The dress did not fit

  • My aunt sent my grandmother's wedding dress to me in the mail in hopes it would fit. I was pretty sure it would not and it definitely did not. It was too short, but I could have worked with that. The part that was way too small was the bust/rib cage, which is an issue I always, always, always have with dresses. I think I'm just built funny.

    BUT...I love this part. My teeny-tiny 5', 80 lb (guessing, LOL) cousin tried it on before her mom mailed it to me and she said I might have trouble with the arms because they were so small. It's a long sleeved dress with satin arms and yep, they were small. But they fit! I was so happy with that part. Looking at it in the box I thought, uh-uh, no way.

    It's ok though. I got to play dress-up for a day in my grandmother's wedding dress at 37 years old. It was a good day. And honestly, I don't like the dress, so it's all good!! On to my own shopping now...
  • I'm glad you are rid of that stressor in your life!! One less thing to worry about before your big day!

    Have fun shopping girl!! Make sure you let us know about the dress you get that is right for YOU!!!
  • I'm so glad this worked out. I read the other thread and felt so torn for you! On one hand, it might be really nice to wear a family heirloom. On the other, a bride wants her own style and certainly wants her dress to fit and flatter her. Congratulations on the wedding. And on the sleeve NSV! LOL I'm sure you will be a beautiful bride.

    Lin
  • It is a lovely thought to wear your grandmother's wedding dress, but if it didn't fit, it didn't fit. You tried to be sensitive to your family's wishes, now go shopping !
  • Have fun shopping!!!

    I have zero desire to renew our vows (way too much work!) BUT I'd love to go wedding dress shopping again. Or just any formal dress shopping for that matter, wish I had an excuse to wear one!
  • HAHA. Thats great. I didn't think it would fit.. people were smaller back then.
  • A happy ending indeed! Victory over the sleeves!

    And I hear you on bust/ribcage not fitting well. Especially on vintage clothing, it is a very common problem, because the proportions of our torsos have changed dramatically in the last few generations, all weight aside. Our waists are wider, as are our lower ribs, and our hips are proportionally smaller. The wasp waists required to wear many of those older dresses are occurring less and less naturally.

    Have fun shopping!