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Original poster

Please help me decide

36 replies

Kaloki · 16/05/2010 21:13

I'm getting married in 4 months time, and have decided to make my own dress, partly because I am ambitious (possibly mad), partly because I am hugely fussy.

So here's some background,

  • I am a Goth (no white),
  • have a love of vintage clothing (specifically 40's/50's),
  • the wedding is a small non-religious one and is being held at a zoo
  • I am a short arse at 4'10"
  • and overweight, which at my height is a size 14-16

Only recent picture I can find showing my current figure - it may change, but being disabled ATM - I wont hold my breath on that.

I've found a few patterns I like, but not sure which would suit me best. I do own a waist training corset, so can reduce my waist by about 4-6 inches.

Would really love your help narrowing this down.

Image One
Image Two
Image Three
Image Four
Image Five
Image Six
Image Seven

With the ones with multiple lengths, I'm not sure which I'd go for.

Thankyou for reading through all this.

PS. If you can think of something more flattering for my figure, please do suggest it!

OP posts:
2cats2many · 16/05/2010 21:18

Definately not 6. It'll swamp you.

Re: the lengths- think a below the knee length could work for you.

You look really pretty in your pictures and I think all of the other styles you've chosen will look fab on you.

LetThemEatCake · 16/05/2010 21:19

2 or 3!!

def not 6, you will drown in it

how amazing to make your own wedding dress, you are very clever and will look fabulous!!

eshermummy · 16/05/2010 21:31

Agree deffo not 6
The shawl collar on 5 could look very dramatic and I also think the sweetheart neckline on 1 and 4 could really suit you.

As for length - as it is your wedding dress then I would go for what you want i.e. ordinarily I would say that being so petite you should go for knee length but you don't often get to wear a full length gown and it is your wedding day so imo all rules go out of the window and you should have the dress you want

For some reason I am also liking the cap sleeved rather than the long sleeved option on most of those.

Zondra · 16/05/2010 21:41

Number 5 is lovely & I agree that the shawl collar would look very dramatic.
My favourite is number 7,though. I love it.

Oh,& go for full length.

Original poster
Kaloki · 17/05/2010 01:12

DP has just joined in, he thinks either 2 or 7.

Much as I love no. 6, you are all right, it would be too much on me. Shame though.

eshermummy I'd probably actually put long sleeves on the cap sleeved one, will be getting married in Sept, and don't trust the British wedding enough for short sleeves

letthemeatcake Don't say that till I've finished the dress, it may all go horribly wrong! lol

I need to decide what colour and what fabric to use still.. oh, why am I so indecisive!?

OP posts:
kickassangel · 17/05/2010 02:17

i think no 5 could be great, no 7 looks fab, but hard to do.

have you looked into getting a dressmaker? if you don't usually make your won clothes it could be quite difficult - trying it on & pinning it in place, for example, is vv hard. (i speak as someone who has tried & failed)

if you just say you want a 'special dress' (people start upping the price the moment they hear wedding) then if they are a professional, they'll get cloth at a discount, so won't cost much more than making your own. i got married years ago, and having it made was cheaper than a shop dress.

the pattern will suggest types of material - take it along to a local fabric shop & ask them what they have that is suitable.

what colour? i wanted blood red, but didn't dare!

CaveMum · 17/05/2010 07:15

Hi Kaloki [waves]

Again, I agree that it will be lovely for you to make your wedding dress. I am very jealous as I am useless at making things!

Personally I like 2 & 3 the best.

Do you plan to use the dress again? If so you may be better off with a knee length dress as you are more likely to be able to wear it again for parties or other weddings etc.

Colour-wise perhaps think of deep rich colours like purple (a la Dita Von Teese), reds and blues. I can't help but think black would be too harsh for a wedding dress, but of course it is not my decision .

zippys · 17/05/2010 08:26

Hi Kaloli - I have been looking at wedding dresses over the weekend too. Although as I said before I struggle to take curtains up never mind make a dress!

I think that 3 is lovely but also really like 7 as it would lovely in a darker colour.

Let us know which one you go for.

diddl · 17/05/2010 08:42

I love 5-the collar!
Red or purple?

I love the coat as well.

Ideally I´d want nr. 5 longish but not full length with the coat as well!

MunchkinsMumof2 · 17/05/2010 11:28

3 or 7 def not 6!

DrSpechemin · 17/05/2010 11:32

definitely number 3 - it would really suit your figure as well as your overall style.

OurLadyOfPerpetualSupper · 17/05/2010 11:43

I think 2 or 3 also - but it might be worth trying on a few different styles at bridal shops before taking the plunge.

And one tip: take a pic of yourself in the mirror and compare them all afterwards.

I've avoided several expensive mistakes doing this - it seems to distance you so you can look at yourself objectively rather than seeing yourself directly in the mirror, as it were.

You have a pretty, romantic look, so the flowing, feminine shapes will flatter you rather than the more angular, dramatic ones.

OurLadyOfPerpetualSupper · 17/05/2010 11:46

Actually, no 5 might also be a goer but with a smaller, more subtle tie at the side.

BrokenDoll · 17/05/2010 11:49

2 would suit your height as well as compliment your figure imo.

I love 6 but would swamp you i think.

MrsMeow · 17/05/2010 12:36

I really like number 2. Would you wear the long jacket, or just the dress?

I think it would look fab in black, or a deep claret colour

Original poster
Kaloki · 17/05/2010 12:53

kickassangel It's only partly about the money, it's also that I love the idea of making my own dress. My mum's wedding dress was made by her best friend, and mum made the bridesmaid dresses. Something I've always thought was wonderful, gives her dress more meaning than just it being her wedding dress. And I'd like that too.

cavemum Ooh I'd forgotten about Dita's wedding dress. That colour is amazing!

Looking at that poicture I'm also thinking of making a vintage style hat/fascinator and doing my hair 1940's style.

MrsMeow It would be the jacket with the dress. The jacket is the bit I love best

So it's narrowed down to 2, 3 or 7, and probably a colour like this

OP posts:
Original poster
Kaloki · 17/05/2010 12:57

Also, just found this

OP posts:
Songbird · 17/05/2010 13:01

Don't like 2 at all, sorry! I lurve no. 3, it's so glamorous but looks easy to wear. I like the stiffer dresses too, but this is just slinky and gorgeous. The way you described yourself was very flattering, but you look very pretty and I bet you scrub up damn well

MayorNaze · 17/05/2010 13:02

i like 1 actually. as you're only small think too much material would swamp you

Songbird · 17/05/2010 13:03

What a fab photo, but I think a dress like this would only really work in whites - anything too wedding dressy will be a bit Bride of Frankenstein in reds, blues and purples (maybe that's what you want though, thinking about it )

Songbird · 17/05/2010 13:04

Yes, I love 1, but I don't think its weddingy enough.

mountainmonkey · 17/05/2010 13:16

I love 3 & 4. Think 1 is nice too. Not so keen on 5. With you being short I think anything with too much fabric would sort of swamp you.

Headbanger · 17/05/2010 13:23

I adore number 5 ... gorgeous sweetheart neckline. All could work though except no 6. You have a perfectly lovely figure - small waist and nice curves - so I think anything that emphasises that (50s, as you say!) will be gorgeous...

Headbanger · 17/05/2010 13:24

Bugger, I mean number 4. I also think that number 4 would need a belt or sash to complete it...

BikeRunSki · 17/05/2010 13:27

I like the short version of 5 - and I rather like that purple colour it is on the pattern cover.