Who's up for a wedding dress challenge?

[Ritasdaughter1969]

OK, I get married in Italy in 3 weeks, 2 years ago I bought a dress, to be fair I wasn't 100% convinced when I bought it, but teenage daughters encouraged me - different from last time mum, suits the venue mum, different for you mum....you get what I mean.

Anyway yesterday went for dress fitting, on my own, I hate it. The Seamstress seems to think it will be OK when she's finished but I'm not convinced, but after spending close to £2k I don't know what to do. Wear it, feel uncomfortable and never want to look at the photos or get another dress.

Bearing in mind I only have 2 weeks before we fly out, what would you do?

If I go down the new dress route who can make suggestions?

I'm 5'2", size 14 sometimes a 16 to allow for my ample bust, hour glass figure (as in I have a good waist). V necks and wrap dresses suit me, a line to cover my mum tum.

I've already looked at Nancy Mac and Needle and Thread and whilst I like them they're nit right.

Wedding on a cliff in Capri , husband to be wearing cream suit and blue bow tie. Daughters wearing cornflour blue full length dresses.

Any suggestions welcome please?

I will be back later off now to queue to see Harry Styles tonight, wish me luck!

It's a beautiful dress. And looks amazing on you. I would be uncomfortable with that much boob, even though it does look fabulous.

can you have an illusion neck added just to give you that little bit of comfort?

The dress maker should be able to make it so less cleavage shows if that is what you don't like. They just add some more appliqué lace in the middle.

Your dress maker should be able to add a little piece of lace if the cleavage makes you uncomfortable but I think you look fabulous!
What about shopping for an outfit that feels more “you” but still fancy for after the actual wedding to change in to? A shorter white dress or a white jumpsuit or similar. A second outfit for the evening?

I also think you should have the sleeves removed. They can be taken off up to the lace, to make a cap sleeve, it would be much better as with the sleeves it makes you look wider, without will make you narrower and taller.

I'd get rid of the train too. It will make it less fussy.

I agree, maybe look at getting a little panel/insert put across if you feel it’s too much cleavage?

Those dresses from Asos are not going to compare to a £2k dress, they will feel quite cheep in compasison.

I would say you are more likely to get prickly heat with the sleeves as will make you hotter. Can your daughters have the job of fanning you egyptian queen style!

Easy to add a little triangle to reduce the boob on show.

The sleeves need to go

God that’s beautiful and you look amazing. I agree it would be better without sleeves, then use that fabric to make a little panel for the bust.

otherwise I would wear that for the ceremony and buy a cheaper dress for the evening

Ghost dresses are swishy and romantic but simple and come with a variety of necklines and lengths. The full length wedding dresses (last link) are more pricey and would possibly need to be shortened but there are many shorter, cheaper styles that might suit. If you have a local Waitrose you can buy click and collect from JL so it's quick and easy to try on and return what doesn't work.
www.ghost.co.uk/meryl-dress4-dc07ca-m12
www.johnlewis.com/ghost-letita-satin-midi-dress/p5919806
www.johnlewis.com/ghost-lucy-crepe-midi-dress/p6269558
www.ghost.co.uk/wedding-dresses#?viewAll=true

The dress is beautiful on you.

However, I’d have a panel put across the bust. Also it will be meltingly hot in it.

Was stopping by to say exactly this. It's a sleeve issue, not a dress issue!

Gorgeous x

I would happily buy that dress off you for my next wedding 😀 you look stunning xx

Nomorescreentime congratulations 🎉

Some good ideas, thank you.

Strangely it's not the cleavage that puts me off, I'm old school if you've got it flaunt it, only legs or boobs not both, it's just how big they look if that makes sense.

We get married at 5pm so no opportunity to change to another outfit.

I'll see what the Seamstress can suggest for the arms,although I do need them so you can't see the prickly heat which usually goes all down my forearm.

I think I'll look round to see I can find something else just in case because I won't be trying it on again now until 3 days before we fly and that really will be too late to look

This one the same but with short sleeves?

I'm just here to agree with everyone else. The dress and you in it are stunning, I'd get sleeves removed, I think the absence of skin on your arms draws your eyes to the cleavage. I agree with the previous poster who said the sleeve will make you even hotter. You've got a gorgeous figure, make the most of it!!

Honestly, nobody will notice prickly heat on your arms and it’s more important to be comfortable IMO.

I suggested covering the cleavage a little bit, not because cleavage is an issue per se (it’s fabulous!!) but more because I think it would change the proportions visually. Also because it would enable a more structured bra that may make the boobs more lifted and separated?

I think the dress would be stunning without sleeves altogether. You have a cracking figure!

That dress is gorgeous and you look amazing in it. You have a cracking set of boobs and the dress is very flattering on you - apart from the sleeves!

Can you finish the sleeves at the elbow and keep them more fitted?

Take an antihistamine (non sedating like cetirizine) after lunch and you are less likely to have prickly heat.

I agree with previous posters about the sleeves – get these shortened/ removed, and the dress will look better.

If you were ok with a shorter (as in not a floor-length dress) – I love my Bombshell dress, and I can see from the pictures on this one that women have used this one as a wedding dress. It has sleeves.

There are some other dresses on John Lewis that have sleeves if that is a dealbreaker – like this one.

Good luck!

I'd take the sleeves off. That's it. The dress is lovely on you

Strangely it's not the cleavage that puts me off, I'm old school if you've got it flaunt it, only legs or boobs not both, it's just how big they look if that makes sense.

Then look at alternative bras. They can make a massive difference to how you look.

My opinion after reading your comments is to have the sleeves altered and tapered just below elbow. Use the excess fabric for a horizontal panel over the v perhaps double thickness of material. Add decoration to the edge perhaps? Balconette bra for a mounding effect over panel. You've spent so much money already a few more pounds hardly matters and if you're not happy anyway it's no risk. Buy a dress as an emergency to take with you as well - just in case on the day you're not sure. I would like to say you look lovely btw and the dress material is obvious quality ♥️ also a clifftop wedding in Capri (swoon!) Def suits that whimsical elegant dress! Good luck 👍🫂

Honestly wear that dress, you look so beautiful in it.

AVE you ever tried this: It works quite well for me tho I get it on my stomach 👍
Nycil Cool Herbal Instant Cooling Prickly Heat Powder with Neem & Pudina Cool Talc 150g