Ballot Box
Feature Launched: August 1, 2007
About: Readers helping brides in making a decision.
Alfred Angelo vs. Michelle Roth
January 4th, 2008 @ 4:02 pm by Ballot Box
Hi WeddingBee!
I love your blog and trust the good taste of your readers. So I would love to post a ballot box entry so that readers can help me decide between two wedding gowns! I like them both equally and want to base my final decision on which looks best on me. I purchased them at sample sales for $250 each, though the Michelle Roth gown retails for much more than the Alfred Angelo. My wedding is in a huge ornate cathedral in Chicago in September so I need something spectacular.
Gown #1: Alfred Angelo #1103.
Gown is 4 sizes too big, but my seamstress assures me she can make it fit properly. I bought this gown first so all my accessories match this one perfectly. My best friend likes this gown best. I love the long train, but am not crazy about the ruching at the waist. I was thinking of replacing the attached decoration with a crystal peacock brooch, since that is our theme.
Gown #2: Michelle Roth “Margot”.
Gown looks tight in the photos, but I have lost 25 pounds and plan to lose more so it will have to be taken in by the wedding. My mom and seamstress like this dress best. I am concerned that the bust line is unflattering, but I love that it is a designer gown and how it sparkles in the light. My accessories don’t match this gown quite right, but I really can’t afford to buy additional accessories. I also wish it had a longer train, though it does have a lovely chapel length train and I can do a wonderful French bustle to show off the poof of the skirt.
Which gown should I choose??? As you can see I’m completely torn, so I would be eternally grateful if you could put this to vote for your stylish readers.
Warm Regards,
Shannon
56 Responses to “Alfred Angelo vs. Michelle Roth”
That second one is beautiful-so flattering!
The Michelle Roth has such gorgeous detailing! Looks like almost everyone agrees that is the right choice! Not sure what kind of accessories you’re using but the gown really speaks for itself.
The roth all the way. Much more figure flattering and very dramatic. Stunning.
Definitely, definitely, definitely the Michelle Roth. It is absolutely stunning and looks fabulous on you. It would be perfect for a cathedral wedding.
I agree with all the ladies above.
The darting too on the Michelle Roth is much more flattering than the ruching at the waist.
And I love the spark on the train!
Great job snatching it for $250!!!
I voted for the Alfred Angelo, but I don’t actually like it better. I like the Michelle Roth better overall, but I think the bustline is just slightly too low. I don’t think the bustline is unflattering, I just think it’s a bit too much cleavage for a church. However, since you’ve lost weight and need the dress taken in now, does the bustline come up slightly higher? If so, then Michelle Roth all the way.
I think the Roth dress would look better in a cathedral than the other one. Also, I wouldn’t pair too much jewelry with the Roth dress.
The Michelle Roth one is looks very elegant and flatters your figure very nicely. I love the detailing also…it’s gorgeous!
i can agree w/ smart’s comment. it is a low cut but if ur ohkee with it TOTALLY roth. it’s gor-geous!
Looks like I’m in the vast minority here, but I said the Alfred Angelo… I don’t like the bustline on the Michelle Roth at all. I do think the bottom half is quite lovely, but I like the Alfred Angelo, and you already have all the accessories to match! From a practical standpoint if you went with the Michelle Roth, you would probably want to get accessories to match that dress.. and you said you don’t have room in the budget for that.
the michelle roth is very elegant… i love the back!
Dress number two all the way!
MICHELLE ROTH 110%!!!!!!!!!!
my jaw dropped involuntarily when i scrolled down to the roth dress. you look absolutely fabulous in it. not tight at all. total gorgeous-ness. i would die for your bustline! if you are worried about it being too low (although, your weight loss *congrats* will probably bring it up a bit anyway) maybe have your seamstress add an edge of lace for more coverage.
as for your accessories, i think they will be secondary to this unbelievable gown!
ps. i scrolled up and down and looked at you in the roth dress like a 100000x in between typing this comment out. JUST.WOW.
The Michelle Roth definately!
I like the second one! While both look great on you, I think the second one is gorgeous!
I think Roth dress is very unique and is not unflattering at all for your bustline! I love the dress on you. I think it will be quite the stunner!
The Michelle Roth… its the one that will get that ear to ear grin on your groom’s face as you walk down the aisle! Both the front and back are absolutely stunning… and no worries on the bustline, I think its tasteful and feminine.
Michelle Roth all the way! The detailing is so unique, and the train is stunning. And it really does fit you beautifully.
The alfred angelo is pretty, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the Roth dress (IMHO).
As for the accessories - why not sell the alfred angelo (I imagine it would get snapped up pretty quickly at 250.00) and use the money to buy a few simple accessories to go with it?
I am so jealous that you found that Michelle Roth stunner of a gown for only 250.00!! Well done I say 
Hands down, the Michelle Roth! It is so stunning.
If you can’t afford extra accessories, why not try selling the Alfred Angelo for some extra money?
Definitely the Michelle Roth– it’s va-va-voom while the AA is kinda blah. Plus I would be nervous about taking in a dress 4 sizes, no matter how good your seamstress is.
No comparrison, the Michelle Roth dress, my mouth also dropped like Mrs. Spider’s when I saw the second dress!!
