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Help! :( Give Me Your Opinion: To Sleeve or Not to Sleeve?

posted 2 years ago in Dress
  • poll: To sleeve or not to sleeve; that is the question.
    Leave it just the way it is! I like it without the sleeves- designer made it that way for a reason! : (20 votes)
    19 %
    Change it! I like the cap sleeves much better! : (31 votes)
    29 %
    Change it! I like it both ways, but you should do what makes you happy. : (51 votes)
    48 %
    Pop your seamstress upside the head for giving an opinion you didn't ask for! : (5 votes)
    5 %
  •  
    1.
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    Worker bee
    10Ten10Bride    October 10, 2010   Queensbury, NY

    Hi ladies!  I've had my heart set on adding off-the-shoulder, cap-type sleeves to my Maggie Sottero Vogue dress.  I talked to the seamstress about it over the phone, and we were all set to go... I brought it into her, put it on, started talking about what I wanted... and both she and her partner told me that "I'd ruin the whole look of the dress" if I did it :(  They emphasized how beautiful it was and what a mistake I'd be making.

    So, for the past two weeks or so, I've let them talk me out of it.  But, the more I think about it, the more I really, really WANT an off-the-shoulder dress versus just a strapless dress.  It's what I've always pictured myself in, and it just feels "me."  AND I'm getting married OUTDOORS in October (NY!) and, even though the sleeves won't add any warmth, I just feel like... I don't know?  Like a strapless dress looks out of place?

    I need your opinions - honest opinions.  Do you think I'm ruining the look?  Do you think it looks right with cap sleeves?  Do you think it looks better with sleeves?  Do you think I should just leave it alone and be happy with the gorgeous dress I have?

    I attached pictures of two dresses I almost bought that have the look I'm going for sleeve wise... and a painted picture of the Vogue with sleeves... and one without.

    PLEASE HELP!  I have a horrible time standing my ground and letting people convince me I don't want what I want... so I really need to know if this is a bad idea.

    Attachments

    1. Help! :(  Give Me Your Opinion:  To Sleeve or Not to Sleeve? :  wedding maggie sottero vogue alterations Img alfredang.png (134 KB, 31 downloads) 2 years old
    2. Help! :(  Give Me Your Opinion:  To Sleeve or Not to Sleeve? :  wedding maggie sottero vogue alterations Img almost.jpg (64.3 KB, 29 downloads) 2 years old
    3. Help! :(  Give Me Your Opinion:  To Sleeve or Not to Sleeve? :  wedding maggie sottero vogue alterations Img nosleeve.jpg (85.4 KB, 44 downloads) 2 years old
    4. Help! :(  Give Me Your Opinion:  To Sleeve or Not to Sleeve? :  wedding maggie sottero vogue alterations Img voguesleeve.png (282.4 KB, 30 downloads) 2 years old
     
    2.
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    Sugar bee
    ddubzz    June 5, 2010   Los Angeles, CA

    I think you should do what you want!  Add the sleeves... they don't "ruin" the dress at all.  It's not like you're asking for big poufy crazy sleeves! 

     
    3.
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    400 posts
    Helper bee
    aandmklover    September 10, 2010   Mid-West Michigan

    What a beauty of a dress!!  This is your day, your way!! Remember that!!   Laughing

     
    4.
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    220 posts
    Helper bee
    SummerCamp    July 23, 2011   Ann Arbor, MI

    Love the cap sleeves.  i'm so over the whole strapless dress trend.

     
    5.
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    86 posts
    Worker bee
    amlo    July 3, 2010   Orlando

    I am "sleeving" my Milana. The cap-sleeves ofcourse! I don't know...I kinda feel "tube-top-ish" w/out them...

     

    http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?style=S5221CS

     
    6.
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    3,213 posts
    Sugar bee
    heathaah    September 2009  

    Do what you want!  I think it could look nice with sleeves.

