Ok. I need help to find a wedding dress. THAT looks weird written down.

[tethersend]

I seem, despite my best intentions, to be getting married next year, and I need a dress.

I want something very much like this (particularly the sleeves)- I am flexible on colour, but have a budget of £500.

Has anyone seen anything similar?

I was hoping to get something made, but it looks like it might be too costly an option- so any recommendations for a good but cheap London based dressmaker also gratefully received

This says they are called blouson sleeves

Issa Bloomies

I know this is a leotard but are the sleeves right?

www.abigailsvintagebridal.co.uk/html/40-s_-_50-s.html

Anything on here?

www.charliebrear.com/collections/additions-2014

Or here?

I am pretty sure it is 1940s style

I thought a uk 16 = a us 20? Thou I might be wrong!

No, it's down 4, not up 4.

No, US sizes are bigger. A US 20 must be about a 24 I think.

Angryfeet, can't see anything there, but thanks- it's a 60s/70s style I'm after rather than a 40s/50s one.

It's the blouson(thanks!) sleeves that are important, but not sure I could get married in a leotard

this looks pretty like it but mint

http://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/159783979/vintage-70s-mint-green-long-sleeve-maxi?ref=cat_gallery_12

oops sorry for shit link!

or item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?sbk=1&nav=SEARCH&itemId=360786950777

links are not working for me tonight! last try item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?sbk=1&nav=SEARCH&itemId=171147032630

or item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?sbk=1&nav=SEARCH&itemId=171161319955

I've been trawling ebay but that issa dress isn't coming up here or in the US ... I wonder if you could hire that precise Issa dress somewhere?

What about Beulah? They have dresses with similar sleeves here, if you scroll down: www.beulahlondon.com/clothing/dresses.html
Also full length and beautiful fabric.

sleeves are right but knee length and probably too plain
again with the sleeves but too Torville & Dean? also in black
cheap, white, right sleeves again but short
blue, same story

tealish green, short again

Oh, and I've always though of this as one of 'your' dresses IYSWIM, probably too plain and certainly not on brief.

www.shopbop.com/saori-blouson-sleeve-maxi-dress/vp/v=1/1572457680.htm

Bit Morticia Adams?

The back is lovely on that one.

One last failure

rust

www.etsy.com/uk/listing/161803438/vogue-70s-sewing-pattern-disco-era?ref=market

Look!

Surely it can't be more expensive to have it made?

Decent fabric is damned expensive but one would think it'd be doable.

silk jersey as per the issa dress 85 - 140 per meter or not...

(oh, much better prices here)

Thanks for taking the time to look

In terms of the sleeves- it's the deep fitted cuff and then the blouson that I like, so a shallow cuff won't cut the mustard I'm afraid. Ditto split sleeves.

I really, really don't want any blingy bits on it.

The one person I asked has quoted me £800 plus material to make one , so I thought I'd see if I could find something I liked off the peg for cheaper- and I did! But it's sold out everywhere.

That pattern is great, PrimalLass- it's too small for me, but if I could find someone to use it as a base pattern, maybe taking out some of the fabric in the skirt, it would be ideal.

yy, find a different tailor and FGS don't mention the word wedding.

Is that what's doing it?!

Yup! Fuckers anywhere will always charge at least 1/3 extra for anything if that word is heard.