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Savvy August 2019

Wedding 5 weeks away and i hate my dress! Help!

Amanda, on July 19, 2019 at 6:36 PM Posted in Wedding Attire 0 16

When I bought my dress last year, it was marked as "limited edition". I asked what that meant, and they said that it means it's discontinued and will no longer be made. The dress is champagne coloured; and I went in wanting a white dress. I was hesitant on getting it because of the colour, and I told them it was perfect (it was, besides the colour and the size) but that I wish it came in white (the champagne was pretty though). They said "it did come in white, but is no longer being made as it's discontinued". The other issue was that it was a size 12. I'm a size 2/4 in dresses. But they said it could be sized down to fit me. I also tried on a petticoat with it and decided I wanted a petticoat to fit under it, and they said that it could easily be done by opening the seams and adding a bit of fabric (the owner of the bridal shop told me this). So after spending 4 hours there, I bought it (part of buying it so quickly was the fear of not being able to get it if I waited, since it was discontinued).
A couple of months later, after the dress was fully paid off, I had my first alterations appointment. They told me that since the dress was discontinued, they wouldn't be able to get matching fabric anymore to add to accommodate the petticoat. So the seamstress that works there said that she needed to replace the ENTIRE underlaying fabric to accommodate the petticoat. I was pissed, as I was told BY THE OWNER that they only needed to open up the sides and add a bit of fabric. I had to pay her $500 for the cost of the extra fabric and alterations. The new fabric is heavier and doesn't drape as well around the dress, as the original one did, and the waist/drop is different than how it was before because of the thicker (and excess because it was a size 12) fabric. It doesn't even look like the same dress anymore. I hate it.
The other issue is the petticoat. The one I tried on at the store with the dress I picked out last year was soft and flowy. They ordered me the exact same one, however, they failed to mention that the new one would be MUCH poofier and MUCH more stiff than the one they had for people to try on. The one they have at the store is several years old and has been worn and washed countless times. The brand new one I received completely changed the shape of the skirt on my dress. I was not happy and immediately brought that up to them. I was told we could cut a layer out of the petticoat to make it less "full", so we did, but the actual shape still didn't change. With the "worn-in" store version of the petticoat, it made my dress have movement and created nice flowy pleats in the skirt. The new one caused my dress not to be flowy at all and made the top layers of the dress look tight and stiff. The seamstress steamed each layer multiple times and even ironed it, to help smooth it out and flatten it, but it didn't change the shape or much of the poofiness. I begged them to let me switch out the new petticoat for their old one, and I was told that since a layer was cut out of my petticoat, they can't exchange it. I then offered to buy a brand new one to give to them in exchange for the older worn-in petticoat, and they would not do so.
I would classify this as false advertising. Had I known that their petticoat was years old and has been worn and washed many times, compared to the brand new one, I would not have gone with this dress. We've been trying for months to wear it down/flatten it to no avail.
When I went in for my last fitting the other day, I was looking in the mirror at my dress on (hating it), and glanced over to my right and saw MY dress on a mannequin, but in WHITE (which is the colour I wanted, but was told the dress was discontinued) and it was in my size. I was so angry and I said sarcastically "I thought my dress was discontinued?". They said "it is", and I pointed to the dress on the mannequin and have a 'what?' face. They didn't really acknowledge me and walked away. I am so pissed off.
I spoke to them later that day and said that I am not happy with my dress and asked again if we could switch out the petticoat (though idk if that would solve the issue of the heavier fabric that was added). They said they would let me have the old one, but I would have to pay for the replacement of a brand new one for them. It's total bullshit, considering the one that I bought (even with a layer cut out) is more ACCURATE to what the real one is really like than what they have in-store for people to try on. Honestly, they should have a NEW one in stock in their store so that people can see what it really is like. I felt deceived with their old petticoat.
I hate my dress. I am SO tempted to just buy a new one (it's $2200 after tax) in the right colour and size (even though I don't really have the money... I'd have to sacrifice buying other things). 😭
What should I do?

16 Comments

Latest activity by Kimberly, on November 17, 2020 at 10:48 AM
  • A
    Savvy August 2019
    Amanda ·
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    I spoke to my dad about it over the phone today. He said that they most likely told me anything (that the dress was discontinued) to make the sale. He said morally speaking, they are in the wrong. Do you think I could get them to do anything about it?
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  • Cassi
    Super October 2019
    Cassi ·
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    Do you have any pictures? Honestly at this point unless you and multiple people cause a big stink I doubt they will own up to their actions BUT if you really hate your dress you should unfortunately buy a new one. I hate to say that but if you wont be happy in your dress on your wedding day then it's worth the added expense. I'm not sure how you could hold them liable though unfortunately. So sorry this is happening to you! Hugs!
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  • Cher Horowitz
    Master December 2019
    Cher Horowitz ·
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    I'm so sorry this is happening to you! Yes, the bridal shop is in the wrong here. Keep contacting them and don't give up! If they don't budge, I'd look into getting another petticoat or dress Smiley sad

