Anyone had luck getting a dress and letting it out?

I had to let mine out at the hips. It looked just fine! I don't know if the picture will help.

When you say size 20, is that in bridal? I went dress shopping last week, and depending on the designer, I was 2 or 3 sizes up than my street clothes.

I'm not a seamstress, but I think dresses allow for an extra 2 inches that can be let out, which is about a whole size. I don't know if this is a general rule. You might want to ask your stylist or the manager as they'll be more knowledgeable about the dress. Then I would ask a pro seamstresses. Sometimes there are alterations that can be done, depending on the dress design and your budget.

So far, I've been about 1 sz up or the same size as I am in street size, so sz 18 or 20 in bridal.

Look in the seams and seem if you can tell how much fabric there is - i would think no more than an inch total of wiggle room - since you will still need a seam. What about a corset

Ditto Erin. What about a corset back instead of zipper/buttons?

I wouldn't chance buying a size 16 if you need a 20. There's just too much risk that it can't be let out enough for a comfortable fit. Keep looking. You'll find something you love in the right size.

I once had a bridal shop order a bridesmaid dress for me in the sample size because it fit - they never measured me... which resulted in the dress not fitting even though I lost weight between the ordering and the wearing.

We had a little seam allowance and my amazing seamstress was able to fix it for me - but it was TIGHT, I had to work out and eat smartly non-stop from the day we found out until the wedding so it fit, and it was a ton of work for my seamstress! She literally took the entire dress apart and had to reconstruct it. Check with a talented seamstress and get her opinion of the dress.

I had mine let out in March. If you look closely you can see where it was taking out. It gave me about 2-3 inches wiggle room extra but it depends on dress really.

Nooo! Don't do this. It won't look right and puts the stress on you to lose weight. I went to a wedding where the bride did this and the ceremony was 45 mins late... Because the bride couldn't fit into her dress. They literally had to sew her into it that day... It was bad.

No don't do it. I purposely bought a size down bc I really need to lose weight and I needed motivation. So far I've lost 20 pounds but it's so stressful and the dress is still tight. You've got time if you want to lose weight then try the dress on again later do that but I wouldn't but it too small.

I would definitely be careful. I agree that I believe you are only allowed 2 inches by the seams. Many wedding dresses are a few sizes bigger (I'm typically a 6, had to order a 10). I'd bring a picture of what dress you like to a bridal salon and see if they can top it!

Bridal sizes are much different than street sizes. When I bought my dress I was a size 10 but they ordered the dress in a size 14