Should I get a hoop skirt?

I don't see why not? I'm sure they have some on Amazon or costuming websites. Your alterations person should be able to hem your dress with or without a hoop skirt.

Mine is like a ballgown/princess dress and to help it poof I'm using a slip. Have you seen how that looks with your dress? Could be another option maybe?

I got a slightly poofy crinoline/slip thing from David's. it will hold the skirt out without making me look like an extra from gone with the wind.

I would go to the bridal salon and try on a petticoat with the dress. Don't get a hoop. They're uncomfortable and make it difficult to sit down.

Thanks for the advice, ladies. @Becky Yeah I don't have an alterations person yet, and I live in a small town so it may be hard to find one. And the rest of my dress fits great so I'm not sure I need one but thanks for the advice! @Carolyn I only tried on the hoop skirt with it, and I didn't like how dramatic it made the dress look cause it was huge. @pammat Lol! @Elizabeth Haha k I will see if I can try one of those instead, thanks!

Second the crinoline slip. Hoop skirts always look like hoop skirts haha. The crinoline will just give the skirt volume and fullness without making a hoop line.

Lol Does a crinoline slip help with walking, will it help with the length? I just don't want to be tripping over my dress or having to pick it up.

Get a crinoline petticoat. Hoops are for Scarlett and Melanie.

Why not get the dress hemmed and add a bustle?

Sarah, yes. Anything that adds horizontal volume will shorten the dress. You need to go back to the salon and try on the dress with the crinoline petticoat. Don't just buy one online.

I got a non hoop crinoline slip. I don't think I will need to have my ballgown hemmed, it's not caving, and I can still sit down! It was about $90 at DB, and they run big (the top is stretchy).

You can purchase them online (amazon has them). The thing with hoops is that when you do anything to hoop goes with it. Like when you sit the hoop all goes to the front and can be difficult (I've worn one before, and it looked good but trying to control it sucked) they do make different sizes. As well as you can make the hoops smaller but tightening the wires in the hoop

Use a crinoline. They're easier to sit in and move in. Trust me if you sit in a hoop wrong your entire dress will flip up showing your business. Also if you sit on one of the bones it could cut off circulation (I have plenty of experience with that)

They have them in literally every size you can imagine. I got mine off of amazon, they have great deals.

Thank you for all the advice, I appreciate it! I think I will stop by the store I bought it from and try on a crinoline slip like most of you suggested. @Beth Yikes, that'd be terribly embarrassing. lol

This thread has been really helpful for me too. Thanks OP.

@Maria Glad my thread helped you out!