Bridesmaid Horror Dresses

I saved this blog for after the wedding because Kitty reads it and I didn’t want her freaking out.  This piece is going to be more advice rather than ideas on what to wear.  The bridesmaid’s dresses for the big day were STUNNING.  They were black satin, strapless and mermaid cut with simple ruffle detail at the top and knees.  You know how people always say “Oh that dress is so great.  You can shorten it and wear it again”?  Well these bad boys came pre-cut.  That’s right.  Where the dress flared out there were hidden buttons to detach the bottom portion of the dress.  Of course we all did a “wardrobe change” halfway into the reception in the middle of the dance floor.

Now let me fill you in on the nightmares that came along with this fabulous dress.   I had my dress altered months ago.  I was lucky....or so I thought.  It fit like a glove and all I had to do was have it hemmed.  If fact had I lost a pound or two it would have been perfect.  Well....I guess I lost those couple pounds and all of it in my upper body.  I tried the dress on one week before the wedding and was suddenly swimming in it.  If i moved too much in any direction my boob was coming out.  There was no way I was giving a free show at this wedding so I called my tailor.  I owe my her BIG time for doing an express job.   I wasn’t the only one with issues.  One girl ordered extra length and never got it.  After doing major alterations they ended up being able to add length but then took it in too much.  Another came in 3 sizes too small.  Another ordered a size 6 and got a size 12.  The seamstress broke one zipper and refused to acknowledge it.

For those of you who don’t know bridesmaids dresses are almost always poorly made.  It doesn’t matter what the price tag says.  For example my zipper completely ripped open at the wedding toward the end of the night.  Thank God Olive was with me in the bathroom when it happened and she was able to safety pin me back into the dress.  She literally used 30 industrial sized ones but it held for the rest of the night.

Here is my advice to all you bridesmaids out there:

1. Do not have it altered right away.  Wait until you’re 3-4 weeks away from the wedding.  You never know how much weight you’ll gain/lose by the big day.
2. I know that bridal salons cap their prices.  However if you can afford to I URGE you to find and use your own tailor.  If you don’t have an adorable little Italian lady who works out of her house, then go to a REPUTABLE tailor.  These bridal places make next to nothing on their alterations for the bridesmaids.  They treat you like shit and do a terrible job.
3. Have your seamstress replace the zipper (if there is one).  Like I said, these dresses are poorly made.  Sure they’re beautiful but a crappy zipper will be the first thing to go.  I wish I had thought of this before hand.  I’m just thankful mine didn’t break till after the pictures were taken.
4. Wear it around.  Dresses are like shoes.  You can benefit from breaking them in a bit.  I do NOT mean clean in them, dance in them ext.  Put it on for 5-10 min.  Walk in it a bit.  See how it feels. Make sure you’re comfortable. Avoid vigorous activity.  You don’t want the dress to stink by the big day.  
5. Last but definitely not least, try on the dress one week before the wedding.  That way just in case there are issues you’ll have enough time to get it fixed.

I know weddings are expensive.  I know going to a private tailor and having a ton of work done is potentially going to damage your budget.  It’s the bride’s day and all eyes are on her.  Remember though, she asked you to come and stand by her side.  If you’re sitting in a corner sulking because there was an issue with your dress or shoes I’m sure she’ll be bummed.  She wants you to be flawless too.  Unless of course she’s a bad friend in which case you should start planning how you’re gonna get her back.