HELP!!! I've now been to my seamstress three times and don't know what to do. I have Mori Lee 2194. The dress is an ivory satin polyester with a chiffon overlay decorated with glass beading and sliver thread embroidery. As much as I love how beautiful my dress is, I wouldn't pick it if I had this to do over.
I swear my dress is a size 8 not a size 6 like the tag reads. My seamstress has taken 5-6 inches out of the dress around the bust area. She added padding inside and I bought a Wonderbra to wear underneath. Unfortunatley, the dress is still a little loose. Not loose enough it would fall off of me, but it sags enough from the weight of the dress to look too low cut and causes my dress drag on the ground I will likely step on it as I walk or dance.
I can't bring in the sides anymore without ruining the beadwork. Because the bodice and hem have embroidery it cannot be shortened any further (no seams). I'm trying to find 3 1/2" heels but can't find anything appropriate (because I'm very uncomfortable in shoes over 2 1/2"). I could add straps but it changes the look. So now I'm asking what suggestions people might have on how to keep the dress UP and keep it strapless??? Any other tricks people can offer that would work with a heavy gown?
My seamstress suggested using safety pins to secure the dress to my bra. I've also been told by another bride that she used velcro to attach the dress to her bra. Other options include adding more crinoline which I prefer not to do being 5'0" tall. The last resort would be to bail on this dress and buy one used.
I'm feeling really frazzled over this and I appreciate any help people can offer.
P.S. For any petite brides still looking for a dress, my advice is pick something with no decoration on the bottom half and if you're going to have a bustle, avoid a gown with layers. It's difficult to alter and a pain to bustle. Stay away from beading and buy silk if you can afford it to keep the dress lightweight.
My gown has an elsatic belt sewn inside. it is attached at the front and sides then fastens at the back. As this is inside itcan be as tight as you want it and it doesnt ruin the look of the dress. It helps mine alot. Hope this helps x
Oh and if you look around normal stores for some comfy shoes you can add bling to them yourself. Look what I did to some very average aldo shoes because I needed 4inch shoes for the exact same reason and couldnt find any nice ones
Hey! Almost Wedding Dress Buddies - nice choice! (I wore Mori Lee 2105, which is VERY similar!) Unfortunately, I had the same problem - even though the dress was done up really, really tightly, it slid down slightly through out the day due to me sweating and the dress being so heavy.
My advice would be to compromise the beading slightly, so that you have lots of leeway to tighten it throughout the day. (I couldn't really do this as it was already almost as tight as it could go!) Another suggestion would be to wear some kind of bustier underneath it to give yourself a bit of bulk and support. I know that I would feel a lot more comfortable attaching a dress to a bustier than a strapless bra!
Depending on how heavy the dress is, maybe you can use fashion tape, at least for the top? Unfortunately, I don't think it'll be enough to prevent the dress from dragging at the bottom.
Also, if you're worried about it sliding down day of, use toupe tape to stick the dress to your skin ... A great thing to have on hand in an emergency kit!
Fashion tape! This is sold online, though I've also seen it at Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond. Essentially, it's the same as toupee tape - double-sided tape that sticks the dress to you or your bra. Be sure to do a test first to make sure your skin doesn't get irritated.
I wouldn't recommend the toupe tape- I doubt it will hold up the weight of your dress.
I think the elastic band inside the dress is a good idea.
One of my BMs has the saggy dress problem, and here is what we are doing:
She's wearing a long line bra (from hip to bust, since a strapless bra probably wouldn't hold up the dress) and the seamstress is sewing a hook to her dress and an eye to her bra. Then the dress can just be hooked onto the bra and held up all day.
My sister did this for her wedding dress (very heavy satin ballgown) and it worked like a charm.
It's such a cheap and simple fix, you could do it yourself. Alternatively, the bra can be sewn directly to the dress.
Ah, adding a hook and eye to a bra sounds pretty solid. I like that much better than pinning. I've already started shopping for a full brazier (just not happy about how hot and sweaty I'll get).
I agree with Rosy, get a good, long bra. The "normal" strapless bras usually fall with the dress but a longer one will 1, stay up 2, add a bit more padding to fill the dress. My dress is the same way, its on my website... http://adaashley.googlepages.com/home it totally sags with a normal bra but stays up just fine with a corset type.
HELP!!! I've now been to my seamstress three times and don't know what to do. I have Mori Lee 2194. The dress is an ivory satin polyester with a chiffon overlay decorated with glass beading and sliver thread embroidery. As much as I love how beautiful my dress is, I wouldn't pick it if I had this to do over.
I swear my dress is a size 8 not a size 6 like the tag reads. My seamstress has taken 5-6 inches out of the dress around the bust area. She added padding inside and I bought a Wonderbra to wear underneath. Unfortunatley, the dress is still a little loose. Not loose enough it would fall off of me, but it sags enough from the weight of the dress to look too low cut and causes my dress drag on the ground I will likely step on it as I walk or dance.