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  • Meghan
    Devoted April 2020
    Meghan ·
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    I would also start leaving reviews and your experience on their Facebook page, yelp, etc. A lot of times businesses will start accommodating when the truth is out there for others to see and can cost them future business.
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  • A
    Savvy August 2019
    Amanda ·
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    I've had the white dress stuck on my mind ever since I saw it. I drove by the bridal shop on my way home from work tonight, and decided to stop in and speak with the owner. While I was there, she asked if I wanted to try the white one on (she could see that I kept looking at it while we were talking). I tried it on and I loved it. It was a size 4 and fit perfectly (it was a little loose in one spot, but a size 2 would have been too small). It seems like it was meant to be. There was also a headpiece that I saw that matched the dress perfectly (I originally decided I didn't want a veil or headpiece because I couldn't find one I liked or that matched the champagne dress... But this one looks so good with the white one. Idk if it would match the original champagne dress I have, though). She said she could sell the dress to me for 40% off. Which is a lot off! But also still a lot of money (and we're getting low on wedding funds). I bought the original dress for $1997 + tax last year. Apparently it was marked down then because this one is $2397 + tax. Minus the 40% would be $920 off. Which would make it $1477 + tax. It's still a lot of money. But I don't know if I'll be happy in my current one with how it looks now, so idk of $1500 is worth it for peace of mind? I spoke to my fiance and he's telling me to ask if she'll give it to me for 50% off instead. He also said to see if they'll let us pay monthly for it again (instead of all up front, but alterations can't be done unless it's completely paid for, I believe -- at least, that's how they did it when I bought the first one) Idk if she will make that exception this time. If it makes me happy, should I just buy the new one? $1500 is a lot of money that could be going towards other aspects of the wedding, that we really need. But also, I am paying several thousand dollars on photography and videography, and if I don't like how my current dress looks, what's the point of having videos and pictures? (My dad says for the memories, which is true). I'm at a loss on what to do.
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  • A
    Savvy August 2019
    Amanda ·
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    Here is a photo of the dress the day I picked it out and bought it (they had it clipped and stuffed a ton in the back of the dress, since it was five sizes too big). The black arrow shows where the petticoat underneath begins. Since the petticoat is white, and the dress is champagne, you can see a "line" differentiating between the dress and petticoat. THAT is why they needed to add extra fabric of champagne colour underneath to go over the petticoat. Since the new white dress (that I originally wanted) is white, that "line" won't be as noticeable since it's close to the same colour, and the dress and lining won't need to be reconstructed. The new dress also fits perfectly and wouldn't need much altering. I couldn't bring myself to take a picture of how it looks now. Smiley sad I knew that if I had it in my camera roll, I would look at it and it would make me more mad and upset. I can tell you, that in the altered dress, the colour "line" is gone, however, the dress doesn't look flowy or have those pleats in the skirt. It just looks tight and stiff.

    Wedding 5 weeks away and i hate my dress! Help! 1
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  • Selena
    Super September 2019
    Selena ·
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    If you can swing it in any way get the new one, I have the feeling you will regret it if you don't.
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  • Pirate & 60s Bride
    Legend March 2017
    Pirate & 60s Bride ·
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    1) A wedding dress can typically be altered up to TWO dress sizes—or it will either cost you a ton and/or totally lose it’s original shape. The store LIED to you about “no problem” with alterations. Several dress stores told me about this rule. You are justified to be mad about that, the alternations costs & and there being a white dress! Write reviews all over Yelp, WW, etc.

    2) Can you get the dress you want from a different store?
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  • A
    Savvy August 2019
    Amanda ·
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    I doubt they'd give me the dress for 40% off if I went elsewhere. Smiley sad
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  • Devoted August 2021
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    Sorry this is happening to you! When you spoke to the owner, was she aware of your ordeal? Did you explain how misinformed you were? I would hope she can do better then offer 40% to remedy the situation. I would do as others have suggested and share what you shared on here on social media. Believe me they won't want the negative feedback. I hope they make things right by you.

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  • Yam
    VIP September 2019
    Yam ·
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    Buy the one you want and stop fussing with your current dress, sell it as is. It’s a beautiful dress, it shouldn’t have a problem being sold. No dress is worth heartbreak and those awful feelings will linger.
    I’d take my dress elsewhere for alterations, I absolutely wouldn’t trust them since you’ve caught them in a lie several times. Don’t risk them ruining your dress.
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  • Sara
    Expert February 2020
    Sara ·
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    This!! 200x this. My little sister is all about holding businesses accountable when they screw her over. She gets results. It's not fair what they did to you.
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  • Kiara
    VIP August 2021
    Kiara ·
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    Your dress looks beautiful. did you wear it?

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  • Devoted August 2021
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    Thank you! Not yet, we postponed from 8/22/20 to 8/27/21.
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  • Kiara
    VIP August 2021
    Kiara ·
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    Yea soungs like me 8.8.20 to 8.8.21

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  • K
    Dedicated January 2021
    Kimberly ·
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    Honestly, yolo. If you can, buy the one you love. But be certain of it before you proceed. You don't want to look at the video and pictures and hate them
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