My dress arrived and it still fits poorly. Anyone else?

Definitely wait until after initial alterations to make any decisions about the boning. My boobs are huuuuge compared to the rest of my body, so I had to order a few sizes up to fit. When it came I was the same way, like cool...fits like a sack. After the first alterations though it really felt 800x better! Once it's actually altered you'll be able to see if the bodice still looks weird or if it works. Personally the boning added some much needed structure and support to my dress

My dress didn't fit at all when it came in. I looked like a whale in it - it was a mermaid and my waist is several sizes smaller than my hips, so it didn't come in at all at the waist. It looked terrible and I spent the 8 months between it coming in and my alterations appointment worrying that I made a big mistake. One alterations appointment and the seamstress had it fitting perfectly. Don't worry!

Lol I'm glad I'm not the only one that felt like a while. My fittings don't start until September. But this has been eating at me since I saw my dress.

Lizzy, I'm going to keep an open mind about the boning! If they can make it look like there's no boning, I'm happy to keep it. But it just seems so prominent in my dress. I can't even tell yours has boning! That's the boning goal!

I ended up removing the boning on mine in the boob area. Part of me wishes I had just used a more padded bra, but I really think that would have been too much boob. I was just trying to get rid of what I call the "boob shelf" look, which is basically when a girl has a dress that doesn't fit right in that area with a structured dress and it literally looks like her boobs are just sitting on a shelf, unsupported. I see it all the time with wedding dresses. So I had her remove the boning and take it in, and sew in a bra.

I'm guessing the darts on the sample are significantly softened from more wear vs a brand new dress freshly minted. I think it looks good and alterations will make everything fit perfectly.

Don't be scared! To big is better than to small! That's a much harder fix!

You look incredible even without the alterations--agree with @JoRocka that the new dress is probably stiffer since it hasn't been tried on. You'll be even more perfect after fittings!

When mine arrived it was huge as well. I can't wait for them to alter it so that I can see what it will actually look like!

Following to read all the advice/encouragement. I have my first fitting on Saturday! Jen, I looove your dress.

Jen I really think it looks beautiful right now! You might like the boning to feel secure when sitting in it. I'm not seeing the pointy boobs either. Mine was way the hell too big and took 4 alteration appointments and $600! Grrr. But now it's perfect (I don't have a photo but will have a BAM scarily soon!) I don't think I have a "standard body" either- my chest, hips, and waist were each a different size. So I ordered the size that fit my huge boobs which don't budge with weight loss, and had to take the waist in 4 inches. But your seamstress will have yours fitting like a glove too. It's a gorgeous dress!

Try not to worry, alterations will make it perfect. My lace dress with boning was transformed after the back was taken in and it fit properly.

Hey Jen I feel the same way about my dress! The sample gown I tried was 2 sizes smaller then what I ordered, and when my dress came in I felt like it didn't fit the same at all and got super discouraged to the point that I just did not love my dress anymore. The chest part is ginormous where if I didn't hold it to my skin I would be flashing everyone and it definitely has pointy boob syndrome too and overall it's a little too loose. The sample was definitely form fitting and that's what I liked, it was just too small to zip up all the way. I just feel frumpy in mine now. I have my first alterations appointment next Wednesday, I'm hoping she can make it fit like the sample did, I've been stressing about it the past few months too. I just want you to know that you're not alone

Thanks guys!!

Ashley, definitely keep up posted. That's exactly how I feel. I loved my dress for the last 8 months and didn't feel an ounce of dress regret (I still don't) but I'm just feeling discouraged by how it fits.

COBride, you are so close! I can't wait to see your BAM

Jen - I think it looks lovely!!! I know its clipped, but if they alter it to look like how it is clipped, it will look perfect!!!! I actually like the "real"dress pic better than the sample pic. Also, don't forget that sample dresses are a lot more pliable and not as stiff as they have been worn and handled so much.

Alterations are definitely frustrating!!! My dress was ordered in my "exact" size. They were so sure I wouldn't need alterations. I thought I was the size down, they insisted I was the size up. Well, lo and behold the bodice had to be made smaller. It was so frustrating. Sometimes I think bridal shops go with the higher size if they are not sure as it is apparently easier to take a dress in than to let it out.

Don't be discouraged! Most of us do need alterations when the dress comes in! Its so beautiful and it will be perfect on you PS.. I don't see pointy boob!

My dress hasn't arrived yet. However, I believe we ordered the same size as the sample I tried on. We had to order up to fit my hips, but I was swimming in the dress from the waist up.

Hammie, that's my issue too. Damn hips lol

And you guys are too kind! The photo doesn't show it well but there's definitely pointy boob syndrome going on lol

Jen, mine had pointy-looking boobs when it came in too. (At least when I looked down, it looked that way to me.) It also had so much boning and huge cups, it was like it was made for Jessica Rabbit. My seamstress was amazing (she's in Collingswood NJ if you need one) and after taking it in from the sides didn't work, she took the lace and beading off of the front, took it in from there, replaced the cups, removed the points, and put all of the details back on. Then, after all of that work, it fit like a glove.

ETA: she didn't remove the boning but by fixing the generously large bust, the points disappeared.

Yup. I just tried mine on again and was a little disappointed. I need cups put in and it's still big all over. I feel really big and frumpy in it. I'm hoping once alterations start I'll feel better.

I think you look great.

Haha misery loves company ya'll. I feel weirdly comforted hearing from my fellow "it doesn't fit like a glove" ladies.

When they took my measurements, I found out my hips and waist were between a 14 and a 16, but my bust was a size 10. There are definitely some of us who would never have a standard size fit us like a glove!

I ended up ordering mine with custom measurements. It came in very early and I find out next week if this worked when I visit my parents. Theoretically, it should be the right proportions, but I'm still nervous about how different the shape could be and whether or not it will fit.