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)!

Monsoon have a sale on atm and I saw a lovely maxi dress in there yesterday, half price, I think it's now £40. I thought about getting it for a wedding but didn't have time to try it on. There are some lovely dresses out there to suit all shapes and sizes! Don't be too hard on your post-baby body, it's done something incredible!

What I would suggest is that rather than spending loads on a dress you'll only wear for one day, limit that in order to invest in some great bras and clothes you'll wear on a day to day basis. Unless of course you've got funds for both, in which case go wild !

Not read all the thread and possibly it’s the lighting in the photo or my phone screen but the colour looks drab.

The style is ok but I thin you need a lower neckline.

Aww...thanks to everyone who said I have a nice curvy figure hopefully in time I'll see that too.

I'm actually waiting on another dress from this Chinese website (I ordered both at the same time and it's too late to cancel!). This one is custom made to fit my measurements so I'm hoping this will look nicer.

I promise myself I will stop wasting money on these Chinese knock off dress sites! I got desperate and thought a custom made dress would look nice on me. Bought the sample dress as a punt...which didn't pay off!

Actually,I'm looking at it again more closely and I've changed my mind,it's too big all over,the shoulder seam is in the wrong place completely.

I'm sure you can find something else that you will feel great it,keep looking!

tbh I dont think its that bad , its hard to tell how big it is on you

We have a couple of great alteration shops here who can do amazing things for very little money

I can't imagine that dress would look ok on anyone. Its a totally different garment to the one on the website. Bin it off to charity and go look at Phase Eight or similar.

Just write it off. There's no way it's worth altering, and it's about 20 years too old for you. Sorry!

I completely understand you feeling shy about a gorgeous dress for a big event though - here are a couple of gorgeous ones from Phase Eight (I love emerald green - it's so chic and confident!):

www.phase-eight.com/product/keris-shirt-dress-206321452.html#sz=240&pid=206321452&pos=23&cgid=sale-dresses

www.phase-eight.com/product/irene-printed-wrap-dress-206687391.html#sz=240&pid=206687391&pos=19&cgid=sale-dresses

The wrap and tie belts will enhance your waist if you're feeling a bit shy about that part of your body right now. I've never liked my waist and have been wearing belted dresses lately and they're brilliant.

Don't be scared of the green! The shirt dress in particular would look gorgeous on you with some heeled strappy sandals in a metallic colour - gold or copper.

There is nothing wrong with your figure OP but that dress is not good. Avoid those cheap websites. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Send the dress back and start again.

Chinese websites are notorious for beautiful photos and appalling knock off dresses that bear no resemblance to the photo.

I honestly think there are no redeeming features of that frock. The colour is draining. The lace is frumpy. The chiffon is unflattering. This material is obviously cheap. .

So many better options for you from somewhere like Coast or JL. I'd write this one off.

I think the second dress linked by crosspelican would be perfect. It's young and fun and would emphasise your waist. I can say this because I have a very similar dress and no waist whatsoever (never have had!) but somehow it gives me a waist and is very flattering. I would also second a trip to Monsoon.

You know your original dress isn't right

It doesn't fit you properly! With a £200 budget you can get a dress that looks great, fits properly, and you'll feel amazing in!

The dress is not flattering. Please don't think it's you. It's not.
Mn is good at this. They'll find you a better dress.

I've booked Debenhams personal shopper twice: once for my DS2 holy communion dress, and recently for a new job and workwear - both times been absolutely roaring success. hopefully you will find similar.

You can definitely do better than that op.

What kind of dress are you looking for? I know you said you want to cover your arms? What colours do you suit?

www.oasis-stores.com/gb/clothing/dresses/lace-skater-dress/070797.html?dwvar_070797_color=19&position=43&cgid=dresses#page=3&productsMoved=8&hideFeatured=false&start=43&categoryID=dresses

This is nice

There's nothing wrong your figure at all OP, but that dress definitely has an 'older lady' vibe about it. I don't know what age you are, but if you recently had a baby then I'm guessing your only in your 20s/30s? The dress is much more suited to someone in their 60s I think

You have a nice figure but that dress does nothing for you. You have a great budget and you could find a dress, shapewear and accessories for £200.

Put it down to experince and start over, staying away from Chinese websites. They're a con. There's nothing wrong with your figure, its the dress.

Your figure looks fine to me, OP. But I don't like this dress, sorry. It's a bit old fashioned and the cut doesn't suit the length so it drowns you.You need something that's going to show off your figure, not swamp it.

This is what you can expect from Chinese websites.

Moltonsilver - is that you in the photo?! Not sure whether that's worse or my dress! Ha ha!

I think after reading everyone's posts on here I'm gonna forget about spending more money trying to fix that dress. I'll write off the £40. I'm still waiting for another dress from them which costs £130 I'm hoping that it'll look nice. If not, I'll definitely fight them for a refund!

Stop wasting money on those Chinese websites and order clothes from the UK that can be returned easily.

I like the dress. A nice summer dress. Its just those creases. For that reason alone I would send it back.

Apolloanddaphne - I know...I'm so stupid. I will stop using these sites.

I'm looking forward to my personal shopper appointments. I get to try on lots of different dresses! I think JL even offer free Prosecco!