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Dedicated October 2021

Buying a used dress online and getting alterations?

Elizabeth, on September 16, 2019 at 4:24 PM Posted in Wedding Attire 0 5

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I went wedding dress shopping over the weekend and didn't really like anything. I went to two shops and everything was meh, but I did pick up on aspects I like/want. I really liked a beaded and sparkly bodice, looked best in a dropped waist style, and preferred having some netting/tulle at the bottom for a lightness of the skirt rather than too much poof.

I felt very disillusioned after my shopping trip, but afterwards I looked on stillwhite.com and found something that ticks all my boxes, is in my size and budget, has a corset back (something I really wanted but wasn't a deal breaker if it didn't have), and is being sold by someone exactly my height. Two main issues- it was altered to a C-cup while I'm 32B/34A and it's overseas. Is this something I should take a risk on? And how much might alterations be if I need the cups reduced? I figure the corset back will be forgiving if the waist is not 100%, but should I stress about the bust being too big? Or since I'm small on top, would I likely need that adjusted in almost any dress I get? And anyone have a rough idea of how much shipping from the UK to Texas might be?

I can't afford to drop a lot of money on a dress and buying used seems like the best way to get something I actually love that's in my budget. But buying online also seems nerve-wracking because what if it's awful? Any thoughts?

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5 Comments

VIP September 2019
Yam · on September 16, 2019 at 5:17 PM
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Lots of brides do it! Sounds safe to me. I bought my sample dress online and I’ve even sold a dress regret online. It just makes sense to buy something closer to your measurements. Hems are expensive and so is taking in the sides of a dress. That corset back could save you a lot of money. Cups literally cost me $20, cheapest part of alterations. Even if you reduce the bust it’s still going to be cheaper than the alterations of a brand new dress. I say go for it.
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Savvy April 2021
· on September 16, 2019 at 5:20 PM
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I don’t know how much help I can be, but I’m in the process of purchasing a dress from someone in the U.K. as well. I live in Virginia. The seller looked up Royal Mail and it’s quoting her £70 for shipping to Virginia (And of course, this depends on the weight of the dress. The dress I’m looking at is fairly light weight and not a traditional wedding dress). But the seller is also looking at other places that will ship for £40-45. I’ll find out more later as I’ll be getting updates from the seller.
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Super April 2021
Izzykern · on September 16, 2019 at 5:45 PM
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I bought my dresses on stillwhite.com too! One of them was brand new but the other was used and in perfect condition. I say go for it! Totally worth it for me! I don’t think it would be a big issue to take it in more in the busy area, especially since it’s hemmed to the right size already. I got mine within the US to save on shipping, but that was just my personal preference
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Dedicated October 2021
Elizabeth · on September 16, 2019 at 5:59 PM
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I think I'm leaning towards getting it! I know my taste and my budget don't line up, so used is probably the best way to get something I love and can afford. Just waiting to get an estimate on shipping from the seller at this point. I'm getting excited!
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Savvy April 2021
· on September 21, 2019 at 9:30 AM
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Hey Elizabeth, did you get to purchase your dress from Stillwhite?

Here’s an update on my Stillwhite process: I purchased mine from the U.K. seller on Wednesday. She shipped it immediately and it’s currently in NY. She used Royal Mail and my shipping cost was £52, which is about $65. There were cheaper options that were like £45, but we wanted something in between so to guarantee an easy shipping process (My dress is only 2 layers and it’s not a typical wedding dress, so it’s significantly lighter than a regular wedding gown). My seller also gave me the tracking number and that’s how I know it’s currently in New York, (I live in Virginia).

I hope this helps!
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