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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To tell this woman to f off and buy her own dress?

431 replies

charlmarascoxo · 20/11/2012 21:29

I've worked with the same women "Wendy" for around 3 years now, and I am the same age as her daughter "Amelia".

Today Wendy asks me as if it would be possible for me to bring in my wedding dress to work for Amelia to borrow for her wedding. She explained that they were both struggling financially and that Wendy herself was in debt.

My DH has a good job and earns well and we were able to afford to have a lovely wedding and I was able to afford the dress that I wanted. Neither Wendy or Amelia were invited to the wedding, however I have been told by Wendy that they were both looking at the wedding photos on Facebook and how Amelia would love to have the same dress.

I am being a bitch if I refuse? My dress is so special to me and I don't want just anyone wearing it.

OP posts:
coldcupoftea · 20/11/2012 21:37

Tell her you are planning to use it to make DC's christening gowns? That's the traditional use anyway.

Then again, just say no!

MrsBeep · 20/11/2012 21:37

They can look in charity shops and on ebay if they want to get a cheap wedding dress, and then perhaps ask a friend of a friend or someone they know to alter it. How odd they should ask you to borrow your dress.

OP - did she say something like "You can say no if you like, I do understand it's your dress." because if she didn't then she's a cow!

expatinscotland · 20/11/2012 21:38

YANBU. Just tell her, 'No, that doesn't work for me.' Repeat/replay till she gets the message.

hurricanewyn · 20/11/2012 21:39

I'd let her have it. I'd ask for it to.be dry cleaned on return & no alterations be done - but mine is just sitting in my wardrobe at the mo, being useless.

Don't feel like I can just chuck it, but don't really know what to do with it.

OddBoots · 20/11/2012 21:39

You are perfectly reasonable to say no.

Inertia · 20/11/2012 21:39

Just tell her that you're too emotionally attached to the dress to lend it out.

Greensleeves · 20/11/2012 21:39

I'd lend it to her. It's only a dress. Why not get some use out of it?

ihearsounds · 20/11/2012 21:40

Plus if they are genuinely struggling what would they hadn't been able to stalk you on FB? Struggle like the rest of us, save up and have a wedding within our means.

Beamur · 20/11/2012 21:40

I can see both sides really.
I think it's a bit cheeky to ask, but if you don't ask you don't get!

If the dress is special to you, I'd be wary of lending it to someone you don't know - she might take good care of it, but there again she might not.

Your lending the dress might really make a special difference for their wedding, but equally - if you don't have a lot of money then you need to live within your means.
I don't think you would be a bitch to refuse.

SlightlySuperiorPeasant · 20/11/2012 21:41

YANBU, I can't believe she even asked!

YABU to have lax privacy settings on your FB account though.

Viviennemary · 20/11/2012 21:41

YANBU. How rude of them to even ask. Don't lend it if you don't want to.

charlmarascoxo · 20/11/2012 21:41

Apparently she asked because she thinks we're the same size and they have looked on ebay and saw similar dresses but thought they were still a tad expensive so she thought she would ask me first as it would keep costs down.

OP posts:
BupcakesAndCunting · 20/11/2012 21:41

Tell Wendy to tell her daughter to grow up and have a wedding when she can sodding well afford one.

FoxSake · 20/11/2012 21:41

YANBU at all. What did you say, my dress is for my dds to do with what they please.

charlmarascoxo · 20/11/2012 21:42

SlightlySuperiorPeasant I'm friends with the work colleague on Facebook thats how her daughter saw the photos.

OP posts:
Panzee · 20/11/2012 21:42

I really think that some people take the "don't ask, don't get" saying too far.

mamamibbo · 20/11/2012 21:42

thats odd ! i bought mine from a charity shop for £10 and had a few alterations (about a fiver i think) i loved it

Corygal · 20/11/2012 21:42

Blimey. Even Ned Flanders wouldn't go for that.

Decline politely. If you're really feeling generous, given that they are struggling, you might want to offer a bottle of champagne for congratulations.

picnicbasketcase · 20/11/2012 21:43

No way on earth. Tell her to look into renting one.

Greensleeves · 20/11/2012 21:43

WHY is it rude to ask? It's a dress! OP isn't using it Confused

MrsBucketxx · 20/11/2012 21:44

greensleeves you dont get the importance of a wedding dress to most women.

DontmindifIdo · 20/11/2012 21:44

tell "wendy" that you have had a look at it tonight and you had forgotten in your drunken haze that it was ripped and had red wine dropped on it so it's not fit for use by anyone, and that actually thinking about it, you'd rather not give it away anyway. Could you suggest she looks at www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/bridal

Cabrinha · 20/11/2012 21:45

Why are people calling Wendy a "stalker"? Presumably the OP is fb friends with her.
As long as she asked politely, and is gracious about a refusal, where's the harm in asking?
I'd lend mine. It's just an over priced dress. Mine is part of my daughter's dressing up box.
I don't think YABU not to want to lend it - but she's not U for asking.
Incidentally, cost to dry clean it for you probably more than buying one on eBay secondhand. Mine never got cleaned!

ENormaSnob · 20/11/2012 21:45
Shock

That is cheeky as fuck.

I would definitely say no.

Floggingmolly · 20/11/2012 21:45

To those who say you don't lend a wedding dress.

When I was getting married a colleague was determined to lend me (unasked) her wedding dress, which was emerald green velvet.
It took all of my diplomacy to refuse, and she was still a bit miffed in the end.
Some people don't have that sort of emotional attachment to their dresses; I gave mine to the charity shop. I never intended to use it again, what else would I do with it?