The Dress: Pre-Shopping Neuroses

The Dress: Pre-Shopping Neuroses

January 13th, 2010 @ 12:43 pm by Mrs. Scissors
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The Dress: Pre-Shopping Neuroses : wedding wedding dress Veils veils

When August rolled around, I knew it was time to go dress shopping. I think that most brides are excited, thrilled, or positively beside themselves with joy over that part of the wedding process.

I, however, was not. I was terrified.

Don’t get me wrong—I adored wedding dresses. I had about eleventy billion dresses that I had lusted over. I went through thousands of dresses online, getting my heart set on one after another. I was just terrified of the following-through part. The trying-on part. The you’re-too-tall-go-away part. The nothing-will-work-for-you part. I’d heard so many tales of horror regarding the terrible things said at dress boutiques. Clerks being downright terrible to brides, going as far telling them that they were way too fat for a dress, and they should just go elsewhere. Said in those words, in fact, and sometimes much worse.

I’m 6’3″, and at that point in time was 40 lbs. heavier than I am now. (30 more to go!) The possible horrible comments that could be made to me swirled constantly in my head. I was convinced that they would do no less than throw rocks at me, call me a land monster, and chase me out of the store with torches a-blazin’.

After putting it off and putting it off, I realized [read: everyone told me] that what I needed was to just suck it up, make appointments, and try not to cry if the attendants were mean. I wanted to try to get it all taken care of before my semester started, so I made 4 appointments for a 2 day period. I researched everything that I should look out for—what to wear underneath, what was appropriate to say, what I should watch out for, how to act, everything.

Going into my first appointment, I was terrified, but prepared. How did it go? You’ll have to wait and see!

Were you utterly terrified at the thought of dress shopping? Had you heard all tons of awful horror stories as well? How did you prepare?

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41 Responses to “The Dress: Pre-Shopping Neuroses”

1 2 3 Last

Member

CorgiTales (message) 9,861 posts, Bee Keeper

I’m kind of dreading it. I’m a street size 14/16…. and my biggest fear is going into a shop and being told they have 3 samples in my size and they all have puffy sleeves or something.

1/13/10 @ 12:49 pm (reply)

Member

lemondrop (message) 1,193 posts, Bumble bee

Ah, the posts I’ve been waiting for… I love your style and have been looking forward to seeing your plans for the dress.

1/13/10 @ 12:49 pm (reply)

Member

Marinara (message) 392 posts, Helper bee

I was so terrified I never went!! I bought my dress online and avoided facing my demons

1/13/10 @ 12:52 pm (reply)

Member

ChillyBear (message) 175 posts, Blushing bee

I was so terrified that my first 2 appointments I went all by myself.

Congrats on losing 40lbs thats wonderful in only 4 months any tips?

1/13/10 @ 12:59 pm (reply)

Member

Rosiebear (message) 219 posts, Helper bee

I was pretty terrified too…but I brought along people I trusted…and went to a store that had a great reputation for plus size dresses (I’m a street 18/20). I had an awesome time, mostly because there were SO MANY sample dresses IN MY SIZE! It really helped to find a place that catered to larger women. I found my dress the first day (it was the first one I tried on)

ps. congrats on the weight loss! big achievement!

1/13/10 @ 1:05 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Pug (message) 3,753 posts, Honey bee

i was worried about whether the consultants would be pushy. most of them surprised me by being very gracious, but there was one that totally fit the bill or pushy. you are no land monster, by the way.

1/13/10 @ 1:09 pm (reply)

Guest

kimtim

Can’t wait to hear the rest! and DON’T let anyone ever tell you what you can and cannot wear, that drives me seriously loony when i hear stories of these mean horrible women who think they can say who can wear what!
I have a twin sister who is 6 ft. and a larger than size and if anyone dare say something to her I think my mom seriously punch a sales associate square in the grill! I’m willing to rent my mom out if you need someone to deal with these associates, lol!
cannot wait to see your dress!!

1/13/10 @ 1:09 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Cardigan (message) 8,645 posts, Bee Keeper

I was pretty nervous before I went to try on my dress too…mainly because I’m crazy picky and I was afraid everyone was going to hate me ’cause I couldn’t make a decision.

1/13/10 @ 1:18 pm (reply)

Member

tea (message) 7,288 posts, Bee Keeper

i’m looking forward to going though i’m sure i’ll tire of it quickly

1/13/10 @ 1:22 pm (reply)

10.

Bee

Miss Guinea Pig (message) 1,377 posts, Bumble bee

You are not a land monster Scissors!! I too feared trying on dresses and had to be clipped into most of them (as in, dresses were too small so they did their best to clip it closed with elastic band thingies). I wonder if it influenced my decision that the dress I ended up buying was in a sample size that fit me perfectly? hmm….

1/13/10 @ 1:31 pm (reply)

11.

Guest

Sarah

I was foolish enough to “drop by” a store without an appointment. You know the general disdain you get from bridal store employees? Multiply that by ten.

Also, I’m a good 80 pounds over their typical bride, so that ups the disdain again. To make matters worse, I wore jeans! and running shoes!

I’m surprised they didn’t actually spit on me. They probably considered it.

1/13/10 @ 1:33 pm (reply)

12.

Member

Miss Spaghetti (message) 282 posts, Helper bee

I was totally excited for my first appointment but after trying on some dresses I noticed they didn’t look as nice on me as I would have hoped and that this girl needs to get her butt to the gym because Jello called and they want their jiggle back! =( hehe…the second store had sample dresses unlike the first (David’s Bridal) and that was even harder considering most of the brides trying on dresses were pencils and I had to get extenders in order for the dress to fit…..ho hum. On the bright side it’s motivation to work out and look great! glad i’m not the only one that had a similar experience!

1/13/10 @ 1:39 pm (reply)

13.

Member

AprilBride10 (message) 528 posts, Busy bee

I was terrified of trying on dresses! I heard all the horror stories and was so scared they wouldn’t think I was fancy enough to be trying on those purty white dresses. I honestly think dress shopping is intimidating at any size - I bought a bridal size 4 but my ‘maids still had to drag me kicking and screaming into an appointment.

1/13/10 @ 1:41 pm (reply)

14.

Bee

Miss Spaniel (message) 6,792 posts, Bee Keeper

My fear was dealing with my mother while dress shopping. So I went without her until I pretty much knew what I want, minimizing everyone’s pain.

1/13/10 @ 1:46 pm (reply)

15.

Bee

Mrs. D'orsay (message) 2,272 posts, Buzzing bee

oh gosh, I don’t know if you’ll laugh at this or not, but I’m kinda short. Not only am I short, I have short legs. I liked mermaid/trumpet dresses. See where this is going?

Most of the ones I tried were fitted down to my mid-calf/ankle then flared. Flared into a pile on the floor. It was ridic. I looked like a mummified candle stick.

Or there was the time where the dress was too small for me and they just held it up. right. I have no idea how it will look on me - only against me and you want me to buy it? puh-lease.

1/13/10 @ 1:46 pm (reply)

16.