     
    7.
    Hostess
    3,884 posts
    Honey bee
    caszos    June 2010   Florida

    I think it looks nice with sleeves but it needs to be done correctly to make it look like its part of the dress.  

    I don't think the cap sleeves that are mesh or lace would match obviously.  I also don't really like that thin beaded strap looking one you posted.  

    I think you need to try to match the material and style of the bust of the dress in order to make it flow best. 

     
    8.
    1,484 posts
    Bumble bee
    arenyth    May 14, 2011   planning in CA, wedding in NJ

    i think it would look really beautiful with sleeves if they were made out of the same material as whats on the chest, silk tulle (?). If it was an off the shoulder sheer sleeve it would look amazing. I know what theyre saying, because the dress is damn gorgeous by itself, but if they don't want to do what you want, maybe they aren't seeing what you are and you should go somewhere else!

     
    9.
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    458 posts
    Helper bee
    starbright333    June 26, 2010  

    I think the cap sleeves really would make that dress.  It's gorgeous without, but the sleeves just make it amazing.

     
    10.
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    91 posts
    Worker bee
    10Ten10Bride    October 10, 2010   Queensbury, NY

    That's what I was thinking, going with that same ivory tulle (my actual dress is diamond white over light gold, so that may be interesting...)  She had suggested that, if I were going to do it, I use the left over string from my corset and bead it and use those strings as my sleeves, but that's too thin for me.

     
    11.
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    2,882 posts
    Sugar bee
    rachaelrobin    January 16, 2011   Philadelphia

    I like it a lot better with the cap sleeves actually! I say go for it. If she doesn't want to make them, go to a different seamstress!

     
    12.
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    149 posts
    Blushing bee
    Kimberly1010    October 3, 2010   New York

    From the drawing, it doesn't look like it would ruin it at all but I am not a seamstress and I don't know how materials work. Is that what they mean by ruining the dress -- maybe not the look of it will be ruined but the fabrics itself?

    I think you should insist on what you want but also be aware they may or may not be right about the end result. If they are good at their job, it's their job to know what will work or not. That said, its your decision of what you want!

    I am also an New York October bride -- ceremony and cocktail hour are outdoors -- reception inside...and I'm going strapless! haha If its too cold, the venue I chose also has an lovely indoor option so I'm not too worried it about either way. I might be too nervous to be cold -- maybe after my heart calms down I will be able to think about the tempature! Wink

     
    13.
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    Bumble bee
    ErinMarguerite    July 2009   DC Area

    Have you played with them in person yet?  Like you and the seamstress and some extra fabric try out some variations widths, placements, etc.  I definitely think you should add them, but if you're still hesitating, go play in real life and try it out!

     
    14.
    Bee
    8,645 posts
    Bumble
    Beekeeper
    cardigan    January 7, 2011   Austin, TX

    I actually think the sleeves would ADD to the beauty of the dress!!! Do it!

     
    15.
    Member
    27 posts
    Newbee
    BridalCookie    March 16, 2008  

    Cap sleeves would be more gorgerous. But your seamstress seems don't know how to add it. I'm afraid if you insist and make her do it, she would ruin your dress. Maybe you should ask for someone else to do it

     
    16.
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    91 posts
    Worker bee
    10Ten10Bride    October 10, 2010   Queensbury, NY

    Yeah, I'm wondering if I should go with another seamstress... one that's more confident and has my same vision.  Bah.

     
    17.
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    717 posts
    Busy bee
    mashka_f1    October 9, 2010   Oklahoma

    The dress is beutiful both ways. What is more comfortable for you?

     
    18.
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    356 posts
    Helper bee
    j.grossman13    May 1, 2010   Harrisburg PA

    get a second opinion, i think the cap sleeves would look fabulous!! also, as someone else suggested-find some fabric that looks like the bust area stuff and pin it onto the dress to mimick the sleeves you want.  that way you can know for sure if you really like it!

