I don't like my dress anymore UPDATE in comments

Could they make it an empire waist instead of whatever is trying to cup your underboob? I feel like bringing those seams down a bit would make the dress look better. I love the back but the front draws attention to your boobs which don't look amazing with how that dress sits on you. Definitely see if something can be done about giving you some shape in the front! Eta, I mostly mean bringing that point that sits right between your breastbone down so it's not like an arrow pointing up lol. It's such a drastic point for my taste.

I am not sure they can lower it. I talked to them over the phone this morning and she said that the band is covering some stiches.

I also have a rather large rib cage so not sure if there is much to do about my breasts.

But I will bring up these points tomorrow

You look lovely. I can't see in the pictures very well, but can they add an overlay to the front to match the train, that lovely sheer material as on overskirt? And why couldn't the pink ribbon come off and maybe replace with some elegant bling? That might take it from nightgown to bridal.

And as far as not paying the rest, read your contract. Can they come after you?

OP I didn't mean to insult your body and I apologize if it came across that way. You are a beautiful woman and your dress should showcase that is all I meant. Don't settle with this, it's the most important dress you'll ever wear! If you're unhappy, explore all options until you are.

There is no contract, this is a small local store. They can't come after me but I also feel guilty if I just leave them without pay. It's not that the dress would be garbage, they can still sell it, I guess.

I guess, the pink ribbon can be replaced by another thing, more shiny, as long as there is something covering that area.

My first suggestion to them was to remove the ribbon and use a belt instead, but that is not an option.

LillyBean, i did not take it as an insult. Don't worry about it and I appreciated your comment: I do think that lowering the waisted area under my breasts could also improve the overall of the dress and the way my breasts look.

It seems an odd cut for empire waist, but if they can't lower it see what else they can do besides the pink band. Maybe embroidery or beading on the bodice part of the dress ending at the skirt. I think that would alleviate the arrow effect.

In response to your original question, you should definitely pay for the dress even if you don't take it. Maybe you can negotiate a discount if you don't have them do any more work on it, but they have already invested time, effort, and material costs. You need to make sure at a minimum that you are covering what they've already spent since basically it comes down to a style decision on your part and not lack of service on their part. This is not an off the rack dress from David's bridal that can simply be returned and restocked.

If you keep the band, change the color and add embroidery in the front center and add the band as trim on the top of the neckline as well. See these inspo pics

Thanks for your input.

I will talk to them tomorrow about the payment situation in case I decide do leave the dress.

I agree with Lilly also. The back is very pretty. The waistband could be readjusted and not point up to your cleavage. This doesn't seem like a big alterations issue to me.

Thank you Alecia. I have my doubts on whether this is a doable change, but let's see what they say tomorrow.

Ugh, I'm so anxious

Keep us updated!!

Cuervo, I will keep you posted.

When I have this solved, whether I solved it with dress adjustments or by buying a new dress, I will post the before and after.

It's a beautiful dress

Im not sure if it would make you uncomfortable but you could also lower and widen the neck line to give it a deep v. Like if the the bottom tip of the v met the pink ribbon, or was at least closer, it might open it up a little. The back is gorgeous! I do also like the suggestion for adding bling, or an overlay.

ConleyToBe, I would be fine with a deeper cut in the front. Back then I thought if I am already going to show so much of my back that maybe it's better "not to show everything".

I just wonder if with a deeper neckline, I will have enough support for my breasts. Another question on my list to ask tomorow.

I like @Sarah's idea about adding some bling to the front. Embroidery, maybe some beading. You're going to look beautiful no matter what!

Not sure I like the ribbon. I would change that to something beaded to add a little.

Instead of doing that you could make the front a deep v and have it meet at the ribbon. That would change it so much and make it look amazing!

You look sincerely unhappy - I hope they're able to fix it. I wonder if this would have come out earlier if you had put it on instead of seeing it on a dress model - I know that my dress didn't look anything on me like it did on the model - not a bad thing, but it meant that the dress I thought would be my favorite was not