Definitely the 2nd dress! If you feel you need new accessories sell the Alfred Angelo dress and the old accesories to help pay for the new ones. It seems as though you really want a longer train but to be honest I don’t see too much of a difference between the two. You can always get a long veil to get the look of a longer piece of material trailing behind you. Of course you need to go with the dress you love the most but honestly…I don’t think there is a competition here! Also…I don’t think the bustline is too low at all…it’s flattering! MICHELLE ROTH all the way!
Michelle Roth ALL THE WAY!!
i echo the others - i voted michelle roth, and why not sell both the angelo dress + your accessories that dont match and get ones that do?
Roth…box pleats, unique detailing (I swear I’ve never seen a dress like that on here), a cut that makes you look vavoom, and a dropped waist. Definitely the second choice!
DEFINATELY the Michelle Roth. The AA is a little dated to me and the MR is just stunning on you. It’s a very “Wow” dress!
The Michelle Roth is stunning!
If you choose the Roth, selling the AA is a great idea to get the money for accessories! Although you don’t need many with that dress
i really don’t like the ruching. the michelle roth is soo elegant and dramatic you don’t need that much accesories. or if you wear something simple i’m sure no one will notice the different because “roth” rocks.
I think you look amazing in the Michelle Roth. Since you are woried about the lack of train why not do a cathedral veil with a defined edge. This will give you the look you are looking for without the weight. Plus there is no need to do anything big with jewelry. A simple necklace, maybe a single strand of pearls, will look fab or some great faux sparkly chandelier earings.
Michelle Roth without question. I’m not a fan of the AA gown.
And you’re accessories don’t need to match the dress perfectly. You could pretty much wear anything - crystal or silver or pearls. Like Stacy London says, “They don’t need to match, they just need to go together”
I chose the Roth, but I really didn’t like either. I disliked the runching on the AA. The bust line of the Roth wasn’t flattering in my opinion. The Roth is a beautiful dress and perhaps after you get alterations on it, it will look better.
Thanks everyone! Clearly the Michelle Roth is the winner here. If I sell my Alfred Angelo dress, I will be able to afford to buy new accessories (bolero and shoes in the correct color). I can still use my jewelry because those are simple pieces. I love some of the suggestions above, such as adding some lace to the bust to provide more coverage and using a cathedral veil to add length. I am so happy to finally have made a decision! Thank you all so much!
I love the details of the Roth– absolutely stunning! I think it is totally flattering and with alterations it’ll be a perfect fit!
The Roth dress looks like it’s well made. I love the organza overlay..nice detail!
Shannon, by far and away the second one is so flattering. Don’t worry about your bust - that’s exactly the point! You’re going to look great!
Michelle ROTH all the WAY
No comparison! The Michelle Roth gown looks soooo amazing and beautiful! Definitely fitting for a huge cathedral! And you look absolutely stunning in it! Since it doesn’t have the long train you want, you can always pair it with a long cathedral veil. Then you can have your pretty bustle for the reception. The cleavage is a little much, but I’m sure you could always do something about it if you don’t like it. But all I can say is WOW! What a beautiful dress!
You may have already decided but absolutely the Michelle Roth! As was previously mentioned, the first dress is dated. The Roth has such detail and would look fabulous in a church! And because I am part of the “well-endowed” club, I say don’t worry about the cleavage. Well done!
agree that the michelle roth is much more figure flattering!!!!
I personally like the Michelle Roth gown! 
Ha, this is probably not necessary, but the Michelle Roth dress is waaaaaay richer looking, and much more flattering. Your bust looks great, don’t worry about it. The train is gorgeous, and the details are great. I would just do earrings and let your beautiful bust speak for your neckline! Keep it simple, and you’ll knock everyone’s socks off.
I have to agree with everyone else the second is oh so flattering!!!!
you look so beautiful in the michelle roth! i would love to have that as my wedding dress too! just stunning and very flattering!
That second one makes you look soooo slim!!!!!! And you look a-mazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and noone commented on the nice shoes you can see in the first picture 
after tearing myself away from them: number 2!!!
my vote for the Roth, hands down
michelle roth, all the way. it doesn’t look too tight - actually, it looks like a perfect fit. and VERY classic and glamourous. you won’t regret your decision after 50 years of marriage!
I also prefer the second one but what I am most concerned about is that you have lost 25 lbs since that picture and are wanting to lose more?!? In that picture it does not look like you need to lose much weight at all! I hope that you are taking really good care of yourself and not making yourself unhealthy!
NUMBER 2!! for sure
Hi, I also agree and love the Michelle Roth. But i have a question. When was the Michelle Roth sample sale? I love Michelle Roth dresses, and would love to be as lucky as you and find such an incredible deal. You look beautiful in that dress!!!
@ixla: I purchased the dress at the Filene’s Basement “Running of the Brides” sale. They had lots of designer dresses in the mix. There were actually two identical samples of this exact dress at the sale I went to.
ok I searching for the 1103 on line and found your web site. I personally like the Michelle Roth on you. Iam very large busted and choose the 1103 because its featured in the Plus size dresses. I personally think the Michelle roth one is very flattering on you and If I had your figure I would be choosing the roth one. Good luck with your choice
