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!

I used to get terrible prickly heat on the tops of my arms, until I changed my sun cream. I bought an expensive sun oil thing that I’ll find the name of if you’re interested?

It's too much cleavage for you could a seamstress use some sleeve fabric and replace the lace in the v with something a little higher?

Thanks for the recommendation for the powder I'll look into that

I don't think it's my sunscreen I use one for sensitive skin and I haven't had any on today, didn't think it was hot or sunny here at the Harry gig in Manchester and I'm covered in it

I think you look really fab in that dress! The way you described (before I saw it) made me think it was going to be a bit "hiding a giant loo roll" awful. 😆I think it really suits your figure and I wonder, as other posters have said, that familiarity has bred a slice of contempt. Ultimately though, you have to feel happy and comfortable so I would either wear the dress or expect to buy something off the rack that will be considerably cheaper and perhaps not as well made/fitting? Do what makes you feel happy, life's short!

Love the dress on you. It will be fab with much shorter sleeves.

Piz Buin Allergy sun cream solved my prickly heat problem.

Happy Wedding Day

Are you sure its prickly heat and not PMLU?

Because prickly heat tends to happen on places where the sweat can’t evaporate, like back torso.

Polymorphic light eruption happens on parts of the body that haven’t been exposed to the sun all year and then suddenly we get a nice sunny day. So top half of legs and arms are classic.

This is my explanation as a sufferer, im sure there is a better way of putting it.

I know its a bit off topic but if you know what’s causing it you can prevent it. And prickly heat powder wont help if its not PH.

HTH

In the photo are you wearing the bra that you intend wearing on the day? It actually looks like your boobs need a bit of hoicking up away from your tummy which will elongate your torso.
The other thing I'm not sure about is the skirt. There's s lot of material gathered in to the waistband fir it just to hang straight down. I don't know if that will look better proportioned once the skirt is shortened or whether it needs some kind of underskirt/hoop so it stands out snd shows the fullness and detail of the skirt. That will balance up your upper half too.

Thanks, I'll look into the other thing it might be if not prickly hear in the morning.

The dress is backless so it has built-in cups in the dress. I think they add quite a bit of bulk so I had asked about taking them out. But finding a backless body that offers sufficient support is not proving easy.

You look sensational but if your not happy is there a wedding dress outlet nearby where you can buy off rack and get altered. I'm sure you can sell that dress at a later date.

Another one who thinks you look fantastic in the dress. It is beautiful and you look stunning.

Op I used to work in the industry, hope we can help.

You and the dress are gorgeous but you need to be happy on the day

Are you wearing the underwear you'll be wearing on the day for fittings or as close to? Can make a huge difference to how the dress fits if finding appropriate underwear that fits correctly when worn separately the seamstress could either tack it in place or stitch it onto the dress and even trim the underwear item if it's showing in certain areas - no harm in asking

If sticking with the current dress you could have the seamstress alter or replace the sleeves to a style or even fabric you prefer. Regards the neckline being too low for your personal comfort the simplest solution is a modesty insert could be added at the cleavage line, it could even be in a blue satin to match the groom and bridesmaids? Or (time may be an issue here depending on how in demand the seamstress is and how skilled) the neckline can remain a v but less plunging or be turned into a sweetheart shaping.

If you decide upon a new dress then again time could be a factor.

Find images online of what you are looking for to show assistants, this is quicker and easier than explaining verbally

You won't be able to get bespoke at this stage but a stock dress/ex sample could be available that may not meet your exact requirements but could be altered to suit. Dresses can be taken in up to 3 sizes but letting out is trickier so err towards larger.

Satin and silk is easier and quicker to alter than tulle and lace generally speaking.

Consider dresses that are marketed as bridesmaids or even prom dresses as these too can be altered and embellished to be more "fancy" if you desire

Also don't rule out dresses that aren't in the white/ivory/cream colour range I've had some stunning brides in a huge array of colours

I hope you manage to resolve the issue and have a wonderful day

Sleeves removed is a good idea, it'll change the tone a little, but otherwise you look fabulous in that dress.

You could ask the seamstress advice, maybe they could put something supportive but thinner then the cups it came with.

I think you look lovely too but that's not how you feel so have you looked at Monsoon or Phase 8? They have some very pretty wedding dresses. Best wishes for your search!

I don't think I am any help either as I also think you look fabulous and I can see why you were persuaded by your daughters!

Is it totally backless or just a low back? I have had success with a stick on bra that you sort of hoik and clip in the front and middle and I have fairly big boobs, it just doesn't hoik them upwards that much. You can get ones with a tab at the top to help with lift. I think if it had some structure in the bodice then you might be able to use something like that and therefore get rid of the cups? Obviously not sexy...

This is the back.

The stick on bra sounds like it might be an option, I'm just not sure how structured the front will be once the cups are removed

The back is stunning too!

hopeandivy.co.uk/collections/new-season/products/the-leila

I think I'd rip off the sleeves and hoik up your boobs and it will look fabulous!

i think that’s a beautiful dress as well. The only thing is I agree on the cleavage, the first thing I saw was boobs, and for me, and I’m far from prudish it’s very low cut for a wedding dress. Which is fine if it’s your thing, but for weddings I am not quite sure your tits should be the main focal point, but more an overall elegant silhouette.

personally I think fix the sleeves, add a lace modest panel to reduce the low cut level, remove the pads and wear a decent bra to give you a more lifted shape.

The dress is amazing. Your boobs look great.
The sleeves would not be for me especially in a hot place but the rest of the dress is one I'd gladly have. It's stunning. Your figure is lovely and you will look absolutely bloody wonderful

Where is the dress from op?

You look beautiful btw, and I agree that no sleeves would make it look less fussy

I live your dress and think it looks fabulous - with the exception of the sleeves, think it makes it look too fussy, could you maybe make them 3/4 and straight. They look almost puffy in the photo

Perhaps if you want to keep the sleeves have them adjusted to shorter cape like sleeves?

I've attached a photo because I'm not describing it well at all! 😂

This is what I have, it does have some structure but it doesn't lift you up so I imagine it might need some flexible boning or something...

Boolavard Strapless Stick ON Bra Chicken Fillet Cup A B C D amzn.eu/7z5m5is

But it also looks like there are loads of other options with sticky sides but no back and things that come up further to hoik things up in similar categories that might do it?

I had also wondered if this this sort of thing might work:

perkypear.com/product/cleavage-sculpting-strips-beige/

With the tape as well. The trouble is it's hard to know what would work best without having the dress there.