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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect to buy a bridesmaid dress fairly easily?

72 replies

readywithwellies · 01/03/2011 19:42

Bridesmaid, 9, has a bit of a tummy, bmi in low end of overweight (tall). Because of this, dresses from the waist don't fit unless they are huge on the chest (and these are in aged 15)

Can't get a dress to fit her off the peg. I need one that drops from the chest, is reasonably priced (under £100) and colour is negotiable.

So AIBU? If so, where are these elusive dresses?

OP posts:
thisisyesterday · 01/03/2011 19:43

can you not buy off the peg and then pay to get it altered?

thisisyesterday · 01/03/2011 19:45

how about something like this?

worraliberty · 01/03/2011 19:46

How long until the wedding?

Original poster
readywithwellies · 01/03/2011 19:46

Yes I could pay to alter or have one made but that requires more effort and cost.

The Monsoon dress is OK, but doesn't go any bigger than aged 13. I don't think it would fit her

OP posts:
Original poster
readywithwellies · 01/03/2011 19:47

October wedding

OP posts:
Alikersh · 01/03/2011 19:47

Have you tried Next? They do tend to cut on the generous size in childrens clothes, and they do some really pretty bridesmaid dresses.

Original poster
readywithwellies · 01/03/2011 19:48

Ordered a dress from Next aged 15 and it wouldn't zip up (is example from the OP)

OP posts:
Original poster
readywithwellies · 01/03/2011 19:49

Please keep making suggestions Smile

OP posts:
worraliberty · 01/03/2011 19:50

She has 7 months to lose her belly. Is that a viable option? I'm sure she'd feel much better for it too and of course she'll keep her slimmer figure long after the wedding is over.

FabbyChic · 01/03/2011 19:51

Have you tried looking for some kind of prom dress on eBay? In a colour that suits? Dont buy from China! But one that flows from under the bust would work.

She could lose the weight before October though.

PurveyorOfWoo · 01/03/2011 19:53

How about this BHS one. They have sizes from 9 to 16

Hulababy · 01/03/2011 19:56

Have you considered ordering from abroad - American sizes are often more generous.

FabbyChic · 01/03/2011 19:57

Would she be an adult size 10?

thisisyesterday · 01/03/2011 19:58

my thinking was that if you have £100 to spend that you could buy a dress for £40 or £50 leaving you plenty left to get it altered

risingstar · 01/03/2011 20:02

local dressmaker? friend that is handy with a sewing machine? they would not find it hard to alter a pattern to fit. Have you got a local haberdashers/wool shop? they often have a board with cards of people who do this sort of thing.

Original poster
readywithwellies · 01/03/2011 20:15

OK, not going to tell a 9 year old to lose weight, none of my business

FabbyChic - she is an 8/10 in jeans. But adult dresses require you to have a bust and she doesn't. Also she is 9 and I want her to look like a child not a teenager

OP posts:
jenga079 · 01/03/2011 20:18

Worraliberty - it's a nine year old!! Would you really tell a nine year old to lose weight?

I second the 'local dressmaker' option. Ask in your local haberdashery, I bet they'll be able to recommend someone.

bran · 01/03/2011 20:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
readywithwellies · 01/03/2011 20:23

Bran, that dress is lovely, might take her into Monsoon to have a look. Does anyone know if they stock up to age 13 in store?

OP posts:
Original poster
readywithwellies · 01/03/2011 20:25

Purveyor - thanks for the link. Not keen on the colour tho.

OP posts:
BertieBasset · 01/03/2011 20:27

I had this exact problem with my bm when she was 12. Very tall, had the start of a figure but adult styles were too grown up.

I went to a local dressmaker, tried some on her and we agreed what she would feel comfortable in and what was appropriate. They cost £120 each made to measure and fully lined.

They were also finally adjusted about 2 weeks prior to the wedding as she was growing so much at the time. The dressmaker told me to keep her in a dark room out of sunlight until after the wedding Smile

If you do buy from a shop you may want to leave it until last minute (stressful though I know) or get something a bit big which can be adjusted.

thisisyesterday · 01/03/2011 20:27

stupid question, but have you tried a bridal shop?

slightly diff scenario, but when my friend got married she had her 11 yr old niece as a bridesmaid who is very tall for her age and none of the children's dresses fitted, but they were able to order one of the adult dresses but with a soft flat top rather than the sticky out boob bit that the rest of us had

so it's worth an ask to see if they can offer anything like that

Original poster
readywithwellies · 01/03/2011 20:29

BertieBasset - I hope I don't have to pay that much, was hoping for less than £50 tbh, my dress was only £120!

OP posts:
Original poster
readywithwellies · 01/03/2011 20:30

this - no haven't tried a bridal shop. Didn't go in them to get my dress either, that came from a garden centre but that is another story entirely Grin put off by one I went in once and haven't been back.

OP posts:
BertieBasset · 01/03/2011 20:33

same in ivory?

You could always get it dyed to a colour you like?

same with this from Debenhams and it is in the sale!

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