Post # 1

Member
4123 posts
Honey bee
So, yes, it continues! If you don’t know my troubles, go read all my cold feet threads…. I’m on iPhone so I’ll be brief. Today I went to running of the brides in dc. Last night, I pretty much committed mentally once and for all to Justin. I decided to go anyways. Exhaust all options an maybe find a reception dancing dress. I’ll review it from home on a real keyboard. I tried on $5,000 amazon ballgowbs. But they still weren’t as amazing as justin. At the end, thinking “well, I at least got out of the house” I four some Justin Alexander ballgowbs in a size 8. I have only tried the 10 which was way to big. The 8’s (tried 3 styles) all fit like a glove. Good right!? No The one available I was going to buy was a 6. Story of my life. I left and called a signature store. They jad sold their sample but I asked them for the measurements on the 6. Bust is good, but the waist is about 1-1.25″ too tight. I mean, were talking ribs Herr not belly chub… π I don’t see that changing an inch or more in the next 3 months. Not sure of even wantthat! I mean, 27″ is skinny enough for me at 5’11. So, the one I was so close to buying yesterday, would never fit! (I don’t want to let it out do to the fabrics). Insert panic and heartbreak here. I called my mom and told her I didn’t know what to do because the sample I coul buy here was just in such poor shape that at $1800 I couldn’t justify it. I wound up calling a store in my parents city, and they had a sample in stock in size 8!!!!! Insert excitement! Well, that was short-lived, the owner said no to selling of the floor π Anyways, they called Justin to see if they could get one in within 3 months, and Justin said no. π I basically told them my sob story and I got a call back later. They’re sellin me the dress! It will be $2000.00 (not 1600 π The crappy one here would be 1800 but need more than $200 in work. Tomorrow, my sister in law is going to go verify the condition of the sample, and if all is well, Justin will be mine tomorrow and shipped to me. Thanks for all the help with my drama. I just hope it really is almost over!
Post # 3

Member
2634 posts
Sugar bee
Ok, I thought you’d bought THE dress from someone reselling it?
Post # 4

Member
1418 posts
Bumble bee
Wow – you have been through hell and high water to get this dress! First, I am so happy you are going with the Justin. You just look amazing in it! That stinks about the size 6 not going to work, but you found an 8 so hurray!!! I really hope this sample is going to work out for you because I can barely handle all this, let alone imagine what this has done to your mental state of being!
Post # 5

Member
3564 posts
Sugar bee
Glad to hear you’re finally getting the dress, even if it’s not how you originally thought you’d be getting it! It seems like it really is meant to be!
Post # 6

Member
4123 posts
Honey bee
Nope – It continues!
The one back in my hometown has 2 holes in the skirt… Head… meet desk.
Post # 7

Member
7779 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
Honestly, I think you should buy the size 6 and just try to alter it. A good seamstress should be able to do a really good job. You only need an inch and that would not be a big deal, dude. You only need to alter the waist, not the bust, so you wont have to mess with altering the lace/beading.
What kind of fabric is it? With that ruching/pleating on the waist, I dont see that it would be a huge deal, even if the fabric doesnt alter well. The marks from the seams would end up really close to the new seams and the not-flat fabric would help hide it.
Post # 8

Member
268 posts
Helper bee
I second Zippylef!
A good seamstress will be able to do it, no problem, and no-one will ever see the difference.
Get the 6!
(And by the way, *hugs* – I can’t imagine how unbelievably stressed by this all you must be now! I’d be in tears if it were me!)
Post # 9

Member
4123 posts
Honey bee
I honestly think I’d rather the 10 than the 6. I’d rather take it in and know for sure it will be OK.
Right now, I kid you not, I’m calling any retailer in the US that carried JA Signature to see if they have a sample. Most are closed today (I didn’t expect since here Sunday everyone is open, even if only limited hours). So, maybe I’ll get a good phone call back tomorrow….
The stress really is getting overwhelming, and I’m surprised I haven’t broken down yet….
I’d prefer to find an 8, but at this point if it means I could drive to DC tomorrow (again, and I’m getting so tired of it) and bring it home with me, I’ll be happy… I just am ready for this all to end…
Post # 10

Member
4123 posts
Honey bee
So far, I’ve located a 12 and a 10. The 10 the store doesn’t sell JA off the rack…. the 12 the lady could barely speak english and sounded completely aloof… Plus, it’s 2.5 sizes too big….
One store even asked if it was “still even on the website?” Yes, I know, I’ve been stalking the dress since 2007… it’s old, but it’s still relevant and yes, still on the Website.
Let this be a lesson to all. If there is something that is your dream, do it, no matter the cost. if I had just eaten the expense months ago the whole drama would be done with. And the potential savings of the sample or pre-owned is not worth this stress at all.
Basically, in my mind at this point, there is no other dress I can wear on my wedding day except Justin…
Post # 11

Member
2867 posts
Sugar bee
Yeah, I’m with you about sizing it down rather than up. Good luck, keep us posted!
Post # 12

Member
3041 posts
Sugar bee
Double check the measurements for the size 8s you tried on earlier. Or re-measure yourself, or have a seamstress take your measurements. I looked up the sizing for the size 6 & they fall under your measurements. Sometimes, I can wear 2 different sizes of dresses… maybe that’s the case with you? Are there any size 6s that you could try on of the JA brand in the same style as your dress?
Do any of your friends live nearby one of the resellers? You could ask a few of them to contact stores & see if they have it in a size 8 & if they could sell the in-store sample. As small as my town is, we have a reseller & I could contact them for you, if you’d like.
Or, see if that one store with the sample in not so great condition could be repaired… maybe they could give you a bigger discount, or have their seamstress fix it for you?
Hope you find it!!
Post # 13

Member
4123 posts
Honey bee
@canthugallcats: I called Justin Alexander after I tried on the 8’s and the waist on a 6 is indeed too small.
Post # 14

Member
3613 posts
Sugar bee
Oh, just get the size 12! I’ve had a dress altered down four sizes, it can be done. You have plenty of time! Now is no time to be picky about the lady’s language and personal skills, once the dress is yours she will be a distant memory.
I feel like I inadvertently cursed you π When you were posting about how much you loved your Megan I was going through my worst period of dress insecurity and remember thinking “if I could only love my dress half as much as she did”. I always loved the JA more on you though, so I will also breathe a sigh of relief when you get that dress.