     
    19.
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    91 posts
    Worker bee
    10Ten10Bride    October 10, 2010   Queensbury, NY

    Where would be the best place to find deep ivory tulle?  The dress is diamond white/champagne over light gold.  So the diamond white lace is over light gold on the bodice, which is what I'm trying to match.  Do you think I should get light gold silky fabric and put tulle over it or just go with tulle itself?

     
    20.
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    5,018 posts
    Bee Keeper
    RecessionistaBride    January 28, 2012  

    I'm not usually a fan of cap sleeves, but it looks so feminine & adds to the dress! I say change it :)

     
    21.
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    662 posts
    Busy bee
    msduck    August 2009  

    i really wanted sleeves on my dress like you but ended up not getting it because although i really liked the idea, i didn't want to have it made and it look weird. I would suggest not getting it, the dress is beautiful by itself.

     
    22.
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    4,821 posts
    Honey bee
    Jenn23    April 17, 2010   Philly suburbs

    I really wanted cap sleeves, but ended up falling in love with my dress without cap sleeves.  I love your dress with and without cap sleeves and think you should definately get them if that's what you want!!! :)

     
    23.
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    5,511 posts
    Bee Keeper
    oracle    October 23, 2010   Los Angeles

    I think the sleeves really go with the dress - but, my question is - do they look good on you?  Some body shapes/types do not look flattering with the cap sleeves.  Do you think that's why your seamstress is having reservations?  If not, forget what she says and go for it!

    Beautiful dress, btw!

     
    24.
    Member
    723 posts
    Busy bee
    Julialimei    June 2011  

    I think the sleeves look great! I'd suggest finding a different seamstress/tailor who is confident that they can make it work and look good. They should also be able to pin some "sleeves" on while you try it on so that you can get a good look at yourself in that look and make sure it's what you want. Def find someone willing to work with you on what you want and comfortable executing your vision!

     
    25.
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    968 posts
    Busy bee
    BrianneG    June 5, 2010   Redondo Beach, CA

    I like the sleeve look with that dress.

     
    26.
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    133 posts
    Blushing bee
    Stormy    June 13, 2010   Toronto, Ontario

    I originally wanted to add cap sleeves to my strapless dress. I ended up not getting them because my seamstress did not recommend them because of my body shape. I am fairly small but I have a very large bust (I am larger than a DD). According to the seamstress, cap sleeves would only make that area look even larger. 

    It really depends on how much you trust your seamstress. Mine used to be a designer so she has a natural eye for this stuff.

     
    27.
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    91 posts
    Worker bee
    10Ten10Bride    October 10, 2010   Queensbury, NY

    So many opinions!  Thanks everyone!  I am 5'4 and weigh about 110-115 pounds.  I've tried on plenty of off the shoulder/cap sleeve dresses and loved them, so I don't think it's that.  My next appointment is June 15.  I will feel her out for it then, but I have a feeling that... if she doesn't go for it... I'll find someone who does!  Thanks girls :)

     
    28.
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    1,730 posts
    Bumble bee
    Dancy905    February 5, 2010  

    I'm with the PP's who say do what you want! It's a beautiful dress either way.

     
    29.
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    599 posts
    Busy bee
    jackie_t4701    May 14, 2011   TX

    I really like the way it looks with the cap sleeves.  I think it adds something to the dress.  Do you think they are trying to convince you to leave it how it is because they can't make the cap sleeves?  Maybe you should go with another seamstress.

    Stand your ground and get what you want!!!!!

     
    30.
    Member
    249 posts
    Helper bee
    butterflylover    August 14, 2010   Toronto, Ontario

    I actually like the sleeves more..I too have a strapless dress even though i do not like the look..it is not me..so i am wearing a cap sleeve bolero with my dress :) It is cool cs i will get to wear the bolero after the wedding as well and i ALWAYS wear some bolero/shrug/jacket/cardigan with my outfits so it is very "me"...

     

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