Is this a bad dress?

[Tootytata]

So I bought a dress from a Chinese website (I'm attending a family wedding soon). I only paid £40 because it was a "sample". I knew the fit would be big but I thought I could alter it IF it was a nice dress.

I've shown me wearing it next to the website photo. The lace appears to be heavy, no delicate like the photo. Obviously the length needs taken up (is the model 6ft 5?!). It's also big around the waist and hips so would need to be taken in.

Do you think it's worth spending money to alter? I can't decide whether it's worth doing or not.

I don't think it's a disaster dress but if I saw it in a shop I wouldn't buy it (or try it on)!

I cant see a photo ... I’m on iPad

You could certainly get it altered. If it has a waist seam then you wouldn't lose any of the layering at the hem. But it's not worth spending that much on. You could buy something gorgeous, plus accessories, with a budget of £200.

Something that hugely uncreased my body-confidence after having babies was investing in a pair of Spanx. My body felt so floppy, saggy and shapeless, but Spanx support me comfortably.

Can’t see the photos either

I'll definitely look into Spanx when I go to my personal shopper appointments.

I just don't feel beautiful anymore. How do you feel beautiful after having a baby when you don't even recognise your body shape anymore?

Things that used to look good on me just don't now. I put on 4st during pregnancy and have lost 2.5st but struggling with the last 1.5st. I know...this is me after losing 2.5st!

My middle bit looks so chunky compared to before. I just want to feel pretty again but I don't know how

Also can't see the pics. Sorry op. Re clothes though it might be important to wait to find something you feel more confident about.

I would buy a new dress rather than having it altered. I can’t see the photos but it doesn’t sound great.

I’d look at phase eight or similar on the John Lewis website.

Good shapewear makes a big difference - it just helps to streamline your silhouette and helps the dress to sit nicely. I bought mine from M&S. Make sure you get it in your actual size - don’t be tempted to go down a size or you’ll get the sausage effect. Get the underwear first so you can wear it when you try on dresses.

You could try and emphasise your best bits! If you like your boobs, a wrap dress is usually always flattering and skims over the tummy area. This is always my go to style if I have a special occasion x

I can see the photos on the app on an iPad.

I don't think that dress is lovely on you I'm afraid and yes far too old. Go and try some things on.

Oh, suddenly I can see the photos!

Ok, I don’t think it’s that bad. But I think the style and colour is more drab and dumpy than it needs be.

You will look great in the right dress - something bright and cheerful and maybe a bit more structured.

And actually I would start a new thread, outlining what you have here, giving your dimensions and get the S&B crew to find you something.

It's very weird getting to know your body again after pregnancy.

You look lovely, just not the same body you had before

I never knew there was an app for mn!

Just downloaded it to be able to see the dress to find its come up with a previous user name I used to have 😖

Just posted above via website

it does appear to be quite shapeless but I think if you go to a good tailor & have it altered it's really pretty. Nothing to loose by taking it along & seeing what they think, I have a fantastic local tailor & he is far less expensive than you would expect.

Aww...thanks everyone! I might post pictures of me in various dresses when I go for my personal shopper appointments to see what people like.

I was going to post a photo of myself in a casual dress that I do like so my body shape is a bit clearer but I've exceeded my photo posting allowance for today

Struggling with post pregnancy body confidence sucks! I just don't feel like myself anymore. Who is this person with flabby underarms and a massive torso staring back at me in the mirror?!

Can see it now !
Tbh, if you had loved it on sight you would not of posted so it's not the dress for you.
If nothing else you know you will get honest opinions when you post your pics of your shopping trip. Have a lovely time.

I would go for altering the waist, leaving the hem. As someone suggested, if it could be taken up with a waist seam, you would keep the nice hem. It's one of the better chinese copies I've seen. TBH I've seen some terrible copy wedding dresses, which is when you don't want to be messing about with it.... Get a price, you may still be overall within your budget, and you'll have a dress you can wear. If they're quoting very high, then just get another one, and take it as a life lesson. If you don't feel good in it altered, then you need another outfilt you feel better in. I see your 1.5 stone excess and raise you about 4 stone. Sucky in pants are a marvellous invention but the work of the devil when you want a wee Good luck :)

Search for tailors specialising in Indian clothes in your area. They are often used to making major adjustments and shouldn’t charge you loads.

Not sure why some people can see the photos

This is standard. You can't see photos posted on a web browser if you're on an app and vice versa. Always been that way and no idea why mumsnet don't fix it.

I don't think there's anything overtly wrong with the dress, but I think yo u could find something else that makes you feel more Wow. If you don't feel good in the dress, ditch it.
You have a gorgeous curvy body - I'd try somewhere like Lindybop or Vivien of Holloway and go for a 50s vibe

If it was ironed and taken in then it wouldn't be too bad - don't think the length is a problem with some nice bling-y heels - but the colour is pretty uninspiring although the whole thing could be brightened up with the right accessories.

However, as others have said - there are far nicer dresses out there and this one is just rather.....meh!

I'm sorry op you are swamped in that dress and it does nothing for your shape.
I know how you feel about the post baby body but give yourself time and you will get back to feeling like yourself again.
I also have learned the hard way about these dresses from overseas. The amount of alterations you would need on the dress aren't worth the money and the colour is not good.

Try and order a few different styles online. Or if you can get to a shop even better. I love Ted Baker but I know many don't and they have a great sale on at the moment. I think a fitter top with skater style skirt would be lovely on you. You have a great budget and will definitely get something fab with it. A nice bouncy blowdry on the day and you'll feel amazing

I don't think it does anything for you. It cuts you in half across the middle for starters. I agree with PP, a wrap dress with some tummy draping does wonders. A v neck shape and just below knee length. Bin it off (charity shop it) as a mistake and start again

The dress is nice, it’s a lovely colour and the length is fine. It’s not super flattering though and I’m sure there are other dresses that would make you feel better about yourself.

Post baby bodies are just different. Thanks to two awful hyperemesis pregnancies, I weighed less than I had when I got pregnant 2 years previously. However, my body was still completely different! My ribs are wider, my tummy wobblier. It takes a bit of getting used to but this is early days and you’ll get there.

Gosh OP you have a lovely figure; the dress doesn’t look quite right to me because it’s too shapeless round the middle. You need to make the most of that clearly slim shapely waist!

I like it 😊

Iron it ,put heels on,do your make up and hair and then decide.

I love that colour,it's one of my favourites.