Post # 1
Member
5 posts
Newbee
So I think I have read ALL of the bernadette posts, but still have some questions. I have only been engaged a month, and haven’t tried anything on yet. I have been having an online affair with the bernadette since I first saw the collection, but I am worried it will not flatter my body type at ALL. I am so nervous that I can’t even bring myself to go try it on at my local bridal store that currently has it IN STOCK. I’ve done TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress ‘No-no’ and built this up so much in my head, that I am afraid I am going to be devastated when it doesn’t look good on me, and not be able to be happy with anything else.
I have no idea what dress size I’d be, but here are my measurements 36 bust, 30 waist, 41 hips, and then I am 5’0…. What do you guys think? I really want your HONEST opinions, because if it isn’t going to be flattering, I need to move on and fall in love with another dress, before I go to try on dresses and have a meltdown. Obviously, I will HAVE to try it on still, but I at least want to know if I should keep looking. I also plan on losing weight before the August 2014 wedding date, but don’t want to have unrealistic expectations and then fail either, so I’m doing the if it won’t look good in or around what I am at now, then I won’t count on it, kind of thing!
Secondly I am confused about some people saying the boning is good and some people not, I do not want to have pointy boobs, but others were saying it’s a great support?
Post # 3
Member
6734 posts
Bee Keeper
Ok first, you have nearly 2 years. I wouldn’t go dress shopping in the first year because new styles might come out next year and you might change your mind about what you like.
Second, there’s not reason not to go try on the Bernadette. When you do go wedding dress shopping, I suggest you try on all different kinds of styles.
Finally, I don’t see why that dress wouldn’t be flattering, but I would be able to tell better if you had a picture of yourself.
Also – congrats on getting engaged and welcome to the hive!
I’ve attached a picture of the Bernadette to help the other bees out:
Post # 4
Member
373 posts
Helper bee
I agree with MrsKopp2be. You have TONS of time, so there’s no reason to worry about ordering a dress anytime soon. If you want to get on a fitness plan and begin to tone up your body, go for it! You have about a year before your dress needs to be ordered!
Post # 5
Member
1853 posts
Buzzing bee
The boning isn’t very strong at all, it’s just on your sides. You could wear spanx that went up to your navel. It shows stomach bulge.
You should try it on and see what it looks like on you. I have no idea what you look like, but based on your description it doesn’t sound like it will be super flattering. Totally not snarking, just being honest. You could try it on and it might look amazing though- you never know.
Post # 6
Member
3080 posts
Sugar bee
See how it looks on you. I was thinking about getting this dress, but didn’t because my friends/family didn’t like how it looks on me. Also, it seems like it would need a lot of alterations, so take that into consideration as well.
Post # 7
Member
771 posts
Busy bee
@Jesserlynn: I have similar measurements as you, about 2-3 inches taller and I wore Bernadette and LOVED LOVED LOVED it. I got so many compliments!
However, my alterations were about $650 – needed a lot of hemming, taking in, etc. So be prepared for that!
Again, I LOVE BERNADETTE! So I say go for it!
Post # 8
Member
1853 posts
Buzzing bee
Yeah, the alterations on this dress are SO expensive. If you’re short (which I am), they have to hem the front of it. So much lace detail is on the front of the dress, and there’s no seam to “tuck” the dress into. So the seamstress has to remove the lace detail at the bottom, shorten the dress, and then reattach it. My quote is $550-700, depending on the time it takes. So regardless of your measurements, the dress will look amazing on you once it’s perfectly fitted to you.
Post # 9
Member
469 posts
Helper bee
Just go try it on. I was in online love with the Maggie Divina and tried it on yesterday then I tried it on and I didnt like it as much as I like Adalee. You HAVE to try things on the determine what lookds good on your body.
Post # 10
Member
51 posts
Worker bee
@Jesserlynn: My measurements are close to yours (36 bust, 30 wasit, 39 hips) and I’m only 5’1″. I’ll be wearing my Bernadette in a little less than a month. I was lucky and found it as a sample dress. There was some small wear on the dress from being tried on, but it saved $1,100, so the alterations weren’t so bad. You can order the dress in a petite size, which cuts about 3″ off the dress. It takes a good 6 months to get this dress in, so if you want it order it early. I actually purchased another Maggie dress and sold it on ebay because I had found this one early on.
You’re probably about a size 6 in normal clothing. You will need the Bernadette in a size 10. Wedding dresses run incredibly small. Good thing about this dress is you can have a bra built in. My seamstress did this for me, and I’m only going to be wearing an adhesive bra to keep the girls up. I still have my boning in. It just depends if you like it. But not wearing a longline bra actually made my waist smaller and I looks better in the dress.
Try her on, but try on others too. I tried on several dresses, and just kept coming back to Bernadette. I’m absolutely in love with the dress. 
This is not the one I bought. It’s the one I tried on at the store (size 10). Mine is champagne with ivory lace. Absolutely beautiful.
Post # 11
Member
51 posts
Worker bee
And hear is what the real dress looked like on. I’m only 5’1″. It’s just a pic my friend took, but you get the idea. You will look beautiful.