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After the Running of the Brides, my girls and I drove about an hour to a bridal salon that carried the Jim Hjelm gown I’ve been eyeing since getting engaged. I was disappointed with my luck at the ROTBs, so I was hoping to lift my spirits by trying on a dress that was really my style. I decided before we got there that if it looked good on me, I would do anything necessary to get it. I already had a gown in my possession that I could sell to offset the cost, but I was contemplating selling one of my kidneys on the black market after trying on this baby…
Mr. Lab take note: If you happen upon this post and read any further, I WILL go Lorena Bobbit on you!
*Note* No fake ta-tas! Just an amazing new Victoria’s Secret bra coupled with a bit of weight gain. Just felt like I needed to clarify!
This dress has EVERYTHING I wanted. Trumpet style, V-neck, lace (with details in all the right places), a low back, and even a dainty, pretty little ribbon. It made me feel fabulous and reeks of the “romantic Southern charm” we’re going for with our theme. It even makes me look slim, so the pressure won’t be as high, come time for wedding fitness! It’s a Jim Hjelm style JH8800 that was $4000 at the place I tried it on at. But as soon as I got home, I immediately began researching the web and found it for $750 shipped on eBay! The gown I order will actually be an “inspired by Jim Hjelm” gown, but the makers sent me samples of their work and I can’t tell the difference at all! I’m so not above a knock off, especially if it’s saving me $3250! Besides, it’s not the label I love about the dress, it’s the way it looks on me and the way it makes me feel. It’ll be custom made to my measurements, and I can even request changes here or there (I’m going for a slightly lower back). I cannot wait to get it!
The back! Please excuse all the clips in the back.
The back with a trial veil. Mr. Lab, who is very traditional, wants me to have a veil. I guess I have to try some on, even though I’m not sold on the idea.
Hopefully I’ll look more like this in my dress once I’m back in shape and my gown arrives in my size. Even the “girls” will probably look more like this after I shed my “winter weight”. 
What do you think? Are you against designer “knock offs”?
You look amazing!! And yes, it’s about the dress, not the label!!! So if you found THE dress for way less than the name brand, I say HECK YES!!!
Miss Lab you look stunning. I have my heart set on the Melissa Sweet Cosimma, boasting a $4000.00 price tag. Like you, a designer knock off is no faux pas in my book!
Congrats on finding THE dress!
OH MY GOODNESS IT IS GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!! You look incredible in it and paired with the lower back - wow. Honestly, if you are loving the dress and the way it makes you feel (and, ahem, is saving you THOUSANDS of dollars) then heck yes go for it! Im not against the knock offs at all…who cares?!
Wow. That dress is beautiful…the lace detail totally makes the dress! It looks so great on you! I have to be honest…before I saw your ta-tas note, I was thinking to myself “damn, how much for those things and where can I get some?!” 
No, I’m not above a knock-off, but it makes me sad that some knock-offs are products of children working in sweat shops (purses, stuff like that).
Ahh! My dream dress too! I’ve been eying it since I got engaged… you look GORG!
What a gorgeous dress! Great find, it looks perfect on you and sounds like it fits the criteria you had. And go you for finding a deal
I learned, too, that the name on the tag didn’t mean a thing in the end. I fell in love with a Melissa Sweet, but even as a sample dress it was above my budget. I found a dress I love for $600 and I had never heard of the brand, do not care what it is…my mom crying when I had the dress on was more than enough to make me choose it on the spot!
As long as a knock-off still has quality material and craftmanship, there’s no reason to pay thousands of dollars more for the same dress simply because it bears a designer’s name. I’ll never understand bragging about owning a designer dress simply because it’s a designer dress. You should be bragging about a dress, designer or not, because you think it’s beautiful and it’s THE dress for you!
That’s MY dress too! Congrats!
Be sure to let us all know how the knockoff goes— I might do the same What was the ebay seller?
That is so elegant No one is going to be asking to look at the tag of your dress…I say go with the knock-off
You can just tell from that smile on your face that’s your dress. It is BEAUTIFUL and fits you like a glove. No one on your wedding day is going to ask the designer of your dress - and if they do they’re a***s. If that’s what you look like with winter weight I think I need your fitness plan. If it’s not asking too much what Victoria’s Secret bra is that? it looks awesome!
Ohhh…such a gorgeous dress! If I hadn’t already had my wedding, I would soooo have dress envy!
You look amazing! You think you need to lose weight *pfft*! I love that dress. I have always loved lace wedding dresses and when my day comes I hope I can find something like this.
Go with the knock-off. No one will know the difference. Woo!
Okay. Miss Lab, Stop hacking into my wedding folder! Hahahaa.
You look AWESOME! I love that dress as well but alas do not have the tatas to pull it off. So I’m liking the 8904 with more of a bateau neckline.
If it actually looks good on me I am SO not above a knock off. Please PM me the eBay seller you used!!!
that dress looks amazing on you!!
and everyone knows a cheaper dress means you can splurge on shoes 
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Mrs. Labrador Retriever, Athens/Savannah Age and Occupation: 24, Student/Sports Reporter Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Physical Therapy Assistant Student/Future Dr. of PT Engagement Date: December 31, 2008 Wedding Date: November 2009 Venue: Whitfield Square/Savannah Station About Me: I'm working on my second degree from UGA (Go Dawgs!). I'm a self-proclaimed attention-w****. If it involves a camera, I'm in front of it! You'll never meet a girlier tomboy than me. I can go toe to toe with any guy on the subject of college football, and lift more than any girl in my gym, all without chipping a nail. I hope to someday be the only person you want delivering your sports news. My FI and I are the loving parents of three Labrador Retrievers (one of each color) and are planning a "Southern Romantic Charm" wedding in the beautiful, historic city of Savannah. I'm not extreme in anything except moderation... and wedding planning.
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