quite possible. Not a recipe for long term loss I should add and assuming you don't have medical issues that would make it dangerous eg diabetes.

There's a a diet once publicised by British heart foundation and I lost 10 pounds in a fortnight - basically very strict calorie control, 4 oz lean meat, a small amount of carbs (2oz I think) and lots of green veg for the dinners then salad (no carbs other than the veg) with low fat protein eg tuna for lunch and lemon juice for a dressing, breakfast was boiled eggs, no carbs.

I also lost a similar amount on Jenny Craig, in the first month I lost over a stone - prepackaged meals exclusively plus fruit and veg. Best of luck, remember lots of water, green tea etc and no booze as a good starting point

Does six pounds make that much difference? I've lost 10lbs over the last year but my clothes still fit, except maybe for ones that were already a bit big.

Do you just need any red dress?

How red is the dress OP? I really would try and get a new one or get your current one altered so you aren’t stressing about trying to fit into it. Anyone you could borrow one from? Maybe wear shape wear and pin the skirt so it doesn’t fall open?

How red is the dress? This asos one is nice and bridesmaidy and £35

www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-button-front-pleated-cami-midi-dress-with-drawstring-waist-in-oxblood/prd/200492369?colourwayid=200492372&cid=8799

jaduncan.com/2006/04/how-i-lost-stone-in-week.html?m=1

This works!

Sorry didn’t meant to ask how red the dress is twice

Could you wear something over the dress to hide the fact the zipper doesn’t go right up, like a red jacket or red shrug?

@Howmanysleepsnow

jaduncan.com/2006/04/how-i-lost-stone-in-week.html?m=1

This works!

That looks like torture.

I have lost that amount of weight in 10 days doing keto - no carbs or sugar.
But tbh, if the dress won't even do up, that sounds like more than 6lbs.
Meanwhile, I don't understand why you can't track the shop down? You must know where you went to in Cornwall, you could check out the name of the town or village and then check it's shops. You could check the High Street on Google and see if you recognise it. You could check the receipt. You could check your bank statement.
You could look at the label in dress and track down stockists. You have the internet at your disposal!

Alternatively ,you live in London, you could buy another dress easily.

Yeah, if you cut carbs completely you'll probably be able to drop 4-5 lbs in just water weight, than probably can drop another 2-4 lbs from exercise + calorie restriction. The water weight will come back when you start eating carbs again but I mean this is just for an event right?

Go and get a body wrap, you'll lose your water weight.

Six lbs wouldn't change my dress size that much.
I would get a new dress.

@DelphiniumBlue

I have lost that amount of weight in 10 days doing keto - no carbs or sugar. But tbh, if the dress won't even do up, that sounds like more than 6lbs. Meanwhile, I don't understand why you can't track the shop down? You must know where you went to in Cornwall, you could check out the name of the town or village and then check it's shops. You could check the High Street on Google and see if you recognise it. You could check the receipt. You could check your bank statement. You could look at the label in dress and track down stockists. You have the internet at your disposal!

Alternatively ,you live in London, you could buy another dress easily.

Lots of great ideas, thank you. But I hadn't thought about checking my bank statement!!!! We drove around so I would not be able to remember the town where I bought it. But I know the dates so I can try and find out from my bank statement. First call I'll make in the morning to see if I can swap the dress for a bigger size. Fingers crossed!!!

800 cals a day. Easy done.

Yes you can lose it in time if you are determined to. Better start now.

Personally i'd look for a cheap red dress in a charity shop / ebay / (primark) just in case.

Does the dress have a label with brand? Is the label still on with a product code? Googling that info may bring up places which sell the dress?

Ebay.