It’s time for another wedding dress post! Yaaaaay! In case you missed the first few, here are some links so you can see the whole story:

Leah’s Happy Swimsuit Memory
Wedding Dress Shopping Part I
Wedding Dress Shopping Part II: David’s Bridal
Wedding Lingerie Shopping: Masquerade Hestia Basque
Hestia Bustier Revisited (and Wedding Dresses!)
Le Mystere Soiree Low-Back Bustier Reviewed

Next, I realized I never shared the rest of the photos from the store where I ultimately bought my dress (there aren’t too many, don’t worry). The store, by the way, is called Lovely Bride, and it is wonderful. If you live in or near one of the cities where they’ve got a shop, I highly recommend them if you’re looking for something pretty but also a little offbeat.

No idea what any of the brands or models are, so it’s just an image dump with some quick thoughts:

This was the shape I initially thought I wanted. This particular dress was very pretty and immediately shot to the top of the list of “maybes.” It has subtle sparkly beading on all those lines. It’s maybe not doing my body any favors, though.
This was the shape I initially thought I wanted. This particular dress was very pretty and immediately shot to the top of the list of “maybes”. It has subtle sparkly beading on all those lines. It’s maybe not doing my body any favors, though.
This was the exact color I actually wanted: Blush pink that didn’t blend in with my skin too much. And I liked this dress a lot. But it had teeny tiny, training bra-sized boob cups so I wasn’t willing to choose it since, even if the designer could make it with bigger cups, I couldn’t get a good idea what the final product would look like since it would be so different.
This was the exact color I actually wanted: Blush pink that didn’t blend in with my skin too much. And I liked this dress a lot. But it had teeny tiny, training bra-sized boob cups so I wasn’t willing to choose it since, even if the designer could make it with bigger cups, I couldn’t get a good idea what the final product would look like since it would be so different.
The red lines are where the boob cups stopped and the blue lines are about where my actual boobs stopped. Way too much of a difference to risk it.
The red lines are where the boob cups stopped and the blue lines are about where my actual boobs stopped. Way too much of a difference to risk it.
Ugh hated this. Don’t know why the consultant even brought it out. I hate these semi-sheer on top lingerie-look dresses. So trashy.
Ugh hated this. Don’t know why the consultant even brought it out. I hate these semi-sheer on top lingerie-look dresses. So trashy.
My face says it all. The cut is way off and the crinkle fabric seemed cool in theory, but messy-looking and weird in reality.
My face says it all. The cut is way off and the crinkle fabric seemed cool in theory, but messy-looking and weird in reality.
Cute and so easy to wear, but Grecian is not really my thing and it doesn’t show off the waist at all.
Cute and so easy to wear, but Grecian is not really my thing and it doesn’t show off the waist at all.
This one was a little pinker in real life. But it was too simple and sweet for me. I need more edge.
This one was a little pinker in real life. But it was too simple and sweet for me. I need more edge.
I loved this one, if for no other reason than it was totally different. But the color was so unfortunate. It was, truly, light brown. Maybe tan. It comes in ivory too, but I looked at a photo of the ivory and it completely lost all impact. I also knew that even in the right color, this is something the fiancé would have actively disliked.
I loved this one, if for no other reason than it was totally different. But the color was so unfortunate. It was, truly, light brown. Maybe tan. It comes in ivory too, but I looked at a photo of the ivory and it completely lost all impact. I also knew that even in the right color, this is something the fiance would have actively disliked.
I loved the back, though. It had really nice volume and these long, elegant ribbons cascading down the back. So cool.
I loved the back, though. It had really nice volume and these long, elegant ribbons cascading down the back. So cool.
Here comes the worst one! I think I’m actually laughing in this shot. This was supremely unflattering and the fabric was so limp and sad. Chiffon is not my friend.
Here comes the worst one! I think I’m actually laughing in this shot. This was supremely unflattering and the fabric was so limp and sad. Chiffon is not my friend.

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s talk about the awwwwwesome dress I did choose! I picked it up a month ago and finally took it to the tailor (Sew Elegant in New York City) this past weekend, so the tailor’s future alterations are what I’m really here to discuss.

When I first tried on the dress, the sample was two sizes bigger than I needed, which meant the boob space was actually perfect and the waist was clamped all over in back. The consultant measured me at the same numbers I’ve measured myself at home (37″ bust, 29″ waist) and ordered me a size 8 with the addition of increased cups and a raised neckline (for extra $$$, of course). Here’s a photo of the actual dress when I picked it up:

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And the back:

IMG_1104

I’m wearing my Le Mystere Soiree Bustier under the dress and it’s looking pretty good! However, as I moved around, the dress shifted and the bra started peeking out more and more:

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Why hello there!
Why hello there!

Aside from the visible bra, though, I thought this was pretty much a perfect fit. How wrong I was!

The tailor will be taking in the bodice at the bottom of the waist, taking in the top line of the cups in two places so it rests more closely against my skin, and will be attempting to lower the gore of the Soiree bustier so it doesn’t interfere with the dress’s ability to cleave to my chest. (And if they can’t fix the gore, well I’m going to attack it with my own sewing skills and, trust me, I will make it work.)

IMG_1109 tailor

The blue is where the waist is being taken in. The pink is the two spots where they’ll be taking in the bust cup. This pink alteration will also help make the cups a little more rounded along the top edge. As you can see, right now they come to a bit of a point near my armpit.

I’m also having a bustle put in so I can pin the train up during the reception. All told, the alterations are costing more than half the dress’s price tag. And if I add the extra fee I paid up front to have bigger bust cups, all the alterations together are almost equal to the dress’s original price!

Oof. Us busty gals do not have it easy when it comes to formal wear. Good thing the dress was part of a trunk show and significantly under budget in the first place. I guess it goes to show that if you have a body with any kind of extreme shape, plan to pay at least 50% extra to make the gown work for you.