Wedding Blog
There’s no other way to say it: I am disappointed. THE Dress that I had been coveting for months (and was ready to wait for for 2 months) arrived a mere 2 days later. Mr. Quiche brought up the package and asked if I had ordered anything else from Nordstrom because there was a (badly abused) box waiting for me. I racked my brain to see if I could remember making and late-night purchases, and came up empty handed. It had to be THE Dress.
I had built up this dress so much in my head that the thought never crossed my mind that it wouldn’t be perfect. I’ve seen pictures of it posted on the boards by readers and fellow bees and they all looked great in it!
Am I ever glad that it arrived early!
I did not like it on me. It just wasn’t what I expected, and I also suspect that, due to the high demand, the quality and construction of the dress just isn’t what it was a couple of years ago. (Also, if you have this dress, let me know your thoughts and/or experiences!!)
Perhaps a smile and a (really bad) pose will help? Nope.
My number one grievance with it is the flowers - and considering they are the focal point of the dress, well, it was bad from the start. You can’t tell from the pictures (they photographed MUCH brighter and whiter than it is in person), but the tulle on the flowers looked dirty. The tulle flowers weren’t structured at all, so they just kinda… flopped.
Also, I was looking forward to the strapless style and fitted bodice, but again, it wasn’t working. It wasn’t very flattering on me.
WEIRD stance.
So, I promptly returned the dress and started a new search. My signature dress style is strapless and fitted - which is unlike my wedding dress, and one reason why I want a different dress for the reception. I like these two dresses from J. Crew, but worry that the white seersucker is too casual. Also, the blue one doesn’t come in white or ivory, but the style is perfect.
So, trusty hive, I need YOUR help. You are all so awesome with suggesting dresses, shoes, accessories, EVERYTHING on the boards, and I am hoping you might have some suggestions for me. If you see an ivory or white, strapless, knee-length, reception-appropriate dress, let me know!!
Have you ever built something up so much in your head, only to be disappointed with the actual product/result?
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That’s so frustrating! Have you considered checking out White House Black Market?
I just had an identical dress dilemma with a Nordstrom dress. I will be posting about it in the future but man it sucks when the dresses look awesome online and not in person. You will find the perfect dress! I am sure of it.
I think you need to look for a strapless dress that comes up higher on you. It just looks like it is falling down or way too low.
I did the same thing… fell in love with a dress, ordered it, and hated it when it arrived! I’m on dress #2 now and I love it. Sorry I don’t have any suggestions for you, but it looks like you are headed in the right direction! 
I love that blue one and I am sure the white seersucker will be perfect in Jamaica! Sorry that the dress sucked. I am worried about my own now.
Definately check out White House Black Market. All the dresses at their outlets are on sale for $39.99!!!!
Oh no! Such a bummer, because it’s a super cute dress, but definitely night and day from what you’d anticipated.
I’m a super sleuth, I’ll keep my eye out
Oh and I just looked at White House Black Market for you…no all-white dresses right now, a shame!
This looks sort of similar to the styles you were looking at but a little more dressy: http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3007604/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014177?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014177&P=1
Nordstrom has a great return policy, so they’re a good place to clothes-shop online..good luck!
I felt the same way Miss Quiche! I tried on the dress (in yellow/creme) as an afterparty dress and it fit really funky. I was also very disappointed with the tulle flowers– they look so much perkier on the model! Still, I think the style itself suits you really well! Have you considered white bridesmaid dresses?
Although it’s not strapless, I love this white number from Anthropologie - http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=3376452761460363995&id=930000&parentid=APP_DRESS_EMBROIDERED&pushId=APP_DRESS_EMBROIDERED&popId=APP_DRESSES&sortProperties=&navCount=38&navAction=poppush&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=nem&colorName=NEUTRAL+MOTIF
and here’s a strapless one from Anthropologie: http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=3376452761460363995&id=830136&parentid=APP_DRESS_EMBROIDERED&pushId=APP_DRESS_EMBROIDERED&popId=APP_DRESSES&sortProperties=&navCount=38&navAction=poppush&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=nem&colorName=NEUTRAL+MOTIF
Here are some ideas,
http://www.cache.com/cache/control/product/~category_id=0100/~product_id=05036J22952867
That’s a major bummer, but thanks for the post because I think I don’t want that dress anymore. Who would have thought the flowers are saggy? Major bummer! Good luck with your search! I’m sure you’ll find something beautiful, flattering and high quality!
Does your rehearsal dress have to be white? Because the blue one from J Crew is fab.
I love your dress. I see why you are upset about the droopy flower. Maybe replace the flower with one you like? I saw a posting by Miss Stiletto on 5eizen at Etsy. I found a beautiful “Rene Series” hair clip in her store. Maybe have her make you a similar flower for your dress?
Definitely take a look at the white bridesmaid dresses on macys.com. I found my reception dress there (a different BCBG strapless ivory dress). I think with your svelte frame you should consider something with more of a pouffy skirt, it would really flatter your body type.
