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Original poster

Wedding dresses from China

57 replies

MamaPizza · 29/07/2014 12:35

Has anyone ever bought one?

I'm on a budget but would still love to have a beautiful wedding dress (Who doesn't?).

I have just been trawling ebay and there are stunning dresses, but the ones I love are all from China and custom made. They sound too good to be true, or are they are real bargain? I know I have to pay VAT, but as long as I stick to under £135 no taxes.

So, is there a big catch or is it fine to go for one of them? Wedding isn't until December, so have time for shipping.

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Original poster
MamaPizza · 29/07/2014 14:05

LOVE THIS ONE

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tigertrainer · 29/07/2014 14:14

Mine was Milly Bridal as well (didn't want to post the name as I've recently nc). I think it's a bit more expensive than some ebay shops but it had good recs online.

I'd also say that for any China wedding dress, it almost certainly won't look exactly like the original model picture. And the more successful copies are the fairly simple designs. Mine had ruching and some gem detail but not too complicated. But if it is about getting a nice dress and not an exact replica, then you should be happy if you do your research.

teachermummy2b · 29/07/2014 14:20

Mama I tried a designer dress on in a bridal shop and fell in love with it - apart from the price! The dress I wanted was not shown on yourbridalwear but I emailed and they made it for me.

So I would recommend going to bridal shops and trying on gowns so that you can get a feel for what suits you and the type of material and colour that you prefer. Also there are a few wedding dress outlet shops around where you might be able to pick up a bargain - worth a try!

betold · 29/07/2014 14:22

Re: what suits a big bust, i'd stay clear of strapless if you're a large cup size, there are very limited numbers of strapless bras available and you won't know when you're buying online if you can get something that will be covered by the dress.

I like the look of the V neck one you posted, good style for a larger bust and the band across the waist would nip you in.

Have you thought about buying a standard size online and budgeting for alterations in the UK? You could order a size up and be confident it would fit? Not sure what the cost would be...

I looked at a lot of these sites when shopping to be a bridesmaid, lots of online feedback talking about getting hit for import tax and having to pay for alterations - could end up a lot more expensive.

We ended up getting dresses made in the UK by a dressmaker who did copies of a well known brand. She probably got them made up in China but it was less risky and felt better for us to do that.

Good luck and congratulations, your wedding plans sound lovely!

Original poster
MamaPizza · 29/07/2014 14:24

I think I'm going for either Milly Bridal or Yourbridalwear, thanks for the suggestions. I'm finding loads of beautiful dresses and all affordable and you are vouching for the quality so it should look fab.

The limit should be about £200, but there is plenty of choice, like this one.

Only 142 sleeps to go Grin

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Original poster
MamaPizza · 29/07/2014 14:28

Cross post again...

Teachermummy, will probably do it in the next weeks. I'm also a teacher and got plenty of time on my hands.

Betold, yes I know hence I'd rather have something with straps. Will keep looking on Milly bridal and yourbridalwear. It is limiting, but as you say the V neck one should help keep them in place. And thanks, can't wait to be a snow princess (or the evil snow queen Wink)

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Original poster
MamaPizza · 29/07/2014 14:32

Can I ask one more question please?

I am Middle Eastern, so olive skinned, dark hair and dark eyes. White would be ideal for the snow, but I assume Ivory or Champagne would suit my skin colour better? What colour should I go for?

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tigertrainer · 29/07/2014 14:39

I was lucky and didn't get charged customs/taxes but I knew it was a possibility (and I've been charged on other imported stuff) so best to budget for that. If I'd needed alterations my mum could have done it but I'd also budget for that unless you know someone who could do it. Mine had a lace up, boned bodice so it could be adjustable for weight changes.

I have yellow-toned skin and went for ivory rather than white as that is supposed to suit it better. I don't think white suits many skin tones. Champagne would look lovely against a snowy background. But I'd try on some real life dresses in stores to get a real idea.

SadEyedLady · 29/07/2014 14:41

cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190754313732&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:GB:1123

This was the actual dress I got. It was posed on a model when I bought it, so looked better than this pic! It is a simple dress that laced up the back, so less to go wrong than a more complicated dress, I think. There are lots in this ebay store though, so lots of other styles to choose from.

momb · 29/07/2014 14:42

Go and try on dresses somewhere to choose colour and shape: very often people end up with something quite different to what they expect.
...and please get the lace overlay as a jacket/bolero rather than attached to the dress. if you are going to do this get a sleeveless/strappy dress and wear something over it.

Original poster
MamaPizza · 29/07/2014 14:58

Tiger, that's a bargain of a dress! I would have to tell DPs sister the truth if I needed adjusting, but would rather not as then it would make the rounds in the family pretty fast...

I will get a warm and furry jacket / bolero. As I said, I should expect -30 degrees. Wedding is at 5pm, so after sundown so even colder potentially. The hotel itself will be warm and cosy, but the wedding is outside right in the snow by a log fire.

I just like lace over the arms as my upper arms aren't the prettiest. My legs are, but a short dress just wouldn't work in the snow plus I always dreamt of a big, over the top princess dress.

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Original poster
MamaPizza · 29/07/2014 14:58

I feel a bit bad trying on dresses without the intention of buying in a shop, but it seems like common practice?

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teachermummy2b · 29/07/2014 15:57

Mama your wedding dress is pretty important to be fair - and how will you know what suits you until you try dresses on? I thought I wanted a really plain and simple dress, but then felt it didn't look special enough - if I'd ordered a plain dress I would have felt disappointed.

