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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Is this ridiculous?

15 replies

Lalalalalalalalallalalal · 19/08/2017 14:11

I am a bridesmaid next week and have had to pay to get dress altered - it was only 25 quid (sale price although posh dress!) and I need it shortened/let out a bit/shoulders put up.

Have been quoted just over £200! This is London pricing and I am paying because I need it urgently...

The place has five star reviews but is this ridiculous?! In fairness there are two layers of material and the top is pleated which probably makes a difference.

OP posts:

Anecdoche · 19/08/2017 14:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WWYD17 · 19/08/2017 14:20

Yes that is ridiculously expensive. I regularly get dresses altered and sometimes in a great hurry and don't even pay half that!

Crunchymum · 19/08/2017 14:20

Are you the shoe lady?

Radical I know but did you speak to the bride? No way I would I want my bridesmaid out of packet for the sake of shoes being on show. Or not.

kittens · 19/08/2017 14:20

I would look for a local seamstress, rather than somewhere that does wedding alterations. £200 does seem really high, but if it's central London than that will be why. Areas with asian shops will have loads of tailors that are a lot cheaper and quick too!

WWYD17 · 19/08/2017 14:20

Forgot to add this is in London

Coulddowithanap · 19/08/2017 14:21

You could get another quote to see how it compares, although you are probably running out of time. (Assuming you have only just tried the dress on)

Witchend · 19/08/2017 14:25

Assuming you're the one with the sheer pleated dress...
Not totally surprised. Bit on the high side, but those are a nightmare to alter, it'll be finicky work which has to be done well to look good.

just wear the flats and be comfortable!

Original poster

Lalalalalalalalallalalal · 19/08/2017 14:34

Nah I'm not her! I think we may both be biridesmauds though?!

I have paid, the dress has not been altered at al yet though. This is not even central London just north London. It is ridiculous isn't it.

OP posts:

Original poster

Lalalalalalalalallalalal · 19/08/2017 14:36

I have another fitting this week and have to pay separately for the shoulders... she said about £20. Is this a joke? I really don't have time to go anywhere else either.

OP posts:

ShoesHaveSouls · 19/08/2017 14:47

My dsis paid more to have her wedding dress altered, than the dress cost - believe it or not. It was a beautiful dress, but not expensive. Alterations are expensive ime.

Assburgers · 19/08/2017 14:50

Seamstress here. Depends on the dress. Shortening it is easy, but as you say, there are 2 layers. That's basically shortening 2 dresses. You need it taking out - if it's 2 layers, that is 2 dresses with side seams to unpick, press out the current seams, re-stitch. Then again, with the shoulders, if it is still lined up there, 2 lots of unpicking, pressing, restitching, pressing again.

If the dress is sheer then the inside seams are visible, so you have to do a good job on those, i.e. french seams, rather than overlocking which is quicker.

AND you need it urgently, meaning they have to drop everything for you. So I don't think 200 is that bad, tbh. There's a lot of work in there. I think you're feeling ripped off because of the cost of the dress, which has zero bearing on the amount of hours needed to fix it for you.

thisisillyria · 19/08/2017 14:55

I'm not in London admittedly, but recently paid £150 to have four bridesmaids' dresses altered - three shortened, one taken in at the waist. The dresses were two layers, satin with chiffon overlay, and the bodices were beaded.

The bride's dress also needed altering - shortening and taking in at the waist and bust. That cost £140 (different seamstress from the other dresses, but all for the same wedding), so yes, your £200 sounds a lot, but as a PP said, you are probably paying a premium if it's a rush job.

APocketfulOfStars · 19/08/2017 15:01

My DM does clothes making/alterations. She charges (only) £15/hr as it's more of a hobby but people are very happy with her. She says even at that price some alterations add up to £100/150 very easily depending on what needs doing. Yours sounds a lot but is quite possibly reasonable for the amount of time put in (plus being in London!)

Seeingadistance · 19/08/2017 15:07

Surely this issue is less about how much the alterations cost but about who pays for the alterations?

Why are you paying for this? If someone is traditional enough to have a wedding with bridesmaids in pretty frocks, then they should be traditional enough to pay for those frocks, including any alterations.

BeepBeepMOVE · 19/08/2017 15:16

Thats a lot of work you want doing. £200 is reasonable if it is a double layered full skirted dress. As PP mentions it may need french seams and if there is any kind of embellishment on it it takes longer too.

Why wouldn't you have to pay separately for shoulders? If you get a bathroom decorated you would then pay separately for the kitchen. If seamstress is from London then she will want a London wage, even if she can do the job in 5 hours thats only £40 an hour minus tax.

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