Ruined the wedding dress i was going to send back

[whathaveidonehelp]

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?

I think that I would keep it, have it cleaned and then sell it. At least you will then recover some of the money spent.

I just can't see how JL will accept it / refund.

If you’ve damaged the dress you are going to have to keep it. Sorry, OP! Can you try to get the stain out and sell it on?

Oh no! Make up stains some excellent tips here. I’d try make up wipes if I were you.

What is the stain?

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

Also, trying on dresses at home needs to be totally dry after a shower, with no products on.

It looks like lipstick or foundation. But honestly, how it got there is beyond me. Definitely my fault, the only thing i can think of is a small bit of make up crumb on the floor or something that smudged when i moved in the dress.

Wedding dresses don't sell at anywhere near their original price, and that's without make up smudges.

I'm feeling very silly and sorry for myself.

Insurance? House or credit card?

You can probably put it in the washing machine on a delicate cycle and then sell it on vinted. Or pay to have it dry cleaned but unless it's silk, it'll be pretty safe to wash in the machine.

Get the dress altered to fit?

I did think i could maybe get some beading on the bodice, and get it adjusted but might that cost even more, not sure how much adjustments cost?

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.

You will have to pay for adjustments on any dress tbh.

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

Sorry, why is this cheeky?! I always order multiple dresses if I have an occasion coming up.

OP, I'd take it back to JL and see what you can do.

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

That's so unfair on the next bride to be

How on earth this that cheeky?

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

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.

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!!

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

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,

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.

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