SistersOfPercy · 29/07/2014 19:33

My BF had her dress from China, it was lovely! Also, DD's prom dress came from there, it looked stunning, fit perfectly and she loved it. It was £40.

momb · 29/07/2014 22:22

The dress you love is a Mori Lee 1851. The photo on the Chinese website is lifted from the designer so they haven't actually made one before. It may look amazing but don't expect them to look exactly like the photos if they don't have one of their own to post.

I'm not necessarily saying don't do it. Just pick a style which they can't mess up: honestly, buy the lace over bit separately.
www.thebrokeassbride.com/2011/07/chinese-made-wedding-gown-review/
www.hitched.co.uk/chat/forums/t/299112.aspx
A couple of mixed/honest reviews here.

I'm actually pleased with mine for the price I paid, but it is taking a lot of work for it to be wearable. I am very aware that I couldn't by the fabric for the same money in the UK. The dresses you love are very complex, which may be (are to me) a red flag that you may be disappointed.
Good hunting

RevealTheHiddenBeach · 30/07/2014 09:50

My dress is a Mori Lee. I tried it on in a store and loved it, and ended up finding it online second hand, so the dress cost me £250 delivered and needed no alterations (well, currently making decisions about the train, but that's a different story!!).

I would say go and try the dress on in a store, and if it's the one you want, you have the time to keep searching for it online. The June and July weddings who aren't emotionally attached will probably be putting dresses up for sale around about now...

Rainicorn · 30/07/2014 09:59

My sister got hers from China. It didn't fit her very well, was far too big so she had to take it to a,seamstress to have it taken in. The lace wasn't lace at all but voile with machine stitching on it, she had to trim around the edges with nail scissors as it wasn't finished off well. The beads weren't beads, just sequins.

Once she had done the alterations and the trimming though the dress was lovely and she looked stunning on her wedding day.

She wasn't expecting the dress to be like the ones in the shops, she was right so she wasn't disappointed. You get what you pay for I suppose.

upupupandaway · 30/07/2014 10:16

There are some really stunning prom dresses for under £100. You could remove/add or alter any embellishment's to suit your taste.

Allbymyselfagain · 31/07/2014 23:53

Weirdly i went to two wedding last year with the same wedding dress. Wedding one had a £4000 designer dress and wedding two had an £80 dress from china. I actually thought the chinese one was better made and nicer quality. My friend did have to get the dress altered a tiny bit which added some expense but not much.

Unfortunately i think with any clothing from china it is hit and hit. I've got some beautiful things for a couple of quid and ive got some things that have gone straight in the bin.

Mouse1234 · 01/08/2014 00:01

Hi, my sister, cousin and a friend all bought wedding dresses from lightinthebox.com. Bridesmaid dresses were also from here. The quality was good for what you pay, they fitted well (you provide your measurements) and all were very pleased with them. Hope that helps.

Original poster
MamaPizza · 01/08/2014 12:22

Thanks all for the replies.

I thought I had found one on preloved, just been there to try it on but it was too small around the bust area. I will definitely need something either with lacing up at the back or custom made n as my boobies are too big. It fitted lovely everywhere else, but it wasn't meant to be.

Mouse, great website, am looking at some of them at the moment.

Will try a few styles on in a shop in town next week and then decide what to go for and order online on one of the recommended sites here.

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Original poster
MamaPizza · 04/08/2014 16:07

UPDATE

I've visited a local shop and found a dress that fits perfectly!

And guess what - It's a standard stock one from China for a fraction of the price. I have found all her dresses on China ebay, so I can only assume she gets them from there and sells them for 3x as much.

So, with that in mind, the dress being standard stock and a few sellers having it in offer - I can't really go wrong getting it from ebay, right?

Here is the link for anyone who wants a nosey. I felt and looked proper princessy and she had the ivory version which looked fab on my skin tone.

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upupupandaway · 04/08/2014 22:02

Bostin!

jendot2 · 05/08/2014 08:23

Wow looks lovely.

My dress came from China and was stunning :) no problems with fit or quality and speedy delivery.

honeypie10 · 06/08/2014 13:37

Op. If your 100% sure that she gets her stock from the same place as you have found it cheaper then go ahead, But please make sure that its the same place.

Im a dressmaker and If i had a pound for everytime someone has called me up in tears saying the dress they had ordered from china/ thailand/ singapore/ and yes even millys bridal. Id be sitting on a fortune.

In reality these sweatshops copy the designers official image. Even going as far as to order 1 at cost price to take their own pictures so it looks like thats what your actually getting. (and thats what it looks like from your last link if im honest). I may be totally wrong but the ones ive seen just the past month alone have turned up mint green rather than ivory. 16" (Yes 16 inches!) longer than needed, and altered the whole shape of the dress which was for a 5 year old. Just looked ridiculous in the end and the lady had to give up and go shopping.

I can understand your on a budget, But id go second hand over here every single time. Google watchdog, chinese dress's. There will always be people who say they had a good dress. But for someone else they will pick apart the fact they use cheap chiffon, or nylon/polyester over satin so they can keep their prices so low. And dont worry about the feedback either, good reviews can be bought on "fiver" so they are all written in english, making it look good for the factories in china.

If your not that bothered by cheap fabrics then go ahead and take a chance, otherwise id open my mind to other designs and having them altered to something you like a bit better? Having items altered doesnt cost as much as you think. Good luck.