Reflections of an Online Dress Shopper

Confession time: I bought my wedding dress from an Etsy seller. Antique Bianchi, 1950s. $240. I spent more than twice that on tailoring, and the fragility of the gown led me to buy a reception dress, too.  When it finally arrived, the cost of last minute alterations nearly equaled the price of the second dress, and neither of these frocks were quite the silhouette I'd been looking for. Did I love them anyway? Yes. But I also discovered some useful considerations for other brides thinking of buying online.

Original bride in dress (seller photo).

Understand the Policies. Snore...but oh so important. I was fortunate: the Etsy seller agreed to let me return the dress within a specified amount of time if I decided it wasn't my type after all. This may seem a no-brainer, but understanding guidelines like return policies is a way to protect yourself from ending up with a dress you don't love - or worse - a dress that is damaged or defective.  

Prepare to Alter. No matter how accurately the seller has measured the dress or you've measured your body, there's a good chance you'll still need to make friends with a tailor. I used to work in product development and measured garments for a living, and I found this to be the case. 

Go To A Store. Seriously. Trying on dresses is the best way to figure out what silhouettes, fabrics, and details you like. After looking at hundreds of gowns in magazines and online, I thought I knew what I wanted, but actually climbing into some dresses was a step towards bridal enlightenment. Plus, the people at bridal boutiques know what they're doing and have a wealth of knowledge to share.

Melissa Sweet: "Lithe"

A Warning to the Frugal. As I learned from my own experience, buying a discounted dress doesn't mean you're really saving money - at least if you want your gown to be ship-shape on the big day. Please, don't EVER settle for a dress because it's a great price! I loved my wedding and reception dresses, but with all the money I spent on them and their alterations, I could have bought the dress that got away: a Melissa Sweet "Lithe" gown in ivory that I tried on at Sewly Yours. Melissa Sweet no longer exists as a brand, but I'm going to hunt down that dress for my vow renewal in 2091...

Vintage Whines. Much as I adore antique textiles, they come with their own set of issues, quirks you might not be able to recognize in pixel form. For instance, they can be difficult or impossible to clean, and they tear easily. (I have a stunning Edwardian silk skirt and bodice that are almost too shredded to handle, let alone wear). With my wedding dress, I found that the ethereal nature of the fabric meant it was too delicate to redesign or even wash. If you find yourself falling hard for something vintage, make sure you love it the way it is: your tailor might not be able to create a bustle or turn it into that one-shoulder style you envisioned. 

In the end, you need to know what you want and what looks good on you. If you're convinced that dress online is The One, then go ahead and "Add to Cart." It's OK to commit. :)

Would you ever buy a wedding dress online? What are your favorite or least favorite vintage finds?