(UPDATE IN COMMENTS) Totally devastated - less than 3 months, my dress doesn't fit & can't be altered

Oh no! I am so sorry to hear that! This must be so hard for you, I can't imagine having to pick a different dress. Maybe you can find something similar, that fits better?

Have you thought of wearing shapewear? A good pair can make all the difference, especially if it's just an inch.

I agree. There is some shapewear that can take you in an inch. ? So sorry you have to deal with this.

Wow. I am so sorry! I am wearing shapewear, if you want to try that? I am sure no matter what dress you wear you will be stunning.

How awful! I'm so sorry to hear it. Can you put in a corset back (not what you wanted, I know) or extra panel around the zipper?

Spanx can work miracles, but I'm not sure they can take off a whole inch - worth a try though

If they really had assured me that they would be able to take it out, then came back and said, whoops, just kidding! I would be raising hell in there. I'd be pushing them to give me a new dress for free or at a greatly reduced cost.

Is there any way you can take it somewhere else for a second opinion? Just to be sure.

One inch should be doable with decent shape wear though? How upsetting for you though . Sounds like the store screwed up in their original assessment of being able to alter it

@Almost a Mrs. - I was worried about wearing shapewear with my A-line bra causing difficulty getting everything on/off when I need to use the restroom. I am thinking maybe using shapewear, and getting a different bra (just strapless, not A-line). However, I don't know if it will suck in the hips an entire inch. I am going to try on Saturday - will need to go shopping for different undergarments.

@ Brewedwithlove - this just happened last night, I was a bit of an emotional wreck because I LOVE my dress. I realize I will likely need to look for a new dress, and maybe go out on Saturday to do this. I hope I can get over the dress I love and see beauty in a new one.

Try Rago women's shapewear. It's seriously *the best* for curvy figures. I've tried every brand and finally tried Rago and it's seriously amazing. I have the high waist open bottom girdle with zipper and I'm pretty certain it squeezes me in at least an inch and I'm very hippy. Amazon has a pretty big selection and thorough reviews.

Since the store assured you it could be taken out enough, and it can't, are they refunding your money so you can use it towards something new (if that's what you choose to do)?

Oh no. I suggest taking it to some other tailors. I bet you can find someone amazing that can take out the zipper and make it into a corset. I know you don't want it but it may be better than a whole new dress.

I would definitely recommend good shape wear. I had some and you can definitely tell a difference!

OP, have you tried it on multiple times? I know that sometimes your measurements can really fluctuate with salt, alcohol and your cycle. Maybe try hydrating very well for a few days and watching your sodium intake, then trying it on with the shapewear?

I agree with @Dharma though that I would be PISSED if they insisted a dress would fit and it didn't. They should have known that based on your measurements. Are they offering to give you credit towards a new dress if the current one doesn't work?

@Emilyg - the dress is lace over satin, with buttons going all the way up the back. They can't convert to a corset back according to the seamstress. The bottom part zippers, and has buttons covering the zipper - this is where the dress is too tight. The top of the back that is all lace and buttons fits ok, we are able to button the buttons. The extra panel around the zipper (my aunt suggested this to the seamstress) will "take away from the beauty of the lace and be an obvious alteration" according the seamstress. She refused to do this.

That has to be very upsetting but things will work out for you so don't stress about it. You'll figure something out. Maybe you can get some spank or something and that 1 inch will be no more.

Get a second opinion from a different seamstress

Debra - definitely go shapewear shopping and get a second opinion from an independent bridal alterations specialist. And raise HELL with them for lying to you about their alterations capabilities.

@Kerri & SoontobeMrsBurns - thank you for the encouragement, I couldn't stop crying/sobbing last night - cried myself to sleep and FH tried his best to console me. I still felt upset this morning, but at least I am starting to think of other options.

@BeachBride2016 & Dharma81 - the store manager was very nice, she said I could return the dress for credit toward another dress. She was making phone calls to other alterations managers at other stores to discuss possibilities for alterations that this seamstress refused to make. She is also looking at other dress options, and I am going back on Saturday at noon to see other options if she can't find an alterations solution.

Don't stress yourself out. I would get the credit and get another dress that you feel just as (if not more) beautiful in. Bet you'll find one this weekend

Sounds like you need a new seamstress and some spanx!