Prom dress/bridal gown horror stories.

[hatredisnotavalue]

After the past month I have learned that it is easier to buy an AK-47 in this country than a prom dress.

I know this is a very narrow topic, but there has to be others out there who have tried and I mean tried to buy either a bridal gown or a prom dress.

After visiting 20 shops looking for a prom dress, my daughter finally decided on one. But it was a bit too tight. We were told that the salon would call the company to find out if it was available in a size larger and to pick out a second choice. Alas, the next day, neither was available in a larger size.
I really don't think they called the company.
Okay we would buy the first dress and lose some weight.
I anted up to the cash register and was told that only a salon approved seastress could hem it. Okay. I made an appointment to have it done, picking the soonest date possible.. Today I learned that the seamstress does the dresses who are closest to the prom date and not in order of who makes the appointment. Okay...
I asked to take the dress home that day and find my own seamstress. Sorry. I had already made the appointment with the seamstress and the dress was not on site and the seamstress's office was not open.

So meanwhile I had put $150 down on the dress, which didn't show up on the salon's invoice. (yes, I did have the receipt)

The dress will not be done until five days before the prom//making it a nightmare to find shoes and jewelry.

My daughter was in tears.

[yewberry]

1. I ended up having mine made.

I looked and looked for the right wedding dress, but didn't like anything that was even close to my price range. I finally designed one and had it made for me (still cheaper than the designer dresses by far!)

Yeah, it's hard.

[hatredisnotavalue]

2. I am definitely doing that next year

I can sew, but I thought it would be easier to buy, boy was I wrong. I bet your dress was beautiful.

[yewberry]

11. Thanks--you're sweet.

Good luck with the dress drama!

[yellowdogintexas]

3. is there a Dillard's near you? They have great gowns at NOT

outrageous prices. Not cheap but definitely not outrageous. And a wide variety of styles and sizes.

Sometimes you can catch them on sale, too. I have found several really fabulous dresses there for my daughter.

[hatredisnotavalue]

6. No, there is nothing near us...we live in outer Maine n/t

[donco6]

4. You could have worn this one:

http://www.uglydress.com/prompatriot.html

[hatredisnotavalue]

5. OMG/ That is the dress we bought! n/t

[donco6]

7. It's the tiara, right?

Accessories, accessories . . .

[hatredisnotavalue]

8. So darn beautiful....n/t

[Lars39]

9. Some thoughts....

Go back to the store and take a picture of her in the dress so that she can look for jewelry.
Possibly measure the neckline, so she'll know how long a necklace could be.

You might also look to see if there are any bodice seams that can be taken out,
in case your daughter doesn't lose as much weight as expected.

If the dress has to be hemmed several inches, ask to take a sample off the hem,
or to have them take a sample if possible,so that she can go get/dye shoes to match.

Good luck!

[hatredisnotavalue]

12. What a great idea

Thank you so much. My daughter loved your idea. Now we can go to the mall and start looking around. Lars39 you are a lifesaver. Thanks so very, very much. Thank you, thank you,, thank you!!!!!

[Lars39]

13. Glad I was able to help!

I hope all goes well in the hunt! :)

[hatredisnotavalue]

14. No really

Thanks so much, my daughter was in tears, now she is all smiles and just thought it was just a wonderful idea. I truly, truly owe you one...:)

[davsand]

15. If it has to be hemmed could the surplus be added into the dress?

Without knowing the style this is a WAG (Wild Ass Guess,) but could any surplus material from the bottom be turned into gussets and added into the bodice where you need room? Your material would match that way (assuming it isn't a stripe) and that way she could maybe not have to diet herself into a frenzy before her prom.

I dunno--seems like this prom stuff is WAAAY too complicated these days. I thought I spent too much on a prom dress when I bought one for $50 back in 1978...


Laura

[Lars39]

16. I'm going to repost your post to her.

:hi:Around our house it's known as SWAG, Scientific Wild Ass Guess. :)

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. You could get this one

[Lars39]

17. From Davsand:

If it has to be hemmed could the surplus be added into the dress?


Without knowing the style this is a WAG (Wild Ass Guess,) but could any surplus material from the bottom be turned into gussets and added into the bodice where you need room? Your material would match that way (assuming it isn't a stripe) and that way she could maybe not have to diet herself into a frenzy before her prom.

I dunno--seems like this prom stuff is WAAAY too complicated these days. I thought I spent too much on a prom dress when I bought one for $50 back in 1978...


Laura