I can't bring in the sides anymore without ruining the beadwork. Because the bodice and hem have embroidery it cannot be shortened any further (no seams). I'm trying to find 3 1/2" heels but can't find anything appropriate (because I'm very uncomfortable in shoes over 2 1/2"). I could add straps but it changes the look. So now I'm asking what suggestions people might have on how to keep the dress UP and keep it strapless??? Any other tricks people can offer that would work with a heavy gown?
My seamstress suggested using safety pins to secure the dress to my bra. I've also been told by another bride that she used velcro to attach the dress to her bra. Other options include adding more crinoline which I prefer not to do being 5'0" tall. The last resort would be to bail on this dress and buy one used.
I'm feeling really frazzled over this and I appreciate any help people can offer.
P.S. For any petite brides still looking for a dress, my advice is pick something with no decoration on the bottom half and if you're going to have a bustle, avoid a gown with layers. It's difficult to alter and a pain to bustle. Stay away from beading and buy silk if you can afford it to keep the dress lightweight.
posted by dmdwed 56 posts 2 months agoMy gown has an elsatic belt sewn inside. it is attached at the front and sides then fastens at the back. As this is inside itcan be as tight as you want it and it doesnt ruin the look of the dress. It helps mine alot. Hope this helps x
posted by englishmuffin 50 posts 2 months agoOh and if you look around normal stores for some comfy shoes you can add bling to them yourself. Look what I did to some very average aldo shoes because I needed 4inch shoes for the exact same reason and couldnt find any nice ones
https://post.craigslist.org/nyc/S/clo/lgi/x/KinsAWSpF3Ad9cHD/vckn9
If you feel you cant do it yourself I would be very happy to help you out or give you some suggestions x
posted by englishmuffin 50 posts 2 months agoHey! Almost Wedding Dress Buddies - nice choice! (I wore Mori Lee 2105, which is VERY similar!) Unfortunately, I had the same problem - even though the dress was done up really, really tightly, it slid down slightly through out the day due to me sweating and the dress being so heavy.
My advice would be to compromise the beading slightly, so that you have lots of leeway to tighten it throughout the day. (I couldn't really do this as it was already almost as tight as it could go!) Another suggestion would be to wear some kind of bustier underneath it to give yourself a bit of bulk and support. I know that I would feel a lot more comfortable attaching a dress to a bustier than a strapless bra!
Good luck! :)
posted by missbean 131 posts 2 months agoDepending on how heavy the dress is, maybe you can use fashion tape, at least for the top? Unfortunately, I don't think it'll be enough to prevent the dress from dragging at the bottom.
http://www.hollywoodfashiontape.com/
posted by swp02138 72 posts 2 months agoAlso, if you're worried about it sliding down day of, use toupe tape to stick the dress to your skin ... A great thing to have on hand in an emergency kit!
posted by jowen0879 17 posts 2 months agoFashion tape! This is sold online, though I've also seen it at Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond. Essentially, it's the same as toupee tape - double-sided tape that sticks the dress to you or your bra. Be sure to do a test first to make sure your skin doesn't get irritated.
posted by missm 485 posts 2 months agoI would second the elastic band! Ann Taylor Celebration bridesmaids dresses have them, and they work great!
posted by jaytee 8 posts 2 months agoI wouldn't recommend the toupe tape- I doubt it will hold up the weight of your dress.
I think the elastic band inside the dress is a good idea.
One of my BMs has the saggy dress problem, and here is what we are doing:
She's wearing a long line bra (from hip to bust, since a strapless bra probably wouldn't hold up the dress) and the seamstress is sewing a hook to her dress and an eye to her bra. Then the dress can just be hooked onto the bra and held up all day.
My sister did this for her wedding dress (very heavy satin ballgown) and it worked like a charm.
It's such a cheap and simple fix, you could do it yourself. Alternatively, the bra can be sewn directly to the dress.
Good luck!
posted by rosychicklet 312 posts 2 months agoI third the elastic band! I went with my BMs to try on Ann Taylor dresses and thought that elastic hook thing was genius!
posted by charmedbride 46 posts 2 months agoAh, adding a hook and eye to a bra sounds pretty solid. I like that much better than pinning. I've already started shopping for a full brazier (just not happy about how hot and sweaty I'll get).
posted by dmdwed 56 posts 2 months agoI agree with Rosy, get a good, long bra. The "normal" strapless bras usually fall with the dress but a longer one will 1, stay up 2, add a bit more padding to fill the dress. My dress is the same way, its on my website... http://adaashley.googlepages.com/home it totally sags with a normal bra but stays up just fine with a corset type.
posted by TallBride 582 posts 2 months agomy friend sometimes actually wears TWO bras at once. seems to work for her!
posted by novbride111 39 posts 2 months ago