I got the same dress and it isn’t quite the same as the picture online (def not white like it looks), but I still love it! My flower isnt as “droopy”….hmm…
Here is a wedding I found that the woman wore the same dress and it looked fab on her. Im wondering if she did a bit of “fixing” on her flowers because her’s look perfect!
http://pauljohnsonphoto.com/blog/2007/05/25/james-howell-may-18th-carillon-beach-fl/
Bummer 
I was going to also suggest White House Black Market, but I went to the sight and there are no dresses in white.
@HolyVataha: Thanks for the link - let it be known that the dress I received looks NOTHING like hers! Her dress looks well constructed & the flowers are incredible. Not at all like mine, which is why I wondered if the high demand = cheaper construction?
@Miss Apple Cider: I LOVED the dresses on your post today & am thinking of checking them out. If they have them in ivory or champagne, it may just work! Your post inspired me again
All - yes, I checked White House/Black Market as well & didn’t see anything there. Grr.
@Yin: I love BOTH of those - thanks! Maybe I can do strapless for the rehersal…hmm…
That can’t be the right dress! It just looks so different…sorry for the disappointment.
I have the white Jcrew dress in white and wore it to my afternoon beach oyster & lobster boil after my morning wedding in June. My mom made me a huge white flower and we put an antique brooch in the middle and put the flower on a white ribbon for a belt. It looked great!!! I can email you pics if you like. Jcrew made a similar flower belt but it was to expensive for what it was so we made one instead!!!
I got the J Crew dress in orange last season for my bridesmaids dresses and they were perfect! Exactly what I was expecting. I know your frustrations though, that has happened to me before. If you decide you do not want white though, I would highly recomend the J Crew dress and that color is very pretty!
Have you ever thought of finding a white bridesmaid dress?
I am in the exact same boat as you! I was so excited when my BCBG dress arrived last week but when I put it on I hated it. The flowers on mine are limp and flat. It’s almost as if they left the tulle too long. It definitely does not look like the dress in the photos. I am back to square one again. I’ll be following this post for ideas. Thanks ladies!
Quiche, I’m sorry the ever so elusive/non-elusive/whatever dress was a let down! I just don’t feel like you look comfortable in the dress - which is the most important part. You have a gorgeous figure, and the dress doesn’t accentuate that. I agree with you. The top flower looks limp and dead. WTH? I like the blue dress you picked out. I’m sure you can find something similar in ivory or white! Good luck!!
awww… I would try places that carry bridesmaid dresses.. like I loveeee this dress http://priscillaofboston.com/dress_detail.jsp?gid=206&sfid=50835&f=
but if they had it in white?
Such a bummer! I’d check JCrew…some of their new dresses are super cute and maybe you can order in white?
Hi! I got the dress too for my reception. It was definitely not very well fitting, but I still love its funky style! I had my mom alter it completely to make it fit better and make the flowers better and now it looks awesome! Maybe you can alter it to make it look better, to?
I’m sorry for your disappointment, Q! The flower does look a bit lifeless, and does not flatter your perfectly slim figure as it should. I echo the WHBM suggestions… they have a great selection of dresses!
@Jackie: @Lynn: I thought about doing something like that - either having it altered or adding things here and there…then decided that it was too expensive to have to pay to have alterations!
wow, that IS a bad dress. Good luck next time.
Oh no, I’m so sorry it was a disappointment! I will keep my eyes open for you.
This isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, but it’s a very pretty dress!
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=306054&CategoryID=22120
Good luck finding one!
Look at Nicole Miller (where I got mine) at http://www.nicolemiller.com/bridesmaids_09.html. I got the red one at the bottom middle of the screen (except in white). Also I was able to buy it at a Nicole Miller store for like 70% off.
I think you look good in that BCBG dress. I mean, I understand it’s not the preppy look you’re going for after all–but it does have a cool rumpled edginess. Anyway, I think the J Crew dress would be nice because of the box pleats (or whatever they’re called). Smooth, defined shape. The other one is cute, but it’s more billowy.
I usually swear by Nordstrom, but this is quite a tricky dilemma you have.
This one is a Junior’s dress, but maybe it’ll work? http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2999133/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014133?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014133&P=1
Maybe this BCBG? http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2970349/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014133?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014133&P=1
I had the EXACT same problem with a Nordstrom dress! The craftsmanship was OK but the fit was terrible and not at all flattering. I should have listened to my fiance before I ordered it — he told me looked like a “glorified nightgown”.
OMG I HATE product letdown! I have it soooooo much! Being that I am the most boring person on earth (I have the same bra in 10 different colors….) I know what you mean about the letdown. Sometimes the same bras feel/fit totally different and are made with very different materials even though they all claim to be the same, just in different fabrics! I bet you’re totally right, and the quality of the dress went down. How did it compare to the black one you tried on in store? Was that one a lot better?
i felt the same way about this dress! ordered it last year and had the same reaction you did and returned it promptly. so sad… and i am usually so impressed with bcbg… sorry to be of no help in suggesting another dress. but i wanted to let you now that you are not alone! 
