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 am sorry, I had not seen the style in the pictures means there are no sleeves.

The stains did not seem visible, OP. It does not seem such a disaster.

Well done for your honesty, by the way. All best wishes for your wedding. It will all work out and be lovely.

You look lovely in both of them. I prefer the first one but with a figure like yours, you could wear an old bin bag and look good.

If you like the dress then I hope you manage to sort it out - and I know this sounds expensive - but if you don't like it I'd see if I could sell it and hopefully get one you did like.
I had my dress made and couldn't try it on in advance. They didn't make it as I asked and I had no shape in it but because my aunt was so upset I didn't like it I didn't complain and wore it. I had a lovely day, and I'm not normally bothered about things like clothes and how I look, but even now nearly 25 years on I regret not wearing a dress I loved. (Still had the best day ever though and it isn't really about the dress but I can't help sometimes wishing I'd looked good on my wedding day). Whatever you decide I hope you have a fabulous day and even more important a long and happy life together x

literally everyone does this, your response is bizarre.

I just realised that in the photo of dress 1 you had pinned on that lacy beaded part. I think it is very successful and attractive. If a dress maker put it on perfectly symmetrically for you with tiny hand stitches it would be lovely.

I think there should be some little darts just below your bust where the dress is a little loose. Overall the dress looks as though it fits you like a glove as it is meant to, but a dressmaker could try letting it out a little in the main seams. Maybe try with the right sort of girdle/ underwear first.

Definitely dress A with a lace panel of the front. Dress B isn't very flattering at all

That is a stunning dress!!!!

looks incredible OP ♥️

I don't think the disaster dress is the right one for you. You didn't love it when you first tried it on, and now it seems like you're making it work for you because you don't have a choice.
The back is definitely flattering, but the fabric looks quite cheap - the way you can see the darts so visibly through it isn't that nice. And (as you say yourself) it doesn't fit very well.

The 'rogue' dress is lovely IMO. It looks like it would be much nicer to wear (as in, more comfortable). I'd get that one shortened and go for it - it's also cheaper than paying for the alterations. No way would I pay £350 to alter something I didn't love in the first place.

I’d be exhausting all options to get the stain out and chancing my arm at taking it back too.

The first dress is gorgeous at the back but does nothing for your figure at the front and i don’t like that pattern.
The second dress is better but too big for you.

No it isn't. The whole point of online shopping is to try on briefly and return what doesn't fit.

With the tags on and in immaculate condition.

Nothing cheeky about it. No different to trying multiple outfits in a store changing room. And buying the one that's right.

why? 🤣🤣

I love the second dress, I’m really surprised others are saying the disaster dress! I would try the next size down though (although appreciate you’re probably fed up of buying and returns). I also think it’d be less stressful as you only potentially need to buy one more dress, versus paying £350+ for the seamstress and going to multiple appointments to then wear a dress that you didn’t really want in the first place. If you need to go to the seamstress for the second one at least you’d be wearing the dress you actually want. I’d prefer to put the whole business behind me

There's nothing wrong with paying postage for delivery and returns.

It's still not cheeky. Not sure why you think it is. Do you never try different outfits in a store changing room to see what looks right on you? And leave what you dont want? Is that cheeky too?

The disaster dress is gorgeous. I think the pinned on extras are not sitting properly (as they are only pinned to try to get the general effect) so this is making the dress look less flattering from the front.

Not really the same, you're keeping multiple sizes (when you know you don't need all of them) for days not just putting them straight back. If everyone does it then no wonder most sizes say "low stock" or "sold out" when I actually try to buy just the one size I need.

Even if sizing was consistently correct it doesnt mean all outfits would look right. So it makes sense to try before you buy.

I do too. It doesnt always mean clothes look right so they do get returned. The real thing doesn't always look as in a photo or on the model.

The disaster dress is actually lovely and I don't think would cost much to attach the beading properly (I think I could even do this myself and am not a great seamstress). I would say get some really good - and if necessary slightly small - spanx or very good underwear. It made a huge difference to my dress (which was vintage and tiny - I could only just get it on).

I’d go for disaster dress with the lace.

Sorry, I don't think either of those is quite right.
Send back rogue dress, sell on disaster dress.
Tell us your size and budget and let us help you find something stunning.

What a nightmare. So sorry this is happening to you.

I think rogue dress is more flattering and doesn't look too big at all. Disaster dress looks nice too. Can you just cover the stains with a bit of beading or passementarie (sp?) rather than have that "breastplate" effect of the large pieces of lace? Or even a brooch of some sort?

https://www.coastfashion.com/product/coast-cowl-back-fishtail-wedding-dress-with-puddle_bcc09577?colour=ecru

Do you have a pic of dress A, minus the lace, and how big is the stain,?

If no stain on A, which dress would you prefer?

That lace is far too heavy for the dress, but I need to see the stain for the idea I have. Think you need to disguise the stain to sell?

I think the neckline on the 2nd dress is much more flattering.

I much prefer it overall.