Real dress doesn't look like sample dress!

There is a definite difference in Both A and B dresses. I am seeing 2 major differences,


1. Difference in the neckline. 2. Difference on the thigh area or may be it's called slits but not sure.
For me I like both necklines. I know there is a difference but both are nice. I am not sure how they will manage it in alteration.
For me second difference is more prominent. are they (shop or bridal consultant) willing to alter it?
There is a simple rule that you shouldn't go for comparison but go for the nice dress. I know it's missing the detail but still I would say it's a minor issues.

I feel like “B” gives you a more dramatic hour glass figure ( which is lovely) but it also covers your boobs more. Maybe they thought that was something you wanted ? It also looks like the padding in that are is thicker and the straps are shorter in B which is why is sits higher on your chest. I’d say it won’t be a hard fix in alterations. You look great though.

Both are different but look great. I️ prefer The B look on you. Maybe it’s because of your necklace or your hair being pushed back. The B screams WIFE lol. But It depends on how you feel. Alterations may be the way to go if you want to change it. Time and money but your call. Everything will workout in the end.

Deep breaths. When I first got my dress, I was a little upset because it didn't fit me like I thought it would. But samples are different from your own dress, and this is what alterations are for. Don't worry - if there's anything you don't like, it can probably be fixed. I think it looks amazing on you, and with alterations you'll start to see it come together!

The curvature across the top of the bust line in B is more pronounced from the shoulder to center chest, while the curvature on A is more 'straight'...this can happen when manufacturing dresses if patterns are cut slightly different during production.

I can't tell if the edging around the top of the bust line (an running up to the strap) is a piece of trim or integrated into the fabric of the cup, but a good seamstress may be able to remove the trim, re-curve the top of that edge and give you the straighter look you desire to deepen the V.

That's the only difference I see.

I see a little difference, but how big a size difference is there between the sample and your dress? If the sample was not your correct size and was either being pulled tighter with clips or was open on your back because it was too small, that might account for some of the difference. In the sample, the straps look like they are further out on your shoulders than they look in your dress. If the sample was significantly stretched, and was being clipped tighter to fit you or wasn't pulled tighter because it was smaller than you needed, I think that might account for some of the difference you are seeing. Sample sizes absolutely STRETCH. Daughter tried her dress on in a size 8 and they had to clip a good 4" at the waist, but when they measured her, she was a perfect size 8. I was concerned, but the consultant showed us the manufacturer's measurement chart and it matched up exactly to daughter's measurements. We ordered an 8 and it fit beautifully. It's quite possible the sample was stretched in the straps and across the bust so the illusion was more pronounced and the neckline lower & wider. However, I agree with pps that a good seamstress can work miracles and will likely make it look exactly the way you want and it will look amazing! Hang in!

I just picked up my dress on Saturday and am feeling the same way. The sample was a 12 which zipped but was too snug to sit and a little large on top. Based on measurements and the recommendation of the consultant (and that samples are stretched) I ordered a 14. The new dress is so very stiff and overly structured as compared to the sample and I’m wondering if that’s why I’m not loving it. Granted mine is a size larger. The structured parts of the new dress are likely more stiff/structured which could make it sit higher/different on your body.

I can tell the difference, but honestly it still looks amazing on you. I actually like B better.

View Quoted Comment I agree with Nicole, the second dress looks amazing on you. You can have the dress altered

I actually think B looks better on your figure

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Hi Everyone, thanks so much for your advice, keen eye and reassurance!! I've honestly been thinking about this dress thing all day. As if I need MORE wedding stress, right? Well, I realized that it's not the fault of the bridal shop, but the fault of the dressmaker, Essence of Australia. This particular dress, D2675, is advertised as being a dress for every size, from 0 - 20+. with neither "compromising fit or style". In the pic below (from their instagram), they show this dress as a size 8 & a size 20, but you can clearly see the dress looks different on both - and I don't understand it.

I thought I was getting the one on the left (which I tried on), but I got the one on the right instead. And to be honest, I have a small chest, so the extra coverage looks ridiculous on me. If I knew it was going to look like the one on the right, I would have ordered my OTHER dream dress! I am so angry they advertise this as the SAME dress when it reality it is NOT. I've seen this dress on others, and they all have the one on the right. I'm so confused - and I really don't blame my bridal shop for ordering this dress thinking we're getting the one that looked like the sample dress. I just hope the seamstress can work some magic!

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Thanks! I guess I should have clarified, in 'B' the bridal consultant had already pinned back the bottom (by my thigh area), so that's why it looks different there. I wanted it to flare out a bit lower, but she said I wouldn't be able to sit and my response was "who needs to sit?!" lol

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Yes, I think the curvature in 'B' is significantly more pronounced, but I didn't think about it from a manufacturing/production standpoint. That makes sense. The edging around the top of the neckline is actually pretty hard, like wire, and it also has pearls all along the neckline, so I'm thinking that alone would make any alterations to it difficult - and ugh, more costly. We'll see how desperate I get! haha.

Thanks so much for your alterations tip. I am going to suggest that to the seamstress.

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I ordered the same size that I tried on and the only part that was clipped back were the straps (in the back) but it was very minor. I was lucky in that sense, that they had my exact size to try on - but I guess it didn't matter in the end. =/ I still feel like regardless of the size, it's not quite the same dress, which is so frustrating.

I'm glad the dress worked out for your daughter, though! That's crazy how much the dresses can stretch, but with all the clipping and pulling done to them, I can definitely see how that can happen. I hope my seamstress can work a miracle! Thank you!

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Ah, the stiffness of something new. I just want to take the top of the dress and stretch the heck out of it. I actually want to buy the sample dress instead. lol. Desperate measures!

I'm sorry you're having a similar situation. I hope it all works out in the end for you. I guess this is one of those realities of wedding dress shopping/buying we don't hear enough about. Talk about reality check. Good luck, girl!

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Ah got it. So i think bridal consultant is right up to some extent

View Quoted Comment Good luck to you, too! I keep comparing pictures of me in the sample to my actual gown and while I can’t pinpoint the problem, just think I look better in the sample. You look gorgeous in your dress, but I feel your pain. Here’s to our seamstresses being miracle workers!

When is your wedding? Did the shop call the designer and ask why it was different? I had to send my dress back to the designer because they put the wrong petty coat under it. I know that is a smaller issue, but they designer should get involved.