How disappointing! Especially since you were so excited!
Awww…what a let down. Have you considered etsy.com? I put up an alchemy post for bridemsaid dresses and was astounded with the responses I got! There were a lot of really talented designers who responded to my post and sent me some photos of beautiful work they had done. I bet if you post an alchemy request with the details of the dress you want (i.e. all the things you’d change about the BCBG dress while keeping the same concept) you’d find someone right away to make it for you! Not to mention it will be tailored just for you and your petite frame. Good luck!
I’m so glad you posted this, even though it was terribly dissapointing. I will probably not now invest those $400 on this for my 2nd reception dress…
Here’s to hoping you’re posting again soon with a much better fit!
I was on ebay browsing for a dress to wear to someone else’s wedding, and I saw these and thought of your post!
http://cgi.ebay.com/318-BCBG-Vellum-White-Silk-Bubble-Party-Dress-NWT-8-M_W0QQitemZ330302057131QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_CSA_WC_Dresses?hash=item330302057131&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A570|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A50
http://cgi.ebay.com/BOWKNOT-SPAGHETTI-WHITE-COCKTAIL-EVENING-DRESS-S-M_W0QQitemZ220360864261QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_CSA_WC_Dresses?hash=item220360864261&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A570|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A2|294%3A50
I recommend checking out American Eagle when they get their spring/summer stock in. I have an eyelet white dress that is similar to the jcrew white dress that you have pictures put has a little ribbon band thing around the waist that I got a couple years ago and love and it may work for a reception. I think each year they come out with something similar.
Good luck with your search!
i just found this dress and thought of your post. maybe it would work for you. not sure your price range but i thinkits cute!
http://www.amsale.com/lwd/0812/ally.shtml
you should try bluefly.com and then narrow your search to dress/white or ivory! they have some cool ones.
good luck!
Depending on how much time you have you could check out a seamstress and they could sew you the blue style you posted in a white material. It looks like a simple pattern.
My mom made a bridesmaid dress for my wedding in 2 weeks, and it is exactly how I want it.
Wow, your dress looks very different than mine… LOTS more tulle on that top flower, for one thing. Maybe you just got a bad one? Since it looks different from all the other ones I’ve seen out there, I mean. I should mention one thing to everyone who has lost faith in this dress… steaming/ironing it makes a HUGE difference. I bought my dress on eBay, and the seller’s photos of the actual dress looked much like the Nordstrom dress (except with more accurate color). When my dress arrived, it had been stuffed into a priority mail box, and looked nothing like the dress in the photos, and instead was a giant mess. I decided to try steaming it, which worked wonders! This may not work in Miss Quiche’s situation, but just wanted to let everyone know before they send their dress back… out of the box it may not look so hot, but with a little work it definitely improves.
I’ve had bad luck with BCBG. I saw a dress online that was really cute (looking for a holiday party dress) and looked well made, long enough (knee length, I’m tall) etc.
When I went into the store to try it on, a whole other story! The dress was significantly shorter (ok, I don’t know how tall the model is, but I’m 5′10″, models are generally not much shorter than that!) and as such looked really short and not classy on me. Also, the fabric and cut were not as nice. AND it was $300!!
Basically, all these companies outsource their production to China or other countries. So, I’m sure the model in the photo was wearing the lovely sample, handmade by the BCBG people…whereas I was wearing the cheapo version made by some unfortunate person working in a factory for 50 cents an hour = (
I’ve had this Jenny Yoo bookmarked for a while and it seems like it might be close to what you’re looking for:
also this one:
http://www.jennyyoo.com/wedding_alternatives05.html
Have you looked at Anthropologie? The have a beautiful ivory dress in stores now that is on sale. I also found several online that are quite pretty! That’s where I’m getting my bridesmaid dresses from. Good Luck!
OMG Ali-o…I absolutely love that first Jenny Yoo dress. & it isn’t too much more than the BCBG. I may have to get it! Thanks!
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Mrs. Quiche, Chicago/Montego Bay
Age and Occupation: 28, Interior Designer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 42, Telecom Guru
Engagement Date: July 2, 2008
Wedding Date: May, 2009
Venue: Coyaba Resort, Montego Bay
About Me: I love Chicago and can’t imagine living anywhere else (Well, except Paris. Or anywhere in France, for that matter!). I’m a full-time worker, part-time student, soon-to-be-step-mom, indie music lovin’, architecture and design fanatic, macaroni and cheese addict, vegetarian, Francophile, Ohio State football obsessed, wedding planning girl. Mr. Quiche and I are “Partners-in-Crime” and cannot wait to celebrate our marriage surrounded by our family and closest friends. I plan on DIYing my little heart out (or as much as a suitcase to Jamaica will hold).
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